The Truth in the Stars

Part 18: Scout

"Ouch! That hurts mom!" I winced as she dabbed at the scrape on my elbow.

"Well, you'll have to be more careful if you're working on the roof. This could have been a lot worse."

I know I have to be careful. I lost that sense of invincibility after dad got hurt, and lost his ability to walk. Before I thought that God would never let anything happen to me, but bad things do happen. I realize that more than ever.

I was working on the shingles with Mr. Jay when I slipped, and slid down the stone covered shingles. As I tried to stop myself I, scraped my elbows and lower arms on the shingles until Mr. Jay quickly grabbed my hand. My legs were fine because I was wearing jeans, although they did look a bit more beat up.

I had taken my shirt off and thrown it away, because it was torn badly after the fall. Looking in the bathroom mirror as my mom cleaned up the cuts, I could see the muscles in my body were stronger. Two months of carrying shingles with Mr. Jay and the guys really paid off in money and in other ways.

"You should be good," she said as she applied a bandage to one of the smaller cuts.

"Sorry that I made you worry, mom," I apologized.

"Just be a bit more careful."

She was still shaken up a bit from what happened with dad over a month ago. I could tell she was worried about me, though she wouldn't say it. She felt bad taking the money I worked for to use for the house, but she took it after I told her that's why I was working to begin with. We wouldn't have to worry about losing the house unless one of us had to stop working.

Mr. Jay usually drove me to work as I didn't have a car yet. That morning I just happened to be walking to his house when a guy recognized me. He had just parked beside the bank on the outskirts of town when he saw me.

"Hey!" he yelled. "Hey, kid! Stop!"

I looked around, and saw a black-haired man wearing khakis and a white dress shirt running in my direction. I looked around to see if there was someone else he was yelling for, thinking that he had just gotten robbed or something. Realizing that nobody else was around I waited for him to run up to me.

"You're that kid from the video, right? The kid from the talent show," he gasped out of breath.

"Yeah, and who are you?"

"My names Terrance. I'm a scout for a music company, and I saw your performance," he introduced himself as he handed me his business card. "I would love to have you audition for us. We might have an agent that can help you become a professional singer."

I was excited, but knew I had to think about this.

"I'm not sure that's a safe career for me. I'm still in high school."

"That's okay, but if you change your mind call me. I have to go so... Take care!" he yelled as he ran back to his car. I don't think he ever went into the bank. 

I walked quickly towards Eddie's house, knowing I would be late if I didn't. Mr. Jay always had to be there first since he runs the business. I could see Mr. Jay walking out of his house in his work clothes. I picked up my pace to a jog, so I wouldn't hold him up.

"Sorry! I ran into someone on the way here!" I said, not going into the specifics yet.

"It's fine. You're just on time," he replied as he got into the driver's side.

I hopped into the passenger seat, and we pulled out onto the road. His work truck was a light blue color, but it was so dinged up it was bare metal in some spots. Sitting in his dinged up truck, I put my hands in my pockets, and brushed my hand on a piece of paper. It was the business card from earlier.

The business card was nothing significant; stating his name and his company. On closer inspection I learned that Terrance was a scout for Golden Fleece. I assumed the name was a reference to the Greek mythology story, although I had never heard of the company. I knew I couldn't accept his offer now, but maybe at a later date I would be able to accept his offer.