Wade decided not to explore that image with Brother Albert.
Brother Albert continued, “I have no idea what that’s all about. That’s a very strange test result, but let me tell you that college is not for everyone. There are many professional careers that don’t require a college education. Here’s a brochure on some of those careers, in case you want to look at it.”
Wade was upset and not interested in hearing a lecture on becoming a mechanic or undertaker. He interrupted Brother Albert by saying, “Excuse me, Brother, but can I get a copy of my test results? I just realized that I have another meeting which I am late for. I will check back with you at another time.”
“Anytime my son. My door is always open to you.” He gave Wade a copy of his test results. Wade tossed the brochure on alternative careers in the trash just outside of Brother Albert’s office.
He thought, “Those tests and that person are not going to determine my future”.
A week later, Wade called Mr. Pete and asked to meet. He couldn’t stop thinking about the “undertaker” test result and wondered if that was some kind of destiny message or weird prediction about his fate.
In the meeting with Mr. Pete, Wade told him of his active duty deployment and told him about the results of his testing with Brother Albert. Mr. Pete asked if he could see the test results. Wade provided them, and Mr. Pete took his time reviewing the results.
Pete finally looked up and set the package of tests aside on his desk and said, “Before we get into these results, let me ask you some questions. First, what do you want to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you given any thought to going to college?”
“Yes, but all I heard from St. John’s was that I’m not suited. It seems like the more they tell me I’m not suited, the more I want to go.”
Mr. Pete replied, “Isn’t that pretty much how most of your life has gone so far? You’ve fought your way through everything you’ve achieved in life when everyone said you couldn’t do it. What makes you think college would be any different?”
“I don’t know.”
Mr. Pete continued, “Wade you’ve gone through a lot; you’ve already been through more than most people will go through in their lives. Listen to me: Whatever you decide you want to do and become, you can do it. Do not take my words lightly; I mean every one of them. I know you well enough to know that whatever you make up your mind to do, nothing will stop you from being successful at it, except yourself. The fact that your parents will assist you financially is a great advantage and you should give that tremendous weight in your decision.”
Wade nodded.
Mr. Pete continued, “Look, Brother Albert means well, and I’m sure he provides a valuable service to his students. But the tests you took at St. Johns are outdated. I, for example, use similar tests that are probably three generations beyond the tests you took. As for the ‘undertaker’ results, there is a default mechanism in these tests which puts up this category when the person’s answers contradict each other. All that means is you have some uncertainly in you responses, which is normal, that’s all. I haven’t used this test in years. The new tests no longer have the ‘undertaker’ category.”
Mr. Pete continued, “Look, put these tests away. I can tell you that your academic scores, while not at the top level, will allow you to attend most private and certainly all public, colleges that you might choose. You simply have to decide where you want to go and apply yourself.”
Wade said “But I don’t know what I want to major in or what I want to do.”
Mr. Pete assured him that most kids starting college don’t know either, even when they think they know. “Most people rarely end up where they start. It’s a journey Wade. Just pick something you feel might interest you and start. Let the journey begin. Your gut will tell you where to go from there. Fate and your hard work will determine where you end up. Don’t let this decision confuse or stress you. Think of it as fun. You get to make a decision and go where you want to go rather than where someone else wants you to go. Make it your decision.”
When that meeting ended, Wade felt like a heavy weight had been lifted.
Mr. Pete had removed another obstacle in front of him.
Wade thought, “What a great friend to have.” Wade felt he was in control. He could now view Mr. Jenkins’ proposal with new eyes and compare it to his father’s offer. He was determined not to get into anything that would interrupt his path to a college education.
It was another two months before Wade contacted Mr. Jenkins. This time Wade had done his research on colleges and had determined where he wanted to go. Now he needed more information from Jenkins. Perhaps his offer had some potential but not under the terms Jenkins originally proposed. Wade was prepared to begin negotiation with Jenkins along the lines of his decided career path. He wasn’t simply going to let some government agency make that call for him. He asked for a meeting with Jenkins to start negotiations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book would not have been possible without the people whose devotion, time, skill and ideas contributed to the many aspects of making this novel a reality. Special thanks for technical advice go to Ken Corona, Master Chief U.S. Navy (Retired) SEAL and Assistant Executive Director of the SEAL Museum, Fort Pierce, Florida. Ideas and helpful critique were provided by Suzanna and Leela D’Antoni and Betty Stein. Martha Romero for her skill and devotion in getting this text ready and in final format.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph D’Antoni is a true forensic and economic expert having spent many years testifying in court cases throughout the world. His clients have included the FBI, Department of Justice, intelligence agencies and some of the largest law firms in this country. He holds advanced academic degrees and has taught at three major universities. His fictional characters are often inspired from actual cases he has worked on and events he has investigated.
The popular cold war suspense novel, Silent Sanction and two short stories, Invisible Markings and Undersea Voices are recent fictional works based on actual events which took place in and around New Orleans, Louisiana where he grew up.
His non-fiction fine art black and white photography book, Louisiana Reflections, has received wide acclaim as an introspective photographic study of New Orleans and Cajun Country before Hurricanes Rita and Katrina devastated the area.
He currently resides in Southern California where he writes and works on art when he is not investigating or consulting on forensic assignments.