"God, time flies," Casey commented, looking at his watch. The others had already gone home, and were awaiting the release of their album, coming up sometime in the following months. He then looked at his father. "What do I tell Mom?"
"The truth," Taylor said. "Tell her that you found me and that it doesn't look like you're going to get rid of me for a while, especially if the album does as well as I know it will."
Casey grinned. "You're prejudiced."
"Oh, am I?" Taylor asked laughing. "Well, better prejudiced than estranged."
"Definitely," Casey agreed. "You still want me to talk Mom into coming in with me to Oklahoma for Christmas? I don't really want her to spend it alone, if I'm gonna come to be with your family and all…"
"Sure," Taylor said. "I'd really like to talk to her. I don't think we ever ended anything on the right note. I'm sure it had to do with the fact that I always made her uncomfortable."
"Everyone makes her squirm," Casey said.
"Well, my attitude didn't help," Taylor said. Just then the announcement to board the plane came over the PA. Taylor stood up, as did Casey.
"This is it," Casey said.
"Yup," Taylor replied. They gave each other a quick hug, and then broke apart.
"Bye," Casey said.
"Bye," Taylor said back. Then, Casey headed to the portal to the plane. Taylor watched for a minute. Casey turned suddenly.
"Taylor!" he called.
"What?" Taylor asked.
"Can I call you Dad?" he asked. Taylor smiled and sighed with relief.
"Thank God…I thought you'd never ask"
Casey grinned and ran back. They hugged one last time and said good-byes again. This time, Casey added a soft, "I love you, Dad," before he ran to turn in his ticket. Taylor waved wistfully as his son boarded the plane. He stood there until the portal finally closed, and the plane was just about to go. Taylor glanced at his watch. He then headed to leave.
However, just before he got out of the gate, a familiar song came over the PA. As it played, Taylor laughed and shook his head. Then he walked out the door, the memorized chords rolling on behind him…
Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only so many hours in a day
But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get it old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize…
Vienna waits for you
Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right
You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you
Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook
And disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you
You know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get it old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
Why don't you realize...
Vienna waits for you
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you
* musical credit goes to billy joel