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Whenever You Call Chapter 12 The Backstreet Boys set was well-received. Mariah was impressed with their harmonies as well as their stage presence. They sounded even better live than on the radio. Of course, she was willing to admit that her eyes rarely left Kevin the entire forty-five minutes and that she felt her heart jump whenever he directed a particular line of a song to her. Once they finished, the Boys mingled with the staff and patients signing autographs. Even after the Boys completed their obligations, Mariah had a few chores to complete, so Kevin waited patiently. "Hey, cos, we're heading out," Brian told him. "I'll see you tomorrow?" "Yeah." The younger cousin turned to leave. "Bri?" "Yeah, Kev?" "Mariah is..." Brian interrupted, "I know what you're thinking." He put a hand on Kevin's shoulder as they watched her interact with the kids. "She's a keeper." After the guys left, Kevin wandered the hallways. He stopped in front of room 315, strangely drawn inside. There in the bed was a little boy, no older than six, reading a book. Kevin figured he was a cancer patient by the baseball cap that covered the bald head. "Hey there," Kevin said stepping toward the bed. "Hi," the boy said shyly, his voice barely above a whisper. "What book do you have there?" The boy showed him the cover. "The Real Story of the Three Little Pigs. I don't know if I've ever heard the REAL story. Could I read it to you?" The boy only nodded. Kevin pulled a chair beside the bed and began the story trying his best to imitate the wolf's voice. "Well, look at that," Kevin said as he closed the book. "The wolf was framed." The little boy smiled knowingly. It was then that Kevin noticed the cap he wore. "Kentucky Wildcats, huh? Are you a fan?" "Yeah, they have a great basketball team." "I grew up in Kentucky. I loved the Wildcats. And you're right. Basketball is the best." "Cool." The two talked sports for a while. "You're one of the guys that sang tonight, right? You were good." "Thank you. My name is Kevin." "I'm Joey." "It's nice to meet you." He said shaking Joey's tiny hand. "You, too." The boy's timidness reappeared. "Kevin, could you sign my hat for me?" "Sure, buddy." He signed the bill of the cap with a flourish and placed it back on Joey's head. "Now it's time you got some sleep." He tucked the sheets around the boy's frail body. "Night, Joey." "Night, Kevin. Thank you." Kevin quietly walked back into the painfully white hallway, where he was met by Mariah's tear-stained face. "Ri? I didn't know you were here." She threw her arms around his neck. "Woah, what's this for?" "Joey..and Sarah. You've left some powerful impressions here tonight." He shrugged trying to shake off the embarrassment caused by her compliment. "These are some great kids. I see why you keep coming back here." He took her hand. "Why don't we go somewhere else and talk?" "Seems that's all we do," Mariah teased. "Yeah? Well, this time I get to share your presence while I listen to you."Next: Chapter 13 |