The Dan O'Brien Project: Character Interview: A Moment with Eric Mack

In the fourth installment of the Children of the Skies tour, I have Eric Mack, shift and sports star, on the blog. He talks about his fears and aspirations. To learn more about Eric, be sure to check out the new series by J. Everett Bettis.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Wow, that’s a hard one. I've had a few. It was probably when I went out with Jenni Masters. She was totally hot. I took her to the movies and guess I got one too many hot dogs and let one rip right there in the theater. I laughed like hell, but I guess she didn't find it too funny. Oh well … there’s another on where that came from.

What three things would you take to a desert island?

Beer, a hot chick, and a 49ers game. Nuff said.

How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period?

Love for me typically ends when the girl goes home the next day. Guess I just haven’t meet the right one yet.

When you walk into a room, what do you expect people to notice about you?

My body … duh. I’ve logged the hours in the gym to gain many admirers.

Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.

Let’s see, I’m good looking, athletic, great with the ladies. Charismatic, confident (although some could confuse it with being cocky), funny. I’m an overall good time and awesome person. I think I’m pretty open-minded.

Did you turn out the way you expected? The way your parents predicted?

That’s a good question. Guess I never really had a say in what I wanted to be. My old man had a football in my hands pretty much as soon as I popped out of my mom. I was in the gym before I could ride a bike. Don’t get me wrong, I love sports and my dad, but I do wonder what could have been or even what’s ahead. Maximus keeps telling me there’s more to me than just a football. I think I’m actually starting to listen.

What do you consider are your strengths?

Definitely have to say m athletic ability.

What weaknesses do you see in yourself?

I don’t. I pretty much rock at everything I do. Lily would probably say my ego is a weakness, but she just wants to bang me.

What's the worst thing you've ever done? Why?

I’m not real proud of this, but back in high school me and a couple of guys use to pick on this gay kid in school. I don’t know why, but he just bugged me. So out and proud. I get it. You like dudes. But do you have to act like a chick? I know that didn't give me the right to do it and I've always regretted it. Dude actually transferred schools. I think my friends were actually proud of it. I acted like I was too, but I wasn't. I was definitely confused back then.

What are you most afraid of?

The world really getting to know me. The face that I present is for a reason.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I hate that I care so much about what people think of me. I wish that one day I could just go away where no one knows me. Then maybe I could be myself.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

A normal person. Not someone who has to keep up appearances. Just a regular guy from whom not much is expected.

Bio: Born to a middle class family in the Midwest, it was always evident that Eric was a natural athlete. Growing up his parents put him in many sports, and he excelled in every one. But being that athletic constantly affected his personality. Eric grew more arrogant and cocky, and by high school it had reached its paramount. Eric was built for his age even when he was young, but when he was in high school he would often be mistaken for someone’s father. The physical maturity did not go unnoticed by the opposite sex. He had become quite used to having any girl he wanted and he often went for the popular ones. But it was when his senior English teacher began making advances toward him that he really got a big head. She was beautiful, definitely the type of woman who would give him major points with his boys. For three months they met at her house after football practice and had an affair. The only reason he got caught was because of a note she wrote to him that his mother found in his pocket. The scandal was the juiciest that his city had heard of in a while. The teacher was arrested and Eric was in a world of hurt with his parents. He focused on football and became the star player; many thought he would be the next big college star. In his senior game against the school’s biggest rivals, Eric made the winning touchdown, but not before he was tackled and his knee was busted. He was told by the doctors he would never play the game again. He went on a downward spiral and hit rock bottom.

It was his mother who managed to get through to him and bring him out of his funk. Much to everyone’s amazement, he decided to take a scholarship and study exercise physiology. There he met Professor Maximus Curton who, for some reason or another, he admired. The professor expected the best from him. He liked that pressure and the expectation he provided. When the Morphiius wave hit, Eric suffered from bleeding from the nose and fell into a coma. When he awoke three days later and things got back to normal, he eventually found that he could hear sound waves and manipulate them.

You can find out more about Eric, and the rest of the team, by purchasing a copy of Children of the Skies by J. Everett Bettis on Kindle or in paperback.