December 18, 1998
"Justin, come on!"
Justin sighed at JC's voice and typed frantically on the keyboard in front of him. "I'll be there in a second," He shouted back to them.
"Dude, everyone is waiting on ya."
Justin turned around from his sit on the booth and gave Joey a look. "I said, just hold ON!"
Joey was pushed out of the way and Lonnie stepped up on the bus, causing it to dip slightly in his direction. He pointed at the curly blonde engrossed with the laptop. "Justin, get your ass out here."
"Ok, ok!" Justin pressed send on the write email box and then clicked "ok" he shut down aol and closed the laptop.
"Curly, that's MY laptop!" Lance stormed on the bus and snatched it off the counter, unhooking Justin's cell phone from the internet and tossing it to him.
"Sorry, I just wanted to send the before we got two thousand feet up in the air." Justin threw his duffel bag over one shoulder and sauntered out of the bus.
He was met with several curious stares. "What? I wanted to send an email to a friend."
"Mmmhmmm...I think we should tell momma Lynn that the boy spends too much time on the net."
Justin's eyes narrowed as he followed Chris through the sliding glass doors of the LA airport. "Shut up, Chris." He looked over at Lonnie, his bodyguard that was walking along side of him.
"Seriously Justin, you've been obsessed with the computer for the past two weeks. What's the deal, man?" JC asked from behind him.
"Sorry. I didn't know sending email had become illegal."
"Well, what kind of email is it? You aren't 18 yet J. Some of those sites your virgin eyes shouldn't be seeing." Joey ran past him and stole the baseball hat from his head.
"Hey give that back punk." Justin held a hand on his head and began to chase Joey. Lonnie caught his bag and he just ran...in place.
"Lonnie! Let me get my hat. My hair looks..."
"Like ramin noodles."
"Thanks." Justin smiled smugly at his bodyguard. Lonnie didn't smile. And what he saw on his face at that moment was the closest thing to it. Justin hated it.
Something hit Justin's shoulder and he looked down to see his orange hat lying on the ground. He picked it up, dusted it off, and put it on his head, grumbling obscenities about Joey the whole time.
Though Justin seemed to be in a cranky mood, the truth was he felt like he was walking on air. The tour had just ended and he had a 3-month break until their next one. It was almost Christmas and he was going home to spend time with his family, eat some down home cookin', and sleep.
Sleep. The word was like ecstasy to his mind. He hadn't gotten any the night before, because the Janet crew had thrown a huge party signaling the end of the tour and none of them had gone to bed the night before. It was late morning, and he had a 5 hour plane ride back to Florida.
He hated planes. But right now, he couldn't wait to stretch out in his first class seat, fluff his pillow and head off into dreamland.
Unfortunately, Justin was sitting beside Lance. And Lance's laptop was working full blast the whole flight home. Justin sat there; listening to the clickity-clack of the keys and hearing him shuffle through papers.
Finally Justin groaned. "Dude, you are 19 years old. Put up that crap and sleep because your mom is going to want you to be rested up before the Bass 10-day Christmas bash begins. Plus, I can't sleep with you doing that."
Lance turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow at the young man beside him. "Justin...I'm barely making ANY noise."
"I know, but you are on the internet and that makes me anxious."
Lance pursed his lips in a curious glance and turned back to his papers. "Uh, why?"
"Because now I want to get online and check my mail. I'm supposed to be asleep man!"
Lance's green eyes rolled sharply, something he rarely did. Justin could be quite whiny when he was in his grump mood. "Why don't you switch seats with Joey or someone. I got work to do."
"Whatever." Justin mumbled.
5 minutes later, Justin was sleeping beside a snoring JC, previously Joey's seat.
--------
That evening.
"Come on, Jon. We are going to the grocery store for your brother." Lynn pulled her light coat over her shoulders and grabbed her purse.
"Oh kay." The 4-year-old boy ran past Justin who was in the kitchen and towards his mother.
"All right, we will be back later on baby."
"Ok, I'll be asleep probably." Justin smiled and pulled out a carton of milk from the fridge.
"Bye."
"Bye, Justy." Justin smiled as his little brother waved to him, giddily and skipped out the garage door.
"See ya later buddy."
After pouring himself a glass of milk, Justin shuffled over to the small office they had connected to the kitchen. He sat down in the computer chair and signed on AOL under his name. He was just going to check his mail and then go upstairs and sleep for 3 days.
When AOL connected he clicked on his mailbox and saw he had 2 messages. Both from the same person. He smiled and clicked on them.
Subj: CurlyJay23 is a homosexual.
Date: 12/18/98 3:28 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: DMBluvr81
To: CurlyJay23
My dearest idiot,
I just got home from the institution my state makes me go to. No, it's not the local prison but it sure does feel that way. School. We just got out for Christmas break. Yay, I'm fairly excited. But, you my internet..person...(you aren't a friend just yet) what was that email you sent me this morning.
I quote you.... "There's something about the holiday season that makes me tingle. Being with family and friends is one of my favorite things. Everything about Christmas is perfect. They sounds, the smells...."
Are you SURE you aren't gay?
I don't care if you are or not. In fact, I like homosexuals. My sisters...(2nd oldest) best friend is gay. He is the funniest and the coolest person I know, (well, beside myself that is..HA!)
I just think you need to reach deep inside you and pull out your inner gayness. It would make the world a happier place. Denial is such an unattractive thing.
Merry Christmas, Peace to all men and WORD TO YA MOTHA!!!
-A bored Liz
Justin smiled at the screen and clicked on the next email from DMBluvr81.
Subj: OH MY GOSH!
Date: 12/18/98 3:31 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: DMBluvr81
To: CurlyJay23
OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH!!!!
GUESS WHAT WAS JUST ANNONCED ON ABC AS A SPECIAL BREAKING NEW REPORT?!?!?!?!
CurlyJay isn't gay.
He just a sentimental jerk!
Darn it, I was hoping for you to be gay. Then I could hook you up with my sister's friend. Mannnnn....
Justin xed out the email with a sigh. He had actually gotten his hopes up and read faster when he saw the "OH MY GOSH!" subject line. He should have known better.
He shook his head and moved the mouse to sign off.
But before he got the chance...
DMBluvr81: YAY!
CurlyJay23: What are you yaying about? Did Peter Jennings retract his statement tell the world that I'm gay or something?
DMBluvr81: No...unfortunately. But, I don't have to go to school for 2 more weeks. YAY!
CurlyJay23: Wow, have you been drinking eggnog? I didn't know you knew what the word "yay" meant.
DMBluvr81: I don't think yay is an actual word. I think its slang...but anyway, I just happy. I LOVE Christmas.
CurlyJay23: "it makes me tingle"
DMBluvr81: Why did you write me that. It was so random. It was like; Liz and Jay for a week crack on each other and everyone else and then BAM! Jay decided to get all sensitive. What's up with that?
CurlyJay23: I like Christmas. And I'm a sensitive guy. Let me ask you a question. You say "BAM!" Way too much. What's up with THAT?
DMBluvr81: It's the damn Food network. I'm obsessed with Emeril and Martha Stewart and Sara from Cooking Live and Mario eats Italy. Man...
CurlyJay23: Do you like to cook or something?
DMBluvr81: Me? Cook? oh you are too funny. I can make a mean bag of popcorn. That's about it.
CurlyJay23: :) well, I'm tired so I'm going to bed. Talk to ya later.
DMBluvr81: aww, Noooooo
CurlyJay23: Excuse Me? Is Liz whining because I'm leaving? Oh this is classic.
DMBluvr81: No, I'm just bored. A blizzard is on its way here; I have nothing to do. And I've been staring at the screen all afternoon. And you are the only person online.
CurlyJay23: Admit it...you love me.
DMBluvr81: No, you just make me realize how smart I really am.
CurlyJay23: What do you mean?
DMBluvr81: You asking that question just proves it. You're stupidity makes me feel...sigh...I don't know. Like a Goddess.
CurlyJay23: Well you are a goddess
DMBluvr81: I thought we discussed this a few nights ago Jay. Flattery and compliments don't work with me. I need cash. COLD HARD CASH.
CurlyJay23: Well right now I need COLD HARD SLEEP.
DMBluvr81: :( sniff...
CurlyJay23: Oh come on now, girl. You aren't the type to get down about lil ol me. Usually you are forcing me to sign off. I do recall the whole "you are just annoying. Go ahead and sign off before I block you." thing you pulled the other night.
DMBluvr81: But CurlyGay I like making fun of you. I like driving you insane.
CurlyJay23: And you are so good at it, Jayluvr.
DMBluvr81: Hey, don't go changing my name...
CurlyJay23: You changed mine.
DMBluvr81: That was a typo... :)
CurlyJay23: BS...ok..night babe.
DMBluvr81: wait wait wait...
Justin waited.
DMBluvr81: First...don't call me babe..EVER. Unless I give you permission. Second...it was a typo...I don't BS anyone..(Now THATS some crap)...and third...you are in Orlando right?
CurlyJay23: Yeah..why...
DMBluvr81: Well, I'm in Maryland. We are both in the same time zone. Why are you going to bed at 5:30?
CurlyJay23: Because I'm tired. I just got back from a LOOOONG trip.
DMBluvr81: Oh, welcome back from Uranus. How's the weather there?
CurlyJay23: ...um, I can take that two ways. Immaturely or sarcastically.
DMBluvr81: I know. That's why I said it. I wanted to see if I'm teaching you to keep your eyes open.
CurlyJay23: Did I pass?
DMBluvr81: You didn't ace. Acing would have been if you said a smart-ass comment back to me. But at least you noticed there was a double meaning behind it.
CurlyJay23: I'm a slow learner.
DMBluvr81: Speaking of. How's the newest Spot book?
CurlyJay23: Good, mommy is getting me the whole set for Christmas.
DMBluvr81: Aww, that's sweet. ...rolls eyes... Well, I'll let you go wimp.
CurlyJay23: Wimp?
DMBluvr81: Yeah, only wimps go to bed at 5:30.
CurlyJay23: If you were in my shoes you would be dead asleep right now. I can guarantee it.
DMBluvr81: Lucky for me your pink 5 star high tops don't fit me very well.
CurlyJay23: lol. I just wish your puffy painted, denim keds would fit me. Oh well...I can dream. Later Liz.
DMBluvr81: bye curly
Justin smiled and Xed out the screen. He rolled the chair away from the computer and with a seemingly permanent grin on his face; he shuffled up the steps, pulling off his sweatshirt as he stepped.