Bikeriders Serenade

A Call for Help

The overcast sky cast a gray hue over Lori's small apartment, mirroring the heaviness in her heart. She sat curled up on the couch, the remnants of a difficult audition still echoing in her mind. No matter how hard she tried to carve out her own identity, the comparisons to her father loomed large, shadowing her every step in the acting world.

With a deep breath, she picked up her phone and dialed Austin. He had just settled into the couch after a long day of meetings, his mind still buzzing with thoughts about the movie rights he was chasing. The familiar buzz of his phone jolted him from his reverie. When he saw Lori’s name flash across the screen, a smile crept onto his face, but it faded as soon as he answered.

“Lori?” he said, his voice laced with concern. The sound of her voice sent a jolt of worry through him.

“Daddy,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “Can you come over?”

### Austin's Response

Austin’s heart sank. He could hear the distress in her tone, the cracks forming in her usually vibrant spirit. “What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though fear gnawed at him.

“I just... I need you,” she whispered, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

### The Journey

Without hesitation, Austin stood up, a sense of urgency propelling him forward. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door, his mind racing with questions. What had happened? Was she okay?

As he drove through the dreary streets, the rain began to fall, mirroring the turmoil he felt inside. He thought of Lori’s struggles, the pressure she faced every day, and how much he wished he could shield her from it all.

### Arrival

When he finally reached her apartment, he knocked softly. The door swung open, revealing Lori’s tear-streaked face. Without a word, she threw her arms around him, and he held her tight, feeling her pain seep into him.

“Let’s talk,” he said gently, leading her back inside. The storm outside raged on, but in that moment, he knew he would do everything he could to help his daughter find her way through the darkness

As they settled onto the couch, Lori’s shoulders slumped, and she stared at her hands, which fidgeted nervously in her lap. Austin could see the weight of her words brewing just beneath the surface.

“Daddy,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “the audition today... it was awful.”

### The Breakdown

Austin leaned in closer, his expression softening. “Tell me what happened,” he urged gently.

Lori took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “The casting director... he said I’d never make it as a serious actress. He said I was just another child of a ‘celebrity’—that I was only here because of your name.” 

### The Pain of Comparison

She paused, her voice cracking. “He made it sound like I was nothing without you, like I didn’t have any talent of my own. It felt like all my hard work didn’t matter at all.”

Austin’s heart ached for her. He had faced his share of criticism, but hearing it directed at Lori felt like a blow to his own chest. “That’s not true, Lori,” he said firmly, reaching out to take her hands in his. “You’re talented. You’ve worked so hard for this.”

### The Struggle for Identity

“But it doesn’t feel like it,” she replied, tears spilling over. “Every time I step into a room, it’s like I’m just ‘Austin’s daughter.’ I want to be Lori. I want to be seen for who I am, not just what I represent.”