Joe sighed.
The scent of roses mingled with the scent of newly cut grass as they swung into the driveway. Still silent, the man stepped out of the car, and Joe followed him to the porch. Mrs. Carlin sat there stirring a pitcher of lemonade.
“Kate,” Tom Carlin said without preamble, “Joe’s told me he doesn’t care to come into the store. He wants to be an actor.”
The stirring spoon was motionless. “An actor?” Kate Carlin said faintly.
The man’s voice was bitter. “I suppose Uncle Dan filled you full of show business last summer. Are you planning to pack up and join him?”
Joe stared. “I don’t want to be a hoofer. I want radio. We have five stations here in town. Why should I go trouping?”
“Well!” said Kate Carlin, relieved, and poured lemonade.
“Why radio?” the man demanded. “Why an actor at all?”
Joe shook his head. “You get to thinking....” He didn’t finish.
“About thousands tuning you in?” his mother asked.