Introduction
JC was having trouble settling down to sleep. He had performed, he’d partied and he should be dead on his ass by now. But he wasn’t — and he had no reason to be awake. It wasn’t an adrenaline buzz — that had worn off. It wasn’t sleeping in a strange bed — he’d done that most of his adult life. Whatever it was, he wished it would go away. He had a plane to catch tomorrow — or rather later that day. Why was he so… unsettled?
“Yo, mom, what’s up?” JC said when his mother’s greeting came over the line.
“It’s nearly Christmas, Josh,” Karen Chasez stated. “Have you made any plans?”
Christmas. It was nearly Christmas. Why didn’t he feel like it this year? He has always loved Christmas.
“Josh?” his mother prompted.
“Yeah, Mom.”
“Christmas?”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Nah…just tired, I guess.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, haven’t been sleeping real well. Just too psyched I guess.”
“How is that going?”
“The tour? Awesome! The fans are so supportive. I get so much back from them. It’s so cool!” Whether JC realized it or not, this was the first amount to energy he displayed in the conversation.
“You have quite a schedule of appearances, I hear.”
“It’ll be crazy,” he agreed. A good crazy. His fans wanted him out there.
As if she had heard his thoughts, Karen said, “ You can’t live your life for your fans, Josh. There has to be something for you.”
“I know, Mom.” But right now the fans and his album were all he had.
“Well, I’ll let you go. You have a good week, Josh. Call me when you know your plans.”
“Bye, Mom.” JC rung off, pondering why it didn’t feel like Christmas.
Karen Chasez replaced the receiver in its cradle. “Please, help Josh,” she whispered into the air.