"Please Mrs. Chasez, is she there?" I pleaded into a payphone at the airport.
"I don't know what you're speaking of Howie."
"PLEASE! If she's there tell me, it's not what she thinks. PLEASE!" I felt the tears fill eyes once again. 'A woman who made me cry so much is not worth my time' half of me wanted to say, but 'I love her,' the other half said. I groaned.
"Well, yes she's here. But I don't think it's wise of you to come," She whispered. It was too late. I hung up the phone.
"Flight 3621 to New Mexico is now starting its General Boarding. Those passangers seated in rows 35 and higher please board the aircraft now." An a voice over the intercom bellowed.
I looked down at my yellow boarding pass and walked over to the woman at the podium.
"Enjoy your flight," She flashed me one of those fake 'I-don't-care-how your-flight-is-cause-I-can't-wait-till-I-get-home' smiles. She ripped the part off the bottom and I was on my way.
I took my seat and was immediately noticed by two teeny-boppers in the row next to me. After signing autographs and answering several questions about Nick, the girls left me alone. Fingering the ring, I almost began to cry again, feeling like a wuss I held them back, placed the ring in my pocket and fell asleep.
"We are 15 minutes from the airport, we are starting our descent. Please have your tray tables and seats up and have all trash ready for the flight attendants when they come through the cabin." The perky attendant paused, "And thanks for flying with us!"
In 15 minutes (which felt like forever) we were in New Mexico. All the calmness I had felt up until my moment of arrival flooded out of my body and I was completely nervous.
I rented a car and called Kev to let him know I made it and that I was okay.
"It'll be okay man, she'll understand," He reassured me. I hung up hoping he was right.
~The Chasez Home~
Maybe you should give him a chance to explain," Mrs. Chasez tried reasoning with her daughter. Maria wiped her tear-stained cheeks with her sleeve.
"Doorbell," Maria muttered. With disapproval in her eyes the elder woman got up and opened the door, Maria strained to hear.
"Where is she?" Mrs. Chasez could tell I was in pain and exhausted.
"Come in," She motioned for me to enter.
Maria came into the room. She looked terrible.
"What are you doing here?" She asked her tone cold and harsh.
"Mrs. Chasez..." She got the hint and left the room.
"What," She stood up, "Are you doing here?" That was the last straw, I couldn't take it anymore I stood up my blood temper rose dangerously high.
"You know what I'm doing here?" I picked the ring out of my pocket and threw it at her feet. "That's what! Damnit Maria, couldn't have a little faith in me could you? God Damnit." I turned around and walked out leaving Maria astonished. I was furious and had no intention of going back.
~Maria~
Maria picked up the beautiful diamond ring. Engraved inside were the words, 'I will love you forever.' Maria ran to the door and flung it open to see Howie's car speed down the road. She closed the door and fell to the floor sobbing.
Mrs. Chasez reentered the room. "Maria?" She rushed to her daughter's side.
"Mama..." She sobbed holding the ring to her mother's face.
"Oh Ria," She hugged her daughter tightly.
"So where is her?" Her mother asked happy for her.
Maria shook her head. Her mother was puzzled.
"Are you guys getting married?"
Maria shook her head once more. "He left." She got up and left the room.
~Days later~
~Howie~
"I've never seen you so dedicated to this biz D." Brian told me as we were sitting around Nick's house trying to write songs.
"Yup. You know me..." I didn't even look up but continued writing.
"You can talk to us about it, ya know..." Kevin offered.
I stayed silent.
"Or not..." Nick said.
I ignored the worried looks that the guys were exchanging.
~Maria~
"I have to do this mama." Maria told her mother as she was about to board the flight to Orlando. Her mother nodded understandingly.
Maria boarded the plane. A plan she hoped would work boiled in her mind...
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
Howie Fanfiction Index
BSB Fanfiction Index
Backstreet Island