Chapter

Kaylee and Ali had made their way to their seats in the venue...sat patiently through the two opening acts..and now were anxiously awaiting the headliners. Ali was a wreck. Kaylee had never seen her so excited before. And, no matter how she tried not to, Kaylee found herself getting caught up in all the excitement.

"Ali...how long before these "boys" take the stage?"

"Trust me Kay...they are not "boys"...these guys are ALL MEN!! It shouldn't be too long now...I hope..I hope! I can't stand this waiting....waiting and wondering.......," Ali's voice trailing off until it was almost impossible to hear her.

"What do you mean 'waiting and wondering'?", Kaylee asked, "you certainly are NOT still thinking about Kevin being one of them, are you?"

Ali didn't know how to answer her friend. As a matter of fact, she was thinking about that very thing. "Oh lord...do I tell her," Ali muttered to herself. "Do I tell her I saw that Luke guy in the PIT!! The freaking PIT for god sake! That can only mean one thing....and if I'm right...I hope she can take it!"

"Ahhh...did you say something Kay? Kevin? Did I bring up Kevin?? No..I don't think I did...BUT, you certainly did...now didn't you?!?!"

Kaylee just shook her head and laughed.

At that moment....the house lights went down...Ali grabbed Kaylee's hand and prayed....the venue went dark.....god, what if I'm right, Ali thought. They were about 20 rows back from the stage.....a video started to play on the jumbo screen. Holy shit! Ali realized that even though they were back near the sound board, that jumbo screen could prove to be very interesting.

Kaylee held her breath and thought..."oh my god...this is it. Who's face will I see on that screen? And, if I do see HIS face...where does that leave me?"

Kaylee had no idea that she would see a familiar face on the screen....but, not until halfway through the show would she get confirmation that she indeed did know that face...and that very face would make her heart turn over in her chest.
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With the 'meet and greet' over...and everyone ready..the group, dancers, band and everyone else backstage got together...joined hands and said their nightly prayer. This night, unbeknownst to each other...four young men offered up extra prayers for the same person...their brother. They each prayed for him to be strong enough to move on...to mend his heart...to help him find inner peace...to again, see himself for the man that he truly is. At the same time...their "brother" was, also, praying for the same thing...to be able to see into his heart..to find what he'd lost... praying that his dad would help show him what was in his heart. He needed his dad now...and he knew that his dad would NOT let him down. "Dad," he prayed silently, "please help me. It hurts so much...make it stop...help ME make it stop. Show me .... please. I love you dad...I'll be singing for you again tonight. Stay with me...I need you....help me....guide me....."

They moved toward the stage...the video had started. They each positioned themselves on their respective risers...and waited.

Kevin could feel his heart pounding. He looked over at AJ, on his right, and AJ was ready to go. He looked back at Kevin....gave him a "thumbs up"....and yelled over..."you can do this Kev...we're right here to pick you up if you fall....give it hell !!!!"

The fog machine was on....Kevin was ready. Kevin Backstreet was taking over, as the fog got thicker. The lifts started to rise....slowly. Kevin knew he could do this....he always could. He put Kevin Richardson out of his mind and focused only on Kevin Backstreet. Later, when the fog would clear...the only person the audience would see was Kevin Backstreet.

The lifts started their ascent to rise above the stage. Kevin Backstreet was on and ready. In his mind, there was no one else. It was time to do what he loved to do...what he did best....and as the opening song says...'let go on with the show'.

The platforms were up above the stage. The audience was going wild. They waited at the top....

Finally the platforms began to descend to the stage.....they reached the bottom....the show was starting....and Kevin was definitely ready to 'get on with the show'. He went through the choreographed march...stood as straight as he could.....saluted....called out to his dad one more time..."get me through this tonight, dad" and, then he waited until Brian's voice broke through the noise......"we've been through days of thunder..............."

Two peoples lives would change forever because of this night........

The show had begun.......and......... little did Kevin know.... his heart would never be the same.