How much pain and trouble can one person in during the day? Mrs. Doris Williams, Barry’s mother, describes a pair of heartbreaks that Barry had to endure… All in the span of 24 hours!
The day would’ve been a typical one for us, except that this particular morning the entire Williams family was aware that Barry would be going for his first professional acting interview later. He was trying not to show how nervous or anxious he was, but he really wasn’t too successful. Besides, we all knew that Barry’s cheerful grin isn’t seen as often when he’s concerned about something.
That afternoon, Barry was going to interview for big part that almost every other boy in Hollywood wanted – the opportunity to portray Tom Sawyer in the television series of the same name.
A PHONE CALL
He called a friend of his earlier in the week and ask him to take over his paper out that morning. I remember that one of the first things he did was to dash to the phone and make sure that his friend had delivered all the papers. He was a little more relaxed after his phone conversation because he had been reassured that his instructions were followed perfectly.
Greg and Scott, Barry’s brothers, tried to joke him out of his serious mood and were halfway successful when Barry returned a feeble half smile.
HEARTY BREAKFAST
I called everyone into the kitchen for big hearty breakfast of waffles, bacon, juice, milk, and strawberries. Waffles are one of Barry’s favorite breakfast foods but this morning I could tell, although he ate everything, that he barely tasted anything. For all he was aware of, he could have eaten oatmeal and toast!
After breakfast, Barry went to the den and sat down. Usually if he has an extra moment, Barry is in a tizzy because there is so much he wants to do. Barry likes to do things. . .be active; and sitting still is just something he doesn’t enjoy much.
While I watched him sitting there my heart went out to him. A mother often wishes that she could bear the ache she sees her child suffering, but no one can do that!
THE INTERVIEW
The hours dragged by, and finally we were off for the interview. I’m sure that the ride down to the offices is a complete blur to Barry. He sat there so quietly. I told him that the people interviewing him didn’t want such a serious boy playing mischievous Tom Sawyer!
Barry looked at me and asked if he was really being so solemn. My answer was that when a usually cheerful person doesn’t crack a smile for hours. . .he’s being solemn! Then I saw a slow smile beginning to form and I knew he was going to be fine!
UNSURE FEELINGS
The interview was very businesslike, and Barry walked out feeling a bit depressed again. It seemed that he didn’t have enough acting credits. No one told him that, of course, but Barry was certain that Tom Sawyer would be someone who had more acting experience rather than a number of commercials.
All of those unsure feelings of not knowing if he did or said the appropriate things once again clouded his thoughts! His hopes of capturing the role was slowly dwindling.
THE ACCIDENT
The phone was ringing when we got home. Barry answered it and found that his friend had missed a paper customer. Although it was 6 o’clock in the evening, and traffic is really heavy at that time, Barry grabbed an extra paper and his bike and started off. I was glad he had something to do said that he wouldn’t think about his disappointment of the interview.
He had only been gone about 10 minutes when the doorbell started buzzing loudly! I opened the door and a hysterical young woman started babbling about running into Barry! My heart stood still. . .and it didn’t start beating again until I saw Barry sitting dazed in the front seat of her car!
The young woman had sped through a red light and ran into Barry while he was crossing the intersection! He was thrown up into the air and landed on the hood of her Volkswagen and rolled off to the ground. She helped him up and drove home.
I’m thankful that her car wasn’t any bigger, and that Barry’s most serious injury was a nasty bump and cut on his head! His bike looked like a squashed accordion!
A CONTENTED REST
After the doctor left and Barry was resting in bed, he called to me. As I sat beside him, Barry said something that made me so proud of him!
He told me that the interview was a big letdown, but while the young woman drove him home, he started thinking how much more he could have lost if the accident had been more serious. Little things like riding, swimming, running. . .would all be lost to him.
He cocked his head at me and burst into a big grin to show me that he knew there were lots of things to be happy about. He slid down under the covers to rest, and from the contented smile on his lips, I could tell that my heart could rest easy to. Barry was himself again!
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