[His father's words made his heart clench a bit.... but they also stung, almost as bad as his own words to his dad.

He wanted to become someone his parents could be proud to say they raised. He really wanted that, but...] Dad..... I'm not going to be a person I'd be proud of being by getting further in life if I can't be there for my family while I do it.

[What was the point? It'd be empty.]