What follows is the shift between what’s shaping up to be Part One, chapters 1 thru 8, and moving into Part Two, chapters 9 through whatever.
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“Why are you taking this job?”
“Because it’s there, and I’m qualified, and I’ve already been hired. Considering I haven’t done a day’s work in six years ought to be reason enough. I’ve got to start paying child support some time. Sooner, the better.”
“Beth’s never pressured you for child support.”
“All the more reason to get to it.”
The pause held for a few moments, another one of those times he was supposed to add something to his last statement. This time, he didn’t.
“Okay. We’ll do it your way. Consider you could be paying, let’s say, three of four times the child support after a couple of more years. What reason would you give for, one, paying now, instead of, two, not staying the course you’ve been on for the last six years, and thus denying the maximum financial support you could provide for your child?”
“Are you suggesting money is what matters most?”
His first answer was closed eyes and a shaking head, then: “That’s an old, boring trip.”
He offered a theatrical shrug in return and said, “Paying now or paying more in two years will ultimately add up to jack shit. All the financial support I’d could offer a child, right now or in two years, is pocket change compared to what’s going to drop into his lap someday. Between that day and tomorrow he won’t lack for anything.”
“That possibility doesn’t make you uncomfortable?”
“Probability, and it sure does. Another reason I should be making a more blue collar way of it.”
“So, dumping your education and taking this job isn’t a jab at your father. . .”
“Whatever I do is a jab at Dad. You know that.”
“I know that’s what you tell me.”
“And I speak the truth.”
“So, if I ask you if you’re taking this position, abandoning your education right as your crossing the finish line, as a means of refusing to follow his footsteps, you’ll answer honestly?”
“My honest answer I’m following his footsteps exactly. I’m ditching a promising career for money. Just not as much,”
“So, where’s this job supposed to take you?”
“Nowhere, if it all works out.”