Dreams, Memories & Keys

Chapter 25 - Opportunities

It snowed in the evening of December 26th. The appearance of the flakes coming down late in the afternoon outside the Abernathy's windows prompted most of their guests who were visiting earlier in the day to go home about an hour after they finished their pizza. Soon, Bert was the only one left and still the snow continued to fall. He didn't really feel like company these days, so in Susan's mind he almost didn't count, anymore than calling Zack, Kelly and the baby company. In her mind they were family. Bert was future family, but still logic reminded her he wasn't just yet.

Eventually, Kelly put Milly to bed, then Susan, Jessie, Bert, Zack and Kelly settled themselves in the living room where the floor to ceiling windows gave them the best view of the snow coming down. The flakes got fatter and smaller and fatter again snowing steadily and heavily as the evening wore on. Snowplows did their best to clear the streets, but it was coming down so fast and so heavily they couldn't keep up.

"Does it ever reach the point where everything stops?" Zack wondered.

"I hope not," Susan told him. "Greg still needs to come home tonight after the play."

"Mama, maybe Papa should do his plays in California. It doesn't snow as much there," Jessie remarked.

"It doesn't snow at all unless you're in the mountains," Zack commented.

"Yes, that's what I mean. Lots of actors live in California, so maybe Papa should work there," Jessie said.

"Except most of the best theater work is here. At least that's what my mom says," Bert told her.

"Is that true?" Jessie asked Susan.

"I think it must be. I know there are theaters in California, but they are not nearly as highly regarded as they are here. But on the other hand, there are a lot more television and movie studios near where our California house is. That's why your Papa originally moved there," Susan replied.

"Oh," Jessie seemed to consider that. "Bertie, do you want to do theater? Or television and movies if you become an actor?"

"I don't know, Jess. So far, I've only done theater, and that is pretty interesting. I'm particularly interested in the directing and producing. But Mr. Feldman has been telling me about how much more there is to it when you do a movie," Bert told her.

"Do you have to choose? I think Papa does both," Jessie said. "Doesn't he, Mama?"

"Yes. Your papa is considered a well-rounded actor, which means he can do both theater work and also work in front of a camera," Susan shared.

"My mom can too. But I'm getting the feeling if you want to direct or produce, and want to be good at it, sometimes you need to specialize," Bert remarked.

"That could be, but it might be possible to broaden your education enough to experience both, so you can have a better idea what you'd like to do," Susan suggested.

"Trying different things is a good idea," Kelly agreed. "That's why I changed from an Arts major to Graphic Communications. I want to do more than simply be an artist, but I had to try a few things before I knew that."

Bert nodded and sighed as he thought about what opportunities the future might bring. "At least our work for the Lord is in good shape."

"Do you think so?" Jessie asked her boyfriend anxiously.

"For now," Bert replied cautiously.

Jessie looked him in the eye and nodded.

Everyone fell silent for a time, watching the snow come down. There didn't seem to be much more to say, and the snow was coming down faster than before. Technically it was dark outside, but the thing about living in the middle of the city was it was never completely dark. At night the city lights came from buildings and streetlights all around them, reflected and amplified by the falling snow, making the nighttime world a little brighter than it would be otherwise. It was a mesmerizing sight watching the large fat flakes fall in front of the window, but it was difficult to tell just how much was accumulating on the ground from so far up. Just about that time, the snowplow came by again. Looking down, it was becoming more difficult to see the sidewalk across the street. Trying to get a clearer view, Susan went out onto the balcony to take a look. Forest came too and discovered snow was accumulating in drifts around his tree. He put his nose to the hydroponic lawn and plowed his way through it, apparently just for fun. He came up with his face covered in snow and smiling.