Booth accessed the Skype link. "Parker! Man, look at you! You must've grown at least 2 inches since the last time we skyped!"
"Hey, Dad. Yeah, I'm almost six feet tall."
"Pretty soon you'll be bigger than your old man...but I'll still be tougher!"
Parker flashed his own version of a Boothy grin. "Whatever, Dad! Anyway, did Mom tell you that she and Brent are moving stateside?"
"Yeah, that's what I heard. I guess that means you'll be going to college in the US, right?"
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm gonna try to get accepted into the Coast Guard Academy, but if I don't, I want to enlist in the Coast Guard. Either way, I want to join and audition to play in their band."
"The Coast Guard has a band?"
"Yeah. Some of my friends here in the UK tried out for the Royal Marine Band, and a couple were given a second audition. My music teacher had the director listen to me, even though I can't be a Royal Marine, and the director was really encouraging. He said I could be a pro. So if I do this, I can do two things I want to do: play music, and continue the Booth tradition in the military. But first I want to make sure you're okay with it."
"Why wouldn't I be okay with it?"
"Because my stepdad is a Coast Guard man, and you were in the Army. I don't want you to think I prefer him to you. You're my dad."
It took a minute for Booth to regain his composure. "Uncle Jared will be happy to hear that you don't want to be a Marine. The Coast Guard is a fine organization. And Parker...I'm so proud to be your Dad."