2000 "Nicky! You were amazing up there!" Denise's mom-- Nick's Grandma Miller-- immediately rushed backstage to find her grandson, after his first show. He beamed. "Thanks Grandma! Could you tell I was nervous?" "Not at all, son. You looked like you had been up on that stage millions of times before." Paul embraced his son. "Nice job, little brother," Kevin said. "You make a terrific Scrooge." "Nicholas! You were amazing. The play was amazing. Your songs were amazing!" Joseph exclaimed, a look of wonder shining in his eyes. "It looks like Joseph's been bit by the acting bug," Denise chuckled. Joseph nodded his head vigorously. Four and a half years had passed since that day at the barber shop, and all their lives had changed. After Paul and Denise had permitted Nicholas to call the talent agency, they had been put on a waiting list to see Shirley Grant, the president of the agency. A year went by, and Nicholas started kindergarten and all the teachers were impressed by his m! usical ability but there was still no call. When almost two years had gone by with no call, Paul and Denise came to the conclusion that they would never receive this call. Why they never told their son their premonition, no one ever knows. Maybe they still had a sliver of hope left, or maybe they thought their son would forget about it and move on. Either way, Nicholas was never informed about it, because, the following week, they received the call. The following week, Nicholas went to Shirley Grant's
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