Chapter 8

Gordon couldn't even remember what the catalyst for the tongue-lashing had been this time, there were so many lately and they all seemed to blur together in the end. It felt like continuous needling; every time they talked it was just another chance for Jeff to nag at him to choose a suitable career route, just as long as it fitted his view of what he considered suitable and that definitely didn't include professional athlete. The latest lecture had come with an ultimatum; he could either get a job, start a Tracy Industries internship or join a college programme in the spring intake. If he didn't then his allowance would be cut off.

It didn't feel like much of a choice. All he really wanted to do was swim but for that he needed money. Any bridges between himself and potential sponsors had been burned when he didn't take up their offers straight after the Olympics; opportunities were few and far between and without some sort of financial backing Gordon knew he wouldn't have the means to survive for long. Without his allowance to bankroll his continued training he may as well hang up his towel permanently.

He definitely couldn't stand the thought of starting an internship where he'd be forever under the watchful eye of his father, living in the same house was bad enough at the moment. He knew he didn't have the same business acumen as his father or the book smarts of his older brothers; he'd never be able to hold his own within the business and he could already imagine the whispers that would follow him around the office, judging him as just another rich son living off his family name who didn't deserve the job. He knew himself better than that. Being locked up in an office for upwards of 10 hours a day with no chance to work off his excess of physical energy with exercise, he'd explode. Something would snap, probably his sanity.

As for continuing down the education route Virgil had been a good sounding board about further studies but college still didn't feel like the right place for him. If worst came to the worst he would find a course somewhere, maybe studying ecology or marine biology wouldn't be so bad. The idea of moving out and setting up in his own little apartment like Virgil and John had and having the freedom to live outside of his father's shadow was certainly appealing. He knew though that when it came to school he would always be compared to his siblings, his father always managed to shoehorn in a remark about just how well his brothers were doing. Although conversation was perhaps a generous description of the one-sided lectures that seemed to occur whenever Gordon and Jeff were in the same room together for any length of time. No, school would be a last resort rather than his first choice.

Yet again it was his father's way or the highway.

The grip on his temper wavered as he left the study and by the time he reached the sanctuary of his bedroom his frustration had risen up enough for the door to be closed behind him with a slam. It didn't make him feel any better. Once again he had tried to talk to his Dad, to explore the option of maybe taking even just one year out to focus on his sport; plenty of people took a gap year after all. Once again it had turned into another lecture about finding something useful to do with his life. It had taken all his iron willed control, learned the hard way from years of harsh words and tough love from his coaches, not to bite back.

Before he had even registered what he was doing the application pack for WASP was out of its hiding place at the back of a drawer and in his hand. He smoothed out the worst of the creases and stared at the words; World Aquanaut Security Patrol. He hadn't given it much thought since his visit to Denver but now the idea was filling his brain with a buzzing reminiscent of the insect in the emblem. The forms signified an opportunity to live an independent life away from the control of his father and out of the shadows of his brothers.

Scanning over the questions on the forms he spotted one major problem; you couldn't join the submarine service as a minor and he wouldn't turn 18 until February, however, you could attend junior ranks selection aged 17 as long as you had parental permission. Permission he was unwilling to seek. He had no reason to suppose that his father would refuse, after all the military was an accepted path for a Tracy, but his judgement was clouded by anger and resentment. One trait he shared with his father was independence, if he could complete something without relying on others he would. He had resolved to choose his own way and he was not willing to ask his father for anything, not even a signature.

Gordon took a steadying breath, scrawled 'J. Tracy' onto the bottom line, and stuffed the forms into an envelope.

There was no going back now, he'd done it, he'd made a decision for himself, and it felt amazing. This could be the start of the rest of his life. A life away from the father that would never, or perhaps could never understand him. Endless possibilities stretched away before him and Gordon found himself glowing inside, fuelled by his secret and the opportunities it offered.

xoxoxox

Within a few days he had a response in his hand. The pack in the mailbox was reassuringly thick but he still opened it with some trepidation, his breath held; if it was outside the realm of swimming he always found himself braced for disappointment. He needn't have worried though, his aptitude test results and high school certificates had been more than sufficient to get him over the first hurdle. His initial application had been accepted and the pack contained details of a selection course he was expected to attend.

Despite the initial anger behind his application having burned out Gordon was not one to back down on a challenge. He held the proof right there in his hands, he was wanted; someone had seen his potential and it felt great. He could just imagine the look on his father's face when he announced that he no longer needed his help and was heading off to pilot submarines instead. Of course he wouldn't dare go so far as to actually tell his father exactly where he could stick that TI internship but it was fun to imagine.

The next stage in the journey though wouldn't be so fun. The selection course was happening in the far north of the state and took place over several days. It wasn't something he could just pop out to while Jeff was at work. He wasn't beyond a bit of deception by omission but he had never been comfortable with outright lying, honesty was yet another Tracy trait that was etched into his DNA. Unfortunately he could see no other way to gain a cover story. The fact that he had to drag the brother into it who had been nothing but supportive recently made it all the more painful.

He picked up the phone and prepared to put the next phase of his plan into action.

"Hey Virg."

"Hey yourself. Now what are you after?"

"I resent that. I don't only call you when I want something. Can't one brother call another for a friendly chat."

"They can, but you've got that look you always get before you ask a favour."

"I do not have a look."

"You so do. Now spit it out, I've got class soon."

The chestnut gaze appraising Gordon from the call screen was holding back the twinkle of a laugh. It was true that Gordon was a fairly open book to him and he couldn't resist teasing just a little bit. He had a knack for reading the moods of his brothers, even those that were an enigma to others in the family. Call it creative intuition. Also, any chats were reserved for the evenings when each of them had finished with class and training so a morning call in itself was a good indication that Gordon had a pressing question.

"Fine, can I come up and stay with you again for a few days?"

"Sure, you know you're always welcome here. Feeling the need to escape the old man again?"

Gordon nodded. He hated lying to Virgil but he needed an excuse to leave town. He rechecked the dates on the sheaf of papers, his selection course details, carefully kept out of the field of vision of the camera and made arrangements for a trip to Denver.

That evening Gordon approached the study and knocked on the door with more confidence than he felt inside. He heard the shuffling of files being closed and by the time he was granted permission to enter the desk was empty and Jeff's screen was blank.

Jeff couldn't deny that he was annoyed at the intrusion, it felt like his conversations with Gordon were going round in a never ending loop and he could ill afford the time to deal with yet another futile argument. However, it was unusual for Gordon to actively seek him out so he cleared his desk and bade him enter.

"Yes, Gordon? What is it?" He turned steely eyes on his son, expecting to be presented with a request for new equipment or notification of another competition.

"I'd like to go back to Denver for a few days please. Would you mind booking the flights?"

"Denver?" the request was not one he had anticipated. "Is Virgil ok with you visiting?"

Gordon nodded. "Here are the dates, I've already checked and Virg is happy for me to stay. As long as you're ok with it, that is." He withdrew a piece of paper from his pocket with the flight details on and placed it on the desk.

Jeff picked it up and studied the slip of paper in silence. Part of him wanted to insist on something in return but for once there was nothing unreasonable in Gordon's request and he was having to learn that his fourth son needed handling differently to the others. Despite the small age gap between them Gordon was most definitely not John who viewed the word through the eyes of a scientist and would happily counterbalance an action with an appropriate reaction. If anything having Gordon out of the way for a few days would do him and favour and allow him to move his project forward. It wouldn't be long before the school term started again signalling Alan's return from summer camp and Jeff's obligations tied him firmly to LA. He mentally rearranged his diary, oblivious to the growing impatience of the teen in front of him.

"So, can I go?" Gordon couldn't contain himself any longer.

"Sure, if Virgil is sure it won't disrupt his studies."

"It won't, I did check and he's honestly fine with me being there," Gordon played his trump card "University of Denver has an open day scheduled for then." It wasn't a lie, Gordon reflected, there really was an open day he just had no intention of going to it.

"Fine, leave it with me. I'll book the flights for you."

He dismissed Gordon and took a moment to pause. If nothing else the burgeoning friendship between his second and fourth sons was to be encouraged. Virgil was a steady and calming influence and Gordon always seemed less abrasive after talking to the quiet engineer. He had been finding Gordon an increasing trial on his patience, his attempts to steer him towards a suitable future seemed to be falling on deaf ears. His suggestions were usually met with stony silence but on occasion tempers could flare on both sides of the table. The latest incident had resulted in him threatening to remove Gordon's allowance; he wasn't proud of his actions but he was prepared to follow through if necessary. He hoped this trip marked a turning point for them. A sign that Gordon was finally taking responsibility and giving his future options some serious thought.

xoxoxox

Gordon got out of the car at the airport drop off point and waited politely for the driver to hand him his kit bag from the trunk. For once his father's predictability in sending him in one of the company vehicles made his plan that little bit easier to pull off. He thanked the driver then watched the car pull away before turning and entering the terminal building.

Rather than heading to the counters to check in he headed to the airline information desk.

"How can I help you, sir?"

Gordon swallowed slightly then flashed a confident smile. If there were no available seats this would be the point where his plan fell apart.

"I'd like to change the destination on my ticket please."

"Certainly; as long as the new flight has availability. You will also be liable for any difference in ticket price and an administration fee. Now, what are the details of the journey?"

Gordon handed across the details of the flights he wanted and waited nervously while the ticket agent called up the information. Ten minutes and fifty dollars later and the tickets for Denver had been replaced with new ones for Marineville.

Grabbing a juice from a nearby cafe he settled down to wait for his call for boarding. He knew he ought to call Virgil but every time he pulled out his phone a wave of guilt washed over him. He took another sip of juice to settle his stomach. Eventually though he couldn't put it off any longer, the flight for Denver would be departing soon and he knew time was running out if he was to make this convincing. He didn't want to lie to Virgil but neither could he let him in on the plan, his brother's morals would gnaw away at him and likely have him spilling everything to their father. Much better not to be reliant on others to keep his secrets. He found a quiet corner and made sure he kept the video screen off before spinning a tale that he was grounded and no longer able to make the trip.

To his immense relief Virgil bought the story without too many questions. He had to firmly turn down his brother's offer to intercede, typical Virgil trying to be defender of the wounded. Gordon made his brother give a firm promise not to get involved before closing the call.

As far as Virgil was concerned he was still in LA while his father believed he was in Denver, Gordon was therefore free for a few days. As the final call for boarding rang out across the tannoy system he headed for the gate and the flight that would take him up the coast towards the chance at a new future.