Secrets. As Sam bounced around the gym running through her early morning basketball drill, the secrets were nagging at her psyche. When did she become this person? As she swooshed basket after basket like afterthoughts, barely paying attention to the task, her brow furrowed, and her mind wandered. Coach didn't notice; she kept shouting words of praise and then turned her focus to others on the team that faltered during this early hour. To Sam, basketball was in her blood. She rarely made mistakes. And yet, she felt like her life had turned into a giant one. Why was she so conflicted? And what was she going to do?
Keeping secrets from her parents (and a grandpa) who were detectives, a brother entering the police force, a sister with an investigative soul, and a host of lawyer/mayor/police aunts and uncles was no small feat, especially for a thirteen-year-old. Sam smiled at herself for keeping this one for so long, but the clock was ticking, and she was slowly starting to feel horrible. She couldn't let her parents retire. Not because of her, not because of basketball. A dream that she loved, a wealth of potential and possibilities for the future, until she wandered into Drama Club one afternoon on a whim and her world changed forever. She still loved basketball, but she loved it as she did now: with the ability to do it and still follow other dreams and ambitions. If she went to one of these fancy private schools out of state, basketball would be her life. She'd have no choice but to make it her focus 24/7.
She blinked, remembering the big conversation she had with her parents a few months back. Then, she was determined. Driven. Excited about new opportunities. She felt famous and unstoppable. Schools wanted her. Her name was lighting up sports sections nationwide. Check out this 8th grader from Palm Beach. Interviews, videos making highlight reels on ESPN… it was exhilarating. She wanted to branch out, see the world, play with the best and beat the best. Mom and Dad vowed to make it happen, and they would make the decisions together. Why was she going to ruin it all now? Why was this other type of fame calling to her instead?
The only one that knew her secret was Anna. Anna was the only one she told that she got the lead in the upcoming school play, was falling in love with theater, and wanted to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and give acting a try. Sam swore her to secrecy, and Anna understood. Acting would be a bone of contention in the Lorenzo household. Sam already knew that was her first mistake, confiding in Anna, and she knew her dad would be shocked and hurt that she didn't go to him first. Sam stalled for so long because she had no clue how to break this news. She didn't want to give up basketball; it was a sport she loved, and she wanted to continue to play. But she also didn't want to leave Palm Beach, and she wasn't ready to live up to grandiose expectations. And, she wanted to act. To be in the school plays and maybe try her hand at the local acting scene. Anna's Palm Beach connections were waiting for her word, and Sam secretly arranged to have professional headshots done with Solange. Who knows? Maybe after high school, she'd settle in New York or LA, if this was really what she wanted to do. Or, maybe she'd go to college for basketball and follow her original dream instead.
The point was that she felt too young to make a final choice. She needed time. Mom would understand. Dad, not so much. Especially when it came to acting, and especially when it came to Anna. She couldn't wait for Rosie to get home tomorrow. She needed her help and advice. In the meantime, she had to make a call. As practice ended, Sam hit the locker room and retrieved her phone from her locker.
"Hi, Uncle Lou!"
"Sam Lorenzo. How are you, honey? Is everything okay?"
"Yes, definitely," Sam replied, putting her newly found acting talents to the test. "Listen, I need a favor."
"Anything. What's going on?"
"Have my parents turned in their paperwork yet?"
"For retirement? No, not yet."
"Good. If they do, can you pretend you didn't get it? Burn it, put it in a drawer somewhere, something like that?"
She heard chuckling on the other end of the line. "You don't want them to retire either, huh, kid?"
"Something like that. I just need a little more time to discuss something with them. I think they are retiring for the wrong reasons."
"Sam, they love you so much. They will do anything for you. This will be an adventure for them just as much as it will be for you. Think about that. Maybe it's time."
"Maybe. But I just need a few more days."
"Luckily, they haven't turned anything in yet, so you're safe. If they do come by my office this week, I'll let you know."
"Uncle Lou, isn't it funny to you that they haven't turned in their paperwork? They don't want to leave. You know it, and I know it."
More laughter erupted from the other end of the conversation. "You know, you'd make a great detective, Sam. Maybe basketball isn't your calling after all."
Sam laughed. "Well, you're not far off. Thanks, I better go, or I'll be late to class."
"Have a good day. Hey, when's your next game?"
"Tonight at 7."
"I'll try to make it. Bye."
Sam grinned. Step one of her plan was complete. Now, she just needed Rosie to help with the rest.
