Jordan

Jordan

By

Retta Michaels

Disclaimer:

If you are under the age of eighteen, or live in a locale which doesn't allow you to read these sorts of stories legally, then please don't. Come back when it's legal for you to do so and it will be great with us who are here legally. In fact, we'll support you and in the right circumstances help get you laid. Now, skedaddle and shut the door on your way out!

Now, for the rest of you who are supposed to be adults, act like it!

Chapter 3

The next morning, we all awoke from the incessant sounds of our cell phones all ringing. It was time to get up, get packed, and have everything ready to leave to go to Norfolk.

Chad and I had fell asleep sometime laying against each other. He looked embarrassed, "Umm, I guess, we fell asleep!"

"Yeah, I'm not sorry, are you?"

"NO!" He giggled. "But, I'm going to be stiff and sore."

"Well, we can sleep in a bed tonight. I'm glad we slept out here with the guys. They now see we're in the same boat they are." I paused, "Look at the wood on Red there!"

"Damn, is that thing real Red?"

"No, it's fake, only the outside's real." He said looking embarrassed, "Why is it too big for my body?"

"Oh." Chad said sounding puzzled. "Uh, No."

"You can be so dense sometimes Chad!"

Red took off towards the bathroom laughing at my comment.

We went to our bedroom and got dressed. I looked over when he was undressed and my breath caught just viewing his body. "Chad, don't ever let anyone tell you your body isn't beautiful. It's awesome."

He smiled, and then flexed for me. "Thanks, I did it just for you!"

"Thank you, now cover it up before someone else sees and gets jealous of me."

We both giggled and then got dressed. After dressing, we packed the suitcases and got them ready to be taken to the van.

At times, you'll hear me talk about our van and at other times, you'll hear me refer to it as a bus. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but it's both. It's shorter than a bus, but it's way longer than a van. It does have a van front end, but it's like a bus. I think the driver said he is a twenty three passenger bus. I know it's really nice and has sofas in it and a compartment in the back where we put our luggage. I imagine when we get to be hugely popular, we'll get a full size bus.

After breakfast in the hotel's restaurant, we were on the road to Norfolk. On the way, Jill prepped us for what would be happening there.

"Guys, the first thing we're doing there is we're going to be going in to a radio station to have an interview, the press release hasn't been updated yet, and it's still the old one. So guys, please be careful with how you answer questions."

Several of the guys asked to see the press release. I saw it when one was handed back to Chad. It stated we had come out of the closet and the other members didn't like it.

Wend was real fast on it. "Jill, this is bullshit. Those guys are going into be bar-b-qued. Is there any way we can answer the questions to deflect the heat?"

"Let's think of that so it sounds like we haven't thought of doing it, but yes, you guys can stand up for them all you want. I think the solid front you put forth will make it look better for the group. This press release was created yesterday before all the new revelations were known."

Wend said, "What I think we're going to do is say it this way. If someone asks them a question, I'll say, That press release is wrong, but instead of telling the announcer what's right, I'll create a bit of mystery by saying, "Two of us in the group are gay, but it's not necessarily them. You might find I'm gay, or Niles is gay, or Red, or Bandy. Heck, we might all be gay. Two guys who are friends are going to like each other. Someone just wants us to think bad about them. I'm not falling for it."

"That's an awesome statement. You other guy o.k, with that?"

Niles said, "What I think is that after he says it, I think all of us should kiss. Then the guy doesn't know what to think."

"That might get us into trouble. Let me call legal and ask them to check the state laws. I don't want you all breaking the law inadvertently."

"Ooh, that's excellent publicity. We get arrested for loving each other. Then, we could clean up with the media." Chad said.

"Right now, we're looking into something like that, but let's not do anything yet which will cause more of a stir than what we have. Virginia is a Republican stronghold, so we need to be careful."

When we arrived at the station, Chad asked Jill, "You got your boyfriend on the jerseys yet?"

"Yeah, but we've got to get it approved by the front office. The advantage is we have a new corporate head that is willing to go way out on a limb. He's a former gangster rapper, so he's aware of what will work more than a stuffed shirt. I did make an adamant statement we weren't trying to be rap stars on the memo."

"O.k., I'd just like to know this costume's days are numbered. It's getting a bit old wearing the same thing nearly every day. Leather can get to be a bit old after a while."

"Thank God you weren't a cowboy then." She smiled.

We went into the station and were ushered into a talk show host's booth. He stood up and went to reach out his hand and then withdrew it. "With two of you guys are gay?"

Wend looked at him and said, "Why, does it matter?"

"Well, I'll be damned if I'm going to shake hands with a faggot."

"Boys, gather up and get out of here. I'll deal with this asshole myself." Jill seethed.

As we left, I could hear Jill telling the guy what an asshole he was and telling him us being gay was our hook. She then was telling him about speaking with our legal department. That's all I heard because by then, I was out the door of the station. I do know she was yelling loud enough no one in the station wouldn't be able to hear her.

When we got back onto the bus, Chad looked at me and had tears in his eyes. I hugged him and then said to the driver, "Put this station on your radio and let us know if that dude in there says anything about what happened."

Jill came on the bus and stood up at the front, "Guys, I'm sorry. That idiot shouldn't have done that. We realize we're going to run into those sorts of people, so let's use this as a learning experience and you all just do what you did. Get up, walk out, and let me put the fear of God into them using the legal team over their heads as a threat."

Niles said, "If it ever happens again, my suggestion is we just say "Thanks, but no thanks, we don't shake hands with bigots"...and leave it at that. Then, we can still get the publicity."

Jill said, "That might work, let me think on it. My job is to protect you and I sure don't want to have an on air personality publicly lynch you."

"That might be good", said Red, "Then, kids can listen to what some of these people think. That will definitely take their ratings down."

"Well, what I do know is we didn't have an agreement with them for the interview, so we're o.k. Legally, but I'm still going to put out a press release with other media for his use of that word. It might have not been on air, but it sure was used."

She got on the phone and began to speak with legal. We got taken to our hotel and taken up to the suite. I was looking out the window over the bay when Chad came up from behind me and hugged me.

"That hurt." he said.

"Yeah, but we're going to get that a few times. So, we need to get used to it."

"I've never had that sort of rejection before. People might act differently towards me because I'm Chicano, but they don't blatantly say anything."

"Well, we need to be aware assholes come in all shapes and sizes. There's going to be white, black, men, women, and whatever that are going to be discriminating. Just don't think it's a white man like that jerk."

"I'm not. It just sucks people can't think more openly."

"Yeah, but it's getting better. There was a time when us being gay would be grounds for us to be taken back and having our contracts revoked. Now, we're using it as a ploy to get attention. Think about that. It's telling me the world has changed and it's better."

"It should be that no one should mind."

"Well, think about it. Today, we see interracial couples all the time. Back in the fifties, the black guy would have been hauled in to jail. So, look at what we're doing as something that will be totally acceptable in forty years. We're the one's that are making it better for people who come along later."

"Wow, you have a way of putting that so even I'll buy it. Maybe you should use that in an interview sometime."

"They sure forgot to teach us how to answer these questions, didn't they."

"Yeah, but I bet someone's working on it and will get back to us sometime next year. By then, we'll already have half the United States fielded."

We chuckled and then he said, "Let's go see if we can go down and take a tour of Norfolk. I'd like to get out of here."

I turned around and hugged him, something in his voice just told me he was bothered more by this than what he was letting on, "O.k., let's do that in a moment, I want to hold you for a few moments and have you to myself."

"It bothers me, but the day they came up with this plan, I'll be thankful for because I don't know how long I could have stood continuing to be around you and singing love songs with you without letting you know how I felt."

"I know, I felt the same way. The day you sang your song to me, I was really blown away. If you noticed, not long after that, I went home because I didn't want to mess it up and have you thinking I was gay."

"I thought you left because you knew how I felt about you and was afraid of you rejecting me."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to have you think that."

"Well, we know now, but I wonder how many other kids like us don't have the strength to tell the other person and let them slip away."

"I don't know, but maybe it'd be a good idea for us to write a song about that subject."

"It can't be a fast song. I'd want it to be a song that's slow. Maybe we should just tell our story in the video of it and have a video of each of us before you sing it."

"That'd be awesome. Let's get that approved and I bet we have a lot of fan mail that comes in telling us they did it and they're now in a relationship with that person."

"Speaking of fan mail, you gotten any?"

"No, have you?"

"No, I wonder what they're doing with it?"

"I don't know. We need to ask and see if there's a fan club, or something. I know our parents would like to see a website with us being able to update it from the road. Speaking of them, have you called your mom lately?"

"Yeah, last night. I told her about us and what they're doing and what we're doing. Didn't you hear?"

"No, it must've been when I was someplace else."

"It was when we were dressing."

"Oh, I just hurried and got dressed and came into the living area."

"Oh, I should have let you speak to mom. She was really happy."

"I wonder how mine are going to handle it."

"I don't know. At least if they're upset, you're out on the road and they can't bother you."

"Yeah, but it'd suck if they told me to come home and get all my stuff."

"I don't think your dad would let that happen. I think he suspects us already. He's said a few things to me that kind of let me know."

"What'd he say?"

"He told me to take care of you out here on the road. And, he said once when he brought you over to my house, when you went back out to the car to get something, that he was glad you and I were so close because he knew we'd be good for each other."

"Well, if he knows, that's good. But, my mom is the one that will be the cause of the problems if any happen. She's made it knows several times what she's thought of gays."

"Well, I think there won't be any and if there are, I think your dad will let her know I'm a good guy."

"Let's hope. Now, let's go take that walk and ask about the fan club and mail. That would fill up our time and it'd also be good to have fan e-mails."

We went down to Jill's suite and was met at the door by one of the managers. It didn't seem to me we needed three managers, but I'm glad I wasn't paying the bill for them to work. I think Jill didn't think we needed three managers either, and I think that's why she was getting her foot in the door. What I liked about her, was her openess with us. The other managers never even spoke with us. One of them, I didn't even know her name.

We spoke to Jill about going out sight seeing. She said, "Sure, but be back by five as we'll be going over for sound check."

It was after one already. So, whatever sight seeing we would get to do would be abbreviated.

Chad asked her about the fan club and fan mail. She pointed at the guy, Pru, and said, "He's your guy. He's been answering it and dealing with all that. You'd be amazed at how much you two have gotten since the press release happened yesterday."

"Can't we answer our own?"

"Sure, but I'll tell you now, you're getting over twenty thousand emails each so far today. My advice is to make a statement that would apply and have him send that out. It might not answer everything a person says to you, but I think it'd answer most of their questions. You might also wait a few days on that."

Chad was sharp, he asked a question which had me thinking. "How many letters for and how many letters against. Also, how many have the guys got in support of them and for just their talents other than being hateful in the press release."

"Right now, the incoming mail is ninety nine percent in favor of you two, but I'll tell you now, that's probably not a good reflection of how people think. People who are for you all, will send fan mail, but a person against you won't even write."

"But, will they write to the other guys and what have those emails said? Are there any wacko's saying we should be killed?"

"We've gotten a few, but not many. I wouldn't worry about those."

He turned to Jill and said, "Get copies of those emails sent to the legal team. Find out where they are and then put restraining orders on them and let us know when we're in that city so we know to not go out sightseeing and getting our brains blown out."

He turned to Pru and said, "That's the final warning I'll give you on disregarding my personal safety. The next time, I'll go above Jill's head to have you replaced. That's bullshit Pru."

He turned and started out the door. Jill said, "Chad, don't blame him for that. We're all going at this the best way we know how. It's not like we're used to this."

"Jill, deal with it as you would any other performer, but in case of death threats on me, take it seriously. I've seen gays beaten down in my own neighborhood. I know it happens."

"O.k., we'll get on it Chad. Just please don't blame Pru. He's doing the best he can for you."

Chad turned to Pru, "Sorry Pru, but you now know how I feel on it. You might have to deal with the flood of emails, but I'm dealing with it personally. There's a difference that I don't even think Jill can relate."

Pru nodded and said, "How about if we come up later and draft an email to cover all this?"

"Sure, the guys and I will be in after the concert."

We went out and caught a city bus. It was a bit relieving to be out of the confines of a hotel. When we left, we didn't see any fans, but we did get asked on the bus for our autographs by a woman who had just purchased our cd for her grand daughter. Chad opened the cd and then took out the front cover. He asked the woman for an ink pen and wrote his autograph in it. We'd done the same thing for countless times so they'd be able to sell them at the concerts for five dollars more than regular price.

The woman said, "I'm working overtime tomorrow so she can go to the concert tonight. We didn't know who you were until the press played a bit about the interview this afternoon."

My curiosity was instantly picked, "What did the interview say?"

"It said the guy called you all a derogatory name and you all walked out of the interview before it happened. They then read the story about you two being boyfriends and played a bit of your songs. I like you boys, but that music stinks."

"It's changing. We didn't get to pick it out. If you wouldn't mind, how about we get your grand daughter and you some tickets to our show. We're going to play some of our own music tonight and you'll see what the group is going to sound like in the future."

She smiled, "Thank you, but being at a concert wouldn't be my idea of a good time."

"How about if we make you a V.I.P., and have you back stage rather than out in the crowd?"

"You'd do that for us?"

"Yes, it's not nearly as loud back there and we've not gotten to do it for anyone yet. That'd be a treat for us too."

She smiled and said, "I'll be happy to come and after the show, I'll let you know what I think of the new music. I'm sure I'll like it since you're agreeing this music here isn't good."

Chad looked at me and said, "Hang on a second." He looked at me and began to hum his song. I began to sing and several other people on the bus began to take notice of us. She listened to the words and said, "That's beautiful. That's one of your new songs?"

"Yes, that's one we wrote together. He's got one that we're playing tonight that will have the whole place crying."

"I'll be there. Where do we get the back stage passes?"

You just show up at the main ticket booth and give your name. We'll tell our manager and she'll have someone take you to the back stage area."

"Do you boys mind if I bring my other grand daughter?"

"Sure, is there anyone else you'd like to bring?"

"Well, they might have a few friends that might like to go too."

"Well, we'll tell them to let whomever is with you back there."

"O.k., you boys are sweet."

She gave us her name and Chad put it into his shirt pocket. I nudged him and said, "Give me that. If you forget that slip of paper, those people's nights will be ruined. I've got my stage pass here. I'll put it in the back of the holder."

"Man, I forgot about that. I could have put it there. I've got mine."

"O.k., go ahead and put it in yours. It doesn't matter who has it as long as we don't forget it."

We got off the bus at the downtown walk and took a walk by St. Paul's Episcopal Church and then went on towards the river. When we got there, we discovered "Carrie B" and decided to take a tour on it. The view of the city from the water was incredible. That's when we discovered what all the city had to offer. The bad thing about it was the tour was two and a half hours in length. It was a wonderful tour, but it only left us with a half hour to get back to the hotel and no other sightseeing.

Chad said, "This sucks. We're traveling to these towns and not getting to see any of them."

"Well, Jill said we'd be able to have an off day tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, but who's to even say if we're going to be in Norfolk?"

"Well, I'd say we will be since the studio brass is going to be there tonight."

"Oh man, you had to remind me. Now, I'm going to be nervous."

"No, you just look into my eyes and everything will be o.k.. Forget about the rest of the world and just sing to me."

"O.k., but I hope no one messes up on stage. That'd be terrible."

We got on the bus and found Red and Niles seated together. Red was really excited because they got to tour the Attuck theater which is now a museum, but once had been the Apollo of the south. He was really happy about discovering it. It turned out they'd gotten on the computer and found the Visitor's and Information website that told them what Norfolk had to offer.

Each of us filled the others in on what we thought was neat about the city and was happy about being able to get out and enjoy the area. When we got back to the hotel, we checked in with Jill and then got to meet RJ who was a big shot at the company. Chad immediately went into a mode I can best describe as being a complete fan of the guy. He looked at me like I was nuts for not knowing the guy, but the guy seemed to like it that I didn't know him as a rap star.

We were handed our new contracts and then Jill hurriedly explained. "Guys, we'll read them tomorrow with you and we'll go over the finer details. You'll find everything in there and then some. RJ here used to be one of my acts I managed. Look where he is now!"

I looked at her and then him, "Did you keep Dolly happy?"

RJ smiled and said, "Yes, I did. I know what you're referring and Jill's told me your group wants to go into that sort of deal. I'll tell you now, I'll support whatever time it takes. You just trust her to schedule it and you'll be immensely rewarded for your efforts...not monetarily, but in ways that only you will find."

Chad read the contract and said real loud, "IT SAYS I'M GETTING A HOUSE!"

I looked at his contract and he showed me. I looked at mine and saw it said the same thing. Right in front of everyone, I told RJ, "I don't want the house if you're going to take it all away. Give my share to his mom and don't take it away."

RJ smiled and said, "Did the contract say a thing about us being able to take it away?"

"No, but I'm not going to set myself up for disappointment."

Chad looked at me like I'd belted the guy, or something. "Do you realize who you're talking to?!"

I looked at Chad and said, "Didn't you learn a fucking thing about what happened this morning? Because dude, I told you to not trust anyone."

RJ said, "Jordan, you can trust me. I've been on your side of the business and know where you're at. I'm in complete support of you guys and realize there are people out there who won't say that to your face. They'll tell you all the lies in the world and then behind your back, will fuck you. Jill there can tell you the different ways people tried fucking me. My own family had to be prosecuted."

"Wow!"

"Yeah, so when you tell Chad that, I know from experience." He turned to Chad and said, "Listen to him, he'll keep you out of trouble and I don't mind at all someone not trusting me. I'd rather prove trust to someone than have someone blindly trusting me. It tells me what sort of business person this man is."

Chad looked a bit pale and I hugged him. RJ continued and said, "Guys, some of the group's ideas are blowing me out of the water. We're putting Jill's boyfriend on the merchandising and marketing and I've given the green light on the change in your wardrobes. I don't know who was in charge of that mistake, but your description of being a modern day village people is fitting. I would have supported you guys on that decision if you'd chosen to keep it, but I'll support what will keep you happy. Jill's played me some of her voice mails of the songs that you guys have decided for the group and for your duo. I'm giving the green light on both. We'll get you into the studio to record everything you desire and I'll throw in studio time at my house for your fourth album to have a chance for it."

He looked at me and said, "You're willing to push the envelope and I like that. You may not be aware of my career, but I did the same thing. Jill can tell you all the cities I've been banned from performing and I'll tell you now, if that happens, I'll push the publicity button to be sure it plays out to the fullest. In fact, I've got a few ideas for promotion that Jill thought would be too dangerous for me to use. It's a certain poster put out with a gag on your mouth. We can use pink sashes if you'd like. That'd get the point across and will get the rest of the world to backing you. A gag is a symbol our country doesn't appreciate because we're supposed to stand for not being censored."

He paused and said, "Tonight, you boys are going to have a performance that's going to be what you want to perform. My suggestion is to put whatever you want out there. We're packed full at the venue, so the word getting out about the interview apparently worked. We're going to film it so we can get your new work out there on the music channels. I'll tell you now, you've got interviews scheduled which are going to amaze you. There's also a sitting with someone you've requested to perform with as he's already interested. We'll fly you to that and after that sitting, I'll go public and apologize for what the company has done to you. The press will eat it up and your career is going to skyrocket. Besides, it'll further my position as being the bad boy of rap!" He smiled and then sort of blushed.

"You all go get ready as I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find in your suite. I'll tell you now, I'm personally promoting your group now and there's not going to be anything you guys want that I'll turn down."

Chad looked at me and smiled. I stepped forward and hugged the dude. After that, Chad lunged at us and hugged us both. RJ's face lit up and said, "Guys, let me breathe. I've been shot and I've been stabbed, but being hugged to death isn't in the contract."

Chad was so happy, he turned to Jill and hugged her. I went over and kissed her cheek. She said, "Go to your suite because I've been doing everything I could to keep the others from telling you."

We ran down the hall and as soon as we entered the suite, the smell of flowers hit me. There were flowers all over the place. I took a look at them and started reading cards. It seemed a lot of gay guys out there were sending them to us. Chad looked at me and gave a huge whoop. He said, "Harry! Harry sent this one! OH MY GOD!"

He ran over and showed me the card. The sight of it just knocked the wind out of me. It said, "Give me a call and we'll arrange a performance. I took a look at the card and it just didn't seem real. I knew it had to be real because it was a huge spray, but right then, I was feeling overwhelmed.

Chad smiled at me and said, "I feel bad. The other guys probably didn't get them. These are in support of us. We took a look at cards and how many times I whooped or Chad did over a different spray being from someone famous really was awesome. That was until Chad let out the scream he did that took my mind off the flowers. He had gone into the bedroom and I ran there.

Sitting in the middle of the room were two keyboards with built in microphones and recording equipment to attach it all to a laptop. Chad said, "Now we don't have to use her voice mail. I can record it right here and not have to worry about losing a note!"

We hugged each other and then he showed me the new costumes. On one sleeve, of our jerseys was embroidered, "The Cherries of Pop" Chad started doing a beat box of Pop Pop Cherry Pop, I started to sing and he ran over to the keyboard and started adjusting it to a mechanical sort of sound that was like a popping noise. He smiled and did it again POP, POP, then did a shuffling sound beat box that sounded like a snare drum roll and a breathless CHERRY POP! I began to sing and said, I take one look at you and my cherry pops. My heart goes aflutter and it stops. You make the night turn to day and the world just drops. You You Make my cherry pop!

We continued and then he went into a speed synth mix which was awesome. It was like the keyboard was made for him. He was lost in a zone of playing and throwing in all sorts of FX that was just blowing me away. Then he did something which totally amazed me, he started mixing in songs by the Pet Shop Boys and electronica groups. Then, he hit an effect that sounded like a helicopter and said through a voice in the system, "Elton has entered the building!"

I looked at him and said, "What the hell!"

He said, "I think it's Elton they're going to have us sit with..I can just feel it."

"That will be cool, but let's not think about it until the time comes, but I want you to play what you did tonight. That was awesome."

I sat down on the bed and said, "Chad, this is getting to be unreal. Let me re-gather."

He said, "Things are taking off. I think we just got welcomed to super stardom this afternoon. When RJ said what he said, I just felt it. Are you ready for that sort of fame?"

"I always thought it'd be cool, but who would have thought it could be real or even be able to happen? We've got interviews and we've got chances to go places and I want the group to do good, but I want us to do excellent too. Do you think we can hold it all together? Or, do you think we'll be pulled apart?"

"I think we're going to hold it together if the guys can keep their heads on their shoulders. It's times like this I know you're staying grounded. For me, it's surreal. I took a look at the house in the contract and immediately thought of my mama having a house where gunshots weren't overpowering the television and a police helicopter wasn't hovering above. I knew it's a step up for her and that's my main goal in all this. For me to have a better life, after that, it doesn't matter because I know I've already gotten my dream. She'll be better off."

"Well, you can have my house because I'm not really interested in that. We can live together, but I'm not real wild about having a house that doesn't have you in it. Besides, I'm fifteen years old, who wants a house at my age! Sheesh, I joined a band so I'd not have to clean house on Saturday morning! Now, I've got my own to clean!"

"Well, I think our talk last night gave Jill the impression we want security instead of things. I think she figures if she can get the things written into the contracts, we get both."

"I've got to thank her in so many ways. Let's take her out to dinner on our tab sometime, O.k?"

"Well, her boyfriend's going to be in town, so we'll have to invite him too."

"That will be o.k., I know we'll like him."

"Let's get ready and let's download that song I played so we can program it into the keyboard down at the concert hall."

He downloaded and I dressed. When we were done, we called the other guys and said, "Why didn't you tell us!"

All I heard was a clunk and the sounds of footsteps running. Soon, they entered our suite's door and everyone was in awe.

Bandy said, "Man, we saw them carrying all those flowers and we were seeing them take them into your suite and then Jill told me what was happening and I was like, "Man, that's so cool!""

"Did you all get any?"

"We got some, but nothing like this dude!"

"Well, consider these to the whole group and don't worry about why they were sent, just think they're to us as a group."

That was when I realized the whole group had their jerseys on and saw the under sleeves were different colors. Niles put on his hat and said, "Watch this guys!"

He stepped back and ripped away his jacket and then his pants down to shorts which matched his outfit.

I said, "How come I didn't get some like that!"

"Well, I think they probably will, but they decided to try different things to see what we liked and don't like."

Chad said, "Guys, did you see this one?"

He held out the one and said, "That's a performance which will be one we're no going to turn down. I don't care what charity it is, or what we have to do, I'll emcee the thing for that matter. All I want is a chance to see that sort of crowd. I've seen LiveAid and FarmAid and those different huge concerts and have always thought to myself, "Man, if I can ever perform in front of a crowd that big, I'll know I've made it as a star."

I went over and hugged him and said, "Can you imagine doing it with some of these stars here who have sent us the flowers? That billing would be one of the best concerts on the planet." We showed the guys the list of stars and they were amazed. Then, Chad went over and said, "Guys, here's another one you need to see...I don't know how we're going to swing it, but I want him to perform with us. I don't even think their group is a part of our company."

"Well, RJ said whatever we wanted, he'd make happen, so let's start asking."

"You got to speak with RJ!"

"Yeah, he's in Jill's suite, didn't you all go there?"

"No! We stayed in our suite. We did call over there and she told us not to tell you and to let it be a surprise. Man, I wish I'd went over there!" Wend said,

Chad calmed down and said, "Here's what he said. He said tonight, we're going to be able to perform everything we want to perform and it's going to be videoed and recorded. Then, they can hurry to release it and he said it was a full house tonight and we're going to be mega stars!"

Wend said, "Man, I'd just like to see him!"

"Well, he'll be there tonight and here after the show. Let's go to Jill's suite and meet him now."

We all ran down to her suite and entered. I think Wend was in the same mode Chad was in earlier. He was in total awe of RJ. I made it a point to take a look at RJ's career on Wikipedia and see what I'd missed about the guy. If Chad and Wend were this much in awe of him, then something had to be cool about him.

I went over to Pru's computer and opened Wikipedia. I did a search and did a quick read. What I read was something amazing. It said he was one of the first rappers to hit fifty million albums sold and it gave accounts of his notoriety as an artist. It seemed he lived to piss people off and shoot down other people on awards shows by calling them out about what they hadn't done for their fellow people. It also said he was an artist that gave back to his community in ways which weren't well known but his tax forms stated he'd donated a full half of what he'd made to various foundations and charities."

While I was reading, RJ came over and said, "What do you think?"

"Well, is it true?"

"Yeah, I decided I can live on twenty million and the rest isn't anything but icing on the cake. So, why not do something to help the less fortunate?"

"Why not help your family?"

"I have, those figures they show are just from album sales. The concert income, and all the other moneys have helped some of the members of my family that have stuck with me. Other members of my family don't get shit and won't get shit."

"What caused the division in your family?"

"Ooh man, you go for the jugular. But, you asked and I'll tell you. I'm just like you guys."

"You're gay!"

"Yeah, some of the members of my family told me to hit the bricks and don't look back. When I did and looked back, I saw them for what they were. It was like Moses seeing the parted sea. On was side was the people that said they loved me and proved it and on the other side was a bunch of people who was family, but didn't want to know me. The best way to be if that happens is to turn and look at the ones that are with you and put the others behind you so you don't even know they exist anymore. That gets the ones who are with you in your sights and to helping them. The hardest part of giving, Jordy, is knowing those you help give to those you don't want to help. It's hard because you can't put limitations on the money, if you do, then it turns into a bribe. Just know you're doing it out of love and let it go."

"Wow, it sounds like you've got a really good view of what's real and what isn't."

"I've ended up on the ER tables too many times to take it for granted. When you wake up and find out they've written you off for dead, then you've got to ask yourself why you were put here. If that doesn't draw you into God, I don't know what will. That's why I'll tell you now to give to others and to help others. I'll also tell you to never let it be known publicly who all you help. Ten or twenty dollars to some people might be what they need to change their futures. In other cases, it might be a help up when they're down. The Bible doesn't tell us to go out and promote what good deeds we've done, it tells us to do good deeds. You didn't see the good samaritan getting a ticker tape parade, he went on with life."

"Can I get your number so we can stay in touch? I'd like to make sure I stay grounded and not get into all the stardom. I'd rather use it to help others."

"Then, I'll tell you now, you'll be richer for it."

"I don't want it. I just want to ride this thing out and when it ends, be able to get off it and say I did the best I could. If I can't do that, then I shouldn't be in it."

"You've got whatever you want."

"I'll tell you now we're going to ask for some things which are going to be hard to pull off. We're already thinking about a Mega Concert."

"Tell me who all you want and I'll get it arranged. I'll even pull out of retirement and perform if you want."

"It's going to support Gay Teen Centers and help lines."

"Then, I know I'll be there. We'll arrange a huge media build up and I'll tell you now, you don't hear of little acts doing those sorts of things. Only the huge ones even attempt it. The ones that do, solidify themselves in history books because they did it for the right reasons. Maybe it's time the mainstream media takes a looks at the plights of gay teens and sees how hard it is for them to respect themselves and to remain upright."

"What I want to do is make sure there are safe houses to run to. I'm not even sure if my own parents will accept me. So, I might need a safety net. It'd be nice if I could help others out there who don't have it. I don't care if it's a house in each town, of someone donating a room. What matters is if they know there's a place that's not a hundred or more miles away. That's why there's so many suicides. Those kids are out there clinging to a rope and their afraid to let go because the flight is too far."

"You think that's the reason. Yeah, that and fear of rejection. Heck, I'm afraid more of what my parent's are going to think than I am of being a super star. You tell me that's not stress!"

"When that time comes, how about we let the company handle it for you. I'm sure your parents are already aware. We did hit the major news channels with what happened today."

"Is that motherfucker being brought down over it?"

"He doesn't think he's in the wrong."

"Let's see...how would you feel as a black man if you went into an interview and someone refused to shake hands with you and called you a nigger?"

"I'd have his career, but I'm not saying that's not what is going to happen with that man. I'm saying we're bringing the power of the press to it and we're laying it out there. Jill over there called me and as soon as I got that call, I picked up the phone and started all out nuclear war with not only the man, but his whole broadcasting company. I told them to never play another one of our records on their play lists. That should have told you how I feel. I'll tell you now, they'll buckle and when they do, the man will do good to apologize or never work in anything but talk radio again because if a song gets played wherever he goes, I'll do the same thing again until he apologizes and takes some training to keep his mouth shut."

"Then, it will help."

"You boys are going to have an interview with someone I personally despise and I'm going to be there. I want the woman to ask one stupid question of you just so I can bring her down too."

"Why don't you save the middleman and just do it?"

"I need cause and at the same time, I want you all to receive the publicity. It's going to hurt, but that's going to be the price of getting there, I'm afraid."

"O.k., as long as we know going in. What happens if she's slicker than what you imagine?"

"Then, you'll still get super publicity because it's going to air right before the Super Bowl. That's a part of the contract."

"Wow."

"Yeah wow! You're going to play there in half time. So, I want you to get the publicity."

"Where does this go? And where will it end?"

"Who knows?"

"Well, let us just take one day at a time and help us to stay grounded."

"You've got that. I'll tell you now you're welcome to call any time day or night. Also, I'd like for you to meet my partner and be a part of our inner friend list."

"O.k., Chad has to be invited."

"He is, I think he's still in awe over me being who I was.."

"Him and Wend, how'd the other guys handle you?"

"I don't think they know me as anyone other than the President of the company."

"Did you think when this started you'd be running a company?"

"Oh hell no, I did it to get a boyfriend and that boy ended up dead."

"I'm sorry."

"No, he's in a better place. He refused to believe he was better than what we could be. He chose one road and I chose another. I look at it as I was destined to be here. If I'd chosen that road, I'd be there with him."

"That's cool. Well, I've got to get ready for this performance, the president of the company is going to be there and I've got to go get nervous."

He laughed and said, "You have a way of being funny that makes me think you live to be sarcastic."

"No, it's not that. It's not that at all. I see you as a human being and someone who has blood flowing through his veins. They see you for what others see in us and that's rather funny. I guess I'm going to be that way when I meet famous people I know, but maybe it's good I met you first. Then, I can be real with them instead of all gaga."

"You just be yourself. I like that person."

"I like you too. I'll see you later?"

"Oh hell yeah, we're going to sit down and lay things out."

"O.k., order up pizza for the guys, they devour a ton of it and you might want to see about getting us some workout equipment because the way they eat, it's going to hit their hips."

He laughed and said, "Jill's already got another semi on the road with you and it's outfitted as a weight room. We got lucky and a movie star who had it decided to officially get old."

"Oh, well, as long as the equipment's good."

"Yeah, it's awesome. You got another moment?"

"Sure!" I smiled, "The president of the company has asked me if I've got a moment...like I'd refuse."

"There you go again."

"No, you forget I can still get nervous on you."

"Like that's going to happen."

"Well, I can try."

"I doubt if it would work."

"O.k., what do you need to talk about?"

"The guys are going to perform their own music tonight. Would you ask them to give a little girl a solute!"

"Oh shit! One second, CHAD! We forgot to get some backstage passes for an old woman we met on the bus today."

Chad came over and hugged me, "What babe?"

"Did you forget about the backstage passes?"

"Oh man! You told me I'd forget. Here's the paper."

"I nearly forgot until RJ asked us to give a solute to someone, now as you were saying RJ?"

"There's a little girl who's going to be there tonight that's a local Make-A-Wish girl. I'd like if you would do something special for her when you sing your love song."

"Well, the one Chad wrote for me, we were going to do differently, but how about the second one. Could we get her up on stage with us?"

"Her family doesn't want that. They think it would be too much for her. They just asked us to treat her like you would someone else."

"That's not likely to happen. How much longer is she supposed to have?"

"She's already made it longer than they thought would happen."

"Well, I promise you whatever I do will be special to her. Her family should know it's her night. What merchandise do we have available?"

"We have the usual stuff, but we don't have any of those jerseys."

"Chad, you're giving her yours. I'll sing and keep the audience's attention and you run down and give it to her and a huge kiss and then when you go back on stage, they'll see you with your shirt off. They'll go apeshit and won't know the real reason."

"You got it babe. You want to give her anything too?"

"Yeah, my hat. Then she'll have something from both of us."

Chad was behind me resting his head into my shoulder hugging me from behind. He looked up at RJ, "Can we start our own version of an organization like that?"

"I don't know. I'll look into it, but maybe you'd be better doing something different like St. Jude's."

I said, "How about Cardinal Glennon? Then we can have special red on red jerseys just for them. Maybe we'll call it, "Under the Cardinal's wing" or something like that."

RJ said, "That's a great idea. It'll show a comforting cardinal as the logo with a little one under her wing."

"Well, rather than buying me a house, could we buy a jet and paint it red and give rides to the families to hospitals?"

"Sure, if that's what you want."

"That'd make me happier than a house."

"O.k., you still want the Hummer?"

"You gave us a Hummer too!"

"Well, the company has."

"Can I trade it in for an Smart car?"

"O.k., but you can afford the gas."

"No, it's not that. A Hummer depreciates so fast and an Smart car will fit on a bus or on a plane and can go with us."

"Which color you want?"

"Well, here's one of those requests I'll make that are going to be tough. They sell roadsters in Europe. I'd like to have one of those. Chad, what's your favorite color?"

"It used to be black until I had to wear all this leather, now, I could care less what color as long as it's not black."

"Could you paint it that one paint which changes all the colors?"

"I'll get it ordered right away."

"RJ, with the money you save, give it to that little girl's family. They'll need it for hospital bills."

"O.k." He smiled and I knew something was behind that grin, but didn't know what. All I knew was I felt a ton better.

I turned around and said, "RJ, excuse us but I've got to go get a few kisses in with this guy."

He laughed and Chad and I walked hand in hand over to Jill and told her we'd be in our suite until it was time to leave.

"Well, you've got about twenty minutes, so be ready."

"We are, we just want to go and have some private time with each other."

"O.k."

We went back to the suite and I said to Chad, "Let's call the concierge and see if they can get these flowers over to the concert hall. I think it'd be better for them to be seen by all of the fans than by just us."

"O.k., but that might start a thing of other fans expecting to have flowers at future concerts."

"No, it will happen if we have flowers sent before those, but this is like a funeral home in here."

He called the concierge and gave the request over the phone. After that, we came together and kissed gently. I looked into his eyes and said, "I've want to do that for so long, but we've not had the time."

"What were you and RJ talking about? Jill said to leave you two alone."

"I was getting to know him and know what he's about. He's a decent guy and apparently I said the right things because we're now a part of his inner sanctum."

"How'd you pull that off? Do you know who's in that inner circle?"

"No, but I know we're there and that's what matters. Who's in that circle?"

"I'd tell you, but let's just wait and have you find out when we're invited to something."

"You know what's interesting?"

"What babe?"

"I was thinking him foolish for giving away that much money, but just a few minutes ago, I gave away a lot of money and didn't feel foolish at all."

"Yeah, and if you forgot, you gave me that house."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"No, I would've told you to go ahead and do it, but your heart was in the right spot. Also, I like what you did with the electric car. How about if we make my Hummer a couple's version for us."

"O.k., what do you mean couple's version?"

"Well, they're having it customized and it's going to have my name inset into the seats and all over it."

"Well, I wouldn't have like that for mine. I think that sort of thing is rather tacky."

"SO, you don't want your and my name together?"

"Would you mind if we have like a symbol or something?"

"That'd be cool, what do you want?"

"Oh, I don't know. Something like a Fleur-de-lis or something. My mental picture is gold with a white background, but that to me screams mother Theresa. But something like that."

"O.k., how about if we look at all the variations of them when we have a chance."

"O.k., are you ready?"

"Yeah, but why did you offer my shirt and not yours."

"Have you seen me without my shirt?"

"Yeah, and I think you're hot."

"Well, I think you're hotter. That's why I wanted you to give up yours. My hat would be great because it'd have my name on it. Together, it'd be us still as a couple to her."

"That's awesome, but didn't you take a look at our jerseys?"

"Yeah, why?"

"They got our names on the collars. Like we're going to be too stupid to tell which is ours."

"No, that's so the laundry people can tell which is which."

"Oh, I didn't think of that."

"I'll remember that come laundry day. You've been probably wearing someone's clothes and didn't know it." I made a mental note to get the other guys to play a joke on him and mix up his clothes with theirs.

The phone rang and I answered it.

"We're on our way down now, get a move on." came Jill's voice.

"We're moving. The bus out front?"

"No, it's limos tonight."

"Cool"

Notes From Retta:

Hi All, First of all, to all of you who wrote, I'd like to say thank you. It's been a pleasure to read your letters and respond back with you. To those of you who didn't write, I apologize for sounding petulant. It's just that when I write a story, I usually get emails and it gives me a boost to sit at the keyboard and work for the hours it takes to get a story down.

One word of how it is to be a writer. We don't get paid for this. It's a labor of love. Me, I'm one that's learning how to write using this medium to build my creativity. Hopefully, some day, I'll be good enough to publish, but until then, I'm really having a great time. It's been a blast to bring all the characters to life and give them personalities.

For all of you out there who have thought you probably could write a story, you probably can. I've read stories for six years steadily and the whole time, I've sent letters either praising the author's work, or, I've been telling them it sucked and why. I'll tell you now, the worst mistake doing that was in writing to Drew about "Bundle of Nerves" and telling him I thought it was crap because I didn't understand the ending. He politely jumped my butt and then told me to go re-read the first chapter. I did and he got a real fast apology. The thing about that is we're now friends and I praise his work highly. If you haven't read his works, please do.

Another author who is super great is Tim Mead. A real sweet guy who is more of a friend than an author. He'll give you advice which is super great and make you a better author while he's at it. Love him...Love him...Love him...

An author who doesn't get much acclaim is Lugnutz over on DeweyWriter. If you've not read his work, then please do. His story is running now and I've read it and loved every moment. He's a real sweetheart too.

Graeme is an author who is also on several sites. His work is one that you'll start reading and the hours will fly by with utter enjoyment. Whenever he posts something new, I'm one that will drop what I'm doing to read it. It's that good.

Lastly, Hylas. This kid is an author's author. If you've not read his work, then please do. When you do, I guarantee you'll find yourself thinking about the characters for weeks afterward and thinking to yourself how much he's said in such few words. I wish I had his talent to write brief concise sentences and paragraph as he does which use words to the ability he does. Impactive is one word which describes him. A lovely soul too. Do a search in your search engine for him. He's worth the effort.

From My Keyboard To Your Heart,

Retta

RettaMichaels@Gmail.com

Copyright Notice - Copyright © December 2007 by RettaMichaels

The author, RettaMichaels copyrights this story and retain all rights. This work may not be changed or duplicated in any form, media, ( known or unknown) without the author's expressed permission. All applicable copyright laws apply.

Disclaimer: All individuals depicted are fictional, and any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental

-- From My Keyboard To Your Heart Rhett

Here is a list of stories I've written and where to find them:

With Love - Nifty - Beginnings Section Rural Love - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com Write Me A Love Story - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com To Love Him - Author Heading - DeweyWriter.com Military Zone - Nifty - Military Section Evan - Nifty - Beginnings Section Jordan - DeweyWriter.com If I Could Give It All Back - DeweyWriter.com