Part 2

*Previous day continued*

When they reached the restaurant the amount of people triggered a moment of fear.
"Guys, I'm gonna go ahead and get us some security here ... you know just to be on the safe side," Howie said as he dialled the hotel number.

"Marcus, Earl, and Carlos, should be enough. Kev and Bri said they were stayin' in anyway," AJ replied absently.

A few moment after the phone call had been made they were seated.

"Look you need to leave an empty table fairly close to us. We're expecting some people," Nick said to the Maitre d.

"Sir, with the number of people in here today and the promise of more shortly, I cannot in good conscience promise to keep a table empty," the man responded in a very affected French accent.

"How much is it gonna cost me to keep one table empty for 20 frickin' minutes," AJ asked not bothering to hide his irritation.

"Well, I suppose," the man began only to be cut off by

"Fuck that J don't give him shit," to the man Nick said, "Is the manager in because I'm sure he'd love to hear how you're attempting to blackmail his guests."  

Howie watched the exchange amazed at the seething but controlled manner in which Nick's voice sounded, and the fact that he was using common sense. Ordinarily it would have been him suggesting the pay off with AJ being the one who lost his temper and railed at the guy.

"No sir, I wasn't implying anything of the sort," the man stuttered nervously.

"It's a damn good thing you weren't, because we need that table for our security. If something were to happen to us here it would be all your fault," Nick sighed sarcastically before continuing, "and is one table really worth the numerous lawsuits that would follow?" He ended leaving the threat hanging in the air.

The man looked stunned, and all traces of his accent disappeared, when he stammered, "Is this one close enough? If not I'll gladly have it moved..."

" That isn't necessary. It's just fine where it is, and thank you for helping to avert a potentially dangerous disastrous incident. I'll be sure to drop the owner a note to let him know about the good people he has guarding his interests," Nick said with a very self satisfied smile.

"That's not necessary, sir. Do enjoy your meal and someone should be along to take your orders shortly." That said he rushed away so quickly he tripped over a chair.

"I'll take that to mean you're getting into those books I let you borrow," Howie said smirking.

"Yup. That John Grisham sure makes law seem simple ... maybe I should be a lawyer."

"Stick to singing, little one, most law books aren't nearly as interesting and are entirely too wordy for your small brain to comprehend," came the reply from Howie, devilment gleaming in his eyes.

AJ sat silently through the whole thing in something of a daze. As they ordered their meals the bodyguards were ushered to the table closest to them.

"So where are we going next fearless leader," AJ directing his comments to Howie.

The sound of his voice after such a long period of silence caught Howie off guard,

" Um, First I was thinking we'd check out Bourbon Street. Then we'll visit a few historic cemeteries and finally we'll see what happens when the lights come on ... you know the night life."

"Did you say cemeteries? Howie I'm not all that into dead people and graves and shit, "Nick whined.
"You should've considered that before you invited yourself along. We have to stay together cause of the crowds. Mardi Gras always brings out the crazy's," Howie came back bluntly.

Once again AJ noticed a touch of irritation in his tone ... what the fuck was up with that? Since when did Howie say exactly what was on his mind?

"I'm game, "he said hoping to ease the tension. He was rewarded with a smile that made girls scream and one of the semi famous Carter pouts, respectively.

"You're out numbered Nicky. Tell ya what though, we'll let you pick one thing for us to do and we'll go along whether we want to or not," Howie offered feeling charitable. He regretted the words as soon as he said them.

AJ was for a change just trying to keep the peace so he just nodded his head in agreement. They ate and then got into the van that Marcus had brought from the hotel. As they drove off they were thrust into the revelry that surrounded New Orleans every February. The excitement was so thick it could be felt in the air on Bourbon Street.

The intention was to walk down the ancient thoroughfare, but the craziness in the crowd deterred that plan. Howie suggested that they just take a cemetery tour instead. So they found themselves walking through the timeworn tombs of St. Louis #1 Cemetery.

"Howie man this shit is creepy," Nick whispered at one point. To which he received a scathing look which accompanied," See what happens when you tag along uninvited?"

AJ noticed that Nick did, however, start looking interested when they reached the tomb of Marie Leveau. He wasn't sure how he felt about the gleam in Nick's eyes, but he knew he couldn't be good.

"I know what I wanna do now," Nick said when the tour was over and they were waiting for the van.

"What?" The question came in unison from Howie and AJ.

"I wanna go see a voodoo mama. I wanna to find what my future holds through a tarot card reading," he said excitedly showing the all of his teeth.

"I don't think that's such a good idea Nicky," Howie said returning to his ever cautious state.

"You guys said whatever I wanted. THIS is what I want and you can't go back on your word," Nick said in a very whiny annoying way.

"Okay so how're we gonna find this voodoo chick," Howie said not believing he was agreeing.

"All I really gotta do is go to the Marie Leveau house and ask someone. It's more of a gift shop, and they sell like voodoo products and stuff. Someone there should know something," Nick answered quickly, knowing he had them now.

"So where's the voodoo shop? Let's just get there already cause once again I really don't wanna be here." The remark came from a very grumpy sounding AJ.

Despite the uncaring front he put on he really wasn't into the whole "voodoo queen/cemetery" thing. It was just way too gruesome for him. He wanted it over with ASAP so he could return to his room and mull over his thoughts about Howie.

"Dude, I got the address but, we don't have to go right now. I was thinkin would go to the Cafe du Monde, then just ride around the Garden District, maybe see what's left of Storyville. You know just be tourists for a while," Nick said.

"That's not a bad idea. I mean it's pretty much what was on my itinerary excluding the Storyville part but why not? I'm in. Alex?" He was shocked that Nick had come up with a workable plan ... maybe he should loan him books more often. He looked to AJ, noting he still hadn't responded, come to think of it he had been out of sorts all afternoon.

"Alex, c'mon man Cafe du Monde is world renowned for it's pastries. No trip to New Orleans is complete without going there. The Garden District is where all of the high society people live, Anne Rice lives there. And Storyville is where the Creole gentlemen used to go to ... um to meet... uh to get...," Howie cleared his throat there not sure what the PC way to say it was.

"Pussy," Nick explained," hookers, whores, prostitutes, you know hoes"

"I was going to say to be entertained by women but, yeah what he said," Howie finished blushing furiously.

"If I wanted a God damned history lesson I would've taken one online. I don't care where we fuckin go ... so let's go so I can go back to bed already!"

AJ's outburst came as a shock to everyone. The bodyguards along with his bandmates stood amazed as they watched him stalk over to the van and get in.

"Are yall just gonna stand there or are we gonna get going You two need to get the super glue outta your asses and come the fuck on," he yelled from the van window drawing a number of stares from passers by.

"What flew up his ass?" Marcus asked.

"Hell if I know," Nick shrugged.

They both looked to Howie as if he should know. "Have no idea but let's just go, you all know how impatient he gets when he's in a pissy mood," he answered with a grimace.

What none of them knew was that Alex was having second thoughts about everything. He'd gotten a very bad vibe from the cemetery and the way Nick's expression had changed at that tomb. On top of it all it was getting very hard for him to be around Howie ... very hard. Every time their eyes met, or he caught the scent of his cologne on a breeze, he felt himself harden. Just when it stared to ease off, Howie would do or say something that drew his attention back to him. As a result, Alex kept his hands in his pockets to distract anyone who might notice the bulge in his crotch.

"At least there's an upside to this," he thought, "I may be able to get to a bathroom and rub one off before this becomes too painful. They'll probably think it's cause of all the talk about whorehouses and such."

The one advantage of him being in a bad mood was he didn't have to deal with idle chit chat. In fact, no one said anything the whole ride to the cafe. He didn't get to make use of the restroom the way he, intended, however. He'd made all the way it into a stall and was unzipping his pants when he heard the door open, and a breathy and very excited female voice say,

"AJ? Ohmigod... Oh My God is it really you? This is so cool I never thought that you'd be here ... like where I work ... what're you doing here?"

"I'm preparing to jack my dick, while thinking about Howie Dorough, and then nut all over the seat," the naughty voice in his head wanted to respond.

Instead he mumbled," Tryin to do what most guys do in a place like this," hoping she'd take the hint.

Of course, she didn't. "Well, my name is Patrice, if you need anything ... anything at all just ask for me I work here."

Being subtle wasn't working so he decided to try a more direct approach.

"Patrice, I could really use some privacy right now if ya don't mind."

"Oh ... I'm sorry ... um yeah so it was nice meeting you. Ohmigod ... okay uh ... I'm going now ... um bye, AJ" she said still sounding breathy and excited.

"Shit," he said, as he punched the stall door, " I can see the Fuckin headlines now: 'AJ Mclean Takes a Shit In The World Famous Cafe du Monde.' It'll be all over the Internet in 20 minutes. Oh and Carson's gonna have a field day with this one.

'So AJ how was New Orleans?'

'Very nice I enjoyed the food'

'I hear you enjoyed it so much that you wound up shitting in the Cafe du Monde ... Is that true or is it just a rumor? It had to be something kinda rich so lemme see if I can guess what you ate ..." With thoughts like those any amorous thoughts he might have had. He was still muttering to himself when he returned to their table.

"Feeling better, Bone?" Nick asked.

"I guess, so're we ready to get this voodoo mumbo jumbo over with, he answered sullenly.

"I guess we can go ahead and catch a trolley into the Garden District," Nick said.

"If it's all the same to you I gives a shit about snotty old rich fuckers and seeing old ass run down whorehouses. I wanna go back to the hotel!"

"Maybe we should just wait til tomorrow for all that other stuff," Howie said to Nick, who just nodded and gestured for the waitress to bring their bill.

They left the cafe without any major mishaps and were soon on their way. As they arrived at the fabled home of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, they noted the dilapidated appearance of the neighbourhood and the structure it's self.

AJ and Howie along with the bodyguards look sceptical. Noting their hesitation Nick urged them on with, "We had a verbal contract those are binding in court you know."

"No more reading for him," Howie muttered to AJ.

"Damn straight, remind me to burn all of those books when he goes to sleep, and I better not ever catch you loaning him another one," AJ muttered back, to Nick he yelled, " Well? Are we gonna just stand here or are we gonna do this shit?"

As they entered the building they were assaulted by a scent none of them could place other than to call it stinky.

"I dunno what the hell that smell is but it stinks to high heaven. Nicky, hurry up and get what you came here for before I start to puke."

"It's brimstone ... you burn it to ward off evil," came a voice from behind them.

They all turned around to see where it came from. It was a very diminutive, very dark skinned ancient looking women.

"What you boys doin in dis place? You lost or somethin," she asked in a very thick Cajun drawl.

"No, ma'am. I was wondering if you could tell me where I could get a taro card reading," Nick said without missing a beat.

"Boy, you kin get one o dem anywheres round bout N'awlins dis time o year."

" I know that but most of those are phonies. I want a legitimate reading without all that bullshit they do for dumbass tourists."

"Um, Nicky you might wanna watch you mouth. I want to apologize for his." Howie would've continued but she cut him off.

"Oh hush up you, I likin dis boy he got spunk eh?" To Nick she said, "You come here sayin you wantin de real thing, you need to be askin yoself can you handle dis truth. I'm thinkin yo friends here, dey
thinkin dere ain't no such real thing. I'm thinkin you know dat ain't so ... am I right, boy?" Nick grinned at his friend in a peculiar know it all way.

"You're right ... they think it's all bullshit. So're you gonna tell me where I can get my reading or not?"

Yes, I tell you. Go down dis street to de end. Turn to de left and when you get to de number three house on de right side go up de stairs and knock three times. Be careful what you ask for younguns," she said addressing them all with a very heated stare,    

"Papa Le Bas is always looking for a way in ... he always be listenin." with that final cryptic remark she disappeared into a door behind the counter, leaving the three of them speechless.

"C'mon now dammit, let's get going," AJ said breaking the silence. His uneasy feeling had been steadily getting worse from the moment they entered the shop. It got work every time he saw that look in Nick's eyes the one he first noticed at the cemetery.

As they got in the van he whispered to Howie, "D, I don't like the feel of this. And who in all hell is Papa Le Bas?"

The driver spoke up then, " In hell he's the one in charge. What I mean to say is Papa Le Bas is what those voodoo nuts call the devil. What're nice boys like you doin gettin mixed up in that craziness?"

No one responded, but as they pulled off down the street AJ pondered that same question.