“New York City, for a firm that does international commercial law. They’re based out of London but have an office in New York, and they want me to run it. It’s a hell of an offer, son.”

For the first time that night, the possibility of a life without Sam reared its lonely head, and he shuddered internally. He glanced at the Flores family, the parents and the children hugging each other in a tight-knit group of grieving consolation. I know I’m only seventeen, but however love is defined, all I know is I feel something that strongly for Sam. I want to be with her, no matter what. It feels like it’s meant to be, as cliché as it sounds, even to me.

Ben looked back at his father. “What are the options?”

His father smiled. “Always calculating the moves. I like that. I bet martial arts has taught you to think like that. It will serve you well when you get older, son. Don’t forget it. As for options, there are two, and that’s what your mother and I have been disagreeing about. One—we could all move as a family to the Big Apple, but that pulls you out of school, and I won’t do that to you. Or two—I could get an apartment, live up there during the week, and come back down on the weekends. People do it, but then I’d miss out on seeing you both during the week, and I really don’t like that idea.”

Ben instantly thought of two more. “How soon do you have to give them an answer?”

“They want an answer within a month, but after tonight, I’m sure I could get an extension. Why?”

“How badly do you want the position, Dad?” Ben asked, surprising his father with his directness.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve always believed that family comes first, but this is the first time I’ve considered a change.”

Ben understood that even parents, especially once their children had been raised to survive, as Ben had been, made decisions that satisfied their own needs and not just the needs of their children.

“How happy are you at your current job?”

“Actually, fairly happy, although the new job would be a challenge, and I do like challenges, especially when it comes to the law.”

“This might sound a little self-serving, but have you considered using the offer to get something more from your current firm? I bet they’d make you a counteroffer to keep you. I’ve met your partners at the holiday parties. They love you there.”