Если я останусь

           Hewasalwaystryingtoteachmetoplay,butIthoughtitwastoomuchworkforasupposedgame.

           "Howaboutcheckers?"Iasked.

           "Sure."

           Weplayedinsilence.WhenitwasDad’smove,I’dsteallooksathiminhisbutton-downshirt,tryingtorememberthefast-fadingpictureoftheguywithperoxidedhairandaleatherjacket.

           "Dad?"

           "Hmm."

           "CanIaskyouaquestion?"

           "Always."

           "Areyousadthatyouaren’tinabandanymore?"

           "Nope,"hesaid.

           "Notevenalittlebit?"

           Dad’sgrayeyesmetmine."Whatbroughtthisallon?"

           "IwastalkingtoGramps."

           "Oh,Isee."

           "Youdo?"

           Dadnodded."Grampsthinksthathesomehowexertedpressureonmetochangemylife."

           "Well,didhe?"

           "Isupposeinanindirectwayhedid.Bybeingwhoheis,byshowingmewhatafatheris."

           "Butyouwereagooddadwhenyouplayedinaband.Thebestdad.Iwouldn’twantyoutogivethatupforme,"Isaid,feelingsuddenlychokedup."AndIdon’tthinkTeddywould,either."

           Dadsmiledandpattedmyhand."MiaOh-My-Uh.I’mnotgivinganythingup.It’snotaneither-orproposition.Teachingormusic.Jeansorsuits.Musicwillalwaysbeapartofmylife."

           "Butyouquittheband!Gaveupdressingpunk!"

           Dadsighed."Itwasn’thardtodo.I’dplayedthatpartofmylifeout.Itwastime.Ididn’teventhinktwiceaboutit,inspiteofwhatGrampsorHenrymightthink.Sometimesyoumakechoicesinlifeandsometimeschoicesmakeyou.Doesthatmakeanysense?"

           Ithoughtaboutthecello