"Hello."

"Kassi?"

"Yeah. Grace?"

"Yeah. Hi. How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"I'm OK."

"Just OK?"

"My parents are driving me crazy!"

Kassidy laughed, "You've been home a month. I guess that is about the right length of time to reach parent saturation. Thanks for the tape of the new song. It's great."

"Thanks. So what are you doing?"

"Nothing much. Just working. Do you miss being on the road with the guys?"

"Kinda. I don't miss seeing AJ and Miss Thang."

"I hear ya."

"But I do miss everyone. Heck I even miss AJ. Shoot me now."

"No."

"I was teasing."

"I know. Sorry."

"Kassidy are you sure you are all right?"

"Of course. I wish people would stop asking me!"

"Sorry."

"No I'm sorry. It's just I get it all the time. Guess I've reach my saturation point."

"I understand. Well I need to go. Mom wants to use the phone."

"OK. Thanks for calling. Talk to you later."

"Yep. Bye."

Grace sat for a moment, before searching in her purse. She retrieved a card, dialed the number on it, and waited for an answer.

"Hello?"

"Michael?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Grace."

"Oh hi Grace. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm good. What's up?"

"Well I just got off the phone with Kassi and she didn't sound right."

"She didn't?"

"No. I don't know what it is but she didn't sound like herself."

"Tell you what I will wait until tomorrow and call her at work. So she doesn't put it together that we talked and go all defensive."

"OK."

"No problem. Grace what is your number and I will call you tomorrow."

"Thanks!"

Grace gave Michael her number. After she hung up the phone she made her way to the kitchen. Funny she hadn't expected her dad to be over. Grace stopped outside the kitchen door when she heard her name mentioned.

"I'm telling you the sooner we get Grace settled into medical school the happier I will be," said her dad.

"I know. I'm just glad she came home early from hanging out with that group."

"You what," asked Grace as she rounded the corner.

"Were you listening to our conversation."

"I didn't mean to, but when I heard my name I figured I had a right to hear what was being said Dad. Now Mom go on."

"Grace I will not apologize for being relieve you got the music thing out of your system and are ready to pursue a real career."

"Music is a real career and Brian told me I could make a living at songwriting."

"Don't be ridiculous Grace," exclaimed her father. "He is just a musician who got lucky."

"He's very talented Dad and he believes in me!"

Her mother interrupted, "Sweetie we just want you to be practical."

"My God he believes in me more than you do! He said I could do music or medicine or both!"

"Now Grace."

"That's it! I'm going for a drive. I will be back later!"

Her parents called after her, but she never stopped, grabbing her purse and keys on her way out the door. She tore out but as she left their street she made herself slow down. She didn't need a ticket or a wreck. She couldn't believe she had done it. It was the first time she had ever walked on her parents when they were double-teaming her. She realized it felt good.

She had finally stood up for herself. Maybe being around the guys had been good for her. She didn't buy into what her parents were saying about her. For the first time she felt like she could do whatever she wanted. It was a freeing experience.

She drove around and wound up at Wal-Mart. She giggled, because it and Target were two of her favorite places. She and Kassidy had laughed when they found out that they both had a thing for the two stores. She walked through the store. Thumbing through the posters she, of course, found BSB. There were even new individual ones of the guys. AJ looked so good. She always loved when he looked over his sunglasses at her. Sighing, she went on with her shopping. At the check out counter she saw one of the tabloids with a picture of AJ and the dancer. The headline read, "Backstreet Boy finds Backstreet Girl on Tour." Grace bought a copy.

She pulled it out of the bag once in the car. The article said sources close to the Boys were speculating this was the one for him. Rumor had it she was even moving in with him when the tour ended in two weeks. Grace couldn't stomach anymore. She put the paper away. She drove around some more until she found herself in front of her sister's apartment. She decided she must be in sad shape to even consider going in. Actually, the visit hadn't gone badly. While Grace was away at college, Lindsey had finally managed to get her own identity separate from Grace. She had mellowed a lot. Grace found herself telling her sister everything. Lindsey listened and gave her some good advice. If he can't realize what he's got in you then screw him. They talked about their parents. Her sister told her it was about time she stood up for herself. They promised to get together that weekend to shop.

Grace got back to the house late. Her mom was already at work. She was channel surfing when the phone rang. She hoped it was AJ, but it wasn't.

"Hello."

"Grace?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"It's your handy dandy buddy Brian."

"Oh hi Brian."

"Gee that was warm and loving."

"Sorry. I am happy to hear from you. How are you?"

"I good and don't apologize. I know you wanted it to be AJ."

"No I didn't."

"Grace."

"Fine."

Brian laughed, "hey someone wants to say hi."

Grace listened and heard sniffing.

"Did you hear him?"

"Yes. Hi Tyke. So Brian why did you call?"

"I wanted to check on you and see if you been by a newsstand."

"I saw it. I hope she makes him happy."

"Grace we knew you would think it was true. Hang on. Yes she saw. Yes. Grace, Leigh wants to talk to you. I have to get ready for the show. See ya."

"Bye Brian."

"Grace?"

"Hi Leighanne."

"Sweetie don't believe that trash. They are the same ones who reported I had Liddy Leigh by cesarean." "Is he involved with her?"

"I wouldn't call it involved. I would call it her trying to get her hooks in him and him being bored. One thing is definite, she's NOT moving in with him. She is going right back to LA."

"Still Leigh if it's not her, it will be someone else."

"I don't know what to tell you sweetie. I could just bop him one."

"You aren't the only one. Leigh I just can't watch it anymore. It hurts too much."

"I understand. Well we miss you. You hang in there. Plan to fly out for a visit before heading to school. You can stay with Bri and me."

"Maybe."

"You have our number Grace. Really do try. Have you talked to Kassidy?"

"Yeah earlier this evening."

"And?"

"She sounded strange. I called Michael. She is going to call and check on her tomorrow at work."

"Grace let me know what Michael says."

"I will. You better go help your man get read for the show."

"You would think at 29 he would be capable of dressing himself," laughed Leighanne.

"One would think. Leigh thanks for calling me."

"Grace you are part of our family now. We all love you."

"I love you guys too. Talk to you soon. I will work on the visit."

"Please do Grace. Talk to you later sweetie."

Grace hung up the phone. She found herself crying. She was crying, because they had thought about her and called. She cried because she missed them all terribly. Mainly she cried because she wanted AJ to see her as the girl for him.