Chapter 18 - The Advice of a Father
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Sunday morning arrived too quickly, bringing the inevitable packing of the duffel bag and the drive back to the train station.
We stood on the platform, waiting for the northbound express to arrive in the crisp morning air.
"Did you remember your laptop charger?" I asked, checking my watch.
"Packed," Noah said. "And the Tupperware with leftover lasagna."
"Good."
A low rumble echoed down the tracks as the massive train began to slow its approach, hissing steam against the platform concrete.
Noah adjusted his messenger bag strap, looking at me with a mature, steady gaze.
"Dad... do you have any advice? For college? For life?"
I thought about all the mistakes I had made, the corporate wars I had fought, the blindness of my youth, and the miraculous second chance I had been handed.
"Don't spend your life trying to manage how other people see you, Noah," I told him, putting my hand on his shoulder as the train ground to a halt. "And never confuse the noise of the world with the voice of your own conscience."
Noah smiled, nodding. "Got it. Build strong foundations, don't listen to corporate boards, and always bring extra Tupperware."
"That sums it up," I laughed.
He stepped up onto the train car, turning back to wave as the automatic doors slid open.
"See you at Thanksgiving, Dad!"
May you like
"See you in two weeks, son!"
I watched the train pull away, accelerating down the tracks until it vanished into the horizon. I stood on the platform for a long moment, feeling the cool autumn wind brush against my face. The house by the river was waiting, quiet and peaceful, ready for me to return.
