Audrey sat cross-legged on her couch, watching Dateline and pigging out on Ben & Jerry's. According to her calculations, Justin should have recieved the package a little over an hour ago, and since she was sure he would sneak off as soon as possible to listen to it, she was expecting his call any minute.
She was watching a segment involving prostitutes and drug addicts when her phone rang.
Grinning, she reached over and grabbed the reciever. "Timberlake?"
"How'd you know it was me?" He sounded mildly surprised
"I'm psychic. Actually, I'm not. You're just really predictable. I figured you'd call me once you listened to the tape."
"I just listened to it! You are the best, Aud. It's the funniest thing I've ever heard."
"I'm not sure whether to be flattered or offended."
"Flattered, believe me. I can't believe you did that! It was definitely the most original birthday present I've ever recieved. Thank you." She could hear the smile in his voice
"You're welcome."
"But of course, now I have to find something equally original for your birthday present. I don't suppose you'd like to give me any hints?"
"You don't have to get me anything for my birthday," she protested.
"I know I don't have to. But I want to."
"Well alright. There is this mercedes I've been looking at..."
"Ha ha."
"Just surprise me," she suggested.
"I will." He was glad she couldn't see the evil grin that had spread across his face.
* * *
February 8th, 2000
"When are you coming to visit, dear?"
"I don't know, mum," Audrey sighed, running a hand through her thoroughly mussed hair. "It won't be for another few weeks at least, I've got a lot of work to do right now. Speaking of which, I gotta go."
"Alright, dear, make sure to call me soon. And have a happy birthday!"
"Thanks, mum." Audrey hung up the phone quickly before the older woman could get in another word. Sitting through an hour-long guilt trip from her mother was not high up on her list of things to do on her birthday, and she had no desire to prolong it.
Seconds after she had hung up, the phone rang again. Audrey grabbed it up expectantly. "Timberlake?"
"No, sorry to disappoint you," came a laughing British accent. "Someone's a little eager, aren't we, darling?"
"Raine?" Audrey asked, feeling a strange mixture of disappointment and happiness.
"The one and only, darling. That wouldn't have been Justin Timberlake you were expecting, would it?"
"No! Well.. err.. maybe. Yes," Audrey admitted.
"A-HA! I knew it!" Raine crowed. "You two have something going on! Is he as good a kisser as he looks?"
"Raine! There's nothing going on between us. We're just friends, that's all!"
"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Raine teased in a sing-song voice.
"Is this why you called? To pry into my nonexistent love life?"
"Of course not. I called to wish you a happy birthday. The prying is just an added bonus."
"Hmph."
"Oh, Auddie, don't be such a spoilsport," Raine pouted. "Anyway, I hate to cut this call short, but this photography shpiel is not as lucrative as it looks - you of all people should know that - and I really can't afford an enormous phone bill this month. Your present is on it's way, so expect it any day now. It might even get there today, who knows with that wacky US postal system. Anyways, darling, have a happy birthday. I hope a certain curly-haired popstar jumps out of your cake wearing nothing but a tiny, tiny red bow."
"Goodbye, Raine."
"Goodbye, birthday girl!"
Audrey hung up the phone and couldn't help but grin at Raine's oh-so-obvious attempts to shove her and Justin together. That girl needs a life of her own, Audrey decided. Maybe then she could stop focusing so much on mine.
Audrey was interrupted from her thoughts by a knock on the door. Maybe that's my present from Raine! she though excitedly, making her way to the door and pulling it open. To her surprise, there was no one there. That's odd, she thought. As she turned to go back inside, she noticed a small box on the ground in front of her door. Grabbing the box, she made her way back into her apartment and shut the door. She sat down on the couch and hurriedly pulled the wrapping off the box. To her surprise, inside she found a tape very similar to the one she'd given Justin.
"This must be from Timberlake," she mumbled in realization. She stood up and went over to her stereo, slipping the tape in. She moved to set the case on the table beside her, and that's when she noticed the small post-it note on the back. She had to squint to read Justin's messy handwriting.
"You can listen to the tape later (when you're alone, of course) but right now the rest of your present is waiting in the lobby."
The rest of my present? Audrey's forehead wrinkled. What could he have gotten me that they'd have to hold in the lobby?
Curiousity got the best of her, and she abandoned the tape for the moment. She slipped on her shoes, grabbed her keys, and made her way down to the lobby.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Say Cheese