Family Ties
Chapter Five
"Angel!" Nick yelled pounding his fists on the door. "Would you come out? What can possibly be so bad?"
"I need Mom and she's not here!"
Leslie sighed leaning against the door frame. "Get over it, Angel, this isn't the first time Mom wasn't there. And it won't be the last, trust me."
Nick turned to the older brunette. "What are you talking about? Leslie, I want to get to the bottom of this now!"
"Why? It's none of your concern. Soon, you'll be off on tour and you won't have to worry about it anyway!"
"Don't take that tone of voice with me!"
Leslie shook her head massaging her temples. "Angel, get out here."
Angel opened the door obdiently.
Nick crossed his arms. "Let's all go sit in the kitchen area- we'll have a family conference over a nice hot cup of cocoa."
The thirteen-year-old pushed away from her siblings. "I'm calling BJ!"
Aaron stepped into the hall. "What was all the yelling about now?"
Nick shrugged. "I dunno...but you and I are about to find out!"
*~*~*~*~*
"BJ, why are you crying?" Angel asked as she twirled the phone cord with her fingertips.
"Nothing you need to worry about, cutie."
"Didn't you get the part?"
"Not exactly. The director loved my performance, but felt obilgated to go with someone else."
"Why would he feel obilgated, Beeg?"
Nick cocked an eyebrow. "Angel, give me the phone."
Angel shoved the object into his palm. "Fine!"
"Beeg, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just got rejected, that's all. It happens all the time to actresses."
"What are you telling me?"
"They thought the name was just a concidence, I mean, a name like 'Carter' is pretty common." She paused. "The director thought it would be better to give another actress the part."
"Because?"
"They're afraid that people will feel I got part...."
"Because of me? Gosh, sis, I'm so sorry!"
"Why, you can't help it. Look, I'm tired and have had a long day- I'm gonna' go to bed."
Nick stared at the phone in shock as BJ put down the receiver. "She was crying..."
Leslie took a seat beside him. "Lemme guess, she didn't get the part? Nick, this isn't the first time she's ended up in tears."
Chapter Six