My dreams

A deep sigh hit the air, Mason folded his arms and looked up to see the wooden restaurant sign that read Brook buffet. His arm slowly on cross before he pushed open the door and trailed inside to hear the chatter, laughing and the occasional tink from a fork hitting the plate he grew up with. He scratched the back of his head before making his way to the counter, he sat and waved tirelessly at the serving hatch, a smile etched across his face "Hey mom." He said.

"Mason?" She asked. She walked out the door gaping and smiling, she leaned over the counter to embrace her son. "Why are you here?"

"I would have been here sooner but I got caught in the lunch rush." He said, he patted his mother's back and chuckled before she let's go. "I came because I need to talk to you and dad, where is he?"

"Getting change for the register, why do you need to speak with us?"

"It's something I need both of you here for, I can wait until then dinner rush but could you get me a lemonade?" He asked. "It was a long drive from Dartmouth to here."

"Alright, I'll get you a lemonade but you're telling me how college is going. You haven't called in weeks and I've been worried." She said, she made her way to the back. Mason sighed and leaned forward, propping himself up on the counter. He fidgets in his stool, his smiling fading once he spots the picture of him, his father and grandfather hung up over the counter. The restaurant had been in his family for three generations, his grandfather had started it after immigrating to America and his father inherited it. He remembered the picture being taken on his first day, he was twelve.

"Here you are." His mother said, she set his lemonade down before leaning over the counter with a smile.

"Oh thanks."

"So how's college going?"

"It's fine, two more years I'll have a bachelor in business."

"That's good, are you playing basketball again this year?"

"I hope so, school comes first."He said, Mason smiled again and reached for his beverage before taking a few sips.

"You got that right." She said, she nodded and grinned before making her over to the tables finishing their meals. It seemed like yesterday he was doing homework at the counter before helping around, going outback after the dinner rush to dribble his basketball with his father. Getting in trouble every now and again for bouncing it in the kitchen and through the restaurant when they had customers. He would carry one everywhere he went and practice, going to the nearest courtyard to play everyday and even tried out for his school's basketball team. It was the only time throughout the year he wasn't helping clean the restaurant or waiting tables once he got to high school, it always put a smile on his face when he got to play.

"They grow up fast." She thought, Mason was already in college and working hard for his education. She cleared a few tables with the staff and looked back to Mason who was staring off into space before going back to the kitchen, soon coming back to give him a refill. "So how come you haven't called lately?"

"I've been busy thinking, planning mostly. Sorry I have called." Mason replied, he reached down and grabbed his phone to check the time before hearing the back door open. He peered through the serving hatch to see his father, his mother waves while he gives a big warm smile.

"Honey look who's here." She said, Mason's father scowled before coming up to the hatch. His eyes widened, a big grin jumped off his face.

"Mason!" He yelled, he came out of the kitchen with his radiant smile and made his way to the register. He put change into the register before leaning against the counter. "I can't wait to see you on tv again, it's almost our favorite season."

"Yeah, actually I don't think I'll be playing for college anymore." Mason said, his mothers eyes widened before they narrowed. His father laughed, he began slowly scratching the back of his head. His radiant smile dissipated.

"Wait why not?"

"Well I've been thinking about my future and I don't want to continue working towards a bachelor degree in business, I don't want to run a business I want to play professionally." Mason said, he coughed and looked to his mother. She gripped onto the counter and looked between Mason and her husband.

"Wait I thought you wanted to run the restaurant, isn't that why you went to earn a degree?"

"Actually I didn't know what I wanted, I had to pick something and dad said business."

"You want to try to play professionally like the Nba?" His father asked.

"Actually I'm planning to try out for the G-league, I planned out my trip to hit as many different teams as I can."

"Do you have money to travel across the country like that?"

"Yeah, I saved up."

"What if you don't make it?" His mother asked.

"I thought maybe I'd try for the teams overseas if it came down to that."

"You want to travel overseas to play basketball?!"

"No, honestly I'd prefer to stay here but I'm willing to give everything to devote myself to becoming a professional. If traveling overseas is what I have to do then I'll travel overseas and fight my way back." Mason said. He looked over to his father who was nodding in agreement to his surprise.

"Yeah alright, go for it."

"Wait really dad?"

"Yeah, you've always been passionate about it and it's not my place to stop you. If that's what you want to do then go for it." He said, Mason smiled while his mother became further bewildered.

"You're okay with this?"

"Absolutely, the restaurant will be here if he changes his mind." He said with a smile, Mason jumped up from his seat. His mother said and shrugged before heading off towards the kitchen.

"You better call us twice a week minimum." She said before heading back in the kitchen, His father balled a fist and tapped his chest.

"I named you Mason because I wanted you to be a hard worker, I know you can do it."

"Thanks dad, I'll do my best."

"Hey while you're here, want to help around the restaurant?" His dad asked, he pointed to the logo on his shirt then to the back."There's a spare uniform in the back."

"Sure, I'd love to help."