The Simple Things

July

Oliver sets a paper gently on the counter that reads "Thank you for your audition. Sadly, we will not need you for future rehearsals. Keep chasing your dreams and reach for the stars." He hears his mom in the kitchen. She's on the phone. "Well damn Jeff! If you're not gonna be there for his birthday party, why the hell.....oh no, don't make yourself look like the victim here. YOU'RE the one who.....okay okay. I'm done with this. Go sleep with one of your other women. Maybe that'll fill the empty void where your heart should be!"
She slams the phone on the wall and rubs her eyes. She notices Oliver at the door to the kitchen. "Oh. Sorry Oliver, I thought you were gonna be home later. Because of callbacks." Oliver shrugs. "They didn't need me. But I heard one of the girls sing and she was lovely. And the other guy who auditioned against me sang the song perfectly. He deserves the role." She smiles and gives him a kiss on the forehead. "Oliver, you're too kind."
She sits at the table. "So Oliver...I'm gonna be busy most weekends now. I'm taking another job." Oliver nods, "Mom, you're barely getting any rest. Are you sure?" She nods, "I'm sure. I'll have Tuesdays off and I should be free Thursday and Friday nights. That gives us time to still do pizza night if you want." Oliver smiles, "That sounds swell mom. I'm sure it'll all work out eventually."
She gives a weak smile. "I hope so. I really do." An alarm on her watch goes off. "Oh no. I'm running late!" She gets up quickly and starts getting ready to leave for work. "Oliver, there is chicken in the freezer or cold pizza in the fridge. Go easy on the soda. You have my number and be safe!" She quickly leaves, leaving Oliver alone at the table. "Okay. By mom!"
He knows she can't hear him but he doesn't care. He gets up but not before straightening the table cloth on the table and washing a few dishes. He throws away an old bag of chips before heading to his room. He puts a dollar in his jar marked, "Charity." He gets on his computer and once on Instagram, goes through the events of that day. Rosie posted a selfie. He liked it and noticed 35 comments.
It always made him happy how so many people can be nice and loving when a friend posts a lovely selfie. He wondered why his own photos were never like that. Oliver decided to give it a try. He went outside, took an artsy selfie with the sunset, and uploaded it. His caption was about how Life is beautiful and you gotta remember to smile. He was proud of it as he started his homework. Before he went to bed, he checked his phone. No one had liked it, but someone had commented on it. It was Danny. He simply said "That's gay."