Forward Thinking

It's amazing how quickly college goes by. Out of Highschool you decide what you want to do and start your University life. Four years, more parties than you care to remember and 3 changed majors later you're throwing your cap in the air and hugging your mom and dad as they're giving praise to your magnificence. This is exactly how it had happened for Newt, or rather as his diploma read Newton Ulysses Brayton. His vanilla Biology degree wasn't anything to be overly excited about, but it was the first degree in the family and hence was celebrated as if everyone had won the lottery.
Newt was indeed proud of himself. He was 22 years old, in decent physical shape and had never participated in any illegal activity. He had a steady girlfriend, Alyssa, who was beautiful and amazing in every way. Several companies had sent him emails about their interest in hiring him. All in all, Newt had a pretty good start on life.
When his father called attention for a toast at dinner that night, Newt knew something was up. His father didn't like talking to big crowds, especially ones made up predominantly of his family members.
The ring of metal fork on crystal glassware had everyone staring in rapt wonder at my hulking father standing at the head of the table. Whispers flew around for a few seconds and then the room grew quiet in anticipation of probably the first and last speach my father would ever give.
"My son the college graduate." He boomed after a few seconds, then waited for the applause and cheering to die down. "Newt is the best son any father could ask for. He's self sufficient, good with the ladies, and now a part of the better educated members of the world. Well, I started saving when he was born for just this day and I have a check to present to you son. This should help to further your life and happiness even more." With that he hugged me quickly, handed me a check and returned to his seat at the table.
I looked at the rectangular sheet of paper that sat bridged between my forefingers and thumbs. At first I thought I counted too many zero's, but after second and third checking I was baffled at the ammount.
"It's a check for $500,000!" I announced to the entire room.
Silence... Then a deafening cheer. Before any manager could make it to our section to quiet us, rounds were bought. When those were gone, they were replaced by new rounds, and so the night went.
When we all finally left, everyone was well over the limit and nobody cared. That's the way my family worked for the most part. Live for the now, don't keep regrets. That's the Brayton family motto! For all but Newton, that is. Instead of driving home intoxicated and trusting the auto-course correcting vehicles, Newt and Alyssa decided to take a walk to let the alcohol settle before getting behind the wheel.