Deborah Fletcher Mello - A Stallion Dream

Before Collin could respond, Jake came bounding into the room, still yelling out his brother’s name. “Collin!”

Collin took a deep breath and held it for a brief second before he answered. “Yes, Jake? What’s up, buddy?” He dropped the book he’d been reading to his lap.

“There’s a man at the door for you.”

“For me?”

Jake nodded. “He says it’s important. He has a delivery for you.”

Collin shot his mother a look, puzzlement shifting between them. Katrina shrugged her narrow shoulders, having no answers about who was seeking him out or what they wanted. Collin slid his book onto the coffee table and stood up.

Jake grabbed his hand and tugged. “Come on,” he chided, a silly grin widening across his face. The youngster pulled his brother through the family home to the foyer and the front door.

A well-dressed man wearing tan linen slacks and a white dress shirt smiled in greeting. “Good afternoon, sir. Are you Collin Stallion?”

“Yes, I am. How may I help you?”

“I just need to confirm your identification and then get your signature, Mr. Stallion,” the man said as he extended a metal clipboard in Collin’s direction.

Collin scanned the documents attached, noting a delivery receipt that required his signature to acknowledge his acceptance. “I’m sorry, but what is this for?” he asked.

The man took a step back and gestured over his shoulder. Sitting in the driveway of the Sunnybrook Lane property, directly in front of the four-car garage, was a black-on-black Mercedes C-300 sedan with a huge red bow adorning the hood. The brand-new vehicle was gleaming under the midday sun, looking like it had been spit-polished with multiple coats of car wax. The windows were tinted, and new sports rims adorned the frame.

“There’s a card,” the man said, gesturing to the paperwork in Collin’s hand. “But I do need your signature first, sir!”

Still puzzled, Collin read through the fine print quickly, then scribbled his moniker across the dotted line. He handed the clipboard back. The deliveryman snatched a duplicate copy from the bottom of the document and passed it and an envelope to Collin. He reached into his pocket for a set of keys and passed them to him, as well. “Congratulations,” he said as he did an about-face and stepped down off the porch.

Collin stepped out of the house after the man. He watched as the stranger slid into the passenger seat of the Mercedes dealership’s service van, the vehicle eventually pulling out of the driveway and disappearing into midday traffic.

“It’s so cool!” Jake exclaimed as he bounded down the steps and peered into the driver’s-side window. “Who gave you a car?”

“I want to know who it’s from, too! Are you going to open your card?” Katrina asked.

Collin turned to find his mother, and his father, standing behind him. Still stunned by the delivery, he stood like a deer in headlights, uncertain and slightly lost.

Matthew Stallion shot his wife a look. “Is he okay?”

She laughed, “I’m not sure.”

Collin shook his head. His eyes were blinking rapidly. “I’m just... It’s... W-well...” he stammered and then he noticed his hand was shaking.

Matthew laughed, “I think our son needs some help.”

Katrina reached for the envelope and pulled it from Collin’s palm. She took the note card from inside and gave her son a questioning glance, and he nodded his approval for her to read it aloud.

His mother read it to herself first, drawing her hand to her heart as tears suddenly misted her eyes. She exchanged a look with her husband, who rested a gentle hand against the small of her back. She nodded her head slightly and then began to read.

“‘Collin, you were fifteen when I promised you that if you did what was asked of you and followed the rules, you, too, could have your own Mercedes. You’ve earned this. Your mother and I could not be prouder. We love you very much! Congratulations, son! Dad. PS Try not to get it stolen!’”

“Thank you!” Collin exclaimed, his excitement spilling past his eyes. He moved into his father’s arms, the two men embracing warmly.

Matthew grinned. “I’m proud of you, son,” he said as he slapped Collin across the back. “Now, go check out your car,” he said. “Maybe take your little brother for a ride!”

Collin swiped a hand over his eyes as he leaned to kiss his mother’s cheek. “I love you,” he said and then took the porch steps two at a time, eager to explore his new vehicle.

* * *

Collin listened with half an ear as Jake rambled on about Star Wars , the newest Avengers movie and some little girl named Melissa, who kept giving him cookies at lunchtime. The two had been riding around for hours, finally stopping at In-N-Out Burger when Jake complained about being hungry. He was finishing off the last of his double-double burger and fries as he filled his brother in on everything that was important to him in his small world.

Collin had forgotten what it was like to be his brother’s age—not having a care in the world and still feeling like the weight of everything rested on your shoulders. He had been a sixteen-year-old with his own problems when Jake had been born. His saving grace had been their father.

Collin had been fifteen years old when he first met Matthew Stallion in family court. He’d been facing criminal charges for stealing Matthew’s car. He hadn’t been thinking when he’d swiped the luxury Mercedes for a joyride. After crashing it on the interstate he’d been given probation and an opportunity to change his circumstances around. Matthew had become his mentor, and then his mother’s husband. For the first time in his life, Collin had a father who was there to greet him each morning and wish him good-night every evening. Matthew had stepped up to be his parent, taking the place of his biological father, who had died in military service when Collin had been a baby. On his eighteenth birthday, Matthew had asked to legally adopt him, wanting to give Collin his name. That moment had been the happiest in his young life and the framed photo of them back in family court was one he cherished.

Collin had fond memories of their father listening intently as he whined about problems that weren’t problems, and he wanted his baby brother to know the same joy. Even though he knew there were times his dad had only been listening with half an ear, his thoughts also on business and issues that didn’t concern his sons, Matthew had never let him see that he wasn’t the most important thing in that moment.

Jake beamed up at him. “I hope Dad buys me a car when I graduate from law school.”

“Just do what you’re told, follow the rules, and I’m sure you’ll get one, too, someday.”

“I want a BMW, though. Or maybe a Tesla.”

Collin laughed, “You have expensive taste.”

“Says the guy who just got a free Mercedes!” Jake grinned, his wide smile like a beacon in the center of his small face. He took a sip of his soda, sucking the beverage loudly through his straw.

“We need to get back,” Collin said as he reached for a paper napkin to wipe his hands. “Mom’s going to be mad that we ate when she was planning to cook dinner.”

“I’ll be hungry again by the time we get back. It won’t go to waste.”

Collin laughed. Jake continued to talk, barely stopping to catch his breath. He had missed Collin and it showed in the young boy’s exuberance. Collin let his brother ramble, feigning interest in stories about superheroes and girls who smelled like bubble gum. An hour later, when he pulled his new car back into the driveway of their home, Jake was past ready to go back to his video games and give his big brother some very welcome space.