“Can I join you?” She asks.

“Sure, Meg, come on in.” Tina says. Megan walks in and takes a seat between Tina and Michael, leaning against Tina who put her arm around her.

All three are asleep, that’s how their parents find them two hours later. Tina is still holding Megan and Michael are sleeping in the other corner of the couch.

I’m glad they have Tina who is older than them. A grown person they can talk to other than us.” Joanne says and looks down at her children.

“Yeah, they are lucky. Megan adores Christina. It will be hard on her when Tina moves away.” Paul says.

“Yeah.” Joanne says. They stand and look at them for a few more minutes before they wake them up. She softly shakes Tina.

“Honey, wake up.” She says. Tina slowly opens her eyes.

“Hey… what time is it?” She asks.

“It’s ten thirty.” Joanne says. Paul wakes up Michael.

Tina wakes Megan.

“Megan, wake up. It’s time to go to bed now. Go with mom and dad.” Tina says.

“Can’t I sleep here?” She asks, still with her eyes closed.

“No, not tonight Megan.” Joanne says. Paul lifts Megan up and carries her back into the house.

“Good night Christina, sleep tight. See you tomorrow.” Joanne says and gives Tina a kiss on the forehead.

“Thanks mom, you too. Night Mike.” Tina says and waves.

“Night sis. See ya tomorrow.” He says and leaves.

Tina is alone and goes to bed right away.

The next day Tina borrows a camera from the school and brings it home, she hides it from everyone except for Michael. She gets comfortable in front of the computer to start plan the little sequence. She starts by writing up her ideas and sketch a little on the storyboard as she writes along.

For two days Michael helps her out with the filming and then she jumps into the editing. She has only done it a few times but she manages. A week later she sends it off. Now she can only wait. She has a good feeling about it. Michael and Dana really liked it, so she’s optimistic, but she knows that it’s professionals that will be judging it, not her friends and family who will always like what she’ll make. She feels bad about keeping it from her parents, but hopefully it will turn out good.

Two weeks later she gets a letter. Once again Michael took it out of the mailbox and holds on to it until Tina get’s home from work. She text her at work.

“-Sis, the letter has arrived.” He writes and sends it off.

Suddenly she gets very nervous about it, what if she didn’t get in. She hasn’t heard from another school. She’s counting on this one. The rest of the day goes by slowly.

Finally at six, she can head home. And at 6:30 she parks her car in the driveway. Michael comes running out and they enters Tina’s apartment.

“Open it sis. I know you got in. I just know it.” He says.

“I surely hope so. I haven’t heard anything from the other schools.” Tina replies.

She opens it and starts reading. Her hands are shaking.

“So?” He asks.

“I got in.” She says after a minute. Then a big smile appears on her face.

“You did? Great, cool, you’ll be a moviemaker, you’ll be famous.” Michael says and smiles. Tina smiles back and pulls him into a hug.

“Thank you Mike, I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks for helping me.” She says.

“Oh that was nothing. I was glad to help, besides it was fun and I got to spend quality time with you.” He says and looks at her.

“It was fun. I’ve missed spending time with you guys too. I’m sorry I was never home that much.” She says.

“Well, yeah, but we had each other, me and Megan. And all our friends. We survived. Maybe Megan missed you more, after all you’re her idol. She looks up to you.” Michael says.

“I’m gonna spend as much time with you until I leave in a month.” Tina says.

“Great.” Michael replies.

“Is mom home?” Tina asks.

“Yeah, they both are. Megan too.” He says.

“Okay, let’s go tell them.” Tina says and smiles.

They walk back down and into the house.