It was 8pm. Carter walked by the curfew board in the kitchen. It used to light up at this time, Carter thought to himself. Those were different times though. Back when mom was worried about Caiden sneaking out. She’s not anymore. Ever since he fought the Motherplant, I think she’s realized he can take care of himself. Either that or she just gave up and realized he’d sneak out anyways.
She never worried about me though. It’s ironic since I sneak in and out every night too. Maybe she never noticed. Or maybe she just never cared. After all, my antics are hardly as wild.
Carter put on his puffy jacket and headed towards the door. As he made his way though the living room, he glanced at his siblings. Casey was on the phone in the midst of some argument with Leila.
“Did you even consider how asking him to move in with you would make me feel?” Casey said furiously.
Carter glanced to the other side of the room. Annabelle was on her yoga mat deep breathing. It was nice to see her doing yoga again. She stopped doing it when she started dating Ignacio. Ignacio told her it was a waste of time. He’s a waste of time, if you ask me. I’m relieved she’s stepped away from him. Maybe now she can figure out who she is.
As he stepped out the front door onto the porch, he saw Caiden leaning against the railing.
“Carter! My man! Where you off to tonight?” Caiden said with a wide grin.
“Oh you know… heading to the Judith Ward Theater! Maybe tonight I can convince the bouncer to let me up on stage.”
Caiden looked at him, adjusting his body confidently. “Do you want me to come with you? Maybe between the two of us we can convince him.”
If I was Casey, I’d be fuming right about now. Furious that my brother thought I couldn’t do this on my own.
“That Caiden Scott charm is fricken magical man. I’d love for you to help me,” Carter said before he paused. “But you just became a young adult. You shouldn’t be tagging along with me. You should be out with Jamie still celebrating! Come to think of it… why aren’t you?”
Caiden smiled and looked at his watch. “Jamie had to get home to check on Travitha. Come to think of it though, I really should give her a call and check in.”
Carter looked at his brother. It’s hard to believe this is the same brother who rummaged through trash cans at midnight for fun and snuck out to parties every night. He’s so responsible now. I’m really proud of who he’s become, Carter thought.
Caiden took out his phone to call Jamie. “I’ll come watch you play another night. I promise,” he grinned at Carter.
“Sounds good,” Carter nodded. He knew his brother’s life would get so crazy though it probably wouldn’t happen. He meant well though.
Carter pulled out his own phone to call for a ride to the theater.
As he arrived, he stepped through the wide glass panned double doors. He breathed in deeply. Tonight is going to be my night.
He headed over to the stage door. Only two star celebrities or higher could get through but maybe with a little convincing, the bouncer would let him in.
“Any chance you’ll let a hopeful musician get up on stage and play tonight?” Carter smiled.
The bouncer looked at him stone faced. “Don’t you have a prom to play at or something kid?”
“Nah, that’s only on Saturday nights,” Carter said with a wink. “Tonight’s Sunday. Sundays, I play here… hopefully,” he shrugged. “What do you say?”
“Maybe with a little cash I could be persuaded…” the bouncer prompted him.
“I’ve only got $10 from busking on the streets this week,” Carter said patting his pockets to find it before pulling it out and handing it to the bouncer. “But it’s yours! Go nuts.”
“You’ve got thirty minutes on this stage. Better make it good or I’ll get in trouble with the boss,” the bouncer said as he grabbed the golden clasp. He pulled down the red rope and let Carter walk through.
Carter smiled as he echoed Caiden’s confidence. “Oh it will be good. There’s no doubt about that.”
Carter stepped up onto the stage and pulled out his guitar. He read in his music class that his ancestors got to record their songs in actual recording booths back in the day. I wish I could do that. Maybe someday. Of course, those stories weren’t nearly as wild as what he had read about for other generations. There was once a time when sims could play for enormous crowds in big show venues. Honestly, it sounded so incredible that Carter sometimes wondered if it was just a legend. A story that sims told just to give young musicians like him hope that their rockstar dreams could really go somewhere one day.
For now, I just have to settle for busking for tips on stage, he thought. But big show venue or small lounge. $5 or $100. I don’t care. Because every time I strum that first chord —
He looked at his guitar pick and took a breath as the lights shined onto him.
I’m home. He smiled.
“Let’s do this!”
