Daylight

chapter 1

    Jack and his mother, Willa, stood in the bustling airport terminal, their flight home looming ahead of them. The sound of rolling suitcases and shouted goodbyes echoed through the hall, while the smell of over-priced coffee filled the air. Jack felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him as he looked around the hordes of people– businessmen checking emails on their phones, mothers corralling their kids towards the gate, families excitedly chatting about upcoming vacations. He had been touring college campuses all week, shaking hands with strangers, shaking heads at prices he'd never be able to afford, listening to enthusiastic descriptions about programs without really hearing any of it.

     Willa's pace slowed, and Jack followed her gaze to the man across the hall. His head of graying hair was neat and combed back from his forehead. His kind eyes sparkled as he smiled at them, and he wore a blue dress shirt with khaki jeans, looking both polished and relaxed.

     Willa's face lit up with recognition as she walked towards him, her steps quickening with anticipation. "Hey! I can't believe it!" she exclaimed as they embraced in a warm hug. Jack watched his mother, who he hadn't seen this happy in weeks, with confusion until the man spoke: "It's been so long! What are you doing here?"

     "We're flying home," Willa answered, her hands still on his shoulders as though she were afraid he'd suddenly disappear if she let go too soon. "This is my son, Jack. He's a football player so we're visiting some schools!"

     "That's awesome. It's nice to meet you, Jack! What schools are you looking at?" the man inquired.

     "USC, Miami, and Texas," Jack replied, still uncertain of who this man was and what his relation to his mom was.

     "Great schools!" the man remarked.

     "Alan, what brings you to the airport?" Willa questioned.

     "I've been working for some studios in LA. Trying to cast for this small movie, a kid whose father is battling addiction and he must keep it together and make it through." Alan said.

     "Cool!" Willa exclaimed.

     "Come to think of it, Jack, you fit the description pretty well. Have you acted before?" Alan asked.

     "Nah, not at all," Jack rejected the notion with a laugh.

     "He could try it though," his mother suggested optimistically. Jack glanced at her bewilderedly, wondering what kind of trouble his mom was getting him into.

     "Wanna visit the studio next week and read some lines?" Alan asked.

     "We'll be there!" Willa answered enthusiastically.

     "I think we should go home first and talk to dad and Mason about this," Jack interjected, trying to buy some time.

     "He's right, let's not get ahead of ourselves." Willa laughed.

     "You always were one to do that," Alan said wistfully as he looked away dreamily.

     Just then, the loudspeaker announced that Jack and Willa's flight was boarding. As Willa bade goodbye to Alan, Jack couldn't help but be incredibly perplexed about what the fuck was going on.

***

     On the journey home, Jack's mind was consumed with the beguiling promise of futures draped in red carpets and illuminated by bright lights. His mother's insistent voice, a lilting refrain, urged him to seize this rare opportunity and dive unabashedly into the realm of acting. But upon arriving home, the effervescence of anticipation was pierced by his father's and brother's skepticism. Their furrowed brows and dismissive cadence betrayed their conviction that Jack's dreams of Hollywood would be dashed against the unforgiving rocks of competition. They insisted that he should rather stay anchored in reality, diligently nurturing his burgeoning football talent. It was a familiar scene in the delicate tapestry of tensions and alliances that defined the family, and Jack found himself once again caught in the middle.