"Hey Sam." Joey says when I answer the phone.
"Hi Joey. What's shakin?"
"Not much."
OK, now this type of convo isn't normal. I'm worried. "What's wrong Joey?"
"Nothing."
"Come on, Joe, you can tell me anything, you know that."
"I know."
I twist the phone cord around my fingers, waiting for Joey to tell me what's wrong.
"Well," Joey begins, "I got this phone call earlier."
"From who, if you don't mind me asking."
"You may remember him, his name is Chris Kirpatrick. You went with me to an audition, and he was there."
"Oh yeah, I remember him. Nice guy."
"Yeah. Well, he called me about this group that he and some of his friends are starting."
"Group... What kind of group?"
"A music group."
"Where they going to be located?"
"That's the problem. Orlando."
"Orlando? As in Orlando, Florida?" "Yeah."
Silence on my part. I kinda have this big ball of something stuck in my throat. I clear my throat, "Well, Joey, I think you should at least go check it out."
"That's what I was hoping you'd say. I'm supposed to go down there this weekend and meet the guys and stuff like that."
"Way cool."
"Hey, Sam?"
"Yeah Joey?"
"Would you like to go with me? Afterall, you're like my little sister, and I think you should approve of them too."
I smile, but Joey can't see that, so I say, "I'll have to ask, and let you know tomorrow. I don't know if my 'rents will like the idea of us being 'alone'."
Joey laughs, "We won't do anything toooooooooo bad. I cross my heart."
I laugh along with Joey. "Well Joey, I better get my homework done."
"Yeah, me too. Mr. W was sure mean with all the Algebra homework today."
"You're tellin' me. Talk with you later Joes."
"Bye Sammy." Joey hangs up his phone.
I hang up, look out my window, and smile at Joey's back which is now hunched over his homework. "I love you Joey."
