I stand here in the driveway, staring at my sprawling mansion in the Pittsburgh suburb of Fox Chapel. I watch as the Allegheny County Sheriff places locks on my doors. As a Falcon, I'm accustomed to winning, not losing. I never thought I'd ever lose everything I have. After a stupid move in Vegas, that's exactly what I've done. All of it. The money, the homes, my car collection, my Sara. Gone.

I have a little less then three grand in the bank, so until I figure out how to rebuild my fortune, I sent Sara off to stay with her parents out on Hilton Head Island. The Sheriff was kind enough to escort me off my former property just now. I can do nothing but watch as he chains up my front gate.

I begin to walk down the road as my phone rings. Noticing its my mother, I put it on speaker as I walk.


”Hey, Momma.”

“Sean, are you coming for dinner?”

“I don't know, I'm not really in the mood to deal with your kids.”

“They are your brother and sister, Sean! Be nice! Scott and Shannon ask about you all the time.”

“Wanting money, I'm sure.”

“They have great jobs. They have money. They love you, Sean. You're too much like your granddaddy! Too focused on the money! You know the cost of everything, but the value of nothing! You're daddy knew the value of all things.”

“Get your behind to dinner!”

“Alright, Momma. I'll come.”

“Good. It'll be on the table in forty-five minutes.”

“I'll be there.”

“Good. See you soon, dear.”

“Bye Momma.”


After hanging up the phone I take a seat on a bench on the sidewalk. How the hell am I gonna tell Momma that I lost everything?

---

I called for a cab to take me out to the countryside to Mommas house. It was a surprisingly nice time with my family. Shannon and Scott, my brother and sister, left not long after dinner. I felt this was the opportunity I needed to tell Momma what I've done. After dinner, and seeing her other kids off, she always liked to drink iced tea and sit out on the porch that over looks the rolling hills.

I walk out onto the porch and a take a seat in a chair near her.


”You lost it all, didn't you?”


I'm not sure how she knew, but she did. Maybe she saw the episode of Warfare awhile back. Maybe she talked to Sara. Maybe it was just good old fashioned mothers instinct. I don't know, and I won't pretend to.


”How did you know?”

”Son, it's written all over your face.”

”The houses, the cars, my protege, all my money. All of it.”

”Son, that wasn't your money. That was your Daddy's money. A fortune that was built off the hard work of your Daddy and your Granddaddy Falcon.”


Momma is a good woman. Iron willed. In her younger days, she was a beauty. A real Southern Belle if there ever was one. My father met her on a trip to Texas one time in the 70's. She was the daughter of an oil man that was on the hunt for some steel. My father, being the young, but intelligent salesmen that he was, sold this big time oil man on an exclusive contract.

The oil man, Joseph Hunt, agreed to buy all of his steel pipes for his under ground oil wells from U.S. Steel. Dads company. This wasn't just a deal, it was a huge deal. In the 70's, Hunt Oil was a monster oil company not only in Texas and the south, but also internationally. This deal skyrocketed U.S. Steel stock and my dad became a millionaire a hundred times over.

Dad was a made man. He and Joseph Hunt formed a kind of bond. They became so close that Mr. Hunt actually begged Sean Falcon II to court his daughter. After seeing her, he didn't need to be asked. He fell head over heels in love with the young Ms. Hunt the first time he laid eyes on her.


”Son, you're going to get every last penny of that money back. You hear me? I done told you gambling the way you were was surely going to break you one day!”

”I know, Momma. I'm sorry.”

”How much did you lose?”

”I have under three thousand left, ma'am.”

”You really did lose nearly every damn dime, didn't you?”

”Yes, ma'am.”

”I've prepared a job for you, and you're gonna take it. You understand me? This is non-negotiable. You're gonna go to New York and meet this man. He was a mutual friend of your daddy and both your grandfathers. He knows you're coming.”

”Can I get some money?”

”You got some nerve! No, I'm not giving you one damn dollar. You're going to New York on your own. You're going to meet him on your own. You're going to survive on your own. You're going to get it all back on you're own. You understand?”

”Yes ma'am. There's one problem Momma. I don't have a car now. I don't have any way to get there.”

”Come with me.”


I follow her back into the house. Up in her bedroom, I'm hit with shame as I notice the large painting on the wall. My Dad. I could swear that painting of him was glaring at me. Burning a hole through me. Dad wouldn't have cared about the money. It was Momma he cared about. She was who he lived and breathed for. I've angered my Momma and he'd not be pleased.

She walks over to her end table as I'm caught in the stare of my father.


”Sean Patrick! Get your behind over here!”


I do as I'm instructed.


”Sit down and open your hand!”


I sit on the edge of her bed. She hands me a set of keys.


”Momma, what's this?”

”Keys, son. To your Daddy's car.”

”Dads car? What car?”

”It's down in the barn. Your Daddy's Buick. It's the first car he ever bought brand new. Come on, I'll take you.”


I follow her down the stairs and out the back door. She begins to walk slower and I follow suit. She wraps her right arm around my waist as we walk.


”You know, I love you, boy.”

”I know, Momma. I love you too.”

”Well, I might as well tell you, not that you'll care.”

”Tell me what?”

”I'm selling the farm. I'm going back home, son.”


She's right. I don't care.


”Grandma Hunt died. I'm going home to the ranch and that's where I'll spend the rest of my days.”


When did Grandma Hunt die?


”I'm sorry about your Momma, Momma.”

”Boy, you getting' wise with me?”

”No, ma'am. I only met her a few times, but she was your Momma. I know how I'd feel if I lost mine.”

”Well, she was old, dear. She lived her life. Now's not the time to get all worked up.


We reach the barn. I slide the large door open to the right. I step back and look at the canvas covered car. It occurs to me that I have no idea what car is under this cover.


”Don't just stand there, boy. Get that cover off and get it out of the barn so I can see it.”

”Yes, ma'am.”


I walk to the front left corner of the car and I peel away the cover.

Now I remember.

I loved this car. Dad would take it out on the weekends when I was young. We'd always go to a ball game or something else. He loved his family and spending time with us on the weekends was something he looked forward to every week.

I opened the door to the car and climb behind the wheel.


”Momma, are you sure she'll start?”

”She'll start. One thing your Daddy taught me was that cars like this, need to stretch their legs. I take her out on Sundays.”


Shit. I didn't even know she knew how to drive. I pump the gas three times to prime the carburetor, then turn the key. She turns over a few times then fires up. I roll her out of the barn and into the sunlight slowly. I drive it away from the bar and kill the engine.





Dads 1970 Buick GSX. The car that forced my love for the classics. She was a beauty, too. That rumble you feel as you sit in the driver seat after starting the engine is something you can not put a price tag on. Momma was right about one thing, I knew the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Except this.

I get out of the car and stand next to Momma.


”There ain't a nick on her. Sean Patrick Falcon the third, it better stay that way, too.”

”Yes, ma'am.”

”You take good care of her, Sean. I mean it! This was your Daddy's car and it's the only thing I have left that makes me feel like he's still with me!


I notice a couple of tears rolling from her eyes and I wipe them away. I grip her in a tight hug to comfort her. I've never been too good in the emotion department, but this is my Momma.


”Momma, Dad's car is safe with me. When this job is complete and all my.... his money is back where it belongs, I will personally deliver this car to Dallas.”

”You're damn right you will. So help me God, Sean. If anything happens to this car, I will cut you out. You understand me?”

”I understand, ma'am. Just so we're clear, you can give it all to Scott and Shannon. But, God forbid when that day comes and you leave us, this car is mine.”

”You worry about makin' me a happy mother. You get that money back where it belongs. And you let me worry about who gets what once I sail off into the sunset.

“You better get goin'. You have a long trip to New York City and not much time. It's 5:30 now. You meet your Daddy's friend at noon tomorrow for lunch. You'll park the car at LaGuardia, his boys will meet you there and take you to him.”

”I won't let you down, Momma.”

”I know you won't, son.”


I hug her one more time and give her a kiss on the cheek. I get back in the car and start it up. Before pulling away, I had one question.


”Who am I meeting, by the way?”

”The mans name is Dominic Castellano.”

”Bye, Momma.”

”Bye, dear.”


I hot the accelerator and the engine roars to life. There's only one thing that bugs me. Castellano. Where have I heard that name before?