Chapter 2

Secrets and Goodbyes

By Christie Ambert

Chapter 2

November 1, 1997

Christine Griffin was a 20-year-old red head with green eyes that landed a very important job as a party coordinator at the COBY AIDS Foundation by accident. She had been working there during the day and going to night school to get her degree in Business administration. She was very naïve and very persuasive when it came time to get donations to put together parties or any other activities that could help raise money for AIDS research.

She hired one of her best friends to be her secretary, because trust was something important to her when it came to work. Vicki was a 21-year-old born and raised in the Orlando suburbs, just like Christine she worked during the day and studied at night. Vicki’s dream was to be a teacher. Even though a lot of people thought that she was crazy, she loved teaching.

There was a soft knock on Christine’s office. She tore herself away from her computer to answer.

“Yes?” She said.

“Do you know some guy by the name Josh Chasez?” Vicki asked as she peeked her head through the door.

“Is he on the phone or waiting for me in the reception area?” Christine asked.

“He’s here. What do you want me to tell him?” Vicki asked.

“Tell him to come in. Is he cute?” She giggled.

“Oh yeah, God spent an extra day creating him.” Vicki rolled her eyes and went to the reception area.

Christine smiled and closed the document she was working on. She lowered the volume on her CD player.

“Sir, Miss Griffin will see you now. Follow me please.” Vicki instructed him. Josh stood up and walked behind her. A 20-year-old with a secretary and an office? He thought to himself.

Vicki opened the door for him and he nodded and smiled at her. When she recognized the smile she almost fainted.

“I’m Josh Chasez, nice to finally meet you Miss Griffin. I’ve heard a lot about you from Rocio.” He said extending his hand. She smiled and gladly shook it. When he wouldn’t let go of her hand she smiled sweetly.

“It’s nice too meet you too but can I have my hand back?” She asked as she sat down. She relaxed and gave Vicki a questioning look when she held up a sign that said M.M.C.

“M.M.C.?” Christine whispered. Josh gave her a questioning look and turned around to see the sign. He laughed nervously. He knew she was confused, he was kind enough to clue her in.

“Mickey Mouse Club.” He said with a smile when he noticed that she was blushing.

“Remember me, JC!” He joked. Christine looked at him and laughed.

“That was priceless.” She managed to say.

“What was?” He asked.

“You saying that in person. I’m sorry I was a big fan of the show.” She admitted.

“Was I your favorite mousketeer?” He asked innocently.

“Nope. I was more of a Damon fanatic but I thought you had a lot of potential. So what brings you by?” She said getting down to business.

“I just wanted to meet you in person.” HE simply answered.

“That’s it?” She blurted out. STUPID! She thought to herself.

“Oh yeah I forgot.” He said standing up near the door and clearing his throat.

“Now is time to say goodbye to all our company. M-I-C see ya real soon. K-E-Y Why because we like you. M-O-U-S-E.” He finished singing.

Christine and Vicki were laughing so hard their stomachs hurt. When they managed to regain their composure, Christine walked over and shook his hand.

“Nice meeting you. That was way funny. Here’s my card.” She said almost shocked that she had given him her card.

“Ok I would give you one but I don’t have one. I’ll email you all my numbers tonight before I leave.” Josh said as he walked out of the office.

“You’re going out of town?” She asked as her smile faded into disappointment.

“Yeah we have to go back to Europe to do more promoting. I’ll be back in three weeks. I got your numbers I’ll call you when I get a chance, I promise.” He said turning back and kissing her cheek. He watched her expression and ran out of the office.

“Oh I like him.” Christine managed to say through her shock state.

“Red, JC from the Mickey Mouse Club has your email address and promised to call while he’s promoting his new album. What am I missing here?” Vicki asked.

“Vickers, he emailed me but I never thought in a million years it was JC from the Mickey Mouse Club.” She said. Both girls looked at each other and giggled.

“You know TV does him no justice. My god that body should be illegal.” Christine said. A smile was brought to her face as she relived in her mind the event.

Her phone rang, she looked at it and hoped it was him.

“Christine Griffin, here.” She answered.

“No need to thank me. I’ll mail you the bill later.” Rocio said.

“Have I told you lately that I love you. Have I told you that there’s no one else above you. You fill my life with gladness take away all my sadness ease my troubles that’s what you do.” She laughed as she finished saying all that to her.

“Yeah whatever. Anyway I’m having a dinner party tonight wanna come?” Rocio asked.

“Nah I already came after JC did the whole see ya real soon MMC routine. Can I bring Vickers?” Christine asked as she looked at the chipper nail polish.

“Sure the more the merrier. We have a dress code, so wear a nice dress nothing prom like but something nice like your red dress the cute one you wear with the black boots. Something like that.” Rocio advised her.

“Why do we have to look nice?” She asked curiously.

“My parents insist that we have to dress up. Believe me you want to dress up, besides there’s a lot of opportunity for you to get donations for the charity most of the people coming are loaded.” Rocio mentioned.

“Bling-bling we’ll be there what time?” Christine asked.

“Seven.” Rocio simply answered.

“Cool. We’ll be there. Got to go talk to you later.” Christine said. Rocio said her goodbye.

“Vickers you’re going to a dinner party with me at Rocio’s we have to wear dresses. Dinner with loaded guns.” Christine said.

“Do we have to dress up?” She said looking down at her jeans and white sweater.

“Yup. That’s what Rocio said. Anyway, we have to be there at seven. What’s the time?” She said looking at the clock.

“It’s almost four. I cant believe I missed my lunch hour again. I vote for us to leave an hour early since missed our lunch hour and all. I mean it’s only fair.” Christine looked at Vicky. She thought about it for a minute and came to the right decision.

“Let’s go!” Christine said turning off her computer and walking out her office. She locked her door and waited for Vicki by the elevators.

A few minutes later, they got on the Interstate heading home just before rush hour. The drive home was silent. Christine had a feeling about the dinner party but decided not to pay too much attention to it. She was busy trying to figure out what she was going to do with her hair and makeup. As the sounds of Paula Cole invaded the car she was brought back to the memory of Josh sitting in her office. She chuckled as she parked in her drive way. She got off the car and ran inside.

“Young Lady, aren’t you going to say hello to your parents?” Mrs. Griffin said as she dried her hands.

“Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Gotta go!” She said as she rushed to her apartment in the back of the house.

She opened the door and hit the answering machine as she looked for the red dress. She was so focused on finding the dress that she missed JC’s message that he would meet her at the party.

She found the dress and the boots to go with it and she hit the shower. While Vicky went crazy looking for something to wear to the party. She finally decided to just borrow something from Christine’s closet. A baby blue dress that went perfectly with the boots Christine had to beg her to buy. Perfect, she thought to herself as she headed back to her room.

The apartment was big it had two room and a bathroom in each room. The kitchen was small but comfortable and it had a big living room. Perfect for two best friends on the run.

When Christine finished taking a shower, she wrapped herself in her robe and headed to the kitchen to find some fruit to calm her stomach juices. She took out a few strawberries and headed back to her room to get ready. She remembered that she didn’t really pay that much attention to the messages on her machine. She hit rewind and then play. She sat in front of her computer and checked her email while the messages played. Until one message caught her attention.

“This is Josh, JC, Josh, I’m going to Rocio’s party and I was hoping that you could be my date. You can just meet me there if you want. I emailed you my numbers but just in case here it is 407-555-5555. Hope to hear from you soon.” When she finally managed to pick her jaw up from the floor. She tried calling Vicky but no sound would come out. She ran into Vicky’s room and knocked on her bathroom door.

“What?” Vicky said.

“He’s going to the party.” She managed to say.

“Who is Josh, JC, Josh!” She squealed.

“Oh my god!” Vicky said almost slipping in the bathtub.

“I have to go get ready I only have two and half hours to look perfect.” Christine said running out of Vicky’s bathroom.

Christine began drying her hair. When she was done she grabbed her curlers that Rocio got her for her birthday and said a silent prayer-thanking god for bringing her into her life. She began doing her makeup. It was a bit darker than she would wear on a daily basis but this was a special occasion. She looked at herself in the mirror, satisfied with the results she decided to take off her curlers.

After a few time that she tossed her hair, she looked perfect. She put on her dress and her boots. Dressed to kill, she thought to herself. She saw Vicky come out of her room with her dress on and her boots.

“We look good. It’s still early let’s go. I want to stop by the mall to buy Rocio something. She really did out do herself.” Christine said as she grabbed her purse and walked out of the apartment.

When they walked into the mall they saw a big commotion and a group of guys singing. They walked inside Claire’s and saw the perfect blue necklace for Rocio. They grabbed it and paid for it. As they left the store Christine curiosity betrayed her. She walked toward the commotion and was blown away by what she saw.

“Oh my god!” Christine and Vicky said in unison.

“You know he can really shake his ass.” Vicky commented.

“Uh huh.” Was all that Christine could say.

“Wow.” Vicky mentioned.

“We should go I think we weren’t supposed to see this and I’m sure he’s going to be late. Did you see Justin from M.M.C.?” Christine asked.

“I sure did DAMN! Too bad it’s illegal to date a guy his age.” Vicky said as they walked out of the mall.

Christine was not prepared for this dinner party. Sure Rocio had mentioned the fact that a lot of rich people would be there but she failed to mention that all of them were musician or actors. She had to calm herself down before she approached anyone. Not only was it hard to deal with celebrities but also asking them for money was even worse. She took a deep breath and decided to just jump in headfirst.

“Hi I’m Christine Griffin with the COBY AIDS Foundation. I was wondering if you would be interested in attending our Charity Ball next month?” Christine smiled when she noticed who she was talking to.

“I’ve got my own AIDS charities but AIDS research is something important to me. This is my agent’s number call her tomorrow and arrange everything. Who’s playing at the ball?” Sir Elton John asked.

“I’ve been calling people but no one seems to call me back so if you’re interested in playing, let me know.” She honestly answered.

“I can play a set for you. There a few people here that might be interested in helping like her.” He said pointing at Madonna.

“That’s a good idea. I should go talk to her before she leaves. Thank you sir. I’ll call tomorrow and make all the arrangements.” She said with a smile. He took her hand and kissed it.

“It’s my pleasure.” He said walking away from her and into the arms of his boyfriend.

At that moment she felt someone tab her in the shoulder. She turned around to see Madonna standing there.

“I couldn’t help over hearing the conversation. You’re throwing a charity ball for AIDS research?” She asked.

“Not me but the COBY AIDS Foundation. If you’re interested in attending let me know.” Christine said not really thinking she would accept.

“Sure. Here’s my card call me tomorrow. It’s a good cause. I’ve lost a lot of friends to AIDS, we need a cure and I want to help as much as possible.” She finished saying.

“I’ve lost a couple of friends too. That’s how I got into this. I’ll call you tomorrow for the arrangements.” She finished saying.

“Great. You said you’re name was?” She asked.

“Christine Griffin.” She mentioned.

“Nice meeting you take care. Enjoy the party.” She said walking away.

She walked around looking for Rocio but she was no where to be found. She saw Vicky talking to a couple of people. She walked to refreshments area and she grabbed a coke. Taking a sip of the liquid and looking around.

“Is it all work and no play with you or what?” Josh asked handing her a white rose. She smiled and smelled the rose.

“It was Rocio’s idea. Besides now I have Sir Elton John and Madonna attending the charity ball I’m planning. That should grab a lot of media attention.” She said as she got lost in his blue eyes.

“Yeah, grab attention that’s what’s important.” He said.

“I saw you at the mall today.” She laughed when he groaned.

“You saw that?” He asked in disbelieve.

“You guys are really good dancers. I was blown away by the harmonies. I know this is a lot to ask but can you play at the ball. Elton John is doing one set maybe you can open up for him or something’s” She rambled.

“We’ll discuss it over dinner.” He simply said as he led her to the dinner table. It was a group of 20 people sitting in one long table. All of them talking at the same time. She wondered how she was going to be able to converse with him. She didn’t want the conversation to end.

~*Chapter 3*~

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