The decision

"Canada uh?" Carlo said.

He looked confused like he never heard that name before.

"Yup!" Gabriel answered.

It was a hot day in the seafront. Seagulls were in search of fish and people were taking a bath or tanning in the Sun.

But that would be the last day where Gabriel and Carlo could walk in the seafront together.

"What's your brother opinion?"

"I don't know! I think he doesn't want to travel that far!"

"Where is him?"

"At home, he's studying something at the computer!"

"That guy should do more physical activity!"

"I know!" Gabriel answered throwing a sea rock in the sea.

In fact Danny gained a lot of weight since the last year.

"I wish I could talk to him!"

"Why?"

"So I could convince him to travel. He spends too much time near a computer. He needs to travel!"

"Yes but Canada is so far away from Italy!"

"Sure, but you have some relatives there, I have no relativies in Como so I have to spend a lot of money for room and board and I'd rather not talk about the tour guide. If I had some relatives in Canada I would go there to spend my vacations. It would be less pricey. I had to spend money just for the ticket and my relatives would give me room and board for free. They would guide me to visit some interesting places with no costs!"

"Yes but the distance..."

"I'll take the plane. I have no fear of flight. The plane is the safest means of transport!"

Gabriel admired his friend courage.

The Sun was about to set.

Carlo took his bag with beverages and healthy snacks.

"I have to go home to pack!"

He gave another look at Gabriel before leaving him alone.

"You want my advice? Go to see your uncle in Canada. I think it's an excellent opportunity for a memorable vacation. Don't waste it! Bye!"

Gabriel remained alone for a few minutes. He scanned the horizon and threw more pebbles thinking about what his friend said.

He thought... and thought.. and thought... and thought…

"Naw… I'm not going to Canada!" he decided. He turned back home.

Everything was exactly the same. Annabella was cooking the dinner while Danny was sitting on the couch.

Gabriel was surprised to see him rught there and not before a computer screen. Something was wrong?

"Danny!" Gabriel said.

"Hi Gabriel!"

"You look sad, is there something wrong?"

"No!"

"Are there news about our father?"

"No!"

Gabriel couldn't decide to fell relieved or not.

"However..." continued Danny.

"…they moved him to another hospital, they finished they medicines."

Gabriel felt worried.

"They said this new hospital has a better equipment and a huge amount of medicines for him!"

Gabriel felt relieved.

"By the way, how was your walk with Carlo?"

Gabriel told of his walk with Carlo.

"… and before leaving me he said something crazy!"

"What?"

"He said we really should go to Canada to visit our uncle this summer!"

He laughed for a while but Danny wasn't laughing. Perhaps he was too sad or worried.

"Dinner's ready!" Annabella announced.

"Good, let's go Danny!"

"He's right!"

Gabriel turned his head. Danny said something.

"What?"

"Carlo… I think he's right! We should go to Canada!"

Gabriel was speechless for a while.

"Danny… are you serious?"

"Gabriel..."

Danny took stock of the situation.

"Both Carlo and Annabella are right, we need a vacation. I just… can't stand this situation, I can't stand this atmosphere. I'm always thinking about our dad and phone is always ringing and they are always our relatives asking about our dad over and over again. I need some rest, is summer let's take a real vacation which we didn't before!"

"Yes but why Canada and not Como or Malta or..."

"Because we have some relatives in Canada. With that our vacation will be less more pricey!"

Those were the same Carlo's words.

"We'll receive room and board for free, we just have to pay the tickets!"

"Yes but the distances..."

"We'll take the plane. I'm not afraid of flying!"

"Maybe next year!"

"No Gabriel, this year!"

"Why?"

"Think for a moment. Our uncle always came here in Italy every summer, he always brought us some cool presents from Canada, he never asked anything in return except to give him a visit. It's time to return the favor and we'd rather do this year because, as you know, our uncle couldn't come this year because he was sick if we wait some more he may die without giving him a visit and we will always have it on our conscience!"

A moment of silence.

Gabriel lowered his head.

Why not taking that a journey? Did he have something to loose?

He rised his head.

"All right..." he said.

"All right Danny… let's go… let's go to see our uncle! Let's go to see Canada!"