“Hey, you’ve reached the offices of George Robinson. I’m not in right now, please leave a message and I’ll call you right back,” the answering machine said and there was a beep.
“Hi George, its Jessica. You told me to give you a call if I was ever in town and we just moved into a little place down here. Anyway, remember how you and mom always wanted me to be in the business? Well, I’ve been thinking and I would really like to talk. Please give me a call at 555-9453. Thanks a bunch bye.” Jessica finished and hung up the phone. She smiled to herself as Angie entered the room.
“Hey babes, who were you talking to?” Angie asked.
“Oh, umm… I just left a message4 on my mom’s old friend’s answering me,” Jessica sadi softly.
“Really? Why?”
“Well… umm… Ang I was wondering if you’d do something for me?”
“What?”
“Sing with me,” Jessica said looking at her.
“What?” Angie asked confused.
“I really want to go and try to see if I can make it in the music business. We sing really well together and I think it would be great if we could try and see what happens. I want to do it for… for my mom, and I don’t want to do it alone,” Jessica explained. “Please?” she pleaded.
Angie thought to herself for a minute and then smiled at her.
“Awww, what the hell! I’ve got nothing to loose,” she said and Jessica smiled brightly.
“Oh, thank you Ang!” she said as tears started to form in her eyes. “You don’t know how much this means to me.” They hugged each other as Jessica cried lightly. She still has a hard time excepting her mom’s death and this might have been good for her. She cried in her best friend’s arms for probably an hour when the phone rang. Angie reached over and picked it up.
“Hello… yeah hold on a second,” she said and handed the phone to Jessica.
“Hello” she said whipping away her tears.
“Hey Jess, its George,” she said.
“Well hey, how are you doing?”
“Pretty good, and yourself?”
“I’ve been doing ok.”
“So what’s up?”
“Well, you know how you and mom always wanted me to get into the business.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately and I’d really like to do it. Me and a friend of mine have been singing a lot together and I’d really like to give it a try.”
“Great!”
“So, can you help me out?” she asked hopeful.
“Of course,” he said happily. “I’d love to.”
“Thanks, this means a lot to me.”
“Why don’t you come over today and we’ll talk?”
“That would be great.”
He gave her directions to his house and she hung up.
“So…” Angie asked curiously.
“We’re going to his place in 2 hours, so go get ready.”
They both got up and ran to the shower. Jessica got there first and locked the door. Angie laughed and sat on the couch waiting for her turn. The phone rang and she reached over to grab it.
“Hello” she said.
“Hey Ang, its Nick.”
“Oh, hey” she said softly. She was still kind of embarrassed about what happened at the bowling alley.
“So what you up to today?” he asked.
“We’re going to see a friend of Jessica’s.”
“Really? Why?”
Angie explained the whole thing of singing together and trying to see how far they could take it.
“That’s really cool,” Nick said.
“Yeah, and it will be really good for Jessica. It will help her with her mom’s death.”
“Her mom was a great lady.”
“Yeah, she was. But she was never really around for Jessica, which made her feel abandoned. Poor baby has really had a hard time.”
“Well anyways,” Nick said trying to change the subject to a happier one. “I was wondering, what are you doing this Saturday night?”
“Umm… nothing, why?”
“I was thinking, would you like to go out to dinner and a movie?”
“Umm…” she said thinking to herself for a minute. “Sure.”
“Great” he said happily. “I’ll pick you up at 6:00.”
“Ok.”
“Well, I’ll call you later, bye.”
“Bye” she said and hung up the phone. Just then Jessica walked into the room.
“Who was that?” she asked brushing out her hair.
“Nick” Angie, said smiling.
“Ooh,” Jessica teased. “What did he want?”
“Umm… nothing really,” she said avoiding the subject.
“Oh no, you are about to tell me what he said.”
“He just… umm… kin of asked me to go with him to dinner and a movie, that’s all, nothing big.”
“How cute!”
“Yeah, well it’s nothing big. I’m going to go take a shower,” Angie said and walked towards the shower. Jessica rolled her eyes and started to get ready. An hour and a half later they were both ready and headed out.
Jessica was really excited to see George again. She had known him ever since she was a little girl when her mom and him started writing and producing together. Throughout the years he became like an uncle to Jessica, she even called him Uncle George. He loved it when Jessica would sing for him. Helen and him would always ask Jessica if she wanted to sing professionally. She would always say no cause she didn’t want to add to the business who was, at the time, starting to take her away. As she grew up, she didn’t see George as much. He moved to Orlando and started to write and produce more. Helen still worked with him a lot and would tell Jessica he said hi. Jessica had really missed her Uncle George and was excited to be spending some more time with him. Jessica drove up George’s driveway and stopped the car. She ran up to the door and knocked. After a small pause, the door opened and a big smile went across Jessica’s face.
“Hey Jess,” George said giving Jessica a hug.
“Hey George, how’s it going?” she asked.
“Pretty good,” he said smiling.
“You met Angie at the funeral right?” Jessica said pointing to her best friend.
“Yeah, hi.”
“Hi,” Angie said smiling.
“Well, come on in.” They all walked into the house and sat in the front room. Jessica and George caught up for a while, talking about old times.
“So, about me and Angie singing together, I really appreciate you helping us out,” Jessica said.
“Well, if you don’t mind, would you like to sing for me now? I have a recording studio in the basement,” he said.
”Sure,” Jessica and Angie said in unison. They got up ad he led them to his basement. Inside the basement was a small recording studio he built himself.
“Nice,” Jessica said looking around the room.
“Thanks,” George said. “You ladies stand over there and just sing something for me.” George went into the control booth and sat down. The girls stood under the microphone not the least bit nervous. It was like they were made for this.
“O.k. girls start whenever you’re ready,” George said. Jessica and Angie looked at each other and started to sing “Killing Me Softly.” By the time they were done, George’s mouth was touching the floor. He couldn’t believe his ears, their voices were so great.
“Wow girls, that was… wow,” he stuttered.
“Thanks,” they both said smiling.
“You guys really have a lot of talent, you could really go far.”
“You think?” Jessica asked a little unsure.
“Oh hell yeah!” George said excitedly and thought for a second. “In fact I’m so sure I’m gonna get you started. I’ll be your manager.”
“You sure?” Jessica asked smiling.
“Only if it’s o.k. with you.”
“What do you think Ang?” Jessica asked Angie.
“Why not,” she said happily.
“Great,” George said getting up. “Let’s go talk in the front room.” They all got up and headed out of the basement and into the hallway. Jessica stopped as she recognized a picture in the hallway.
“Hey, I remember that day,” she said pointing at the picture. George stopped in his tracks and looked back to see what she meant.
“Oh yeah,” he said looking at the framed picture on the wall. “That was what? 10-15 years ago?”
“My first trip to Disneyland,” she said softly.
“Yeah, all day you said to me ‘Uncle George, where’s Mickey?’ It was so cute.”
“That was a lot of fun,” she said as she remembered the day.
“Why don’t you call me Uncle George anymore?” he asked.
“I don’t know… I just thought you might of gotten tired of it.”
“Are you kidding me? I loved when you called me that!” he said smiling.
“O.k. Uncle George,” she said and gave him a hug. They broke apart and Jessica looked at the other pictures on the wall.
“Hey, we know them,” Jessica said pointing at the picture of George, her mom, and their new friends.
“You know the Backstreet Boys?” George asked.
“I guess that’s what they’re called,” she said and then yelled at Angie. “Ang, come here.” Angie got up from the couch and walked over to them.
“Do we know these guys from somewhere?” Jessica said pointing at the picture.
“I don’t think so,” Angie said sarcastically. They both giggled.
“How’d you girls meet them?” George asked.
“Angie literally ran into Nick at Disneyworld” Jessica said laughing. “He was there with AJ and Brian,” she continued.
“Then we met the other two guys a couple of days ago at the bowling alley,” Angie said and then looked at Jessica who was staring at the picture obviously in another zone. She was staring at AJ remembering the kiss they shared at the bowling alley
“Jess… Jess… hello, earth to Jessica!” George yelled and Jessica snapped out of her trance.
“Huh… what?.. Sorry,” she said a little embarrassed.
“What was all that about/” George asked.
“Nothing,” she said smiling.
“She was thinking about AJ!” Angie teased.
“And… what’s wrong with that?” Jessica said giggling.
“Hold up, rewind,” George interrupted. “What’s going on with you and AJ?”
“I’m kind of seeing him right now,” she admitted.
“She talks about him everyday. It’s really funny,” Angie laughed.
“Yeah… well… umm…” Jessica said as her cheeks turned pink and then tried to change the subject. “Who’s that?” she said pointing to another picture close by.
“Oh, that’s my boyfriend, Joe. Isn’t he hot?” George said smiling.
“Yeah. Would I approve of him?” Jessica asked.
“Your mom did,” he said softly.
“Well then I know I would,” Jessica said smiling and then looked down at the ground.
“Come on, let’s go talk about what we’re going to do about this singing thing,” George said and led them to the front room. They talked for a while, going over everything that needed to happen for them to start singing. Jessica and Angie where really excited and couldn’t wait to start. George was telling them about a charity concert in a month that they could do when Angie realized what time it was.
“Man, it’s midnight,” she stated.
“Really?” Jessica said looking at the clock. “We better get going.”
“Ok girls, let my walk you out,” George said and they all went outside. “Well, I’ll see you two on Monday. I can’t wait to introduce you to everyone.” George said.
“Thanks again Uncle George,” Jessica said giving him a big hug.
“No problem,” He said smiling. “I’ll see you girls later.”
“Bye” Angie and Jessica said in unison and got in the car. As they left, Jessica couldn’t help but smile.
“This is going to be great,” Jessica said happily.
“Yeah, I’m really excited,” Angie said smiling. “I am so happy George is going to help us out.”
“So am I.”
“He has worked with a lot of people, including the guys.”
“Yeah, that’s kind of funny.”
“What was the name? Back… Back…”
“Backstreet Boys,” Jessica said quickly. “My little cousin, Chrissy, talks about them all the time. I didn’t realize who they were until George said the name. Mom promised Chrissy before she died that she’d introduce her to them. I think I’m gonna invite Chrissy down here some time to meet the guys. She’d love it.”
There was a short silence as Angie thought of what to say.
“Hey I’m hungry. What sounds good?” she said changing the subject.
“Yo quiero Taco Bell!” Jessica said doing her best Taco Bell dog impression.
“I swear Jessica, you and that Taco Bell dog.”
“I love that dog,” she said and they both laughed.
About 20 minutes later they got home. Jessica went to the answering machine to see if they had any messages.
“We have 5 messages Ang,” Jessica yelled. Angie walked over to her as Jessica pushed the button to start the messages.
“Hey baby its AJ. Umm… just give me a call when you get in, bye,” AJ said on the answering machine. Jessica smiled and waited for the next message.
“Hey baby, it’s me again. Give me a call whenever you get in. Bye,” AJ said and Angie started to laugh.
“I think he want to talk to you,” she said sarcastically. Jessica rolled her eyes and waited for the next message.
“Hey baby, guess who? I guess you’re still not in. Give me a call later. Bye,” AJ said and Angie started rolling on the floor laughing. Jessica, however, didn’t think it was funny, she thought it was cute. The next message played, and for once it wasn’t AJ.
“Hey Angie, its Nick. Just wanted to see how things went today. Give me a call later or I’ll see you Saturday night. Bye,” Nick said and Angie stopped laughing and a smile went across her face. Finally the last message started.
“Hey baby it’s me again,” AJ said and was interrupted by a loud voice in the background.
“Damn AJ, How many times have you called her today? She’s not home, she’ll call you back later.” There was laughter in the background.
“Shut up rok!” AJ yelled at Brian only to bring on more laughter. Angie started laughing again and Jessica joined in with her. “Well I guess I’ll talk to you later, and If I don’t talk to you tonight, sweet dreams baby. Bye,” AJ said and hung up. Jessica smiled widely as she sat on the couch.
“How sweet!” Angie giggled.
“Yeah” Jessica said in a daze.
“He really seems to like you.”
“I like him too.”
“That’s obvious,” Angie teased and Jessica smiled at her.
“It was just so weird. When we kissed something just clicked. I’ve never felt like this for a guy before. It’s so incredible.”
“So I’m guessing this isn’t going to be your usual guy. No wham, bam, thank you mam?”
“Hell no! I’m gonna take this one slow and see what happens.”
“How cute,” Angie said smiling.
They talked for an hour longer before deciding to go to bed. Jessica fell asleep thinking of AJ and his kisses. She was having a sweet dream about them two on the beach, when the phone ringing woke her up. She looked at the clock that read 10:30 and reached over to pick up the phone.
“Hello” she said a little groggy.
“Hey baby,” she heard AJ’s voice say and a smile went across her face.
“Oh hey AJ, what’s up?”
“Nothing much. Where were you yesterday?”
“I went over to George’s house.”
“George?”
“George Robinson.”
“Really? You know him?”
“Ever since I was a little girl.”
“Huh, it’s a small world.”
“Yup.”
“Well anyways, would you like to go shopping with me today?”
“I’d love to. I have to go buy some stuff and I want to go look for a kitten.”
“A kitten?”
“Yeah, do you know where I can get one?”
“Yup.”
“Cool.”
“I’ll pick you up in an hour then?”
“Sounds good.”
“Ok, bye.”
“Bye,” Jessica said and hung p the phone. She started to get ready to spend the day with AJ.
Chapter 6
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The Backstreet Zone
