A Way To My Dream

Chapter 3: Scout for artist; Part 1

"Scout for artist part 1"

One week has past after her birthday. Her daily life continue, she still do the household chores and practice her dancing after. She still plays with the animals, and ride her horse. She still cook every now and then. But the thoughts of scout for artist still lingers inside her heard, in fact it doesn't even leave her thoughts even once. And lastly, she still wonder how would she tell her family about her plan of participating.

Everyday, she's done everything to muster her courage to talk. As the time approaches fast, her desperation grow.

During her family dinner, the family seats on their usual places. Thankfully her father did come home after 3 days away from business. She wanted her family to know everythiöng she plans to. She wants to include her family members on decision making. If they agreed, she'll be over the moon, if not, at the least she tried her luck. She keeps saying that to herself enable to console her own hopelessness to the situation.

"Uhm... Mom, Dad, Kevin and Mark, I have to tell you something. It's about-"

"What?! Are you pregnant?!"

"No! God, no!" Leona huffed and rolled her eyes to her eldest brother, Kevin.

"Ok, ok. Sorry, I'm glad though."

"Kevin, shut your mouth, Bro.  You're always making things bigger than it seems." Mark butted in.

"Shut your mouth kiddos!" Mrs. Stratford then said. Mr. Stratford stopped his food as the tension somewhat awkward for him.

"Yes, princess, continue." He motion Leona to continue what she wants to say. Leona nodded and took a deep breath.

"Dad, Mom, I don't want you to take this wrongly. You know I have always dream of being an artist. I want to dance and perform. I have a passion for it." She started. The four intently listen.

"I have always thought of being able to perform on a big platform, to show my passion and share it with everyone. I know that probably all of you think that I'm still young or kid. Maybe you think I still can't handle myself. However, Mom, Dad, if you continue to shelter and cover me, I'd probably wouldn't be able to grow as a person of my own self." Leona paused. She hold back her tears and stop herself from sobbing.

"Baby... what are you talking about?" Mr. Stratford felt his eyes burning. Meanwhile, Mrs. Stratford couldn't hold back her own tears. She understands it, she does.

"I know that if I continue to depend on your guys, I wouldn't be able to depend on my own. I know how much you care for me, how much you love me and how much you dream the world for me. Dad, Mom, if I am given the opportunity to grow outside our home,
venture my own boundaries. Will you support me? Will you support me, even if it means you'll let go of me?"

Leona, hard as she may try, couldn't hold back her tears, followed by her loud sobs. Kevin and Mark looked away from the table and fidget. Meanwhile, Mr. Stratford hugged her wife tightly.

This is what he has been avoiding, yet expecting all through these years. He's afraid to let go of his daughter. He wanted to always see her smiles, hear her giggles, and watch how she bubbly talk with them. He's afraid that someday somehow world will change his own daughter, his princess. The world is cruel. It doesn't care for anyone. It doesn't feel sympathy to anyone. The world is cruel enough, how much more the world of entertainment industry?

"Please Mom?... Dad? I know how much you wanted me to stay inside our home. And know, that I also want to stay. But if I do, will I ever grow? Will I ever reach my dreams?"

"Baby... outside... it's not safe, it's not easy, it's cold, and it's not home..." Mrs. Stratford said between her sobs. She's afraid. She's afraid to let her only daughter away from home. But, she's a woman herself. Decades ago, she had a lot of dreams too. She has passions she had wanted to reach and nurture. She has things she had wanted to experience. 'What ifs' flooded her thoughs. What if she get astray? What if she turn herself in a wrong way? What if people will get too hard on her? What if she'll get in trouble? Who will be there for here? She's being paranoid. She knew it. She knows, she's just delaying the inevitable. Eventually, Leona will still want to venture outside their little town.

"I know, Mom. Please support me this time?" Leona pleaded, rubbing her palm.

"Mark, Kevin, please wash the dishes." Mrs. Stratford  said. Her knees wobbled as she stands. She grab ahold of her husband's shoulder.

"Yes, Ma'am!" The two replied and started to clean the table. They almost sighed in unison, thankful for having get themselves out from the tension.

"Let's rest. It's been a long day for us." Their father said as she guided his wife to the stairs.

"Mom... Dad..." Leona's voice trailed off. Hopeful to get the answer she desires.

"Baby, let's talk tomorrow, okay? Your mom's tired."

"Yes, Dad. I understand. Good night Mom, Dad." She wiped her tears and sat back down.

Mark and Kevin came back from their kitchen sat on her sides, making her in between.

"That's quite stressful..." Kevin started.

"Bro, you always find everything stressful." Mark scoffed. He brushes Leona's wavy charcoal colored hair.

"It's fine, Princess. Mom and Dad, they know what you wanted. They're afraid. I am too..."

"Me too, Baby. Life here is quite peaceful, but hard. Life in the city is quite opposite, but still hard, harder even."

Leona felt pretty hopeless. Even her brothers seemed to opposed the idea.

"You need to understand. You're only 15 years old-" She cut Kevin off.

"Yes, I'm 15 years old. Don't you think it's not yet the time to do things I've always love to do? Does my age really matter to everything?" She asked, feeling dejected to the whole situation.

Mark and Kevin sighed.

"I don't know... really, I don't know. But, I trust you. I've always trusted you. I know people of your own age, using drugs, having vices and even doing crimes. Do you think you can handle things on your own?" Kevin then continued. Mark nodded in agreement.

"If the things you mean are cooking, washing, and cleaning then yes. I pretty much do every household chores in daily basis. If I'm going to be there, I'll definitely avoid getting in troubles. I'll avoid creating problems. I'll be more hard working. I'll follow every rules... just... just let me be..." She said out of desperation. Imagine the feeling of having a doorway to your dreams being opened to you, but something is pulling you away from it.

"Just pray for it. Pray for it. If it's yours, it will be given to you. If not, there are still opportunity to comes. Wait for your own clock to tick." Mark said and patted her back comfortingly.