Allen sat there as still as a statue while his step-family continued to feast off his dinner. Once they had finished off everything on the table, Rex, Bo, and Ace pushed their chairs out with a loud screech and left the room. Allen sighed, I guess I have to clear the table and do the dishes now.
From the living room he could hear the television going and his step-family cheering at some big game.
As Allen was washing the dishes he heard a knock on the screen door. "Come in," he called out.
R.J. stuck his head in the room, "Soo, how did it go?" Allen just glared at him. "That bad uh?"
"He said no before I could ask him if I could audition," Allen replied. He flicked the soap on his hands at the pans soaking in the sink.
"Did he give any reason for saying no?" R.J. asked as he walked into the kitchen. He pushed himself up on the counter top, opened the cookie jar and grabbed a handful of Allen's homemade chocolate chip cookies.
"Yeah, Rex and Bo have football camp at the same time and he's going to help. So I have to stay home and run the store for him every day while they are gone."
"You've got to be kidding me. You have to work at the store every day?"
"Yep." Allen picked up a greasy pan and started to scrub with all his strength pretending it was Rex's face.
"Well, what are you going to do?" asked R.J., he finished his handful of cookies and grabbed another.
"What do you mean, 'What are you going to do?' I'm going to forget about the Summer Music Program and do what Rex said. I don't think I have much choice in the matter."
"You see, that's where you're wrong," said R.J. jumping off the counter. He walked over to Allen and leaned on the counter.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you going to that audition."
"R.J. are you deaf? I just told you that Rex said no."
"I know. I heard you."
"Then why are you saying that I'm going to that audition?"
"Because I have come up with the perfect plan."
"And how can you say that it's perfect?"
"Because I thought of it and it allows you to be a part of the program and work the shop."
"Really and how would that work? Because I am pretty sure that I can't bilocate."
"Just hear me out."
Allen looked at R.J.'s face; he could tell that his friend was being serious here. "Okay, but keep your voice down. I don't want them to accidently overhear."
"'Course. My plan is that you audition for the program by lying to Rex by saying you are at your violin lesson or something like that."
"Okay, but what if I make it in? I have a feeling that Rex will be calling and keeping tabs on me while he's away."
"No problem, I'll work in the shop for you while you are doing your music thing."
"Okay, that seems like a good plan. But what if Rex calls and I'm not there to answer the phone."
"We can set up the phone so that all calls go straight to your cell phone."
"Then I would be getting calls all during rehearsals and class. I don't think the director would like that very much."
"True, we'll think of an answer to that later. I know some computer nerds who might be able to help us solve that problem."
Allen sighed, without looking up from the dishes he replied, "I don't think so R.J. I appreciate you trying to help me, but I think that I am just going to just do what Rex said and forget about the program. Next year when I graduate from high school and am 18, I'll work on following my dream but not now. I can't risk Rex finding out. He'll do something to me if I completely disobey him like that. I can't, I just can't do it."
R.J. raised his eyebrow at Allen, who was still looking at the sink, "Allen you can totally do this."
"No I can't R.J! You just don't get it," Allen exclaimed. He turned and looked at R.J. in the eyes, "I'm not like you. I don't have the courage, or the guts to do what you do. I can't pull something this big over on Rex."
"Allen you do too have courage."
"No I don't. I am a wimp. I let my family walk all over me every day because I am afraid of what they might do if I say no."
R.J. shook his head, "Allen, it takes lots of guts to do what you do with the violin. Yes I might have no problem speaking my mind about things, but I can't go up onstage and perform like you do. That's why I quit the violin so many years ago. I'm telling you that your mom, your mom, would want you to do this. She wanted to see you succeed more than anyone else and she would want to you audition for the Summer Music Program. You said so yourself, this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for you. You can't let Rex or your fears get in the way of your dreams. I think you are using Rex's no as an excuse for not auditioning and I'm telling you that you have nothing to worry about. You could get in with one arm tied behind your back."
Allen looked back at the soaking dishes for a minute before replying, "R.J. you can't play the violin with one arm tied behind your back."
R.J. smiled, "You know what I meant man."
Allen looked back up at R.J. and grinned back at his friend, "Yeah I do. Thanks man, I need that…I'll do it. I'll do the audition and if I make it in we'll come up with a plan. I appreciate you always looking out for me."
"Hey, what are best friends for? You are going to totally rock that audition and get like first chair of the orchestra and you will totally win that competition."
"I doubt that I'll get first chair or win," laughed Allen.
"You never know."
I wonder what will happen Please review and give any suggestions for plot lines!