Being Good at Something isn’t Always Good

Home, Sweet Home

is hand clamps down on his alarm clock, desperately trying to stop its cries. Daniel stretches to find a shirt with no holes and throws on the same worn jeans he wore yesterday. His job starts whenever he wants, so he doesn’t have to hurry although he still does. His passion for guitar takes control and drives him out the door. He rushes past his little siblings, hugs his mom, and runs out of his house with his most prized possession, his guitar.
Through the fall streets of New York he strolls, past the dozens of brightly lit pizzerias and gift shops filled with “I Heart New York” t-shirts. Even though he sees the same streets every day, the towering skyscrapers and architectural masterpieces always steal his breath. He settles down on the same corner as yesterday,

Listen:

unlocks his guitar case as he would a safe, and pulls out his guitar. Using his imagination as sheet music, he begins to play. And like every day, the large crowd of awed faces slowly grows.

Horrible Trip down Memory Lane

ameron Jefferson walks to get his morning coffee and nearly gags on the view of the average, boring-looking people surrounding him, like coal surrounding a diamond. Then a music note pierces his discomfort, killing it on the spot. Marvel drives him to find the musician, but when he does, a hammer of pain smacks him in the face. Before him stands the man who ruined his life. The crowd parts for a put-together producer like Cameron as he stumbles over to Daniel, and just like in 8th grade,

Listen:

the last time he had the displeasure of looking at Daniel face-to-face, Cameron’s face turns firetruck red with hatred.

Keep Your Friends Close and Keep Your Enemies Closer

Do you w
money?

Jefferson I

he following day Mr. Jefferson confidently saunters over to where he caught Daniel playing the day before, but this time he knows just how to make Daniel experience the pain that Daniel made him feel. Daniel grabs Mr. Jefferson’s business card out of his hand immediately and absorbs himself into the small red and black words. The card reads: “Big Money Labels, Jefferson Inc.” in big black letters, and the smaller red ones right below read: “Do you want money and fame?

Then we are your best bet Dial 555-843-2274!” The thought of obtaining more money for his struggling family overwhelms his mind. And with his clouded judgment, Daniel dials in those 10 little numbers in pursuit of his savior with not-so-savior intentions.

False Gold-en Ticket

he next day, Daniel puts on a fresh pair of clothes under his sweater. Since his mom worked overtime to buy it, this sweater, therefore, is another one of his cherished possessions. Looking as neat and venerable as he possibly can, Daniel strolls into the fanciest building he has ever had the chance to revel in.
Mr. Jefferson’s office makes Daniels's house resemble a closet, he quickly observes as he sinks into an armchair slightly too short for

Listen:

Mr. Jefferson’s large oak desk. “Play for me,” demands Mr. Jefferson. Daniel’s hands sheen with sweat as he strums his guitar although playing typically relaxes him. When he finishes, Mr. Jefferson’s eyes still bore right through Daniel, but then he, after what seems like an hour, starts to clap. Daniel’s worries disappear in a wave of relief, this solace sticks with him as he impetuously signs his passion away to a man who only wants to ruin him.

Money Can’t Love You Back

’m worried about my family.” Daniel pleads with Mr. Jefferson, “Are there any jobs closer to New York?”
“You care about the money right?” Daniel nods. “Well that is what I am offering you, and

besides, you are the only thing that you should care about. Your foolish family will be fine, just focus on what you will do with this new money. I am sure you have never seen this much of it before,” scoffs Mr. Jefferson.
“But, my mom needs me she won’t be able to take care of my siblings and handle her jobs, much less pay the bills. I need to stay here, or maybe I’ll find someone else.”
“ Your mom will be fine, and believe me, I’m doing you a favor no other producers will want you,” degrades Mr. Jefferson.
“Let me think about it,” Daniel declares deferentially.
That night, when Daniel cracks open the door to his family’s house, he glimpses the slumped silhouette of his mom sitting on the couch while the TV runs mindlessly in the background. When she lifts her head and sees Daniel, the 20 years she had gained that day without him, slide off her face. She squeezes

Listen:

Daniel harder than he thought she could. “How did you hold up, ma? Sorry I couldn’t make any money today,” apologizes Daniel.
“We were fine,” she sighs. But Daniel knows she loves him too much to tell the truth.
He couldn’t fall asleep that night, and the thoughts of family and money warring stuck with him for the rest of the day. As he packs for the plane to California, he still has no idea if he should trust Mr. Jefferson.

I Wouldn’t Do That If I Were You

is hands drip with sweat as he makes his way to the airport terminal. Mr. Jefferson smiles when he sees him, “how is my moneymaker doing?” Daniel doesn’t smile. He sits down, his body weak with indecisiveness. “Boarding Group A.”

Screeches over the intercom. He has three seconds to decide if this opportunity is more important than his family.

A Wolf Wearing a Sheep’s Mask

hen Daniel settles into his first-class seat, his hands can’t stop shaking with qualm. Mr. Jefferson plops down next to him, in full disbelief that Daniel has naïvley fallen for his deceit. To Daniel, his first-ever flight went relatively well, although he just slept the entire time, he wished his mom could enjoy this opportunity with him.
Daniel forgets all about his troubles when the crisp, warm Los Angeles air hits him. The loud, familiar noises of a bustling city and the smell of car exhaust make

Listen:

Daniel feel at home. The yell of a cab driver snaps Daniel out of his stupor as Mr. Jefferson yanks Daniel into the car. “Hurry! We're going to be late for your show!” These words put a stopper in Daniel’s bottle of comfort.
“It starts now?” His hands shake with unease, but little does Daniel know that everything will only go downhill.
Jet lagged, Daniel’s eyes creep open when the Taxi comes to an abrupt halt. “Where are we?”
“This is what you get for embarrassing me in 11th grade!” Mr. Jefferson huffs as he tosses Daniel out of the car into an abandoned lot filled with broken beer bottles and plastic bags. While Daniel stares up at Mr. Jefferson in disbelief he swears, “If you hadn’t beaten me in that contest to open for Coldplay, I would have people lining up to open for me, and then I wouldn’t have to deal with idiot want-a-be artists like you.” As the car skids away Daniel realizes two things: he is completely abandoned in a new place with no money, and that 7 years ago Cameron Jefferson was the kid