“Before I tell you, let me just say that I’ve thought this out pretty carefully. I want to be a singer, and I’m thinking of joining a swing band.”
Dead silence. More dead silence. Then both his parents took additional forkfuls of salad so they could contemplate a response while appearing otherwise occupied and unable to speak.
“A singer? How can you earn a living? Where will you sing? Do you know any other singers? How will you live?”
“Mom, I don’t have all the answers yet. Remember how much I loved being in plays? Well, that’s how I feel when I perform. It’s when I feel most comfortable.”
“Being in plays is one thing when you’re in high school, living at home and don’t need a job. This is real life. Why can’t you be a lawyer and a singer?” Burt demanded.
“Dad, I don’t want to be a lawyer anymore. It doesn’t make me happy. I just want to try this. Please understand.”
“Why can’t you work for John English’s firm for a few years and really sock away money and then try this?”
“Because that will always be the solution. Work a little longer, save a little more, then follow your dreams. I’m 31. I don’t want to be in my fifties before I give myself a chance to be passionate about something.”
Adam excused himself and headed for the bathroom. He sensed that his parents needed a few minutes alone to absorb the shock and to formulate their joint response.
“This is what happens when a boy his age doesn’t have a girlfriend or a wife,” Burt told his wife.
“Burt, he’s not happy being a lawyer. How many people put ‘Being a lawyer is a great alternative to capital punishment’ on their personal voicemail greeting? We have to support this decision. He’ll make this work.”
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