Jane
She was sliding it into the refrigerator when she heard people calling out and car doors slamming. She hurried over to open the door from the garage.
Brick Three and Lucas, involved in a loud discussion about the Patriots, lugged in heavy boxes of champagne and brandy.
“Pantry,” Brick Three directed.
Lydia and Florie burst in next, laughing and staggering under their huge loads of vegetables, fruits, and cheeses.
“There isn’t room for everything,” Florie moaned, dropping her farmer’s bags on the table.
Lucas chortled. “You say that every year.”
“We invite more people every year,” Brick Three reminded her, grinning. “We should have waited until your beau arrives so he could help lug in the food.”
Florie rolled her eyes. “Oh, Dad.”
Jane said, “I’ve made peanut butter and cranberry jelly sandwiches for lunch, if you want some before strolling.”
Lucas cleared his throat so loudly he sounded like a leaf blower. “Actually, I was kind of hoping to talk to you all before Lyd and Flor’s friends arrive.”
“Why does that sound ominous?” Florie asked.
Jane, sensitive to the mood of the room, set the platter of sandwiches on the table. Shoving the groceries to the far end, the family gathered at the kitchen table.
Lucas took a deep breath. “Okay, Fam, here we go. Drumroll, please.”
Lydia drummed her fingers on the table.
Lucas announced, “I’ve decided to become a nurse.”
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then everyone spoke at once.
“That’s rad!” Florie cried.
“I don’t understand.” Jane reached for his hand, as if touching him would clear the confusion.
Brick Three sat with his arms folded on the table, leaning in to skewer his son with his gaze. “If you think you’re joking, Lucas, let me tell you, that’s not funny.”
Jane watched helplessly as their son squared his shoulders and faced his father.
When Lucas was younger, he used to give Jane any upsetting news—bad grades, smoking pot—before telling his dad, so she could help support him when he told his father.
He hadn’t done that now, and she felt proud of him and sad for herself and worried for Brick Three.
“It’s not a joke, Dad. I’ve made up my mind and I’m not going to change. I want to be a nurse. I know I’m born for it. I’m strong and I like people and I need to move. I don’t want to sit at a desk and crunch numbers. Several times when I worked at the soup kitchen—”
Brick Three interrupted. “Soup kitchen? What soup kitchen?”
“Lucas!” Florie cried. “You’re so cool!”
“I’ve been volunteering at the soup kitchen on Boylston Street. It’s changed my life—”
“That’s impressive, Lucas. But what kind of grades were you pulling in while you were filling soup bowls?”
“I made good grades,” Lucas told his father. “I aced my science courses—biology, chemistry—and math, and that qualifies me for entering a nursing program. I’ve been accepted at BU’s Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.”
“You are? That’s a surprise.” Brick Three regarded his son.
His handsome, broad-shouldered, beautiful son.
His first and most urgent thought was that Brick Three’s father would go ballistic when he heard this.
His second thought was that Brick Three felt like his son was stabbing him straight through the heart by turning his back on a company founded by his own great-grandfather.
The truth was that Brick Three was deeply hurt, personally hurt. His son didn’t want to be like his father? His son didn’t want to work with his father? God damn, Brick Three was insulted.
“He’ll work for a football team,” Jane chirped, anxious to put the best spin on the news. “Or basketball!”
Lydia sat up straight. “Lucas, I think this is a wonderful idea. This world needs more male nurses.”
“I agree,” Florie added loyally. “I’m proud of you, Bro.”
Brick Three looked around the table. He knew full well that Lydia and Florie would champion their brother if he wanted to wear overalls and a bushy beard and build a still in the backyard. He knew that Lucas was every bit as stubborn as he was. He knew he wanted Lucas to know his father loved him.
Brick said, “I can’t say I’m not disappointed, Lucas. But I won’t fight you if this is really what you want.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
To Brick Three’s surprise, Lucas leaned over and hugged his father. Brick Three’s heart seemed to release, like the door of a safe creaking open. He did not enjoy the sensation.
Lydia spoke up. “I get it, Dad. It’s an enormous change.”
“This family is full of enormous changes,” Jane announced, and paused, signaling with her eyes to ask Brick Three if this was the time to announce their news.
Florie spoke before Jane could. “Actually, I need to say something, too.”