Paranoia

First of all i counted 5 typos on the last Chapter and i would like to blame them on the ungodly hour the Chapter was written in. I know its starting out slow but i want to focus on Andrew first before focusing on a relationship. Anyway He should meet Kevin in Chapter 3, we'll see.

All comment is appreciated and can be sent to gridlinked@gmail.com

Mike

Chapter 2

He stood still for a few seconds not knowing what to say, its not like he was the starstruck type, but still, having a Backstreet Boy be the face for his line when he was still a nobody was a big deal.

"Andrew, Andrew you there?" he heard Bruce on the phone, he quickly or as quickly as he could, found his voice and made it out of the stupor.

"Yeah, I'm here you just surprised me a little, actually a lot" he said wile looking at his nephews questioning look.

He could hear Bruce chuckling.

"Yeah i figured you would be surprised, but we heard they were going to be there at the time and i just asked if one of them wanted to be the face"

"And he just accepted?" He still found it hard to believe, the publicity would be huge, it was like skipping a lot of steps on the way to fame. With that and the Fair, starting the line should be easy.

"Well no, but when i told him half the profit of the first year was going to charity he just accepted."

Yes, that had been the agreement, when Bruce first contacted him he told him right away that he wanted part of the revenue to go to charity, a move very popular with Ally since she worked for the foundation the money was going to help.

"Well, that's great. So what now?"

"Well, now you hang up, take a shower and make sure you relax, you'll have plenty of time to work there. I'll talk to you again more closely to the date, February second don't forget."

"How could i? Thanks again Bruce i don't know what to say"

"Say nothing, just put on a good show, ill talk to you later, happy New Year Andrew."

"You too, oh and again thank your wife"

"He he, no problem, bye"

And he heard him hang up.

He was still holding the phone when Tommy forcefully took it from him and turned it off. He couldn't believe it, Kevin Richardson was going to be the Face of Paranoia. He felt like screaming of happiness but he was interrupted by a slap on his arm.

"Ouch, what?" he asked turning to his nephew

"Come on snap out of it and tell me the good news" You could tell he was impatient, he was so much like his father. Mathew was always the impatient one, and he stood true to his nature having a child so early, true he couldn't say much about that matter since he was himself a father at 23 but, his brother had been at 18.

'God, Buddhism has nothing on you'

"Andrew!"

Again he was rocketed out of his day dream.

"Sorry"

"Don't apologise, just tell me what he said" Tommy urged wile he took his uncle's hand and lead him to the couch.

"Well" he started siting down.

He explained the phone call, all of it, and Tommy could tell how happy his uncle was. It was palpable. He was happy, and after last night, Tommy was happy Andrew could smile like he was doing.

"And so a month from now I'll be meeting Kevin, or should i say Mr Richardson, in Paris."

"OK... and when are you telling him you hate pop music?" Tommy said holding his laughter for as long as he could.

"Laugh away smart guy, never!" It was true, he did hate pop music. The most he heard close to pop was when Rock artists go through that "i need money badly" phase.

"So Paris hum? That sounds good, are you sure you don't want me to come with you, you know with all the riots there nowadays you might need someone a little... hum... bigger." He tried to say all this with a straight face but found it impossible.

"Come on, i am not scrawny or little, i am built... somewhat"

"Yeah" his nephew started laughing openly now, "Don't get me wrong, your cute and everything with the blond hair and blue eyes look, but Andrew you are not built."

Andrew playfully slapped Tommy on the right arm.

"Cute, did i hear you calling me cute?"

"Oh god i did it, i am not going to hear the end of this am i?" Tommy was glad his uncle was on such a good mood. You could tell that even before yesterday he was always near sadness, it was good seeing him so happy.

"Cute, am i cute" Andrew pretended to feel embarrassed "you'll make me blush saying those things." It was like yesterday hadn't happen.

"I swear more and more you sound like Alicia"

"No you didn't, you did not just compared me to my ex wife" It was on now.

Quickly Tommy got up and run to the bathroom

"Gonna go take a shower"

One day to New Year's eve. He still had to pick up a few things for their dinner on Saturday. 'God, 2005 was quick' he thought. He walked all the way to his favourite fruit store and started loading up on vegetables, since Ben would eat anything and Tommy was going on a date for the New Years eve, he could have as much vegetables as he liked for dinner. He was busy picking up a lettuce and trying hard, OK not so hard, not too hear what the 2 elderly women were talking about next to him ( apparently a neighbour of one of them is a whore ), when his cell phone rang.

'Where were you yesterday when i needed you' was the only think he thought wile he reached into his coat pocket to get the phone.

"Hello, Andrew Archer between religions at the moment, how may i help you" he said on a playful mood wile he put the lettuce on a bag with his free hand.

"Between religions hum, what are the choices?"

"Well, Christianity and Buddhism, may i sign you up for one sir?" he still had no idea who was calling, but since it was rare for someone to go along with his jokes, he just went with it.

"Hum yeah i think i have a membership card for the first one"

Andrew couldn't help laugh, in fact he did so so loud the two elderly women stopped talking about the whore, who apparently knows a congressman, and started paying attention to him.

"Nice, who am i discussing religion with?"

"More like making fun of... oh its Kevin by the way, Kevin Richardson."

He could feel his hand almost dropping the lettuce, 'Damn, i am not the starstruck type, what is wrong with me'.

"Hum hi... er... how are you?" he managed to ask, wile he griped the bag tighter with his other hand.

"Good thank you, i just felt like i should call you just to say hey, after all we are going to work together so i figured i would start the year at least knowing how you sounded like."

"Well, i could always release a CD and have my posters on every wall by noon tomorrow if that will help with the visual" It was out of his mouth before he could help himself, he knew it was said in a joking way but he knew he still didn't have confidence with this guy for these types of jokes, fortunately Kevin laughed.

"Well if you can manage you should do that."

"Its OK i like to keep people guessing, so you'll be in Paris in a month then?" By this time Andrew was by the cashier with two old women trying to look like they weren't following him.

"Yes, i actually called to see where we should meet"

"Well" started Andrew feeling brave "we could meet at my hotel if you want. Its almost on the Arc de Triomphe so we could go to one of the cafes on Champs Elysées for a drink or coffee and talk then"

"Sounds good, what's the Hotel's name?"

"Its a small hotel on Rue de Tilsitt, i always stay there, its cozy, its called Citea Tilsitt."

"OK got it, ill, meet you there on the second of February at 6, OK with you?"

"Great" he said a little to enthusiastically, "its fine"

"Hum, OK then, I'll see you there, i have to go now, Brian doesn't stop bugging me about something"

"OK" Andrew said chuckling, "I'll see you Kevin bye" And he hung up.

He paid for his groceries and started the walk back to his apartment building. He was still thinking about the call, and about the voice behind the call, so deep and sweet at the same time it had sounded, but mostly, he was thinking about the second of February and what he would wear. 'I am not starstruck'

'Yeah keep telling yourself that'

"So everything ready for your date tonight?"

It was New Years eve and Tommy couldn't stop pacing the living room. It was cute the way the big hunky teen was nervous about what would be his first date with someone other than on 4th grade.

"Yeah, i... hum... am just kinda nervous, a little."

Andrew started laughing a little at his nephews response.

"A little? You haven't stopped pacing since 3 o'clock. Come on its just a date"

Tommy looked at him like he had told him the Pope was a Nazi.

"OK OK so its a big deal, but relax, you are a great guy and you are very handsome, she is the one that should be nervous."

"Yeah, well... wait, you used to date women right?"

"How perceptive of you" Andrew said rolling his eyes.

"OK, well do you think she is more nervous than me?" Tommy asked hopefully.

'Do i lie?'

"Hum, no! I am sorry to say this but, they usually have all the cards, sorry"

His nephew grunted and finally sit down with his head bent low.

"Come on lighten up, Ben will be here any minute and i don't want him to see his cousin all nervous."

Tommy actually relaxed when he heard about Ben coming. He really did love the little guy.

"So you two will stay here alone all night?" Tommy asked changing the subject.

"Yeah you know, we'll see some TV and play some games, you know i always have a good time with Ben."

"Yeah i know" Tommy said smiling, he knew it too, his uncle was a complete different person when his son was with him. He was much more jovial about things and always smiling at everything.

"You aren't thinking of bringing back the girl, whats her name again? Back here after the ball drops right?"

Tommy slapped his uncle playfully on the side of the head

"No! Its the first date, besides i wouldn't want to emphasize your dry spell"

Smack! Tommy never saw it coming.

"Hey not so hard" The nephew said wile holding his right arm and laughing,"i was joking, what dry spell?"

"Yeah yeah, anyway i should..." Andrew was interrupted buy the doorbell.

He got up and right away he was excited about seeing his son, with one swift motion he opened the door and gasped.

'OH my God'

She was beautiful.

"You like?" Alicia asked wile giving Ben to her ex-husband. She was wearing a very sexy night sky blue dress with a low neckline, and like always she looked amazing. Her long dark hair free over her back and with a small necklace.

Andrew was still finding hard to say anything, but he was saved by Tommy.

"Mrs Archer you look hot"

Alicia blushed.

"Tommy!" Andrew scolded the young teen, wile he hugged his son. Ben started giggling, he knew someone had done something bad when his father used the "you did something bad" tone, it always made him giggle.

'Ah that sound, god i love you'

"So what do you think Andrew, your the expert."

They were still at the doorway. "You look amazing honey" he finally said wile motioning for her to get in and closing the door after she did. "You know you always do" He bent down and put Ben on the floor and immediately he started for Tommy who picked him up and took him to the Living room.

"So are you sure you will be alright?" She asked.

"Yes I'll be fine, i have my son, I'll be great" He assured her.

"OK well, I'll be going, when is Tommy leaving for his date?"

"Oh in another half hour or so, he wanted to see Ben before he had to leave. He is so nervous about the date, its so cute" Andrew said smiling.

"So everything is OK between you two then?"

Andrews smile immediately turned to a frown, but he composed himself fast, it was something to be discussed another time, besides, he told himself, everything was fine now, so no point in bringing that stuff up anyway.

"What is it Andrew?"

"Nothing, really I'll tell you someday, just trust me, Tommy is OK with me now, and he actually touches me."

"OH progress!" she said smiling, "OK then, if you are OK I'll be going."

"I am fine you go and have fun, oh and try not to settle for the first one that buys you a drink."

"Bitch" she smiled and left closing the door behind her.

Andrew went back to the living room to find Thomas busy playing with Ben and his plush toys, apparently Mickey had a thing for Mogu by the way Ben was smashing them together.

"I'll bet Mogu feels violated" Andrew said as he joined the two.

His nephew looked up and smiled, "Well Mickey is rich"

They laughed.

It was 10 minutes to New Years and he already had talked to most of his college friends who had called. Tommy had long went to his date and Ben was now sleeping on top of him smiling.

'Probably thinking about Tommy, those two get along great'

He slowly took Ben in his arms and kissed him on top of his head. He got up from the couch holding him and as he passed the TV he turned off Dick Clark. He went to his bedroom ad put his son on his little bed. He bent low one more time and kissed him. After taking of his clothes down to his boxers he went to his bathroom and washed up. After that he returned to his bedroom took one last look at Ben and laid down on his own bed facing his alarm clock.

Midnight

'Happy New year'

Well it wasn't bad.

He woke up to some faint noise, his first reaction was to look over his shoulder at Ben sleeping on his bed. He was peaceful. He looked at the alarm clock: 3 am. He rubbed his eyes and focused on the sounds, it sounded like someone crying. Tommy! Quickly he got up and went to the hallway and he could hear the sobs clearly now. He pushed his nephews door open and got inside his room. He could see Tommy on the bed crying. Quietly he sit down next to the youth and closed his arms around him. He expected Tommy to jerk free and was surprised when he turned and hugged him for dear life. Andrew just held his nephew and gently massaged his back.

"Shh, everything is going to be OK, shh, i am here"

Tommy took awhile but he calmed down. Gently Andrew pushed him back so they were eye to eye.

"Want to talk about it?" he tried.

Tommy just nodded with his head and hugged his uncle again sobbing quietly.

"It was awful Andy" he started saying between sobs, the pet name got to Andrew, "I mean i just thought it would be normal, but when i couldn't be as affectionate as she wanted she just dumped me on the middle of the dance floor and went with some other guy."

'Damn women'

"Its OK, its OK, she didn't deserve you, everything is going to be fine, OK? How about you sleep and we will go have fun tomorrow with Ben?" He knew Ben could cheer him up.

"OK" Tommy said weakly.

"OK then, just change to your sleepwear and sleep" He started to get up.

"No!" Tommy said quickly clinging to his uncle preventing him from leaving "please don't leave me alone"

'Sorry God definitely Buddhism'

"OK Tommy, you can sleep with me because i have to be in the same room as Ben OK? Lets go"

They got up and together they walked to Andrew's bedroom. After striping to his boxers Tommy made it under the covers and was soon being spooned by Andrew.

"I love you Andy."

"I love you too sweetheart, now sleep."

He awoke this time to a phone ringing, his cell phone. Slowly he withdrew his arm from under his nephew and got out of bed. He looked at his son who was still sleeping and then at his bedside watch: 9 am. He picked up his coat and took his ringing cell phone from one of the pockets.

"Hello Happy Crappy New Year from a Buddhist"

"Hey, so Buddhism won out hum?"

He had to learn to program the phones of people he knew on his cellphone.

"Hey Kevin, whats up?" He said wile he started for the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror.

"Just called to wish a Happy New Year, i forgot the other day."

"That's nice of you thanks, you do realize its 9 am right?" He said trying not to blush at Kevin's thoughtfulness, no such luck 'Damn it'.

"Yeah" he chuckled "don't tell me i woke you up, its 9 am already"

"When you put that way" Andrew said laughing. He returned to his bedroom to see Tommy still sleeping on the fetal position, then he remembered something he said."hum Kevin, would you mind if my nephew was with us in Paris? He just went through something and he never saw anything out of the country so i thought that this could be nice."

"Sure" said Kevin jovially "the more the merrier, we can even meet up with the rest of the group at some point"

"That sounds like fun" Andrew remembered again his distaste for pop music and laughed a bit.

"What?" asked Kevin.

"Nothing" Andrew said laughing even more.

"Now that's not fair, come on what?"

Andrew was amused by the child like quality he heard on Kevin's voice, 'no sense in waisting that', "Kevin aren't you a bit too old to be pouting?"

He heard Kevin laughing heavily "OK OK, so I'll meet you guys there at 6 right?"

"pm, right."

"Yes yes pm smart guy"

"OK bye Kevin happy New Year"

"Happy New Year Andy"

Silence, he could still hear Kevin on the phone breathing, but the awkward moment was placed. 'Andy what the fuck?' he thought. Kevin interrupted his thoughts.

"Sorry about that Andrew" He said nervously.

"Hey" Andrew tried a nonchalant approach "no biggie, I'll see you February second, stay well."

"Yeah bye" and Kevin quickly hung up.

He stopped thinking about Kevin after the phone call, he went to the bathroom to take a shower and shave. After getting dressed he went to the kitchen to try and fix breakfast for everyone. He was interrupted though, buy his cell phone once more. First he thought it might be Kevin to add up to the awkwardness, but as soon as he saw and recognised the number he pressed the talk button.

"Hey honey, how was it? Are you on top of him right now?"

"I see someone is in a joking mood this year" Alicia responded "No i am not, i am in front of your apartment door though, didn't want to wake Ben if he is still asleep, do you mind letting me in?"

He quickly run to the door and opened it, standing there in a pair of jeans and a long coat was the ex wife.

"I see you changed clothes" he said to her wile she started for the kitchen to put the two cups of coffee she had brought with her on the table "someone behaved last night, either that or someone actually has the decency to appear less easy."

"I'm sorry do you not want your coffee?"

"What? Have i told you you look amazing today, like always i might add, seriously though, thanks for the coffee."

They sat down by the kitchen table. He knew she was looking at him for signs of depression and he was determined to not give her any, he didn't want her to know about last night or the conversation with Kevin. It would just drag her inquisitive spirit out and he wanted to start the year without it.

"So why are you the only one awake? Did you tire Ben last night? How did Tommy's date go?"

'So... Buddha, lets talk, you are new in my life so here are some tips, this type of actions from her i can do without, with that in mind please prevent my mother from calling'

"Well we had a lot of fun last night, Ben and I, and as far as Tommy's date goes, i have no idea." He cringed. He hated doing this to her, lying, but he couldn't help it, he wasn't about to share a detail of Thomas's life he didn't know he wanted people knowing.

"Well we just have to ask him when he wakes up, can i go see Ben?"

"Hum.. what? No! Wait..." he was stalling for time, she would have plenty of questions if she found Tommy sleeping on his bed, "I want to know first, how your party went"

"Oh, OK" She said siting back down, "well it was good, i met this guy Steve..."

She started telling all about the party but he tuned her out all he was thinking was how to get Tommy to wake up. He did catch something about Steve and he being nice...

'OK Buddha or Shiva or whatever, here is your chance, i want Tommy to wake up, if you do this i might reconsider the call from my mother'

"... and then he took me home" she finished.

"Hum... er... so... no sex?" he asked hoping to buy a little more time.

"No no sex, why are you nervous?" She was looking with curiosity at him.

"No reason i just..."

"Hey Mrs Archer" he heard Tommy say from behind him

'Thank you, i owe you'

"Hey Thomas, sleep well? How was the date?"

You could see Tommy's face turn sad instantly but he quickly covered it with a yawn "Well, it was alright." He threw a questioning look at his uncle who just looked back at him with a sad expression.

"Well we want to hear all about it don't we Andrew?"

Again Tommy looked at his uncle with a pleading look.

"Actually, Tommy can you go wake up Ben, its time for his breakfast and i wanted to get out a bit today."

"Yeah sure" he said quickly shutting the refrigerator's door that he had been holding on too and running to Andrew and Ben's room.

They were all siting in the living room, Ben was happy playing with Tommy, Mickey and of course Mogu. They had all talked about trivial things for awhile and just enjoyed each others company.

"I changed my mind!" Andrew suddenly said to no one in particular. Ben must have found something funny because he chose that moment to start a fit of giggles.

"About what?" Alicia asked wile she looked at her son playing with what would have been her nephew. Still was, she decided then.

"Well" Andrew started again smiling at the way his son looked so happy "I want you to go out, but without me, i decided to cook and i need a few things, how about a nice early diner just us?"

"Sounds good Andrew" Tommy finally said.

"OK so we could just go to Central Park for a bit with Ben and on the way over we could pick up the things you need." Alicia offered.

"Good, that settles it then." Again he spoke to no one, he was too lost in thought, thinking of a phone call.

They had left two hours ago and he was making sure the dining room was clean. He had given them quite a long list of items to buy, but with Tommy with them he wasn't worried. The dinning room was his favorite part of the 20th floor apartment. He was lucky to have found this apartment and more lucky to have it been a offer from his parents when Ben was born. The dinning room was his favorite because of the floor to ceiling windows, you could see all of Central Park from here, in the summer with the leaves with all the different colors, it was beautiful. He was distracted from the window by his home phone ringing in the living room. Finding it on one of the couches he picked it up and pressed the talk button.

"Hello"

"Happy New Year Jazz."

'OH God, Mom! You sure claim yours fast don't you Buddha?'

"Mom you know i don't like that nickname"

"Oh come on its New Year's day, amuse me a little, i am old"

"Yes ma, and no ma" he quickly said, because he knew what would happen if he didn't "you are not old, you look younger every year."

"Thank you Jazz, anyway i called to see how you were and if i could talk to my grandson."

"Well i am fine ma, and of course you can, just not now, he went with Ally and Tommy to Central Park."

"OH OK, I'll call back later then, but tell me did you hear anything yet from Paris?"

Yes Paris he forgot "Actually mom" he said getting excited "i did, i got my space ma, i got it"

"Oh sweetie, i knew you would, your father will be so proud"

'Right'

"Mom!"

"He will sweetie, he loves you, he just wants good things to happen to you, you know that."

"OK, can i talk to him ma?" he asked siting on the couch.

"Sure Jazz, sure, just a sec"

He could hear her screaming for her husband. "He will be right here baby"

He cringed at the notion of him being treated by "baby".

"OK ma" then there was a knock at the door, he got up holding the phone to his ear and went to the entry hall. He opened the door.

"Sorry man i forgot my key" said Tommy wile he entered the apartment holding what looked like 10 bags, followed by Alicia that had Ben in her arms giggling at the site of his father.

"Son, you there" Andrew heard on the phone.

"Yeah dad i am here, i was just opening the door for Alicia and Tommy, they just got here from the park.

"OK son, so your mother tells me that you got your space at the Fair, that's great son i knew you could do it."

'OK what games are you playing hum? This better not be a joke or i am telling you being an atheist will sound very appealing.' he thought wile closing the door and going into the kitchen where Alicia was putting some groceries in the fridge.

"You knew hum? Well good, i did get it, i am glad you are happy for me dad."

"I am son, have you talked to your brother?"

"No, i will in a few minutes though, i am just waiting for Thomas to call them" Thomas looked at Andrew when he heard his name. Andrew just waved at him.

"OK son, and what about your sister?"

"What about her dad? i don't even know where she is! Do you?"

"Last i heard she was with her boyfriend in Hawaii" His father said clearly disappointed.

"Well good for her, if she catches enough sun maybe she will get some sense into that head. Look dad i have a dinner to make can Ben call you guys back later?"

"Sure son sure, Happy New Year, oh and your mother sends her love"

"You too dad bye."

He hung up and started to look in some of the bags of groceries for the food.

"So the rents hum?" Tommy asked wile he held Ben close to him

"Yup, and speaking of "rents" its time to call yours" He went to Tommy and took Ben wile giving him the phone. Tommy just looked at him for a minute before dialing.

"Hey mom" Andrew heard Tommy say "Yeah yeah i am good, the date?" Tommy looked at his uncle wile he said it "it went good mom, it went good we had a lot of fun, yes i know mom... OK... OK... bye, hey dad, whats up? You to dad... yeah he is here... sure wait a sec, Andrew he wants to talk to you."

Andrew gave Ben to Alicia who was just looking at both of the men in the kitchen and looking thoughtful.

"Hey bro, how are you?" Andrew said into the phone as soon as it was passed to him.

"I am good Andrew, i am good, look i wanted to talk to you about something."

"Sure whats up?"

"Well its been 3 weeks since Tommy moved there and we haven't really talked to him much about how he is doing with the living situation" all Andrew heard was: Caution bad gay remark approaching, "and well, me and Linda were talking last night and i just wanted to make sure of something."

Andrew had been holding his breath, he quietly exhaled but it wasn't missed by Alicia. "What is that?" he asked calmly, though he could imagine.

"You aren't... well... er... flaunting your lifestyle that much around him are you?"

There it was, it stung, it hurt, but this time he didn't feel like crying. It was a New Year, and even though Bush hadn't been Impeached like he would have liked, he still thought that changes should be made. No he didn't feel like crying, instead he looked at his son in his mothers arms grinning up at him and smiled. He could hear his brother calling for him on the phone, Tommy and Ally could probably hear him too but he didn't care, he just pressed the end call button, bent down and kissed his son.

Well that is it for the second chapter, next one will be in Paris. I hope you liked it and i hope you are starting well the New Year.