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Chapter no 16

My Life with the Walter Boys

โ€œAy me! Sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?โ€™โ€ Danny said, raising a hand to his heart. The other was clutching a script.

โ€œโ€˜It was. What sadness lengthens Romeoโ€™s hours?โ€™โ€ Isaac said in a booming voice, flourishing his hands wildly.

โ€œThank God youโ€™re not in the play,โ€ I mumbled in his direction and shook my head in embarrassment.

Danny, Isaac, and I were sitting on the bleachers at Alexโ€™s baseball game. The seats were metal and burned in the afternoon light. I was wearing a skirt that forced me to sit on the edge of the seat to keep the skin on the back of my legs from getting scorched. My boyfriend was far out in left field, and I could barely see him since the sun was glaring in my eyes.

โ€œโ€˜Not having that which, having, makes them short,โ€™โ€ Danny recited.

When Isaac didnโ€™t answer because his attention was focused on a possible home-run hit, Danny elbowed him in the side.

โ€œOh, umโ€”โ€˜in loveโ€™?โ€ he said, quickly looking down at his copy of the script. Danny was forcing Isaac to run lines with him so I could watch Alex play.

Danny sighed, embodying the lovesick Romeo, โ€œOut.โ€

Isaac stood up in excitement as the ball flew toward his cousin in the outfield. โ€œDid he catch it?โ€ he demanded a few seconds later. โ€œI canโ€™t tell. The sun is in my eyes.โ€

โ€œHuh?โ€ I responded. I was trying to watch, but the humidity was making my head feel heavy, and it was hard to concentrate.

โ€œNever mind,โ€ Isaac grumbled and sat back down on the bleachers. โ€œYouโ€™re not even paying attention.โ€

โ€œNeither are you,โ€ Danny told him angrily. โ€œWe should be done with this act by now.โ€

โ€œDude, why do you even need to go over this? Youโ€™ve already had your costume rehearsal,โ€ Isaac complained. When Danny glared at him, he sighed and glanced back down at the script. โ€œโ€˜Of love?โ€™โ€

โ€œโ€˜Out of her favor, where I am in love.โ€™โ€ Danny said his line without having to look down at the sheet.

โ€œYouโ€™re out!โ€ the umpire shouted at a player who tried to slide into home.

โ€œYes!โ€ Isaac shouted, fixing his attention back down on the field. โ€œWas that two or three?โ€

โ€œTwo, I think,โ€ I answered absentmindedly, but then Alexโ€™s team began to jog back from the field toward the dugout.

Isaac rolled his eyes at me. โ€œNot much of a baseball fan?โ€

โ€œNo, thatโ€™s not true,โ€ I said, pressing a hand to my sticky forehead. โ€œI love the Yankees. Itโ€™s just thatโ€”โ€

โ€œThat she canโ€™t stop thinking about Cole. And you,โ€ Danny said, jabbing his cousin in the chest, โ€œkeep forgetting youโ€™re supposed to be helping me practice. God, Isaac, youโ€™re a horrible Benvolio.โ€

โ€œHey!โ€ both Isaac and I shouted at the same time.

โ€œIโ€™m not thinking about Cole,โ€ I said, defending myself.

โ€œAnd Iโ€™m a great actor. Academy Award winning, thank you very much,โ€ Isaac said, shaking his finger back and forth in Dannyโ€™s face.

โ€œIsaac, if I remember correctly, you were the one who couldnโ€™t play a tree in the spring recital without messing it up.โ€

โ€œThat was kindergarten,โ€ Isaac mumbled, but Danny wasnโ€™t listening. โ€œJackie, Iโ€™m quiet, not blind,โ€ he told me. โ€œThat dazed look thatโ€™s been

on your face ever since you two came out of that closet says otherwise.โ€

โ€œSay what?โ€ Isaac demanded.

โ€œI wasnโ€™t like that,โ€ I said. โ€œI swear.โ€ Because of his shy nature, Danny might have developed a certain affinity for perceptiveness, but this time he had it all wrong.

โ€œSure it wasnโ€™t,โ€ Isaac said.

Okay, so maybe I wasnโ€™t telling the truth. Yes, I was thinking about Cole, but not in the way they thought. And that was exactly why I couldnโ€™t quite concentrate on the baseball game. When we were playing hide-and-seek, Zack took forever to find us. Ignoring Bennyโ€™s protest, Cole got impatient and opened the closet door. His shower was running, and he didnโ€™t want it to get cold. Danny, who had been looking for someone to read lines with, had seen both of us tumble out of the tiny room. I was worried he would get the wrong idea and tell everyone. What would Alex think if he found out?

โ€œThereโ€™s nothing going on between me and Cole,โ€ I objected. โ€œDanny, you saw Benny climb out of the closet too. Tell him that.โ€

โ€œWhat the heck was he doing in there with you both?โ€ Isaac said. โ€œThatโ€™s disgusting and definitely not PG-rated. Poor Benny is going to be scarred for life.โ€

โ€œWe were playing hide-and-seek,โ€ I said, starting to panic. โ€œCome on, Danny, tell him the truth.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t know, Jackie,โ€ he said, his face straight. โ€œCole didnโ€™t even have a shirt on.โ€

Isaac shook his finger at me. โ€œNow thatโ€™s naughty.โ€ He put his hand on my leg and grinned. โ€œWhy wasnโ€™t I invited?โ€

โ€œGod, youโ€™re disgusting,โ€ I said, pushing him away.

โ€œDid you rip his shirt off with your teeth?โ€ he asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

โ€œHe was going to take a frickinโ€™ shower!โ€ I exploded.

A few moms sitting around us turned to frown at me. Both boys watched me for a moment before bursting into fits of laughter.

โ€œWow, itโ€™s fun to watch you squirm,โ€ Isaac choked out, and I punched him on the shoulder.

โ€œWe were only kidding, Jackie,โ€ Danny said, wiping away a stray tear. โ€œNot appreciated,โ€ I grunted, crossing my arms. I stared down at the

game, refusing to look in either of their directions.

โ€œCome on, Jackie,โ€ Isaac said, putting a hand on my arm. โ€œI was just messing around.โ€

I stuck out my tongue and continued to watch the game going on below. โ€œAre you going to ignore me for the rest of the day? Because I can be

quite annoying if I want to.โ€ Isaac started poking me repetitively in the cheek.

Pushing his hand away, I answered. โ€œI sure can. Now be quiet. Alex is up.โ€

All three of us fell silent and watched as Alex hit a grounder. It rolled right between two infielders, and he made it to second base before they could get the ball.

โ€œGo, Alex!โ€ I shouted excitedly, jumping up and down.

โ€œOh, Alex!โ€ Isaac squealed in a girly voice. โ€œYouโ€™re so damn sexy that I was making out in the closet with your older brother!โ€

Danny choked on air as he tried not to laugh. I spun around and whacked Isaac on the shoulder again.

โ€œDang, Jackie! Youโ€™re going to bruise my delicate skin,โ€ he complained, rubbing the sore spot.

โ€œGood,โ€ I said and sat back down to watch the next hitter.

Dannyโ€™s phone rang. โ€œHey, Dad,โ€ he said in greeting. โ€œRight now?โ€ He paused. โ€œOkay, Iโ€™ll be there in a few.โ€ He clicked his phone shut and turned to us. โ€œI have to go pick Zack and Benny up from their soccer game.โ€

At this, I frowned. There were still four innings left. Danny had driven us, so how would we get home if he left?

โ€œIโ€™m coming too,โ€ Isaac said and stood up. โ€œBut what about the rest of the game?โ€ I asked.

โ€œYou can stay if you want,โ€ Isaac suggested. โ€œAlex rode his bike here.

He can give you a ride home on the pegs.โ€

***

โ€œYou did great today,โ€ I told Alex when he found me after the game was over. His team had won by three runs.

He pulled me into a hug. โ€œThanks, Jackie. Iโ€™m really glad you came.โ€ โ€œYouโ€™re all sweaty,โ€ I squealed, trying to squirm away. He was going to

ruin my shirt.

โ€œYou donโ€™t like that?โ€ he asked with a laugh, locking his arms tightly behind my back.

โ€œNo! Alex, let go,โ€ I said, but gave in with a laugh.

Clouds had rolled in near the end of the game, covering the hot sun, but the air was still humid, making our bodies stick together.

โ€œWhereโ€™d everyone go?โ€ he asked, letting his arms hang loose.

โ€œDanny had to pick Zack and Benny up. I wanted to stay, so I was hoping you could give me a ride home on your bike. Youโ€™re not too tired, are you?โ€

โ€œA little,โ€ he said, slinging his arm over my shoulder. โ€œBut it will be my pleasure.โ€

We made it about halfway home when it started to pour. Alex pulled off the road and onto a gravel pathway that led to a small, rundown pavilion as lightning flashed across the sky. I jumped off the back of the bike and ran under the overhang to get out of the rain. Taking a ponytail holder off my wrist, I pulled my damp hair out of my face. After leaning his bike up against the brick wall, Alex pulled out his phone and called home. He had a quick conversation with someone and then sat down on an old wooden picnic table that was covered in graffiti.

โ€œSomeone is coming to get us,โ€ he said.

I nodded, looking out over a grassy clearing. โ€œWhat is this place?โ€ I asked.

There was a boarded-up concessions stand, and beyond the structure was a grassy meadow with a large section that was flat and brown. It looked like a dried-up pond.

โ€œIt used to be an outdoor ice-skating rink during the winter months,โ€ Alex said, following my gaze out to what must have been the ice patch. Alex took one of my hands and rubbed my skin gently with his thumb. โ€œEver been skating before?โ€

It was a harmless question, yet I still felt a sudden jab at my heart. โ€œYeah,โ€ I said slowly. โ€œMy family had this tradition where weโ€™d go to

the rink at Rockefeller Center on my momโ€™s birthday. I donโ€™t remember how it started since my mom wasnโ€™t very good, but we did it every year.โ€

Alex wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. โ€œSorry, I didnโ€™t mean to make you sad.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m fine,โ€ I told him, resting my head on his shoulder. โ€œItโ€™s one of those nice memories. You know, the kind that makes you sad but you smile at the same time?โ€

I could almost picture my family gliding across the patch of dried-up grass as I stared out at the meadow, and the memory was so captivating that it took me a minute to realize that Alex hadnโ€™t answered me. When I turned to look at him, I found that his eyes were already locked on me.

The first time Alex kissed me, it was so unexpected that it made my stomach jump in excitement. At the time, I hadnโ€™t known what to think because there was so much adrenaline soaring through me. This time as his eyes fluttered closed and he leaned in, I knew what was about to happen and I could feel the steady beat of my heart.

Everything about the way he kissed reminded me specifically of him. First it was a slow, barely there kiss, so if I rejected him he could pull away and pretend it never happened. But then, when he realized that I was in fact kissing him back, it was excited and sporadic. His hands never stayed in one spot. First they would be in my hair, then grasping my arms, and finally moving to my waist before the whole procedure would start over again. It was a little wet, but I didnโ€™t think it was slobbery enough to call it sloppy.

At the same time, I didnโ€™t have much to compare it to, so for all I knew, Alex could have been a great kisser.

As weird as it sounded, he reminded me of a puppy. Puppies are good, right? Everyone likes puppies. And just like a dog, he had boundless make-out energy. I needed a breath, to stop and surface, but Alex was pushing me down onto the picnic table.

Just as I was running out of air, a car horn honked from out in the rain and Alex quickly jumped back. Standing up, I tugged down my shirt, which had ridden up while we were kissing, and smoothed out the wrinkles. Alex shot me a cheeky grin before grabbing my hand and pulling me to the edge of the pavilion.

โ€œWe can finish this later,โ€ he whispered before stepping out into the rain to grab his bike.

To shield myself from the downpour, I lifted my arms over my head and sprinted to the truck. When I reached the passenger-side door, I yanked on the handle, but it was locked.

โ€œOpen up!โ€ I shouted over the rain, pounding my fist against the window. It was coming down so heavily now that I couldnโ€™t even see who was inside. I heard the distinct click of the lock and threw myself into the truck a second later. โ€œGod, itโ€™s nasty out there,โ€ I said, patting down my hair. My shirt clung to my skin, and I could feel the crumbs of someoneโ€™s morning Pop-Tart sticking to the back of my leg as I sat back.

Nobody answered, and I turned in my seat to find Cole behind the wheel. He was glaring out the windshield so fiercely that I was afraid he would burn a hole through the glass and the storm outside would pour in.

โ€œYou okay?โ€ I asked, but there was a sinking feeling in my stomach.

When he said nothing, I knew he had seen Alex and me making out.

I waited in awkward silence as Alex threw his bike in the bed of the truck. The air-conditioning hummed softly, drying my damp skin and leaving behind a trail of goose bumps. I could feel the anger pouring off Cole, so I forced myself to concentrate on the radio, repeating the string of lyrics in my head. But he was impossible to ignore, and I found myself

wishing I had sat in the backseat. Finally, after three uncomfortable verses, Alex climbed in the back and Cole stepped on the gas, reversing down the gravel path at full speed.

โ€œWhoa!โ€ Alex shouted as he was thrown backward before being able to buckle his seat belt or even breathe. The truck took a sharp left, back onto the main road, and Alex was thrown into the window. โ€œWhat the hell?โ€

โ€œCole, slow down,โ€ I said quietly.

He narrowed his eyes at his brother in the rearview mirror but let up.

The rest of the ride home was completely silent, and an uncomfortable tension filled the small, confined space. It didnโ€™t help when a love song started to trickle out from the radio, its melody sickly sweet. Thirty seconds into the cheesy lyrics, I leaned over and switched it off. Alex heaved a sigh of relief.

When we pulled into the Waltersโ€™ driveway, Cole parked at the bottom of the hill. I turned to give him a puzzled look as he yanked the key from the ignition. We were going to get soaked walking all the way up to the house. Why wasnโ€™t he parking in the usual spot underneath the basketball hoop? Cole answered my unasked question by pulling out an umbrella and getting out of the truck. He slammed the door shut, and Alex and I sat in shocked silence, watching him make his way toward the house.

โ€œWhatโ€™s his problem?โ€ Alex demanded.

Frowning, I told Alex what I had feared since leaving the ice-skating rink. โ€œI think he might have seen us.โ€

Alex shook his head. โ€œJackie, I can barely see out the window right now with the rain coming down so hard. How could he possibly have seen us?โ€

I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing how to answer his question. Even if Cole hadnโ€™t caught us, he was definitely mad about something.

โ€œSo what do we do now? I can call my mom again and ask for someone to bring us an umbrella,โ€ he suggested.

I shook my head no. โ€œIโ€™d prefer not to give Cole that satisfaction. Itโ€™s only water and weโ€™re halfway wet already. Besides, you still smell. A shower would do you good.โ€

โ€œBut my cell phone.โ€

โ€œJust leave it in the truck,โ€ I said, opening the door. โ€œYouโ€™re not going to die without it.โ€

As we walked up the driveway toward the house, the rain let up. Giggles filled the air as we approached the front porch, and I looked up to find most of the Walter boys sitting under its shelter.

โ€œWhat are they doing?โ€ I asked Alex.

โ€œWatching for a thunderstorm,โ€ he answered. โ€œHavenโ€™t you ever sat outside during one? Itโ€™s really peaceful.โ€

โ€œI lived on the top floor of an apartment building,โ€ I told him as water squished inside my flats. I should have taken them off before getting out of the car, since they were ruined for sure, but the gravel on the driveway was sharp and I didnโ€™t want to cut my feet.

โ€œOh right,โ€ Alex said. โ€œWell, we do it all the time.โ€

โ€œEnjoying the weather?โ€ Nathan asked when we reached the house. Alex gave him the finger, and everyone burst out laughing as we trudged up the steps.

โ€œJackie, you cold?โ€ Isaac asked. โ€œYour headlights are on.โ€

Resisting the urge to cross my arms, I answered him. โ€œActually, I am. Maybe a hug would warm me up?โ€ I took a step toward him with my arms wide open. Isaac backed away quickly, not wanting to get wet, but Alex ambushed him from the side.

โ€œDude, really?โ€ Isaac complained. โ€œNow Iโ€™m soaking.โ€ โ€œThatโ€™s what she said,โ€ Lee said, making all the boys laugh.

โ€œNotย soaking,โ€ Alex answered Isaac, shaking his head in disagreement. Isaac had splotches of damp on his clothes, but it was nothing compared to us. โ€œLet me fix that for you.โ€ With one quick push, Isaac was out in the rain. Danny gave Alex a high five as Jack and Jordan stepped out onto the porch.

โ€œWhatโ€™s he doing out there?โ€ Jack asked as he wiped his already foggy glasses on his shirt.

โ€œWe donโ€™t like him anymore,โ€ Danny said. โ€œHe was voted off our island.โ€

โ€œReally?โ€ Isaac demanded from out in the rain. โ€œWhoโ€™s going to read lines with you then?โ€

โ€œDefinitely not you,โ€ Danny said, rolling his eyes. โ€œYouโ€™re terrible.โ€ Isaac smirked as he climbed up the steps. โ€œโ€˜O Romeo, Romeo,

wherefore art thou, Romeo?โ€™โ€ he called, descending upon his cousin.

โ€œStay back,โ€ Danny said, jumping up out of his seat. โ€œI donโ€™t want to get all wet.โ€

โ€œToo bad,โ€ Isaac laughed and pushed him off the porch.

Lee burst out laughing. โ€œHey, look! Romeoโ€™s all washed up,โ€ he said, pointing a finger at his cousin. In response, Danny yanked him out into the rain. โ€œWhat the fudge?โ€ Lee demanded.

Benny, who had been standing next to me quietly, tugged on my hand. โ€œJackie, can I go out in the rain too, or does someone have to push me?โ€

I broke into a grin. โ€œIf you want to play in the rain,โ€ I told him, โ€œgo for it. Iโ€™ll even play with you. First one to jump in a puddle wins?โ€ I asked.

Bennyโ€™s eyes lit up, and he bounded off the porch in his yellow rain boots.

โ€œCare to join me?โ€ I asked, grabbing Alexโ€™s hand.

โ€œIt would be a pleasure,โ€ he said, grinning at me, and we both stepped back out into the rain.

The cool water felt relaxing as it ran down my back, and I ran my fingers through my soaking hair, lifting the new weight off my neck.

โ€œJackie! I beat you!โ€ Benny called.

โ€œDid you, now?โ€ I responded, splashing toward him. โ€œWell, guess what? Youโ€™re it,โ€ I said and tapped him on the shoulder. It only took Benny a moment before he was chasing after one of his older brothers in a game of tag.

โ€œYou know what this weather reminds me of?โ€ Jack asked his twin. โ€œThat pirate movie we watched last night, where there was a sword fight in the middle of the storm.โ€

โ€œYou thinking what Iโ€™m thinking?โ€ Jordan asked, picking up a broom.

He swung it at his brotherโ€™s face. โ€œEn garde!โ€

Jack grinned and swiped a stick out of the flower bed. The two started to sword fight across the slippery wooden porch, pretending it was the deck of a pirate ship.

โ€œI get to be the captain,โ€ Jack called.

โ€œYou have glasses,โ€ his double said. โ€œThat makes you a loser. Captains are never losers.โ€ With that, he pushed his brother off the steps with a quick jab of his sword. Jack fell back into a puddle of water and sprayed mud everywhere. When he stood up, his pants were covered.

โ€œLooks like you shit your pants,โ€ Lee teased.

โ€œWell, it looks like you shit your face,โ€ Jack shot back. He scooped up a handful of mud and threw it at his cousin, splattering brown muck on Leeโ€™s face.

โ€œOh, hell no,โ€ Lee said, wiping the mud off. He bent down and grabbed his own handful. โ€œYouโ€™re gonna regret that.โ€ He sent the mud flying in Jackโ€™s direction, but he ducked and it sprayed across Nathan.

โ€œWhat theโ€ฆ?โ€ Nathan said in confusion.

โ€œMud fight!โ€ Jordan shouted, throwing a goopy fistful at Danny.

Everyone joined in quickly.

โ€œJackie!โ€ Alex called, dark sludge oozing out from between his fingers. โ€œIโ€™m going to get you!โ€

โ€œPlease donโ€™t,โ€ I said, backing up slowly. โ€œThis is a nice shirt. Youโ€™re going to ruin it.โ€

But Alex was still advancing on me, an evil grin on his face. Spinning on my heels, I dashed off in the opposite direction. Water splashed up to my knees as my feet pounded across the sopping grass. I could feel the exhilaration pumping through my body, and I stole a quick glance over my shoulder to see how close Alex was.

โ€œJackie, look out!โ€ Danny called.

I turned in time to see Zack standing in front of me. His neck was craned up at the sky, his tongue stuck out to catch the falling raindrops. I nearly

crashed into him, but I managed to dig my heels into the ground seconds before we collided. Alex, on the other hand, wasnโ€™t so quick to react and smashed right into me. We both toppled over, sending mud in every direction. On top of me, Alex winced.

โ€œCrap, Iโ€™m sorry, Jackie,โ€ he said.

I chose not to respond as I let everything sink in. The mud had splattered across my face, and I knew that my top was covered in it too, completely ruined. Part of me knew I should be mad because that was how I normally would have reacted, but something about playing in the rain was so completely freeing that, for once, I didnโ€™t care.

โ€œWell,โ€ I finally said, digging my fingers into the ground. โ€œYouโ€™ll just have to pay.โ€ I smeared a handful of mud on his cheek. He blinked in surprise and then we both burst out giggling.

โ€œThis is the most fun Iโ€™ve had in forever,โ€ Alex said. He bent down and pecked me on the lips.

โ€œPDA alert,โ€ Isaac shouted from across the lawn, making us both glance up. โ€œYou two are disgusting. Get a room.โ€

Alex rolled his eyes, and when he turned back to me, I knew he was going to ignore Isaac and kiss me again.

โ€œOh no.โ€ I pushed him off me. He looked confused for a moment, but then he saw me scoop up another handful of brown slime. โ€œIsaac isย soย asking for it,โ€ I told him.

โ€œWell,โ€ Alex said with a huge grin on his face. He stood up and held a hand out for me. โ€œWe should give him what he wants.โ€

***

As we filed into the school auditorium Monday night, the lights started to dim. We were running late, as usual, since it was nearly impossible to tear Katherine away from the kitchen. Given that she was such as amazing cook, sheโ€™d decided to prepare all the food for the reception instead of paying for a caterer who she said couldnโ€™t possibly make as good a meal as her. The result was that, for the past three days, there had been a tiny tornado in the

Walter kitchen as Katherine rushed about kneading bread, mixing sauces, and chopping up different roots, vegetables, and fruit.

Occasionally she would run out of an ingredient or realize that she had forgotten an item on her grocery list. Then sheโ€™d panic until someone jumped in the truck and rushed off to the store to pick up whatever she needed. The wedding was still two weeks away, but with so many people to cook for, she had to start early.

When we needed to leave for Dannyโ€™s play, Katherine was still at the sink, unconvinced that her kitchen was clean. Quite the opposite was true; I had never seen the place so sparkling. George was finally able to pull the rubber gloves from her hands and drag her to the car, but as soon as we pulled out of the driveway, Jack and Jordan realized they forgot the tripod for their camera, which they needed to film the play.

Five minutes later, Nathan remembered that he left the iron on and we had to turn back around again. When Parker noticed that she was wearing two different colored socks, everyone groaned in frustration. But this time, George told her to suck it up, and we continued on our way to the high school.

Only the row in the very back of the auditorium had enough empty seats for our entire group to sit, but we had to scoot by a family to get to the middle.

โ€œOuch, thatโ€™s my foot,โ€ someone hissed as the curtain opened. I sat down, Alex on one side and Nathan on the other.

โ€œUp,โ€ Cole whispered to Nathan.

Nathan leaned forward and saw that Zack and Benny had taken the seats after Cole. He shook his head. โ€œNo way, dude, Iโ€™m not sitting next to those two monsters.โ€

For that I was thankful. Since the party, Cole was different. Instead of his cocky obnoxious self, he was withdrawn and spent most of his time out in his garage. As a result, the dynamics of the Walter household had changed drastically. Without his outgoing attitude, which was the glue that got all of the guys and their different personalities to stick together, the

house was silent. Everyone did their own thingโ€”the days of baseball games and movie nights were fading.

On a rare occasion when I ran into Cole in the hallway, he would smile. However it was never a real smile, because it didnโ€™t reach his eyes. I almost missed the smug smirk that was normally on his face. Alex on the other hand, was his happy-go-lucky, clueless self when his older brother was around. He flirted and laughed, acting like life couldnโ€™t get any better. I tried to tone down the happy-couple vibe whenever we were around Cole, but Alex seemed to think that since his brother wasnโ€™t acting mad, everything was fine.

It was a struggle for me to be around both of them at the same time when I could see so much happiness in one of them and so much hurt in the other. Knowing that I had caused all this didnโ€™t help me feel any better. I didnโ€™t want to feel the awkward tension of sitting between both boys for the entire play, because I wanted to focus on Dannyโ€™s performance.

โ€œToo bad. Iโ€™m older than you, so I get to pick where I sit.โ€

When Nathan laughed, a woman sitting in front of us turned around. โ€œWould you both be quiet?โ€

Cole glared at Nathan for a moment longer before giving him the finger and dropping into the only open seat next to Zack.

โ€œHey, Cole?โ€ I heard Zack whisper. He held his finger an inch away from Coleโ€™s cheek. โ€œIโ€™m not touching you.โ€

โ€œBoys!โ€ Katherine hissed at her younger twins. โ€œIf you donโ€™t behave yourselves, then no dessert at dinner.โ€

They didnโ€™t take their motherโ€™s warning seriously because as the first actor stepped out onto the stage, I heard the twinsโ€™ evil giggles.

***

โ€œDanny, that was amazing!โ€ I exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. He had joined us outside the auditorium after the show, and he was still in his Romeo costume.

โ€œTruly a heart-wrenching performance,โ€ Isaac said, wiping away pretend tears. โ€œCan I have your autograph?โ€ Danny rolled his eyes and gave his cousin a small shove. They both laughed. โ€œReally, dude,โ€ Isaac said, getting serious. โ€œIt was great.โ€

โ€œThanks,โ€ Danny responded, nodding his head. Doing one of those silly man hugs, they clapped each other on the back.

โ€œDanny Walter?โ€ a woman asked, coming up to our group. โ€œYes?โ€ He turned to look at her.

โ€œHi,โ€ she said, extending a business card. Danny took it from her outstretched hand and quickly glanced over the tiny text. โ€œMy name is Jillian Rowley, and Iโ€™m a talent scout from the Starlight Group. Weโ€™re a theater company in New York, and I was wondering if you had a moment to spare.โ€

โ€œIโ€”um, yeah!โ€ Danny said, looking back up. His face was neutral, but I had come to learn that Danny was very good at masking his emotions. The small stumble in his sentence said it all: he was ecstatic.

โ€œWonderful,โ€ Jillian said and led him away from our group.

โ€œWhat was that all about?โ€ Alex asked, joining us. One of Kimโ€™s sisters had been in the play, and after it was over, heโ€™d gone to find Kim to talk about the latestย GoGย news.

โ€œDanny told me about a potential talent scout attending the play this year,โ€ I explained. โ€œIt was why he was so anxious about auditions. He wanted to make sure he got the male lead in case the talent scout came.โ€

He hadnโ€™t said it, but I knew Danny thought his future depended on tonightโ€™s performance. He hadnโ€™t applied to college, not only because his parents couldnโ€™t afford it, but also because he didnโ€™t want to go. His dream was to be an actor, and even if nothing came out of this performance, he was going to move to New York City and follow his dream. It just meant that he was going to have to do it the hard wayโ€”waiting tables while auditioning for everything and anything.

โ€œJackie?โ€ Katherine called. She and George were standing with the parents of the actress who played Juliet, and the other three were still deep

in conversation.

โ€œYes?โ€ I asked, coming up next to her.

โ€œWhat was that all about?โ€ she asked, nodding her head in Danny and Jillianโ€™s direction. The woman was still talking, and he was nodding his head eagerly to every word.

โ€œIโ€™m not entirely sure yet,โ€ I responded. โ€œBut she introduced herself as a talent scout for a New York theater company.โ€

Katherine raised an eyebrow. โ€œWell, now,โ€ she said, a flicker of a smile playing on her face. โ€œThatโ€™s interesting news.โ€ I could tell she was thrilled but was holding back in case things didnโ€™t turn out the way we hoped.

โ€œDid I hear something about a talent scout?โ€ Cole asked, appearing next to his mom. After the play was over, he was charged with taking the younger kids to the restroom. Now Zack, Benny, and Parker were chasing each other about the auditorium lobby, weaving in and out of the crowd, but Cole was done with his babysitting job.

โ€œApparently the woman speaking with Danny is one,โ€ Katherine told him.

โ€œWhat woman?โ€ Cole asked.

We all turned toward Danny and Jillian, but she was gone and he was making his way across the room toward us with a grin on his face.

โ€œGuess what?โ€ he asked.

โ€œShe wants to make you the next A-list actor in Hollywood, and youโ€™re going to become so famous and rich that you can buy me a house?โ€ Cole asked. We all shot him a look, but Danny was too happy to care.

โ€œIโ€™ve been offered a spot in their companyโ€™s summer training camp. After the program, if things go well, I could be in New York productions this fall!โ€

โ€œOh, honey,โ€ Katherine said, pulling her son into a hug. โ€œIโ€™m so proud of you.โ€

โ€œCongratulations, Danny,โ€ I said, waiting for my turn to hug him. โ€œThis is so exciting!โ€

โ€œThanks, Jackie. I really owe you,โ€ he said, pulling away from his mom to face me. โ€œIf you hadnโ€™t spent all that time reading lines with me, I donโ€™t know if I would have gotten the part.โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s not true,โ€ I told him. โ€œBut Iโ€™ll accept your gratitude anyway.โ€ โ€œSo when does this training camp begin?โ€ Katherine asked.

Danny hesitated. โ€œThatโ€™s the thing. Iโ€™d have to leave for New York as soon as summer starts.โ€ When he saw the frown on his motherโ€™s face, he added. โ€œI am, after all, an adult and the company will provide lodging until I find a place to live.โ€

โ€œOkay, dear,โ€ Katherine said. โ€œWhy donโ€™t we discuss this later?โ€

โ€œAll right,โ€ said Danny. It wasnโ€™t the answer he wanted to hear, but there was still a huge, excited smile on his face.

โ€œMom! Mom!โ€ Zack and Benny shouted as they crashed into their motherโ€™s legs. โ€œWeโ€™re hungry.โ€

โ€œCome on, Walter clan,โ€ she said, raising her voice so we all could hear her. โ€œHead out to the cars. We have a celebratory dinner to prepare.โ€

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