Chapter 2

Disclaimer: as per chapter 1.

Rhode Island 1985

The uniformed chauffer collected the boy's suitcases and with eyes lowered made his way out into the hall and toward the dormitory exit.

"Are you sure you won't change your mind, Tony?" the tall, skinny boy standing in the doorway asked one more time. "I'm quite certain that mother wouldn't mind an extra guest for Christmas dinner."

Tony looked up from where he sat on the bed and smiled brightly at his departing room-mate, "Thanks Pete, I appreciate the offer but my father said he'll be here before 6 o'clock to collect me. We're spending Christmas together this year. My father's wife, Donatella, is spending the holidays with her family in Paris so it will be just the two of us."

"Well, if you're sure," Peter replied hesitantly. "It's just that at Thanksgiving…"

"I know," Tony cut in. "He couldn't make it as promised but he had good reason. The business doesn't run itself, you know. You go and wish your family a Merry Christmas from me," Tony stood and shook his friend's hand and gave him a gentle push toward the door.

After one last, uncertain look, Peter Lowman jnr turned and followed the chauffer to the limousine waiting on the drive. Tony wandered across to the window and looked down at the scene below. A light dusting of snow had fallen overnight covering everything in sight and lending an eerie hush, like a silent movie, to the activity in the school grounds.

Along the long winding drive sat, at the very least, a dozen limousines and town cars, their liveried chauffers busy loading suitcases and brightly wrapped gifts into the trunks. The last of the boys to leave for the Christmas holiday were saying their goodbyes and waving to friends as they climbed inside and settled in for the long drive home. Those who lived further away and who needed to catch a flight interstate had left earlier that morning.

Tony glanced over to the steps leading down from his dormitory and saw a small group of boys who would stay at the academy over the holiday. Huddled together and wearing the same resigned expression, they were virtually invisible to the departing students as they hurried passed, arms bulging and calling instructions to their drivers.

He wondered with a pang, if he had looked just like them last month.

He remembered that he'd been so excited for weeks beforehand, counting each day off in his head as the Thanksgiving holiday approached. It had been months since he'd seen his father, their only contact a few hastily snatched conversations by telephone. Tony was very excited when his father had finally managed to clear his calendar so that they could spend some time together. Unfortunately, a pressing business matter had called DiNozzo snr to Europe the day before Thanksgiving.

As a self made millionaire and head of a major corporation, his father had always worked long hours and spent weeks at a time away from home as he travelled the world, chairing one executive meeting after another. That's the way it had always been.

However, since Tony's mother's death, his father seemed to have increased his workload to fever pitch.

Checking his watch, Tony turned away from the window and dragged his small suitcase from under the desk, flipping it open on the bed. Normally he wouldn't need to pack too much as he had plenty of clothes in his room at home, but he'd grown a full 4 inches since last summer and he doubted that any of the pants in his old dresser would reach his ankles.

He grinned when he imagined his father's reaction to his recent growth spurt. Though he was only 14, he figured that he was just a few inches shorter than his father now. Coach Turner had been quick to notice and had suggested he join the academy basketball team. He'd been hesitant at first but found that he really enjoyed it and the coach had said he was a natural with good hands and a good head for the game. Before long, Tony was playing point guard and loved being part of the team and calling the plays.

Three weeks ago they'd played in an inter-school tournament against other military schools on the east coast. Tony's team had won the junior division beating the Union Military Academy from Virginia in the final and taking the trophy for the first time in 15 years.

He couldn't wait to tell his father all about it. Maybe he would come watch a few games after the holidays.

That reminded him…he reached into the dresser drawer and retrieved a small flat package wrapped awkwardly in brightly coloured Christmas paper and tied with a small blue bow.

He'd asked the coach to take a photograph of him in his uniform and he'd had it framed, he figured his father might like to keep it on his desk. He stowed it in his suitcase and after checking that he hadn't forgotten anything, snapped the lid shut and placed the suitcase on the floor.

A light tap on the door drew his attention and he opened it to find that he was wanted on the telephone downstairs. He hurried down to the dorm supervisor's office and lifted the receiver tentatively.

"Hello?"

"Anthony? Is that you, boy?" his father's strong baritone voice came across the line and Tony's heart missed a beat. What was wrong? Why was he calling?

"Yes, Sir it's me, why are you calling? I thought you'd be almost here by now," Tony replied in a small voice.

He heard his father sigh deeply on the other end and closed his eyes in anticipation of what was to come.

"Anthony, something's happened…your step mother and I, well, things just haven't worked out between us and we've decided to separate".

"Separate? But I thought you were happy this time, are you sure that…"

"Yes, it's for the best. Crazy woman was just never satisfied, always making demands, expecting me to put her first all the time, completely irrational really. You listen to me, Anthony, women are fine for helping a man to relax but marry them and they turn into your worst nightmare. Love them and leave them, that'll save you a whole lot of trouble."

"But why are you calling, you are still coming to get me? I've just finished packing and..."

"No, I'm sorry, Anthony but it's just not possible at the moment. Donatella is at the house collecting her things and frankly I could do without her histrionics. Best for all concerned to let the lawyers handle things."

"But Father, you promised," Tony argued, his voice rising in his resentment.

"Life is full of disappointments, Anthony," his father snapped angrily. "The sooner you realise that the better, be a man and deal with it".

There was silence for a moment as Tony absorbed the rebuke.

"Where are you? I don't mind going somewhere else this year. We don't have to have Christmas at the house," Tony suggested quickly.

"I flew down to the chalet at Aspen, Anthony. Needed some fresh mountain air to clear my head, have some alone time..." his father placed one hand over the mouthpiece and Tony heard a muted conversation in the background followed by a feminine laugh.

"Who's there with you?" he asked suspiciously.

"No-one, I have the television on in the background. Listen, son, I have to go. I have an important conference call due in a few minutes".

"But I have so much to tell you," Tony complained. "I joined the academy basketball team last semester and…"

"Basketball? Don't be wasting your time with rubbish like that, Anthony. It only detracts from your studies and I expect to see a major improvement this year."

"But Coach Turner says I'm good, Sir. Really good. He says that I could have a real future, maybe get a college scholarship and…"

"Scholarship? What on earth do you need a scholarship for, boy? No, you forget this basketball nonsense and concentrate on improving your grades".

They spoke for another couple of minutes -Tony answering politely - his earlier enthusiasm gone as his father promised to catch up with him at spring break. Replacing the phone on it's cradle, he turned and trudged slowly back up the stairs and along the corridor to his room.

Once inside he opened the suitcase and tipped the contents out onto his bed. Spying the gift, he picked it up, turning it once or twice in his hands as he fought to control the emotions that warred inside of him. He needed to get out of here, get as far away as possible. His mind made up, he headed for the door, dropping the gift into the wastepaper basket as he left the room.

An hour later, cold and wet from his run in the academy grounds, he made his way back into the dormitory and jogged upstairs to shower and change into something warm. His stomach rumbling reminded him that he'd missed dinner but maybe he could find some leftovers downstairs that would hold him until breakfast time.

As he reached the lower floor he heard voices and laughter coming from a room along the corridor and he stopped a moment to listen. It had to be the boys he'd seen earlier, the ones who were spending the holiday at school.

Just then, the door swung open and one of the boys poked his head out and –spotting Tony standing on the landing - called for him to join them in watching a movie.

Tony hesitated. He didn't think he was ready to face their questions. How would he answer them when they asked him why he was still at school? He started to make his excuses then paused…why would they need to question him anyway? Weren't they all there for the same reason?

He straightened his spine, pasted a bright smile on his face and agreed.

As he entered, the other boys greeted him cheerily and shuffled along the couch to make room as he sat down on the end cushion. One of the boys passed along a bowl of crisps and Tony gratefully took a handful. The boy nearest the television grabbed the remote and, after checking that all were settled and ready, started the video.

On the screen a storybook opened and with every turn of the page, a wintry scene surrounded the film's credits. A snow covered sign saying "Welcome to Bedford Falls" signaled the familiar opening scene….

Tony felt his stomach muscles contract as he recognised the film and clenched his teeth together, fighting hard to school his features and appear relaxed. Turning his head, he stared out the window into the wintry night where swirls of snow danced across the lawn and piled high against the side of the building.

A small distracted smile twisted the corners of his mouth. It's a wonderful life, he whispered softly.

000---000---000

Thanks for reading and leaving a review. Your comments are always appreciated. Lyn