"She just went in," Reese said through the phone, her voice like a melody in my ears. "Luke, have you ever seen a Pixar facility? They're so nice."
"Yeah?" I smiled slightly, seeing Reese in my mind's eye sitting in the parking lot and taking in the buildings around her with a sort of wide-eyed fascination.
"Mhm."
"So how is she?" I asked, knowing Michael would want to know.
"Al? Oh she's fine, a little nervous, but you know her," Reese spoke confidently. "She's got this."
"Good, good," I nodded, leaning against the wall and readjusting the phone by my ear. "That's good. I'll let Mike know. He's been wondering. He and Lana haven't exactly been in touch."
"We've hardly had a spare minute, in between driving around to see places and sitting while Lana cranks out pieces to present at her interview." Reese answered and I could see her shrug.
"She hasn't been stressing out too much, has she?" I asked as I pulled a pen from my pocket and looked over at the boys who were huddled together around a table.
"Just the perfect amount," she chuckled but her voice quickly faded out. "How's Michael?"
"Michael," I twirled the pen around with my fingers. "He's alright. The usual, tired and hungry."
"Good, I'll tell Al," Reese said, clearly more subdued than she was a moment ago. "Have you guys signed yet?"
I let out a long sigh and rested my head back against the wall, my eyes falling shut. I had been hoping we could steer clear of this topic, but of course not.
"Luke?" Reese's voice came through the line again, snapping me out of my silence. "You still there?"
I stood up straight, pinching the bridge of my nose and nodded even though she couldn't see. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here."
"You never answered," she spoke in a voice that just didn't match her vibrant nature. "Have you guys signed on yet?"
"Yes," I answered under my breath, passing my hand over my face to push my hair back.
"What? Luke I can't hear you if you mumble."
"Yes," I repeated, this time more clearly. "We're signing now."
"Oh," Reese responded in a small voice.
We hadn't been expecting the contract to come before we even moved, but that all changed when the rail thin doll like brunette woman came up after our early morning acoustic show with her all-too-white smile and the contract in her hands. The record company we had been in contact with wanted to sign on with us and there was much talk about being an opening act on a major tour.
"We can't turn this down," I said softly, dropping my hand to my side and shoving the pen back into my pocket.
"No, I know, I know," Reese said evenly. "It's just - nevermind... Michael hasn't told Lana, has he?"
"I've only just told you," I said exasperatedly as I shook my head. "I don't think he's ready to believe this is actually happening."
"Are you?"
"I - what?" I spluttered, caught off guard by her question.
"Are you ready?" Reese repeated. "Are you ready to believe this actually happening?"
I thought for a moment before answering. "No."
"Well why not?" she said strongly, her confidence almost enough to bring a small smile to my lips. Almost. The thoughts the question actually brought were sobering enough.
