‘ Just now, ’ I say.

Mike puts on his headphones and goes back to his room. I was about to go upstairs when I heard the front door click. I turned around and saw my mom walk in the house. She was wearing dark pants and a white blouse.

‘ Can I assume that you're back from work, ’ I ask her.

She casts her gaze up the stair.

‘ Yes, just finished the day's work. ’

And asks me a counter question:

‘ When did you get here? Why didn't you call? ’

‘ I arrived about fifteen minutes ago. I wanted to surprise you, ’ I say, wearing a little smile.

Mom is the person who really knows what I want. She is the calmest and most caring person in our family. But her concern for my education makes her go against me going to auditions.

‘ Have you seen your brothers? ’ mom asks.

‘ Yes, they are sitting in their rooms, ’ I say.

Then I turn my head and see the babysitter getting ready to go home. She walked up to my mom and said she was all done. She picked up her purse from the coat rack and walked out.

‘ Susan is a good babysitter! ’ she says, looking at the door, which had closed seconds before her words.

In fact, if my mother had started her career as a writer, she wouldn't be against my going to auditions, but would support me in doing so; she would know that it was also a job, not just a dream.

We pass the kitchen and turn toward the hall; we have family pictures hanging along the wall. I stopped in the middle of this wall and directed my gaze to one photo I treasured, which was taken in Time Square, it was the day I read a sonnet by the Shakespeare in the middle of the square, and gathered a small number of people, among whom was the owner of the theater through the time in which I was performing.

Mom put her hand on my shoulder and said:

‘ I thought that's where you'd go. ’

‘ This picture means a lot to me, ’ I answer.

‘ That's why it hangs here, ’ mom said, looking at the picture.

In the next picture I see our oldest sister, Hailey, who is now twenty-three. After Hailey got married, she and her husband Roger went to live in Venice, and next to her is a picture of another sister, Candice. Candice is a year younger than Hailey. She lives in London and last came to visit us at Christmas.

I looked away at an even less valuable photo.

‘ Look, ’ I said, pointing my finger at the photo.

This picture was taken after our little brother was born. The picture is of our family. Dad is holding his tiny brother in his arms; Mom is hugging Dad with one arm, and Mike and I with the other arm.

‘ Yes, I remember that day very vividly, ’ mom remembers, almost bursting into tears.

‘ Yes, I remember that day, too, ’ I said with a smile.

We simultaneously take our eyes off the wall where our pictures are hanging, and move into the hall. Mom starts looking for the TV remote. And then she says:

‘ God, has Dale been playing with it again? ’ she asks me, like I live in the same house as them.

‘ I don't know, ’ I answer and shrug.

Mom puts her hands to her sides and starts thinking about where he might have put the remote.

‘ Okay, Mom, I'm going to my room, ’ I say, and start walking up the stairs.

I went into my room and jumped on my bed. I turned on my phone and started looking at an ad that said casting was open for the lead role of Chad in «Love at a Distance». I watch with overflowing emotion. I think my name could have been on screens and billboards in town. People would recognize me on the streets and know my name. I would be a different Jake Evans. I'm still hoping that things will change.

I get a text message on my phone. – Jenny. I close the listening tab and go to messages.

‘ What are you doing tonight? ’

‘ I'm at my parents' house tonight. And need to read a book. ’ I reply.

Not even a minute goes by. There's a call from Jenny.

‘ Hello ‘ I say.

‘ It makes it easier to communicate, ’ Jenny says.

A few seconds of silence. I say:

‘ Jenny, I'm so worried about the audition. ‘

‘ No, Jake, don't be! You're going to do great. ‘

‘ I hope so. ‘

A knock is heard in the background of the conversation.

‘ Jenny, is someone here to see you? ‘

‘ It's Bella, ‘ she said.

I hear rustling and some talking. Jenny continues:

‘ Bella offers to stop by your place. ‘ After these words I hear some interference. ‘ Ouch, or rather I suggest. ‘

I laugh.

‘ Of course come! I'll be waiting for you. ‘ I finish.

The phone conversation stops. I put the phone on the nightstand by the bed and leave the room to get my mom's laptop.

I walk down the stairs, turn my head to the right and see my mother. She's sitting in the hall, finishing her coffee and watching some show. I start asking loudly so my mom can hear me.

‘ Mom, can I take the laptop? ‘

‘ Yes, it's in the kitchen, ‘ she answers.

Apparently Mom was watching a video on how to cook quickly and deliciously again. Mom continues:

‘ Why do you need a laptop? ‘

‘ I have an article to read, ‘ I say, pressing my lips together for a few seconds.

‘ Okay, ‘ she nodded, and continued to watch the TV.

I turn toward the stairs, and I hear the front door open. Dad came home from work.

‘ Hi, dad. ’

‘ Hi, Jake! Did you decide to come visit us? ’ dad asked.

‘ I missed you, ’ I say, holding my laptop in my hands.

‘ That's nice to hear, ’ dad says, and puts his briefcase on the chair next to the table in the kitchen.

‘ Well, dad, I have to go I have an article to read. ’

‘ I don't dare to keep you, ’ answered my father with a slight smile.

I go up the stairs, go into the room, lock the door, lie down on the bed, and start reading the electronic version of the book, periodically imagining myself in the lead role.

I woke up and went to work. The day lasted a long time, as if the hand had stopped on the clock. Only three people came to the bar all day and they all came to get a bottle of water. I finished reading a couple more chapters last night. Jenny and Bella were right, this is the best book ever! Now, I too have joined the millions of readers of this novel.

The storyline, makes you say, «What happens next?» This book has a convoluted story. The main characters are Chad and Amanda, who were in love with each other. They are the children of very rich parents who feud with each other over competition. Their parents created the best clothes, which were bought by people from all over the world. But Chad has to move because he went to university, but they keep seeing each other. Chad and Amanda met at a school party, and that's when it all started… That's the smallest part of what's going on there.

I remember these chapters with some special feeling. It is a beautiful love story with many obstacles.

My work day ended late. I hang up my work clothes on the coat rack in the room where all the junk is, close the door behind me, and leave. I open the door and go into my house. A message pops up on my phone. Jenny:

‘ Do you remember there's an audition tomorrow at two o'clock? ’

‘ I do ’ I texted her, locked my phone and went to bed.

I was woken up by the ringing of my cell phone. Jenny.

I say in a sleepy voice:

‘ Hello ’

‘ Jake, my God, are you asleep? It's eleven in the morning! ’ Jenny exclaims.

‘ Yeah, I must be tired. ’ Bullshit. At work I just sit around doing nothing, just yesterday three people came in and bought water, and that's it.

‘ I'm sorry I have to pick up the flash drive I once left at your place, ’ Jenny recalls.

‘ Yeah, sure, I'll be waiting. ’ The conversation ends.

I put the phone on the bed and went to the bathroom, after a while I headed to the kitchen and put the kettle on, after my gaze stopped on the magazine I was reading, not missing any issue, my hand reached for the magazine, barely taking it, I thought I should eat before listening to it. The doorbell rings.