Deborah Fletcher Mello - A Stallion Dream

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“That boy is out like a light,” Matthew said as he returned to the dining room table. “What did you do to him?” he asked, his eyes locking on Collin.

Collin shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”

“He didn’t sleep last night. He was so excited, and he was up at the crack of dawn. He needs to rest. And you, Mr. Stallion, need to get your foot trunk out of my SUV and take it to your room so you can unpack,” Katrina admonished.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She leaned to kiss the top of her son’s head. “So, we redid the guest suite. Your father and I thought you might like a little more privacy until you figure out your plans. You’ll have your own entrance with your own key. The fridge and pantry are fully stocked, so if you want to make your own meals you can, but you are always welcome to eat with us.”

“I still grill on Fridays and Saturdays,” Matthew said, “so you’re guaranteed a good meal at least two days out of the week.” He winked at Collin.

“I know you are not talking badly about my cooking,” Katrina said as she moved to her husband’s side. She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and leaned to kiss his lips.

“Not at all. I was just reminding our son that we eat steaks on Friday.”

“And Saturday,” Collin said with a wide grin across his face. He held up two fingers. “Two! Two days of good food!”

“You two think you’re funny!” Katrina said, giggling softly. “I’m done with the both of you.”

“Family breakfast is the same time tomorrow?” Collin asked.

His mother nodded. “Food will be on the table at nine o’clock sharp. And we’re all going to church at eleven. We have much to be thankful for and I’m thinking you could use a little prayer to kick off your week.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We also need to talk about you getting a haircut,” Katrina said. She pulled her fingers through the length of his dreadlocks. “Something a little more befitting of the courtroom.” Her eyes were wide as she looked from her son to her husband, and back.

“I’m not cutting my hair, Mom,” Collin said, his tone firm.

Katrina crossed her arms over her chest. “Matthew, please talk to your son!”

“So, now he’s my son because he doesn’t want to cut his hair?”

“Support me here, please!”

Matthew shook his head. “Darling, I love you. But we are not going to win this argument. You’ve been trying since he graduated high school and decided to lock his hair. It’s time to let it go,” he chuckled softly.

“Uncle Mark is one of the state’s top attorneys and no one ever says anything about his dreadlocks.”

“Oh, they say things,” Katrina muttered under her breath. She tossed her husband a look.

Matthew laughed heartily, “That’s okay, baby. I know the ladies love my brother’s rugged good looks and I’ve heard most of your friends say how they would love to run their hands through that full head of hair he has.”

Katrina tossed the man another dry look. “You really are no help, Matthew Stallion.”

Collin grinned. “I’ll tell you what, Mom. I’ll give it some consideration, but I can’t promise you anything. The girls like to slide their fingers through my hair, too!”

Matthew and Collin both laughed heartily as Katrina threw her hands up in frustration. The two men watched as she made her exit, stopping to give them both one last kiss before retiring for the night.

Matthew stood and moved to the sideboard. He filled two glasses with scotch and passed one to Collin as he sat down with the other.

“You’ve impressed me, son. You’ve worked hard these past few years and I’m very proud of you. Graduating top of your class at Harvard, then finishing law school early and passing the state bar in Massachusetts and here in Texas on your first attempts. Those are quite the accomplishments.”

A look crossed over Collin’s face, giving Matthew pause. His gaze narrowed ever so slightly as he stared at his eldest child. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Sir?”

“What’s bothering you, son? You haven’t been yourself since you arrived. You’ve been quiet and withdrawn. So, why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”

Collin took a deep breath before answering. “After you finished law school, were you scared at all about what came next?”

Matthew took a slow sip of his cocktail before he responded. “I was. I wasn’t sure I’d made the right decision. It took a while before I got my bearings and realized corporate law was what I really wanted to do.”

“I’m not sure it’s what I want, Dad. But I don’t want to disappoint you.”

Matthew shook his head. “You wouldn’t disappoint me, son. You’re an adult now. The choices you make for your life must be about what you want and what you need. You’ve done everything your mother and I have ever asked of you and in most cases, you excelled beyond our expectations. It’s now your time and you need to make the most of it.”

Collin pondered the comment for a moment. Being the son of district court judge Katrina Boudreaux Stallion, and then adopted by her husband, mega Attorney Matthew Stallion, he had big shoes to fill and an extraordinary family legacy to uphold. He didn’t have the words to express that pursuing his own legal career came with some self-confidence issues he hadn’t anticipated. “Mom’s really excited about me working for Stallion Enterprises. But I’ll be honest, Dad. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“Your mom wants you to be happy, no matter what you choose to do. So, what is it you’re thinking you want to do?”

“That’s my problem. I’m not sure. I really don’t have a clue.” Collin’s gaze was downcast as he drummed his fingers against the crystal glass resting on the table before him.

His father nodded. “May I make a suggestion?”

“Please. I can use all the advice I can get.”

Matthew smiled. “There’s a community organization called the Pro Bono Partnership of Dallas. They provide legal services to the underserved and the disadvantaged. Only a select few are added to their payroll, but they’re always looking for good attorneys willing to donate their time to help. I think you should give it a try.”

“It wouldn’t be a salaried position, though?”

“Probably not, but it’s a great way to spend your time until you figure out what you want to be doing. And you know how much we believe in being of service to others.”

“What about my bills?”

“What bills?” Matthew eyed him with a raised brow.

“I know I don’t have to pay rent or anything, and I’m blessed that I don’t have any student loans to repay, but I don’t want you and Mom covering my personal expenses. And I was hoping to get my own apartment at some point. I mean, the guesthouse is great and all, but what’s it going to look like if I bring a girl home and Jake is hanging out the window, screaming my name? Or, worse, Mom is tracking who’s coming and going!”

“Jake better not be hanging out any window!”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do,” Matthew said with a light chuckle. “Which is why you need to relax and trust me when I tell you it will all work out. Find out if the Pro Bono Partnership can use you. Then go from there.”

Collin nodded, a slight degree of uncertainty lingering in his eyes. He did trust his father, but his future prospects still felt daunting. He took a sip of his own drink, wincing as the bitter fluid burned the back of his throat.

Matthew laughed, “You’re not a scotch man, I take it!”

“Sorry, Pops! I’m more of a bourbon guy like Uncle Mark.”

His father winked at him. “I’ll be sure to pick up a bottle just for you. Now, tell me about these girls you’re planning to bring home, hoping your mother won’t be tracking!”