A/n: Like it so far? Here's the conclusion......

Chapter 2

Neil's father said nothing the short ride to his house. Neil could felt his cheeks burning with shame at his blatant disobedience. At the same time, he couldn't help but thinking things like, "Why shouldn't I act? Why can't I be the best actor the world has ever seen? So what if I go in this play? I'm not going to be a doctor or lawyer, so why study to be one?"

Of course, Neil never said a single word. He did not want to make the situation any worse than it already was.

Neil's father stopped the car and turned it off. He did not, however, get out. Neil was about to - he had his hand on the door handle - when his father spoke.

"Neil, wait a minute." he said sternly, and Neil recoiled from the handle immediately. "What were you thinking, Neil?"

Neil said nothing, and he felt his cheeks go hotter still. He kept his eyes on his shoes, and silently watched the snow melting off of them.

"I told you not to go in that play! Did you not understand me!?" his father sounded mad. And if Neil had been in a more observant mood, he would've noticed that his father was not nearly as mad as he should have been. "I cannot believe that my own son would go behind my back, especially after I specifically told you never to go near this acting business again! I said it was a whim, a stupid fantasy! Why didn't you listen!?"

Neil swallowed, and tears burned his eyes. 'Because I hate you and I love acting.' Neil thought. 'I just wanted you to be proud of me no matter what I did. Like the other parents.'

"Hmm?" His father prodded. "Look at me and answer!"

Neil blinked hard to make the tears disappear and slowly turned his face toward his father.

"Why didn't you listen, Neil?" his father asked, more calmly than before.

'Because I can't not act.' Neil wanted to say. Instead he mumbled, "It was a bad decision that I regret."

His father shook his head, and Neil expected another wave of scolding. "No, Neil. You don't believe that."

Neil took his eyes away from his father again. No, he didn't. But he didn't dare say the truth either.

"I told you not to act. I told you not to go in that play." his father paused, and sighed. "You disobeyed me, Neil. You went behind my back, and completely disobeyed me." he paused, and Neil felt more horrible than he'd ever felt in his life."And for that... I'm thankful."

Neil shot his eyes up to his father's. Had he misunderstood? Had he heard right?

His father nodded. "Yes, Neil. Thankful. That's what I said. I'm glad that you went behind my back. Because then I went to the theatre to make sure you were not in the play, and I saw you in it. At first, of course, I was furious. But then I listened. And watched. And I saw how truly amazing and gifted you really are."

Neil's mouth hung open. Could he really be hearing this? Was it some sort of cruel joke?

"You know as well as I do how hard it is for me to admit I'm wrong." Neil's father continued. "But that's what I'm doing. I was wrong, and I'm sorry for being so hard on you. And I want you to continue this acting thing, because it's almost the only time I see you happy, and I know it's the only time I've ever seen you this.....intense and......passionate about something you're doing. You put your soul into that play, Neil."

Neil wanted to cry. But this time not in shame, but in ecstasy. He was afraid he was dreaming and was going to wake up, finding his father ranting at him.

His father clenched his jaw, and Neil was shocked to see a mist over his father's eyes, looking at him for the first time with respect and real love. "I'm proud of you Neil." his father's voice was that of one about to crack into tears. "You're my only boy. I'm proud that you're my son."

Neil had a lump in his throat, and this time it was one of respect and love for his father. Never had his father shown such emotion. The tears were gathered thick behind Neil's lashes, and the vision of his father was thoroughly blurred into streaks of colour.

His father got out of the car, headed for the front door and waited.

Neil's heart beat fast at the prospect of being an actor, and his father being ok with it. He couldn't wait to tell his friends. And Todd! Todd would be so happy! But most of all, Neil couldn't wait to tell Mr. Keating. In fact, the moment he was done talking with his mother about acting and being in the play, Neil was going to bike or run - or something - back down to Wellington's and tell Mr. Keating what happened and apologize for lying.

Neil got out of the car and met his father on the doorstep. They were both quiet with emotion, and it was Neil who made the first move. For the first time that Neil could remember, he and his father shared a hug.

A/n: Awww.......brings a tear to your eye? Makes you gag? Tell me! (just no swearing please)