After a few weeks, Brian started to get used to Florida. He also started to really like the other guys. He knew a lot about them now; they had exchanged life stories the day after Brian had arrived and they had a couple of practices and Brian thought that they sounded pretty good.
One morning, he woke up around 9:30. He went out into the living room where Kevin was watching TV. About an hour later, they went into the kitchen for breakfast. Kevin ripped a day off of his Packer rip off calender. For some reason, even though the Packers hadn't had a winning season as far back as Brian could remember, Kevin liked them. Brian was about to sit down when he looked at the calender and his eyes widened.
"Kevin, are you sure that day is right?"
Kevin looked at the calender and nodded.
Brian stood up, slammed his hand on the counter and began to swear creativly. His cousin looked at him with wide eyes. Then Howie came into the kitchen.
"So I was having a nice time sleeping but then I was woken up by swearing. And let me tell you, its not a very fun way to wake up," he said, glaring at Brian.
Brian ignored him and kept swearing. He stopped after a minute.
"Brian? What's wrong with you?" asked his cousin. "I have never heard you swear like that."
"Remember how I told you about that girl Ally? The one who was in the hospital and I meet her at Josh's grave every year on the day he died? Today is that day!" Brian was jumping up and down, unable to contain his anger, and once again, he slammed his hand on the counter.
"So why don't you call her and explain why you can't be there?" asked Howie as he sipped his coffee.
"I don't know her number."
"Call directory assistance and ask for it," said Kevin, logicly.
"I would if I knew her last name."
He slammed his hand on the counter for a third time and then himself in the forehead because he had never bothered to find out her last name.
"You can go next year and then explain what happened," said Howie.
"I guess," said Brian. He sat down in a chair, worn out from the jumping up and down.
But the next year on that day, the Backstreet Boys had a meeting with Mercury Records to talk about signing a record deal. But they didn't.
Then the next summer, they were over in Europe. See, the Boys had gotten signed by Jive Records and released "We've Got It Going On" in the US and Europe. It did nothing in the US but the boys became overnight sensations over in Europe. And on that day, they were in Europe promoting themselves. The next year, they were on tour in Europe.
But, in 1997, Brian was finally able to go back to Kentucky on that special day. The Backstreet Boys had finally become popular in America after the release of "Quit Playing Games". They toured Europe in April and May but got June and the first part of July off.
One that given day, Brian got to the cemetay about 9:50. He knew Ally would get there about 10:00. He climbed up the tree next to Josh's grave and waited.
When Ally arrived, it was exactly 10:00. She walked to Josh's grave and started to talk.
"Well, Josh, Brian's not here. Surprise, surprise," she said sarcasticly. "I found out where he is. He joined some singing group. They released a song. I don't know what it's called. But I guess he doesn't have time for us anymore."
"Sure I do," said Brian, as he jumped out of the tree. He landed in front of Ally.
"Well, look who finally made it," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasim. "Brian, I know you tend to be late but five years is a long time."
"Look, Ally, I can explain."
"I'm sure you can. This morning, your mom told you to get up off your butt and do something. And when you were thinking of what to so, you remembered that today is the day that you usually meet me here and decided to come for some kicks."
"NO! I've wanted to come back here for the years I missed. The first year, when I realized what day it was, I jumped up and down and swore my head off. You can even aske my friends. The next year we had a meeting in New York with Mercury Records and the last two years we were touring in Europe. This year, we finally convinced our managers to give us some time off. Look, I'm really sorry. Can you forgive me?"
"NO!" And with that, she turned around and walked out of the cemetary, leaving Brian with his mouth gaping open.
"Well, Josh, what am I going to do now?"
Chapter 5
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