Free Starring Me by Krista McGee Page A

pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. “We thought we’d have a few more years before you left the nest.”
    “You might,” Kara said. “I haven’t made it yet.”
    “But you will.” Ma put her hands on her hips. “You’re the most talented girl in the world.”
    “Too bad you’re not the director.” Kara laughed.
    Her brother Patrick joined the family by the couch. “So, how are we going to keep you from getting a big head? ”
    “A big head?” Kara pushed her brother. “Me? How dare you. Hey, where’s my bouncer? Get this guy outta here.”
    Patrick raised his hands in surrender and laughed. “That’s my girl.”
    “So,” Joey said, “a month of auditions, huh? What do you do for a month?”
    Kara shrugged. “I’m not really sure. Different kinds of screen tests, I guess. Different types of sketches.”
    “So, no mud obstacle courses?” Joey referred to one of the competitions in The Book of Love .
    “I doubt it.” Kara pushed her other brother. “But if you recall, I did pretty well on that. Only missed one question, thank you very much.”
    “She’s brilliant.” Ma handed Kara a piece of chocolate from the crystal candy dish on the end table.
    She refused the candy, and Patrick grabbed it from Ma’s hand. “Watch it, Ma. You’re making us think Kara here might be your favorite.”
    “All my children are perfect. Smart, beautiful, talented, every one of yous.”
    Kara turned to her mother. “Come on, Ma. We all know I’m your favorite. You don’t have to pretend.”
    This statement caused a storm of good-natured protests from the other five siblings. Each child was sure he or she was the apple of their mother’s eye.
    Pop silenced them all with a clap. “All right, you hooligans. Your mother doesn’t have any favorites. She loves you all the same. Now me, on the other hand . . .” Pop finished his sentence with a smirk and a shrug.
    More shouting and laughing resulted, and Kara sat back and took it all in. They are great . Loud and opinionated and awesome .
    The McKormick clan spent the day talking and laughing. Kara was sad to see the last of her siblings go.
    I’m so used to seeing them all the time . I missed them like crazy while I was gone on The Book of Love , and I knew that was just for a few weeks. If this works out, I’ll live in Orlando for months at a time. Am I ready for that?
    Ma gathered up the plates and cups scattered throughout the living room. Kara helped, and the two walked to the kitchen in silence.
    “It’s going to be so quiet without you here.” Ma teared up again.
    “You guys could always move down with me.” Kara looked at her mother. “Dad can retire from teaching, can’t he?”
    “Technically, he could. He’s been at the same school since before we met.”
    “I know he doesn’t enjoy it as much as he used to.” Kara dried the dish her mother gave her and put it in the cabinet.
    “That’s true. The last few years have been tough.”
    “And with his cholesterol . . .” Kara put down the towel and sighed. “I worry about him.”
    “You and me both, honey.” Ma scrubbed the plate harder than necessary.
    “So if I make the show, be like every other New Yorker and retire to Florida. Pop can learn how to golf and you can join a book club.”
    “What about all the others? We can’t leave your brothers and sisters.”
    “And the grandkids.” Kara smiled.
    “And the grandkids.” Ma shook her finger as she spoke. “Patrick’s in-laws, they moved down to Florida two years ago, remember? The grandkids barely know them. Last time they were up, little Ethan cried and cried, wouldn’t even let Sally touch him.”
    “Ma.” Kara placed another plate in the cabinet. “Sally and Dale barely saw Ethan and Emily when they lived here. They were always traveling or out with their poker friends. You and Pop, you’ll always make sure you have time with your grandkids. Plus, there’s video chatting. You can call them every day if you