Well, here's the third installment. I had a little trouble with this chapter.but I hope it will be to your approval. I am really looking forward to your comments and questions. So drop me a line at lefteyefan-1@tlcfanmail.com and drop in my site at http://home.gay.com/leo1980
If you Were to Hold Me Chapter 3
I woke up to a beautiful morning. I couldn't wait to see Blake again. I don't know why, but he just seems to make me smile when I am around him. I don't know why the girls don't like him.
Ruby had already left when I got off my pallet in the floor. I'm surprised I didn't hear her when she got up. I'm usually a light sleeper.
Breakfast consisted of bagels, biscuits, and bacon.the three B's of breakfast. Rose did a good job with the homemade biscuits. They were wonderful. The conversation was friendly, yet very small. Everyone was still mostly asleep I guess.
The phone rang waking us of our early morning stupor. Ruby went to answer the phone. I couldn't hear what was being said, but she soon came back. And turned to me and said.
"Blake's on the phone, and he wants to talk to you." She said.
"OK, what's he want?" I asked.
"Probably wants to talk about the tour, and he wants us to come down this evening for another rehearsal Em." She stated.
"Great, as if it takes a lot of practice to be an opening act!" Emerald complained.
"Girl with hard work comes great rewards." Rose scolded her.
"Yes, Mother." Emerald answered.
I decided to go on to the phone and let them finish their conversation. I didn't know exactly where the phone was, but walking in the general direction I saw Ruby walk.I finally found the phone with the receiver of the hook. I picked it up and stated.
"Hey Blake, what's up?" I asked him.
"Not much, I wanted you to come in this morning and go over the tour Schedule. If there are any dates you can't be with us I need to know now.though I can't exactly change the schedule for you." He stated.
"Well, you're just getting started. I'm sure the other band is calling the shots. But don't worry, I'm devoted to this job." I stated.
"Yes, I know you are. I can tell you are going to do fine on this tour. How's things there?" He asked.
"Fine, Rose and Johnny are both nice. I fell like one the family." I laughed into the phone.
"Yes, they are like that. I wish I could have stayed with you guys, but I have family here too after all!" He said.
"Oh I thought you lived here?" I asked.
"Well, I did. Well I guess I still do, but I don't have my own place. I've lived up here with my Aunt Gina and Uncle David since I was 14." He told me.
"Oh what about your parents?" I asked him.
"Well, that's a long story.I'll have to tell you about it sometime." He sounded kind of sad.
"Well, I'm a good listener." I told him.
"I'm sure you are, but I'm not ready to tell that story yet." He said.
"OK, what time do you want me to be at the office?" I asked him.
"How about I pick you up in 30 minutes?" He asked.
"Sure, I'll go grab a quick shower." I told him.
After finishing on the phone I ran to take a quick shower. I knew it was crazy, but I was nervous to see him. I was afraid my crush on him would get the best of me. That's all I needed was to scare him away. Even if he was gay, and available.I would have to get to know him better before I told him how I felt. I decided to let him choose the pace. In my mind I knew he was gay.I just had that six sense. But in my mind I also knew that it had to be him saying it.not me. I had to let him go about it on his terms. I couldn't force him out of the closet.
After finishing my shower, I got out and dried off. I wrapped the towel around me and walked to the bedroom. I knew I should have brought some clothes, cause sure enough there was Ruby waiting for me in the room.
"So I get to see a show then!" She squealed.
"You can't see me naked.that's just not right." I said.
"Honey please! After all we are going to be on tour together.we are all going to see way more than we every want to see!" She argued.
"Fine, I don't care.but I'd rather not see you naked personally." I threw the towel at her, and quickly grabbed a pair of briefs out of my bag and slid into them.
I bent over to get a shirt out and she whistled at me.
"Nice ass Anthony!" She hooted and hollered.
"Good night, you're awful. I can tell your going to be a lot of fun on this tour." I said.
"Well, if you were straight.You'd be a lot more fun." She winked at me.
"Well, if you were a guy, you'd be a lot more fun." I shot back.
"Fine, we're even then." She laughed.
With that said I finished getting dressed and walked down stairs. I had just set on the couch when I heard a horn.
"That's my ride. Bye guys." I hollered back towards the house as I walked out the door.
"Bye." I heard the various voices yell back, mostly all from different directions.
I walked to Blake's car and got into the passenger's side. It was much nicer than the Van he was sporting in Alabama. It was a blue Camaro convertible.
"Good morning." I said buckling my seat belt.
"Good morning, how are you?" He asked.
"Just fine." I answered. The rest of the ride to the office was silent. Conversations in cars are usually dull anyway.
As we pulled into the office parking lot, I unfastened my seat belt and opened the door. We both got out and walked into the building. As we entered the building I got that certain sense of nervousness again. I sensed something was about to make my life more interesting.
We took the elevator up to his floor, and entered his office. I set down in a chair in front of his desk, and he set down in his chair.
"OK here's the basic schedule. Of course the dates are subject to change due to weather, or any other number of things." He told me.
"So what band are we going to be touring with anyway?" I asked.
"Well, Diamond Dolls has been chosen to be an opening act for them." He said sliding me a CD.
"You're kidding right?" I asked.
"Nope, I know they are kind of corn at times, but kids really love them." He said.
"Oh please, they are only one of my favorite groups! I'm so excited. Do you think I'll get to meet any of the members?" I asked him.
"I don't know.probably, after all both them and our girls will be doing sound checks and stuff.so your bound to run into each other." He said.
"Wow, I can't believe it. Life just gets more interesting every day." I winked at him.
"Well, what are you doing with the rest of your day?" He asked me.
"Nothing much, I have no plans as of right now." I admitted.
"Well, how about we have lunch together, and then I can show you a few of the surrounding sights?" He offered.
"Sure that'd be nice." I agreed.
We grabbed a quick lunch at Burger King and headed out to see the tourist attractions. Actually we drove next.all the way to St. Augustine. That's where the cool stuff was. We went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, and the Fountain of Youth Park. I really loved the museum. It was so cool. I didn't want to leave.
After that we headed back towards Jacksonville. We decided to pick the girls up for rehearsal. I believe the girls could have made it on there on. But carpooling is better for the environment after all. We pulled into their driveway about 4 P.M. I was glad to see Ruby run out the door. I jumped out and gave her a quick hug. And then we all pilled back into the car. Ruby and Emerald told me about their day.
"So we were like walking around the neighborhood and you wouldn't believe who we saw! This guy was `fine' with a capital F." Emerald stated.
"Yeah, he had a nice body, but I didn't get a good look at him.he was wearing shades and cowboy hat. Now isn't that odd? A cowboy hat in Florida?" Ruby laughed at the concept.
"Sounds interesting. Too bad I was stuck with Blake all day!" I lightly rubbed his leg.
"I know it would have been much more fun to see a cute guy, then to hang out with you too.Tony." He said sticking his tongue out.
"Oh.so you are finally coming out of the closet?" Ruby shot back.
"Who ever said I was in the closet.you guys never asked." He stated.
"OK, you have a point there." Ruby said a bit shocked.
"Well, that does it.we are on tour with two gay guys.no chance of me scoring.I'll just stay home." Emerald whined.
"Two? I sort of thought.but I didn't know." Blake said this while looking at me.
"Yes, I'm gay too." I answered.
"Well, I'm sure you'll have a chance to score with some of those fine guys in our fellow tour group." Ruby said to her sister.
"Hmm.that'd be interesting to say the least." Emerald thought out loud.
Soon, we arrived at the office. We all pilled onto the elevator and stopped this time on the second floor. Where to my surprise there was a mini recording studio. There was a place set out for dance practice, song recording, and it was really nice looking.
We went into another side room where some microphones and a stereo were set up. There setting close to the equipment was a woman with long brown hair. She was very friendly looking, yet she startled me since I wasn't expecting to see anyone when I opened the door.
"Hello you must be Anthony. My name is Sheila nice to meet you." She offered me her hand.
I shook it, and said "Nice to meet you too."
Well, I'm glad you could make it girls. We have to go over the 3 songs you selected to do at the shows. I'm not so much concerned about the 2 covers you are doing, but the new song. So let's start with that. She allowed the girls time to set on two stools and grab a mike apiece. Then she turned on the tape player. The room filled with the soft sounds of music.
"Together Somehow"
Ruby: May all your dreams come true in this life. For this life is much too short, to be sad.and alone.so don't be shy.you gotta get out try. Emerald: When you are feeling down and out, you have to let your spirit out.shout out the joy that lies inside your heart.
Chorus: We have a lot to learn in this world of ours. But we so little time to learn it all.so let's join hands and we'll make together somehow. We can't make it alone.so lets join hands and we'll make it together somehow.
Ruby: God knows there's worlds of pain under ever darken sky. And the night can be so long.but if you hold my hand, and you say it's all right.then I'm sure we'll make through. Emerald: And when your standing next to me.I don't have to cry anymore. Cause I know that love will open the door.
Chorus repeated.
Ruby: God blesses child that knows he's home. For he never has to wonder around all alone, when his families here to guide him down the streets of life. Emerald: But don't forgot the lonely boy that's living in the street.Lord knows he's got a lot to learn, and no where to go.but is someone reaches out a hand.
Chorus Repeated.
God knows we'll make it together some day.we'll make it together some way.if keep hope alive, and don't give up and die.lord knows make it together somehow.
The song moved me since I had never heard it before. The sound of Emerald voice singing about the boy out on the street hit me hard. I cried through the rest of the song.
"That was wonderful girls. Now let's go over the other 2 songs and we'll call it a day." Sheila said.
"Who wrote that song?" I asked wiping away my last tear.
"I did. I see you liked it." Ruby smiled at me.
"Yes it was great." I said.
"Well, I'm glad you liked it." Emerald threw in.
Next, the girls did a cover of a TLC song "Diggin' on You" (LaFace 1994). And then a song by Dolly Parton "I will Always Love You." They were really good. They were pop and R&B at the same time. I knew I was going to enjoy this tour. I just hoped that the girls would start doing some more of their own stuff soon.
Sometime during the second song Blake had slipped out of the room. I didn't know where he had gone.
"Hey everyone, I just got off the phone with Edwin. He told me that you guys are going to meet the other band tomorrow at lunch. They want to meet you. They have seen your pictures, and heard your music. The want you to be in there next video. I'm not sure but I think they might want you to do a song with them as well." He told us.
"Really? That's cool!" Emerald sprang from her seat.
"Cool! I can't wait." Emerald said.
"Well, we are through here.so you girls have a good evening." Sheila announced.
"Thanks, we will." Ruby answered.
We all pilled into Blake's car again a few minutes later. It was a quick drive and we made it back to Rose's house. Blake said he had to get some more things done, but he'd try to be back for dinner. So we waved him off. And we all went into the house. Ruby and Emerald went to the kitchen to talk to Rose, and I decided to head to the room to call mom. I had totally forgot to let her know I made it safe. I felt bad now.
The phone rang twice and she picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey mom. Sorry I didn't call last night.was very tired from the long trip and all."
"Oh Lee, thank goodness. I've been worried about you. How was your flight dear?" She asked.
"It was fine. And the weather is nice down here." I said.
"I bet, I wish I was in Florida right now." She laughed.
"Well, we are going to be leaving after tomorrow.we are going to California for the first show." I told her.
"Wow, that's a long trip. Are you flying again?" She asked.
"Yes, but after that we are on the big bus." I laughed.
"Well, that should be fun, or really long and boring one." She laughed back at me.
"Probably both!" I said.
"Well, I'm going to let you go, and I'll write you when we get to California." I told her.
"OK, and call too dear." She requested.
"Sure mom, bye."
"Bye dear."
As I hung up the phone, Johnny walked in the door. He gave me a small smile and then came in and set on Ruby's bed beside me.
"So how's life with the girl's so far?" He asked.
"Well, it's been fun so far, but we are just getting started after all!" I smiled.
"Well, when they start getting on your nerves, and believe me they will.just remember I had to put up with them 17 years!" He laughed.
"Very true, so are you a singer as well?" I asked him.
"No, I don't care for making my own music, but I do love their stuff. Any rock, or rap is fine with me." He said.
We talked a while longer about music. We had a lot of similar tastes in music. Of course some of the rap he liked, I had never heard of. He was a cool kid though. He let me borrow a few CD's to listen to while on the bus. I thanked him for them. Soon I went down to check on the girls.
"Is there anything I can do Rose?" I asked.
"Sure you can watch this sauce while I run to the restroom. We'll be ready to eat in a bit. Is Blake here yet?" She asked.
"No Maim." I answered as I stirred the pot of homemade spaghetti sauce. It smelled wonderful.
Pretty soon the doorbell rang, and Emerald went to let Blake in. I was glad he made it. With him there we all took something to the table, and soon we began to eat.
"Rose the sauce is excellent." I told her.
"And the garlic bread is nice too." Blake threw in.
"Thank you boys." She answered.
"They are right Mama. You are an excellent cook." Ruby threw in.
"Yes, indeed." Johnny seconded.
"Well, it's a pleasure to cook for such special people." She smiled at her children, and at Blake and me.
What Ruby said the other day was true. I wasn't with my real family, but I was with family all the same. A new family, that would see me through good times, and bad times. I knew as long as I had them, that I would never be alone.
To Be Continued.
Hey I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far. I am looking forward to introducing the band..hehehe. Who will it be? Well, you'll have to wait and see.