Scene 38 Take 3

Prologue This was supposed to be the day every young girl dreamed about; her sweet sixteen party. For Laura Johnson, it was quickly turning into a nightmare. The beautiful cake sat untouched, and her mom moved to put the dripping ice cream back in the freezer.

She checked her watch for the tenth time. She could not understand it. "Mom, what time did you put on the invitations?"

"Don't worry about it sweetheart. I'm sure everyone's just running late."

"All fifteen party guests are running forty-five minutes late? I'm not a baby anymore Mom. I'm sixteen," she said sarcastically. "I can handle the truth; nobody is coming to my birthday party. Who needs friends anyway when I have such a loving family?" She flopped onto the couch and hugged a pillow. Even her perfectly styled strawberry blond curls seemed to deflate.

She was most disappointed that Andy Copeland hadn't come. She'd had a huge crush on him for as long as she could remember. I guess he's too popular to come to my party.

Tears started to fall unbidden.

"I know it won't be the same but we can still make this day special. Wasn't there a movie that you wanted to go see that opens today? Dad and I would love to go see it with you and then we can go out for dinner afterwards."

The promise of dinner and a movie was enough to put a smile on Laura's face. Theater was her number one passion and had been since she could remember. It was her dearest wish to go to Hollywood and be part of the magic.

She took some comfort in telling herself that once she was a star her classmates would wish they had been nicer to her.

While her classmates sat at home not knowing what they wanted out of life, Laura already had a job and was saving up money to move away as soon as she graduated from college.

Forcing her mind back to the present she hugged her Mom and said, "Sweet! I have wanted to see Hope for the Journey since I saw the preview!"

It turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. The movie was everything Laura expected it to be and opening the locket and purse that her parents gave her at the restaurant was enough to make her feel like an adult.

Chapter 1

Dallas Texas, 2000

Laura Johnson would have given anything to feel like an adult right now. Today she felt very young and vulnerable even though she was twenty-three and on her way to Los Angeles California, to audition for her first movie. This had been her dream for as long as she could remember.

She had graduated from college a year earlier and spent that time working forty hours a week as a receptionist, at a small publishing house, and starring in four community theater productions in her spare time. It was during one of those plays that she had been discovered.

A talent scout had been sent to watch the production of Oklahoma and he was very impressed with her interpretation of Laurie. Two weeks later he called her and asked her to come out for a screen test. She became increasingly nervous as they approached the airport. Since she lived in such a big city there were a lot of good colleges within driving distance. Laura hadn't been away from home for longer than the two weeks she always spent at summer camp first as a camper and later as a counselor.

Finally, the moment she was most anticipating and dreading was here. It was time to go through security and board her plane. “Good-bye Mom and Dad. I'll miss you,” she said with a quiver in her voice that she couldn't quite control. As sad as she was to be leaving she couldn't wait to explore the world and see what she had to offer it in return.

“We'll miss you too," her mother, Jeanette, said trying to stay strong. "Don’t forget to call us when you get into the airport. And don't forget to write to us so we'll have your address. And don't forget..."

"Mom! I promise I won't forget you. I could never forget you. You and Dad mean the world to me and I wouldn't be where I am today without you."

"I know, I know, we love you too. Now, have a wonderful time in California, Laura. I know you'll do great, and I cannot wait to see what you accomplish.”

“We're proud of you Laura, not everyone has the courage to follow their dreams,” Bill told his only daughter with tears flowing down his cheeks. As he said this he reached for his wallet. “I want you to use this to buy gas or a motel room or whatever you need it for. I love you Laura. You’re going to do great in California.”

Laura’s eyes went wide as she counted out five hundred dollars. “Well, I definitely didn't see that one coming! Thank you both so much. I love you."

"We love you too. Just promise us you'll be careful. LA is a lot bigger city than Dallas."

She promised and gave both of her parents a hug and with reluctance to leave the familiar behind, took a deep breath and went to stand in line to board her plane.

“I can’t believe that Laura is actually leaving. The house will feel so empty without her,” Jeanette said no longer able to keep up the strong facade as they watched the plane taxi down the runway a few minutes later.

“There will be changes,” Bill agreed. “Just remember the One who never changes. God will protect her, just keep praying for her like I know you have been and let God take care of the rest."

"I know. I just hate not being in control.”

"You don't say? You sure fooled me."

That earned him a scowl and a playful swat. "Be serious."

"Why don’t we pray for her right now?” he asked as he took her hands in his.

She nodded and they both bowed their heads. “Lord, thank You for giving Laura this opportunity to use her talents for You. Please, protect her and give her discernment as she goes out for different parts and jobs, guide her on this journey…”