Mini GTS Fiction

As the Yuletide Solistice came and went and a new year began, Jake found himself feeling sidelined both at home and at work.

When the ultrasound revealed that the baby was a girl, Kelly and Klara were absolutely ecstatic while Jake’s sense of foreboding only grew. Soon, Klara and Kelly were deep into discussions about baby names, nursery themes, and future plans for the family. Jake felt a bit like a spectator, his input neither sought nor valued.

At the office, the restructuring meant that Jake’s role had shifted, and he now found himself restricted to handling routine tasks while Sarah took over his higher level responsibilities. Meanwhile, Ms. Reed and his sister spent more and more time behind closed doors together strategizing. While he understood the necessity of the changes, and his days were certainly less stressful, it still stung a bit to see his younger sister getting opportunities that were denied to him. And he couldn’t help but notice the way she’d instantly commanded the respect of team members who had never been respectful to him.

As Jake navigated these personal and professional shifts, life continued for the twins. The eighth graders faced a significant milestone as they prepared for the Secondary Education Admissions Examination. For girls like Kelly, the exam determined how many high schools they would be invited to attend. However, for boys, it dictated whether they could proceed to high school at all. A sizable majority of the eighth grade boys would be diverted to the Male Academy track to focus instead on mastering domestic responsibilities in order to be ideal husband material.

As the examination day approached, the twins navigated a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The outcome would not only shape their educational future but also influence the opportunities and expectations awaiting them in the years to come. While Kelly was outwardly confident, her parents and brother caught glimpses of stress she was feeling. Kyle didn’t have much to say about the looming exam at all. When he was asked from time to time if he was worried about it, he just shrugged and changed the subject.

When the day of the examination arrived, the weight of societal expectations rested heavily upon the twins’ shoulders as they entered the examination hall. Their respective performances that day would not only shape their individual destinies but also highlight the stark divergence in the paths available to them based on their gender.

As Kelly took her seat among the rows of desks, her eyes focused on the exam paper in front of her. Confidence radiated from her posture, but a subtle tension lingered beneath the surface. She was one of the standouts of her year, and she knew only too well that unto whomsoever much is given, much shall be required. It wasn’t enough for her to do well. She had to ace the exam, or she would bitterly disappoint herself and the women—family, teachers, even her peers—who believed in her.

Kyle, in a separate room with much smaller desks, faced a different set of challenges. The exam carried a different significance for boys—one that could potentially redirect their educational journey completely. The bar for boys to continue to pursue academic scholarship was high. Kyle knew that his father had cleared that high bar, and expected him to do so as well. Still, Kyle maintained a calm exterior. His gaze focused on the questions, and he answered each one with the same measured approach that he used for most aspects of his life. The looming possibility of being directed to a Male Academy didn’t seem to faze him.
Afterward, Klara and Jake tried to get the twins to weigh in on how they thought they did. But despite their best efforts, Kelly and Kyle remained tight-lipped.

As the twins awaited the results of their exams over their spring break, the tension in the household reached a palpable peak. Kelly’s external confidence belied the internal pressure she felt. The outcome of the exam held immense weight, not just for her but for most of the young women in her grade. Meanwhile, Kyle’s calm and reserved demeanor left his family guessing about his true feelings and thoughts.

When the day of the results arrived, the family gathered nervously. The scores posted on the examination board website would shape the future trajectories of Kelly and Kyle.

After Klara logged into the website, she opened her daughter’s results first. As Klara read the results aloud for the family, Kelly’s eyes widened with joy and relief. She had not only passed the exam but had achieved one of the top scores in her year. She would be a shoo-in for even the most elite academies, opening doors to a future filled with academic pursuits and opportunities. Mother and daughter hugged.

Once Kelly’s achievement had been duly celebrated, Klara turned her attention back to her laptop. The atmosphere shifted as she loaded Kyle’s results. His results were not nearly as impressive as his sister’s, but he had just barely exceeded the score required for a boy to attend an academic high school. While Jake had hoped his son would have scored higher, he was still relieved.

Before Jake could reassure him, however, Kyle got a video call from Nadira. He excused himself to another room.

When Kyle came back into the living room, Jake sensed that something significant had changed for Kyle.

“That was Nadira,” he announced. “She got the third highest score in our grade. She’s on the path to greatness, just like Kelly.”

Jake couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for Nadira and her achievements. The news, however, seemed to cast a shadow over Kyle. As the family gathered around, eager to hear Kyle’s thoughts on the results, he hesitated.

“I’m thrilled for Nadira,” Kyle finally said, and it was clear that he meant it. “She’s incredible, and she’s going to go on to do incredible things. But her and I have been talking a lot about our futures. I’ve been thinking… maybe I don’t want to go to an academic high school.”

The room fell silent as everyone processed Kyle’s unexpected statement. Klara and Kelly didn’t seem all that surprised, but Jake was appalled.

“What do you mean, Kyle?” Jake demanded, trying to keep the outrage from his voice. “Why would you throw your future away?”

Kyle took a deep breath before explaining. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. The Male Academy route isn’t a bad option. I can learn practical skills, just like Grandpa Mitty did. I don’t have to follow the same path you did, Dad.”

Jake, a mix of surprise and concern in his eyes, responded, “But Kyle, you have the potential to do well in an academic setting. Don’t you want to pursue a career like I did?”

Kyle met his father’s gaze with a calm determination. “Dad, I’ve seen the pressure you face, the long hours you put in, and how few opportunities for advancement you’ve had. I’m proud of you for being this amazing trailblazer, and I really respect what you do. But I’m not sure if that’s the life I want for myself.”

Jake struggled to find the right words, torn between understanding his son’s perspective and a deep-rooted desire for Kyle to follow in his footsteps. “Kyle, the opportunities that come with academic achievement can provide you with a different kind of life. The chance to make a real impact, to lead.”

Kyle just shook his head. “Being a leader isn’t the only way to make a real impact; you’ve taught me that. The new baby is only a handful of months away. If I go to an academic high school, you’ll have to quit your job to stay home with the baby. But if I go to a Male Academy, I’ll have the time and support to pitch in taking care of the baby so you can keep working. And I’ll be learning the skills I will need someday when I’m caring for my own children.”

Klara smiled down at her son. “It’s clear that you have put a lot of thought into this decision, Kyle. I’m inclined to respect your choice, especially given the long-term benefits you’ve highlighted.”

Kelly, too, chimed in with support for her brother’s choice. “Dad, Kyle’s right. There are many ways to contribute to society. The Male Academy could give him valuable skills, and make him a better husband for Nadira someday. And it would allow you to continue your career without sacrificing opportunities for the new baby.”

“I don’t want my son falling on his sword for me!” Jake protested. “He’s talking about throwing away an opportunity that he’ll never get back.”

Kyle maintained his calm demeanor. “Dad, it’s not about sacrificing opportunities,” he continued patiently. “It’s about choosing a path that aligns with my values and priorities. I want to be there for the family, for Nadira, and a Male Academy will provide the skills I need for that.”

Jake struggled to let go of the future he had imagined for his son. “But, Kyle, I had dreams of you achieving more, going further. I wanted you to have the opportunities I didn’t.”

Kyle took his father’s hand in his own, a gesture that held both reassurance and determination. “Dad, I appreciate all you’ve done for me, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. But I want to define success on my terms. And success, for me, involves me being a good son, a good brother, and eventually a good husband.”

When Klara cut in, her tone was kind but firm. “Jake, I know this might not align with the expectations you had for our son, but we have to respect Kyle’s choices and support him in pursuing a life that brings him fulfillment.”

“Would you be saying that if it was Kelly who was throwing her future away?” Jake asked bitterly.

Klara glared down at him. “I don’t appreciate your tone, little man.”

Jake, feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, took a moment before responding. “I’m sorry, Klara, I didn’t mean to question your authority… I want the best for Kyle, and I thought the best meant following a path similar to mine. I never imagined he’d choose a Male Academy over an academic high school if the choice was available to him.”

Kelly, sensing the tension, interjected with a calm yet assertive voice. “Dad, success looks different for everyone. Kyle’s choosing a path that aligns with his values, and that’s commendable. We should support him in that choice.”

“I agree,” Klara said sharply. “And the matter is no longer open for discussion.”

As the days got longer and the flowers started to bloom, Klara’s pregnancy progressed, and the family adjusted to the reality of Kyle’s decision to attend the Male Academy. Even though Jake still didn’t agree with Kyle’s decision, he tried to accept it given Klara’s insistence that the matter was now settled. As they shared the news with family and friends, the news was met with mixed reactions. Jake’s father was thrilled of course, and promised to put in a good word for Kyle with the Hearthside admissions office. Jake’s mother, who had long championed male education, didn’t share her husband’s enthusiasm. But she did respect her daughter-in-law, and deferred to Klara’s authority with regard to her grandchildren.

Meanwhile, Klara’s baby bump had gotten a lot more noticeable. Kelly, having embraced her role as a soon-to-be big sister, was actively involved in preparing for the baby’s arrival. Nursery decorations and baby supplies started to accumulate, transforming one of the spare rooms into a space filled with anticipation and love. When Jake tried to weigh in, he was told to let the women of the family worry about it.

While trying to find his place in the midst of these changes, Jake couldn’t help but dwell on the diverging paths his children were taking and the impact it would have on the family’s future.

Back at work, Jake found himself increasingly marginalized as Sarah took on more responsibilities in the Strategy Unit. Projects he had spearheaded were now overseen by Sarah, and decisions were made by Ms. Reed and his sister without any input from him. Increasingly, he found himself on the outside looking in on core aspects of the team’s mission. Gradually he had gone from being a collaborator to a spectator.

Sarah’s newfound authority and respect among team members added to Jake’s frustration. It had quickly become clear that the women working in strategy were far more comfortable taking direction from Sarah than they ever had been from him. Despite understanding the necessity of restructuring, Jake couldn’t shake the sting of this latest career setback. He was proud of his sister’s accomplishments, but wished his own accomplishments weren’t so frequently minimized.

And from the murmurs Jake overheard in the office, it seemed that his colleagues all assumed that he would be quitting again to stay home with the new baby once Klara gave birth.

A few weeks after news of Klara’s pregnancy became public knowledge throughout the company, one of the data analysts asked whether she should include Jake when she scheduled a meeting to present her latest findings. Her supervisor just shook her head.

“What would be the point? In all likelihood, he’ll be gone by the summer.”

And as the Scythian acquisition progressed, the office culture began to shift to accommodate the Scythians’ cultural expectations. Not long after Sarah’s promotion, a delegation from Greater Scythia arrived at the company’s American offices for a series of planning meetings. The Scythian delegation, led by Princess Zoryana, comprised influential women who held key positions in government and business. Their presence brought an even greater emphasis on the importance of female leadership.

In team meetings, the Scythian women took charge, offering insights and perspectives that sometimes diverged from the usual corporate approach. They emphasized the Scythian principle of gynarchy, a matriarchal system that had contributed to their society’s stability and longevity. In one meeting where he had been asked to record the minutes, Jake made the mistake of speaking up with a suggestion.

Princess Zoryana raised an eyebrow at Jake’s suggestion. “Who is this boy who dares to speak in my presence unbidden?”

The room fell silent, and the other team members exchanged uneasy glances. Sarah, who had become accustomed to the Scythian leadership style, shot her older brother a sharp look of warning.

“My apologies, your highness!” Sarah interjected. “He’s basically just Imani’s secretary. I’ll have a discussion with him after this meeting and make sure he knows not to overstep his place in the future.”

In the aftermath of the meeting with the Scythian delegation, Sarah wasted no time in addressing Jake’s perceived transgression. As soon as the meeting room emptied, she pulled him aside for a private conversation.

“Jake, what were you thinking?” Sarah demanded, her eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and warning as she towered over him. “You can’t just speak up in front of Princess Zoryana like that. The Scythians are already uncomfortable having men in the workplace at all. I thought Imani had made it clear to you that in their presence you are not to speak unless spoken to.”

“But I used to be a key player in this team,” Jake argued.

“Things have changed,” Sarah replied, her tone unwavering. “You have to accept that. Otherwise, Imani and I will be forced to take further action, and it won’t bode well for your career.”

Jake, sensing the seriousness of the situation, took a deep breath. “I just want to be treated with the same respect as everyone else in this team. I won’t be sidelined because I’m not a woman or because I don’t conform to some foreign leadership style.”

Sarah’s expression hardened. “Let me be frank. You are an administrative assistant. The fact that you previously worked from time to time on projects outside your core responsibilities doesn’t change the fact that your role is essentially just administrative and clerical in nature. Your role is to support Imani and her team. If you can’t do that, you’ll find yourself with even fewer responsibilities. I suggest you focus on your tasks and leave the strategic decisions to those of us who know how to navigate this new landscape and have been entrusted by the company with the authority to do so.”

The conversation left Jake feeling defeated and resentful. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Sarah was not just reprimanding him for his behavior in the meeting but was also putting him in his place more generally.

Sarah had adapted quickly to the Scythian leadership style, and was thriving in the new environment. She developed a friendly rapport with Princess Zoryana and her team, and her strategic insights were valued by both the American and Scythian contingents. By contrast, Jake was expected to bite his tongue and do as he was told. With each passing day, the professional abyss between the siblings widened further.

At home, Klara’s stress over the merger and her progressing pregnancy cast a shadow over the household. Klara had a very hands on role keeping the acquisition on track and that responsibility, coupled with her advancing pregnancy, took a toll on her physical and emotional well-being. Jake did his best to alleviate Klara’s stress, rushing around most nights to satisfy her late-night cravings.

Meanwhile, the twins were facing their own set of challenges. As the Upper School Match Day loomed, Kelly and Kyle found themselves in a whirlwind of anxiety and anticipation. The schools they chose to attend in the fall would shape their future, and the weight of societal expectations added an extra layer of complexity to their decision-making.

Kelly had only applied to the Seven Sisters, the oldest and most elite high schools in the Northeast. These all-female boarding schools counted many of the most powerful and influential women in the country among their alumnae. And while her high score should mean that she’d have her pick of prestigious academic high schools, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d been overconfident. The pressure on her to pursue a path of leadership and academic excellence was palpable.

Kyle faced a different set of expectations. While he knew that going to a male academy was the right choice for him, he still felt the lingering tension of his father’s disapproval. Meanwhile, his grandfather was insistent that Kyle follow in his footsteps and attend Hearthside Domestic Institute. What if he wasn’t offered a place there? Kyle knew his grandfather would be crushed.

When the Upper School Match Day arrived on the first day of May, Klara and Jake accompanied the twins to school. A nerve-wracking mix of anticipation and anxiety filled the air in Klara’s SUV, with each family member lost in her or his own thoughts about the life-changing decisions that lay ahead.

As they arrived at Sybil Ludington Middle School, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Students and parents filled the auditorium, knowing that the envelopes containing their matches would be distributed shortly. While the twins sought out their classmates, Klara and Jake spotted Ms. Reed and sat next to her near the back.

The event began with speeches from school administrators, emphasizing the importance of the next stage of education. Klara stole a glance at Jake, who sat quietly, his face betraying the weight of the recent family developments and his own professional struggles.

When the time came to distribute the envelopes, a hush fell over the auditorium. Headmistress Thornton took the stage and began calling out names. Each student approached the stage, received their envelope, and returned to their seat, the fate sealed within the unopened letter. Once all of the girls had received their envelopes, the headmistress turned things over to the school’s volunteer coordinator. The coordinator, a young woman who introduced herself as Ms. Lane, read out the boys’ names.

Once all the envelopes were distributed, Headmistress Thornton returned to the stage. “Now, before you open your envelopes, I want to remind you all that the journey ahead is one of growth, challenge, and discovery. Embrace the opportunities that come your way, and remember that the choice you make now will shape your future for decades to come.”

The room was filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension as the students clutched their envelopes. The simultaneous tearing of paper echoed through the auditorium as each student discovered their fate. From the back, the parents tried to divine their children’s reactions by staring closely at the back of their heads. In the tense silence of the auditorium, Klara exchanged a quick, nervous glance with Jake.

The auditorium erupted into a symphony of emotions — cheers, gasps, and a few disappointed sighs. As the envelopes were opened, students learned what options were available to them for the next chapter of their lives.

Kelly, her eyes fixed on the contents of her envelope, couldn’t hide the mix of relief and excitement that swept over her face. She had been accepted into all seven of the schools she had applied to; a clean sweep of the Seven Sisters represented the pinnacle of academic achievement for young women her age. Her future seemed bright, filled with the promise of academic excellence, leadership, and a network of powerful women. The pressure she had felt leading up to this moment seemed to evaporate, replaced by a sense of accomplishment.

Kyle, on the other hand, had only been accepted by three of the eight male academies that he had applied to. Fortunately, one of the three was Hearthside Domestic Institute, by far the most esteemed and exclusive of the bunch. The good word his grandfather had put in for him must have paid off.

After the headmistress had dismissed them, the auditorium emptied as parents and students alike moved towards the school gymnasium, where booths representing various secondary schools were set up. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement, relief, and curiosity. Families clustered around booths, eager to learn more about the schools and academies that had accepted their children.

Kelly found her parents almost immediately, and Klara gave her a big hug as she shared the good news about her acceptances. Jake looked around for Kyle, but it would be much harder to spot him amidst all of the towering mothers and daughters.

Klara and Jake, beaming with pride and joy for Kelly’s accomplishments, accompanied her as she spoke with representatives from each of the Seven Sisters, engaging in conversations about the unique opportunities each school had to offer. Watching Kelly, Klara and Jake couldn’t help but marvel at their daughter’s maturity and poise. The atmosphere in the gymnasium was lively, with students and parents bustling around, gathering information about the schools and academies that had accepted them.

Meanwhile, Kyle navigated the small section set aside for male academies, in the back corner of the gymnasium. He proceeded immediately to the booth for Hearthside Domestic Institute, the academy that held a special place in his grandfather’s heart. As he approached the booth, an older woman representing HDI greeted him warmly.

The woman smiled down at him kindly after he introduced himself, a bit shyly. “Congratulations, Kyle! We’ve been looking forward to having you at Hearthside. Your grandfather speaks highly of you, and he is a valued alumni. His wife has made several generous donations to our endowment over the years.”

The woman guided him through completing his commitment papers, and then pointed to a line near the bottom of the last page. “All male students must get their mother or other female guardian to sign their commitment papers. She should sign and date here, and then you can drop it back off with me here.”

Kyle thanked her, and eagerly put on the bright yellow t-shirt she’d given him. As he headed off toward the tables for the most elite girls only schools near the front to find the rest of his family, Kyle’s thoughts momentarily drifted to the diverging paths he and his sister were embarking on. These were paths they had chosen for themselves, aligned with their differing opportunities and priorities.

He glanced up at banners on the back wall of the gym, celebrating the athletic achievements of SLMS’s various teams over the past several decades. Only two of the banners were for boys’ teams. But then again, the school fielded elite girls’ teams for eighteen sports, most of which would be physically impossible for boys to compete in. Meanwhile, the school only had four boys’ teams playing on a purely recreational basis, all stripped down versions of the more aggressive girls sports: Tee-ball instead of baseball, because the baseball bats were too long and heavy for boys to lift, and the distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate far too great a distance for a boy to pitch the ball. Short golf instead of long golf, with the special boys’ tees two-thirds of the way down the fairway. Badminton instead of volleyball, with a net less than half as high. And rhythmic gymnastics, which as far as Kyle could tell, involved a lot of ribbon twirling, and none of the astounding athletic feats of women’s gymnastics.

Back at the front of the gym, Kelly had just signed her commitment papers for Penelope Exeter Academy, the third oldest of the Seven Sisters and the most prestigious. Klara, pregnant and hormonal, got a bit emotional at the idea of her firstborn daughter going away to a boarding school in another state. But Penelope Exeter counted three M.S. presidents among its alumnae, and Klara and Jake both knew that it represented her best chance at continuing on to an Ivy League university.

Klara, in a fit of pride, bought t-shirts for her and Jake as well as the one for Kelly. The family looked happy and united in matching maroon.

They were just about to start looking for Kyle when a familiar face caught Jake’s attention. There was his boss, Ms. Reed, accompanying her little sister Nadira as she met with representatives of the various Seven Sisters.

As Nadira spoke earnestly with the representatives from Artemis Prepatory, Ms. Reed approached and greeted the Tsais. “Klara and Jake! Good to see you here. I see your daughter’s committed to Penelope Exeter.”

She turned to Kelly. “Congratulations, young lady! I think Nadira is leaning toward them as well.”

And sure enough, Nadira’s conversation with the Artemis Prep representative must not have changed her mind. After she’d finished speaking with them, Jake watched her return to the Penelope Exeter table and signed her commitment papers.

As Nadira approached her sister and the Tsais afterward, her pride and excitement was evident.

“Congratulations, Nadira! We’re thrilled for you,” Klara said, giving her a hug.

Nadira beamed. “Thank you, Mrs. Tsai! I’m really excited about the opportunities at Penelope Exeter. They say it’s the best of the best, at least for the Northeast.”

Kelly, who was standing nearby, joined the conversation. “Hey, Nadira! Looks like we’re going to be schoolmates. How awesome is that!”

Nadira’s face brightened at the prospect. “That would be amazing, Kelly! We’ve known each other for so long, and rooming together would make the whole experience even better.”

Kelly nodded enthusiastically. “Totally! We could have movie nights, midnight snacks, and navigate the ups and downs of high school together.”

Nadira turned to her older sister, who was a Penelope Exeter alumna. “Do you think it’s possible for us to room together?”

Ms. Reed considered it for a moment. “Well, typically, room assignments are random, but I can certainly put in a good word with the administration. After all, having familiar faces around can make the transition smoother. Just remember, though, nothing is guaranteed.”

Nadira and Kelly exchanged hopeful glances, both excited about the idea of continuing their journey together at Penelope Exeter. As the parents continued to chat, the two girls decided to explore and see which other girls from their grade had committed to Penelope Exeter too.

Meanwhile, Kyle had navigated his way through the bustling gymnasium, looking for his family among the sea of people. Spotting them near the booths of the Seven Sisters, he made his way over, wearing the bright yellow t-shirt that symbolized his commitment to Hearthside Domestic Institute.

Ms. Reed spotted him first. “That’s your son, Kyle, right? It looks like got into Hearthside Domestic Institute. Impressive choice; I’m sure he’ll make a great husband someday.”

As Ms. Reed finished her comment, Jake felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was proud that Kyle had been accepted into Hearthside Domestic Institute, an academy with a rich history and strong values. On the other hand, the reference to Kyle becoming a “great husband” brought back a flood of conflicting feelings about societal expectations and gender roles.

Klara, normally so focused on Kelly, greeted Kyle enthusiastically as he approached. “Congratulations, son! We are so proud of you. Going to Hearthside is a wonderful decision, and I know your grandfather will be thrilled too.”

“Yeah, congrats, little bro!” Kelly added with a smile, ruffling his hair affectionately.

Nearby, their classmate Madison was celebrating with her parents after committing to Vespera Academy, the most athletically-focused of the Seven Sisters. Madison’s mother had been a state champion in wrestling, and the fierce and muscular Madison was already well on her way toward a D1 athletic scholarship in the sport herself.

Kyle waved shyly to her as he walked by with his parents, but she just looked down at him and smirked.

As the Tsais, Reeds, and Nadira made their way out of the school gymnasium, Jake couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. The contrasting paths his children had chosen brought to the forefront the societal expectations and gender norms that seemed to permeate every aspect of their lives.

The bright maroon Penelope Exeter t-shirt Kelly was wearing seemed to encapsulate the limitless opportunities available to young women for a future filled with academic excellence, leadership opportunities, and a network of powerful friends and acquaintances.

On the other hand, Kyle’s bright yellow Hearthside Domestic Institute shirt signified a different journey—one sharply limited by society’s expectations for boys. His subsequent education would be grounded in practical skills, family values, and a commitment to domestic responsibilities. Hearthside’s focus, after all, was on preparing young men to be desirable husbands and fathers.

As they stepped outside into the fresh May air, the families exchanged congratulations and well-wishes. Kelly and Nadira committing to the same elite boarding school, linking their futures, had brought the two families even closer together.

Klara, still riding the high of Kelly’s success, chatted animatedly with her daughter in the front of the SUV about the opportunities that Penelope Exeter would offer.

Kyle and Jake, on the other hand, sat quietly in the back, strapped into their booster seats, their gazes focused on the passing scenery. The world outside seemed vast, and the road ahead felt unfamiliar and uncertain. And with the arrival of the new baby only a month or so away, father and son knew that there were plenty more changes yet to come.