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Whenever You Call Chapter 9 Kevin was frustrated when he should have been ecstatic. He could see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. One more week. Three more shows. Then home to Orlando. Certainly, he couldn't wait to arrive back home but not because of homesickness. It was just that being home made Mariah easier to contact - or so he thought. She had been almost unreachable since her last email a week ago. She had said something about being busy with extra work at the hosptial, some sort of party or whatever? Kevin couldn't remember. Still that excuse wasn't enough to ignore his last four emails and phone calls. Not in his mind anyway. Her sudden aloofness toward him was at the root of his frustration. That's why he decided to try her at this time in the morning. He had returned from the club a bit early for that purpose. Kevin dialed her number and listened as the phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times. He sighed. He didn't want to her machine to kick in again. It's not like she'd return my message anyway. His anger was beginning to surface. "Hello?" "Mariah. It's about damn time." "Good morning to you too, Kevin," she answered curtly. "I just wondered what it takes to get you to return emails and phone calls these days." Mariah was shocked at his tone of voice. "I told you I'd be busy at the hospital the next few weeks. I was just nominated to a new committee that means a lot more work." Why am I justifying my life to him? "I see how it is. I don't matter in your busy life. I'm busy too. I continue to make time for us." "Kev, I'm sorry. I'm trying, but there is just so much I can do. I promise to try harder, okay? I HAVE missed talking to you." His evident anger had Mariah near tears. Sensing her fear, Kevin softened his approach. He really had no right to attack her because he was just as guilty. He knew he hadn't been attentive enough to their friendship during the first weeks he was in Europe. "I'm sorry, Riah. I didn't mean to get so mad. Guess the tour has run a bit long and I'm on edge from the stress and lack of sleep. I just missed hearing from you," Kevin apologized sincerely. "But we're coming home in a few days." "You're coming back home to Orlando? That's great! You obviously need the rest and relaxation. And, no more phone conversations at weird hours." "Tell me about it. It's 1:30 in the morning here." "Let me guess...you just got in from clubbing?" "Yeah. You know me too well, girl," he said sheepishly. "So do you have a few minutes to tell me about this new committee?" Mariah glanced at the clock on her living room wall. "Sure. Let's see...Basically, we're in charge of trying to find new ways to entertain the patients. We decided to have something we've dubbed Saturday Night Live, a night of live entertainment. So we're trying to line up some acts to perform in the early evening. Thus far we have a magician and a comedian donating their talents. We'll have to see who else we can roundup." She chuckled. "I guess I am sort of the talent coordinator." An idea formed in Kevin's mind. "I can do something if you want. Maybe do a few numbers. Or...maybe I can talk the other guys into joining me. How would you like the Backstreet Boys to do a set for your patients?" "You would do that?" She shook her head. "I can't ask you to do that. You're on a full schedule as it is. You'll need your vacation time." "Trust me. I want to. I'll talk to A.J., Howie, Brian and Nick, okay? Pencil us in." He paused. "We'll find a date? Right now the 24th of next month looks good." "As of now, it's yours. The patients will be so excited - especially the female ones. Not to mention the nurses and the candy stripers. Of course they will wonder how I got the Backstreet Boys on such short notice..." "While you put together a believable story, I'll talk to the other guys tomorrow morning and let you know." "You're the best, Kev. Thanks." "I know," he teased. "And you're welcome. Talk to you soon. Have a good day with the kiddies." She smiled. "Thanks and YOU get a good night's sleep."* * * * * Kevin strolled into breakfast the next morning with a mission on his mind. The Backstreet Boys would do the show. It was a great cause and there was the added bonus that he would finally meet Mariah. After filling a plate at the buffet table, he sat down across the table from Brian and Nick. "Guys, I have a proposition." "Sorry I'm not that kind of guy. But thanks anyway," A.J. smirked. "Yeah, sorry, A.J., you're not my type either. No, this is more of a proposition for a gig." "Okay, what's up?" "A friend of mine called. Orlando Memorial Hospital's pediatric ward is doing a kind of entertainment series for its patients, and the talent coordinator is looking for acts to perform in the early evening. I volunteered myself for the 24th but I wondered if you guys would want to do it with me." Kevin glanced around the table then quickly added. "I think it would mean more if all of us were there. Just a half hour set then mingle with the kids. Most are terminally ill - cancer or AIDS." "Sounds good. I mean, we always want to help out at home, right?" Nick rationalized. "I'm there." "You know you don't have to ask me twice," Howie answered. A.J. nodded. "I'm in." Kevin gazed at Brian, who smiled then shrugged. "Yeah, like you had to even ask me? Count me in." "Great, I'll call Mariah, the talent coordinator, and let her know. I'll take care of Michael and Jeff at The Firm too. Thanks, fellas." As Kevin took a bite of scrambled eggs, he was beaming inside. A glance from Brian told Kevin that his cousin knew exactly what was happening.* * * * * Later that night, Brian stopped Kevin in the hallway. "Well, Train, looks like you have your chance to meet her now." "Guess so. I'm already nervous about it, B. Just the idea of finally seeing her." "I never knew that dialing one wrong number could change a person's life so much." "I have you to thank for that. Thank God your number wasn't 3557. Who knows who I'd be talking to now?" "Probably a burly trucker by the name of Bertha." Brian puffed his chest out then laughed. "Seriously, Kev, these last months that you've been 'dating' Mariah - and I call it dating because that is what each phone call has been. Since you met her, you've been different, Kevin. She's already changing you for the better." "I know, Bri. I can feel it too." Kevin slipped the key card in his door. "I have to email her tonight about us doing the show. I'll talk to you more about later. As much as I want to focus on the fact that I will finally be meeting the woman I consider to be my best friend, we have a half an hour set to figure out."Next: Chapter 10 |