We sat there in silence as I tried to figure out what the deciding factor would be.
“Do you know what you want to do?” he asked.
“If I do it, I’ll have to leave all this,” I said, pointing to the street. “I’ll have to leave home. I’ll leave my friends and family to go make my way in the world.”
“That’s called growing up, David. At some point, you won’t have a choice. High school might seem like it’s everything right now. But when you get to be my age, you’ll look back and realize it was a tiny part of your life. An important part, but small all the same.
“I have fond memories of my high school and the friends I had. To be honest, I haven’t kept in touch. I sometimes wonder what happened to them. Did they get married, have kids … are they happy? I was only a little older than you are when I left to go play baseball, and I never looked back,” Coach Haskins said.
“Do you regret it?” I asked.
“Can’t say I ever even thought about it, so I guess not.”
I bit my lower lip. Was that what was going to happen? Would I go off and never look back? Mom had said almost the same thing, that I put too much emphasis on my high school friends. She was only really still close with Mrs. A. I was sure that I wouldn’t let that happen with my friends, no matter what my decision was.
I nodded and got up.
“Thanks for the talk,” I said and trotted off his porch.
He had a faraway expression on his face. I turned around and ran home.
◊◊◊
When I got back, Uncle John’s truck was in the driveway. I entered the kitchen and found him standing next to the coffee pot as he talked to my mom and dad. I stepped up to him and wrapped him in a big hug. Uncle John hugged me back and just held on as I got my emotions under control. When I finally loosened my grip and gave him an embarrassed smile, he looked me in the eyes.
“Come on, let’s go talk,” Uncle John said, then took me to the office and shut the door.
“I hear you got a huge offer. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“So, what are you worried about? From what I hear, this might be a monumental opportunity.”
“Everything. This will change my life and my family’s lives. But at what cost?” I asked.
“Isn’t that what today is all about? You’re going to talk to people and clear up the unknowns. You can only make a decision like this if you understand all sides. Stop worrying about what you don’t know and go find out. What you’re doing right now isn’t productive, and it’ll drive you crazy,” he said.
“So, I’m crazy now?”
“No, you’re special. I’m not sure if that’s ‘special’ special or ‘special ed,’ but we’ll figure it out.”
He always knew what to say.
“Thanks.”
“Go work with your Dad and Caryn and make your calls. When you’re done, come see me, and I’ll help you think it through,” he said and got up. “I have to take care of my farm. I’ll be back after dinner.”
He gave me another hug.
“You know that I love you. This’ll be okay, I promise,” Uncle John said.
◊◊◊
Dad and I drove to the strip mall where Caryn’s new office was. They’d picked a second-floor unit, and it was the first time I’d been there. Caryn took us to the conference room, where Megan joined us to take notes.
“Looks like you need some art,” I commented, looking at the blank walls.
“We have some possibilities in storage,” Caryn said.
I just nodded.
I lost count of the number of people we called. Saul joined us when we talked to all the movie people. I expect he was still trying to process why I hadn’t just said ‘yes.’ We ordered in and then began to make the football calls. After that, it was baseball, and finally, business and political calls.
Most of what we found out was what I already suspected. The Star Wars role was precisely what I thought it was—a game-changer, and everyone would understand if I took it. If I passed on it, there were no guarantees. Chubby Feldman was confident that the James Bond movie would be made, just not who the lead would be. Football and baseball were both possible. I would still have to prove myself, and hopefully, stay healthy. I could also venture into either business or politics once I was done with whichever direction my life took me.
There was still one more group of people to talk to: my friends.
◊◊◊
Earlier in the day, I’d sent a text out to my closest friends to meet me at Monical’s for dinner. Caryn had reserved the banquet room to give us some privacy. When I arrived, everyone was there: Tim, Wolf, Tracy, Cassidy, Alan, and Tami. I figured I would have separate conversations with Halle, Brook, and Zoe. Pam was a completely different conversation, as well.
I could tell they were eager to hear what I had to say, especially because Tami was here. They were also confused as to why I hadn’t been in school today.
I’d ordered ahead of time, so food and drinks were brought out as soon as we sat down.
“I’ve been offered the young Han Solo role,” I started.
“That’s great, when do you start?” Tracy asked.
“That’s an issue. If I take it, I’ll lose the second half of my senior year. I’d need to be in the UK the first of next year, and they say it’ll take eight months to film.”
“You said, if you take it,” Tracy said. “Is there a possibility you might not?”
“That was why I took today off. I’ve been wrestling with my decision because it would send me down the movie path irrevocably. If I take this role, I’ll be gone for a minimum of a year. Right after I would finish the Star Wars movie, I’m scheduled to do the two Star Academy movies in New Zealand.
“My agent tells me he expects there will be more Star Wars movies in the pipeline. I’d lock in to being an actor,” I said.
“Is that bad?” Tim asked.
“Would I ever get to see you?” Cassidy asked at the same time.
“No,” I said to Tim, and then turned to Cassidy. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
Tami leaned back in her seat and looked at Tracy.
“This should be interesting.”
“I hope so,” I said and then began my talk about their part in this. “Have any of you watched the HBO series Entourage?”
“About the actor and his friends,” Alan said.
“That’s the one.”
About half of them had.
“It’s about an actor who moves from New York to LA to become a movie star. It’s focuses on him and his two best friends and his brother.”
“He gets them laid,” Wolf helpfully provided.
“The reason I bring it up is that he’s able to help his friends achieve their dreams. This movie offer made me think about what’s important in my life, and one important part is my friends. Even if I don’t take this job, I’ll probably be gone all this summer with my Cuban movie and playing baseball. Next summer, I could be making the James Bond movie followed by Star Academy. Eventually I’ll be pulled from here, and I don’t want to lose you guys,” I admitted.
“So you plan to buy me the pickup truck I’ve always wanted, and Wolf, a tequila company?” Tim asked, referring to the HBO show.
“Not exactly. I don’t need a bunch of moochers and gofers hanging around. What I guess I want is to help you guys realize your dreams, if I can.
“The movie offer has made me realize that I need to grow up and consider what I’m going to do in the future. Most kids don’t really start worrying about that until they’re sophomores or juniors in college.”
“What are you going to do? Have your uncle help us create goals?” Tracy asked.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea,” I admitted.
Wolf did not appear happy. I realized what this looked like to him. His family had struggled financially, and I’d given him jobs to do so he could have some spending money. This seemed like charity to him. I reached across the table to touch his arm, which caused him to look at me.