(September 1996)

 

“Joey, I am not going to one more club with you!”

 

“Why the hell not?  You know you had fun at the last one!”  Joey yelled down the hall of the small duplex.

 

“And what would your definition of ‘fun’ be?  Having to drag your drunk Italian butt home?!”  Stacy had to laugh at the memory.  She looked back down at a stack of papers that lay in front of her on her bed and narrowed her eyes, trying to concentrate on them.

 

“I WAS NOT DRUNK!  COME ON STACY!  PUUUULEEASE!!”  Joey called from the kitchen as he stuck his head in the refrigerator, searching desperately for anything not “healthy” to eat.

 

“What part of NO don’t you understand Joseph Anthony Fatone?”  Stacy called back.  She giggled as she pictured his shocked face.

 

A minute later, Joey was at her bedroom door, leaning on the doorframe and chewing on an apple.  “Did you just call me by my full name?”  His right eyebrow raised in playful curiosity.

 

Stacy nodded, not looking up from her papers, but trying to hide her smile.  “I sure did.”

 

Joey jumped onto her queen-sized bed, landing on her papers.  He bounced up and down as she grabbed the papers from beneath him and shoved them onto her dresser.

 

“Stace, you know how important this is to me.  It hasn’t been that long since we got the group started, and we need all the gigs we can get.  You gotta go so I have someone to wink at.  I, just, I need you to be in the audience supporting me.”  He touched her chin gently, forcing her head up so her eyes met his.  She closed her eyes tightly as he gave her the big puppy dog eyes and pout that she knew she couldn’t resist.  “Please….”

 

Stacy, couldn’t help it, she thrust her eyes open as if he had controlled her mind.  One look at Joey’s face and he knew he had won. 

“Stay away from me you evil man!”  She giggled.  “I have succumbed to your evil spell again!  Damn me!”  She closed her eyes once more and threw herself off her bed, laughing at Joey’s pathetic face.  Joey stared at her as she opened the door to her room and walked out of it.

 

“By the way Stace, what is with all that healthy crap in your fridge?  What happened to the real food?”  Joey followed her down the hallway to the small kitchen.

 

“If you’re referring to the chips and soda, I believe YOU finished those off a week ago and I am too busy with school and work that I haven’t had time to go shopping.  So if you want food, you gotta go buy some yourself.”

 

Joey groaned. 

“Besides.”  Stacy added.  “I only stock that stuff for you.  You know I don’t eat that crap.”

 

Joey smiled.  “Thanks.  And ya know I love you for it!  And I love you even more for coming with me tonight!”  His face lit up as their eyes met from across the counter. 

Stacy rolled her eyes as she made herself a salad.  “Yeah, well, you owe me big for this Joe.  Just remember your best friend when you’re a huge pop star and girls are throwing themselves at you.”

 

Joey laughed at the possibility his friend had just given him.  “Girls throwing themselves at me huh?”  His eyes glossed over as he imagined it.

 

He was quickly brought back to reality as Stacy smacked his arm playfully with her strong hand.

 

“You are such a perv Joe, I swear.”

 

Joey laughed.  “That’s why you love me.”

 

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right.  His perverse personality was what had attracted Stacy to Joey in the first place as a friend and she wouldn’t have him any other way.  She loved the time they spent together and she knew that one day he would become a big star and she was afraid of being left behind.  He had the talent and god knew he had the personality for it.  It was only a matter of time before he was off making hit albums with his new group, NSYNC, and she was forgotten.

 

Joey stared at the silhouette of the slender figure in front of him.  He sighed as his eyes worked up from her sock covered feet, to her slender, smooth legs, stopping at her paint stained flannel boxers and finally up to her long, golden blonde hair.  He never understood why a girl like her even put up with him.  She was so smart and had the world at her feet, but instead she gave up everything to move down to Florida to be with him and helped to support him as he pursued his dream.  She had left all she knew in Chicago on his whim and he knew it wasn’t going to be long before she might have to do it again and something inside of him told him she might not be able to put up with it next time …

 

“Joey, I can feel your eyes working up my body.  Do that one more time and I won’t hesitate to take this knife and chop you up into my salad.”  Stacy turned around and her deep blue eyes fell into Joey’s.

 

Joey smiled.  “You think I would taste good?”

 

Stacy turned back around and continued cutting some lettuce.  “Probably not, plus I don’t eat fatty foods.”

 

Joey placed his hand over his heart.  “Oh, stop being a big meanie!  That hurts my feelings ya know?”  He whined.

 

Joey watched as Stacy stopped what she was doing and turned around to face him.  Her look was serious and caring.  Her eyes penetrated into Joey’s as she leaned down on the countertop so she was eye level with him.

 

“Joey, just promise me something.”

 

Joey’s eyes grew wide.  “Anything.”

 

“You’ve been with the guys for awhile now and so far nothing big has come from it.  I’m not saying it won’t, but if nothing happens promise me that if this whole group thing doesn’t work out that you won’t go back into that shell you like to hide in when things don’t work out.  Promise me you’ll keep trying.”  She paused.  “For me.”

 

Joey smiled at her tenderly.  “It’ll work out. Trust me.  I have a good feeling about this, I really do.”

 

Stacy’s eyebrows furrowed.  “That’s not what I wanted to hear Joey.”

 

Joey rolled his eyes.  “I promise.”

 

 

 

(Later that night at the club)

 

The small audience at the club shouted at the group as they slowly left the stage, taking one last bow.  

 

Stacy stared on in amazement.  She had never heard more beautiful and harmonious voices in her life.  It amazed her every time she heard them.  She smiled proudly, for all of them.  She knew it wouldn’t be long before they would hit it big, it was only a matter of time.

 

Joey smiled at her as he walked off the stage and took one last, surprised look at the audience.  The group raced into the dressing room and collapsed onto the couch.  Joey took a seat in a nearby chair and examined the others as he often did after a show, wondering why he had been so blessed as to find them.

 

So far each and every member of this group had astonished him.  He had met Chris when he worked at Universal Studios and he never really understood how someone in his twenties could act as immature as a five year old.  He could have sworn that he was younger than he was at 19.  Recently, however he had definitely seen a difference in Christopher.  His eyes burned with passion and that passion turned him into a motivated and much more mature person.  His attitude was no longer that of an impatient child.  Joey could practically see him working everything out in his head.  His maturity level had risen beyond comprehension in even the last months, getting the initial group together and then getting a demo and video out to anyone imaginable.  If you could name the record label or manager Chris had probably sent the groups demo to them already and had called them at least once.  Joey was amazed and had a whole new level of respect for him.

 

Josh, or JC to his friends, was a complete enigma to him.  He was very serious ninety percent of the time and took his work very seriously, but he knew how to have fun and cracked some good jokes.  He was the well-rounded guy.  He defiantly had the best voice out of all the guys, Joey couldn’t deny that, but he was also very humble about it.  He thrived on his work and especially his music.  He had been writing songs here and there, but nothing really came of it.  Joey could smell the musical talent flowing from him.  He knew JC was going to be perfect for the group and he also knew it was an honor to be called his friend even after such a short period of time.

 

 Even though Justin was only 15, Joey could see the drive in him and the pure, raw talent that he possessed.  Justin knew he had talent and it wasn’t long before it would be displayed to the world.  Justin reminded Joey of himself at that age, the pure energy of life surging through his body.  So ready to learn, and ready to take on anything that was thrown his way.  And not only did Justin have the talent and the personality, but he had the looks, the overall package, a big part of what the group needed to get started.  Joey couldn’t help but feel a little envious of the youngest member of the group.  He seemed like he had everything to make it in the business, especially in areas that Joey didn’t.

 

James Lance Bass, so far, was everything that Joey had expected.  The young, country bumpkin, complete with the gentleman-like manners most country boys came equipped with.  The only thing that actually surprised him about James was the amazingly beautiful and sweet voice that he had.  It was the lowest of the group, allowing the group to form a five-part harmony, but there was something very soothing and comforting in it.  James took no time showing the others what an honor it was for him to be included in the adventure they would soon share and Joey wasn’t surprised a bit.  He knew James, or as he was now called; Lance, was a welcomed addition to the already close-knit group that had come to be called NSYNC; a name Justin’s mom, Lynn, picked out for them once she had heard them all singing together.  Joey loved the name and he agreed that no other name could have fit them all better.  He felt blessed and honored to be a part of probably the biggest project he had come across in his life and was proud to have four of the best guys to support and guide him along the way.

 

“Joey, Joey, did you hear me?”

 

Joey wiped his face with a towel and looked at himself in the mirror.  His thoughts wandered to the possibilities the future held and his eyes slowly went out of focus. 

“JOEY!”  Justin screamed, taking him back to reality.  He stared at the young boy across from him through the mirror.

“Yeah, Justin?”

 

Justin rolled his eyes playfully.  “I said that Chris said to hang back here a couple minutes before you go out and mingle.  He’s got an announcement.”  Justin raised his eyebrows playfully and sat back onto the plush couch in the club’s dressing room.

 

A few minutes later Chris burst into the room.  “I have some great news guys!”  His eyes lit up and a smile was plastered onto his face.  He turned around, waved for someone to follow him and walked inside the door.  A second later a tall, husky, man with charcoal hair and almond colored skin stood in the doorway and smiled at the group.  Chris motioned him in and shut the door behind him.

 

“Guys, this is Johnny Wright.  He wants to manage us!”

 

Shock registered on Joey’s face as he stared at the man in front of him. He glanced at the other guys, their faces frozen in shock as well.

 

Johnny approached the group sitting on the couch and held out his hand for Justin to take.

 

“My name is Johnny.  I’ve seen what you guys can do and I want to get you out there, get you known.”  Justin returned his handshake and Johnny introduced himself to the rest of the group.

 

“Together, I am sure we can turn you guys into something big.  Heard of the Backstreet Boys?”

 

The group nodded absently, still in shock. 

Johnny nodded.  “My ex-wife manages them and they are getting huge.  They toured Europe, came back here and released their album and now are plastered on almost every girl’s bedroom wall.  So….”

 

“Backstreet Boys?”  Joey interrupted.

 

“Yes…”Johnny paused.  “Joey, right?”  He pointed at him as Joey nodded.

 

“But they aren’t THAT big are they?  I mean don’t get me wrong, but that Nick Carter, he has a whiny voice.  I think we are a little more talented than they are and they aren’t that big over here yet.”

 

Johnny couldn’t help but laugh at the naive statement of the young man in front of him.

 

“Europe is just the beginning.”  He explained.  “The Europe fans take in anyone, the US, takes a little more work, but once you are huge in Europe you can re-release your album out here and be just as huge if not more.”

 

Joey’s mouth dropped.

 

Johnny nodded.  “That’s right.”

 

JC’s brows furrowed.  “And how long will this take?”

 

Johnny sat down in a nearby chair and faced the couch.  “That depends on you and how well you will do and how much you are willing to put into this.”

 

He glanced back at Chris who was resting comfortably and proudly with his hip leaned against the doorframe.  “But I have a feeling about you guys.”  Johnny winked back at Chris.  “There is something very special and unique here.  I have no doubt you guys will make it and from what Mr. Kirkpatrick says, you guys will do anything for this.”  He smiled.  “That is a definite plus.”

 

“I’m glad someone else is so confident.”  Lance shrugged, his southern drawl, now almost unrecognizable.  “Because I left everything in Mississippi for this and I can’t afford to not make it.”

 

Johnny patted Lance’s knee.  “James, excuse me, Lance; don’t worry about it.  I already have you guys lined up to record in Europe and tour a little in Germany.”

 

Lance, Joey, JC and Justin’s eyes grew wide in shock. 

Justin coughed.  “Tour?  Already?”

 

Chris nodded behind Johnny and smiled proudly.  “I told you guys I had good news.”

 

Johnny nodded confidently.  “We leave in a week to record an album and more importantly, your first single.  This week is meeting after meeting and you guys can look over the lyrics to songs.  I have all the songs picked out for you guys.”  Johnny looked back at Chris once more.  “There is only one thing.”

 

Justin leaned forward on the couch.  “What is it?  We’ll do anything.”

 

“You guys gotta know that this is what you want.  You have to be willing to put anything on the line.  Your career comes first.  If you aren’t willing to do that, you might as well leave now.”  He looked over the faces of each of the young men sitting in front of him.  Each face held passion and determination.  He knew he had found what he was looking for.  “Well?”  He asked after a few minutes of silence.

 

JC sat up on the couch until his face was inches away from Johnny’s.  “We’re not going anywhere.”  He smiled proudly and leaned back on the couch.

(3 weeks later-Germany)

 

“Joey, you have to go higher on that part, not lower.”

 

Joey groaned, rolling his eyes at the music director.  “Doug, we’ve been in here for three hours straight, can’t we take a break?  My voice is giving out!”  Joey sat back down on the stool in the recording booth and stuck his tongue out at Justin, JC, Lance and Chris who were laughing at him from the other side of the glass.  Sure, they got the easy job, they’re voices were fine-tuned and they only had to spend a few minutes in the booth on one part.  Now they were just waiting for him to finish up the last chorus and they could relax for the night.  Joey was utterly exhausted. His voice hadn’t worked this hard since; well it never worked that hard. 

Doug shook his head and held his watch up to the glass so that Joey could clearly see it.

 

“No.  We’ve been here for three hours and we are going to be here for three more until you get it right.  We have all day in here.  You have to get this part right.  You guys only have five days to record this.  Come on.”

 

Joey rubbed his hands over his face and moaned.

 

Doug tapped the glass again and turned the microphone off for a minute.  Joey watched him from behind the glass as he said a few words to the other guys and the other guys responded by leaving the room.  Joey stared at Doug in confusion.  Doug turned his attention back to Joey and flipped on the microphone.

 

“Joey, you’re doing great.  Every musician goes through this.  It always takes more than a few days to do a song.  Don’t worry about it.”

 

Joey nodded.  “Where did the other guys go?”

 

“To get something to eat.  They’ll bring you back something, don’t worry, you won’t starve.”

 

Joey chuckled and placed the headphones back over his ears until he could hear the beats and music playing softly into them.  He waved his hand and motioned for the song to start over.  He closed his eyes and sang into the microphone.

 

«««

 

A loud ringing broke the stillness of the darkened bedroom of the duplex just outside Orlando.  Stacy groaned, picking up the phone on the small nightstand next to her bed.

 

“This better be good!”  She growled into the phone.  “It’s almost 1 a.m. and I have a midterm at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning!”

 

There was a loud chuckle on the other end of the phone.

 

Stacy moaned.  “Joey?”  She threw off her blanket and sat up quickly, turning on the lamp next to her bed.

 

 “So, it is good?”  Stacy could picture Joey’s smirk.  There was a long pause.  “Sorry Stace, I keep forgetting about the time change.  I woke my parents up the other day too.”

 

Stacy smiled, too happy to be talking to Joey to be upset with him.  “Joe, it’s fine.  I’ve been up.”

 

Joey smiled.  “Liar.”

 

Stacy’s heart beat faster and tears welled in her eyes.  “How are things going over there?”

 

“Great!”  Joey screamed into the phone.

 

Stacy pulled the phone away from her ear and giggled.

 

“We finished recording our first single last week and did a video.  Now we started to record the rest of our album!  The video for our first single is so cool!  It's like on this space station thing and, it’s just amazing!"

 

Stacy grinned.  “That’s great.”

 

“Great?  It’s awesome.  I’m tellin’ ya Stace, you gotta hear this song.  It has ‘hit’ written all over it.  It should be released out here next week.  It’s all happening so fast, but I am having so much fun!”

 

Stacy couldn’t help but feel a little jealous, but she pushed those feelings to the back of her mind.  “I’m really happy for you Joey.”

 

“There’s only one thing.”  Joey shouted into the phone.

 

Stacy’s eyebrows cringed.  “What is it?  Everyone over there is treating you nicely right?  Cuz’ if not, I’ll go over there and kick their butt’s.”

 

Laughter emanated from the receiver.  “No, everyone’s really nice.  The thing is….”  There was a long pause, almost as if Joey had hung up the phone.  Stacy sighed and started to put her phone back when she heard a voice on the other end.  She grabbed the phone and put it back to her ear.  She smiled as Joey’s voice and the voice of his band-mates rang through the receiver.

 

“Guys, shut up!  You can talk to her in a minute!  I’m trying to tell her something!  Now, shut up!  She probably thought I hung up on her.”  Joey’s voice sounded through the background.

 

Stacy let out a small chuckle that quickly turned into a bellow.  She lay back on her bed, laughing.  God, she had missed that. 

Joey put his ear to the phone, trying to hear what was going on.  “Stace, are you alright? What’s going on?”

 

Stacy regained her composure and spoke into the phone.  “I’m fine.”  She cleared her throat.  “What were you saying?”

 

Joey’s right eyebrow raised in playful curiosity.  “I was saying that I miss you.  It’s weird not having you here, helping me out or arguing with me.  You’ve been here so far for every step of my career and it sucks that you can’t be here for this one.”

 

Stacy nodded as a tear fell down her soft cheek.  “I know, but sometime you had to let go.  I wish I could be there too, but we both know I can’t.  Besides if anyone deserves to be there with you right now, it’s your family Joey not me.”

 

Joey sighed.  “I know, but they didn’t leave everything they knew to move out to Florida just to support and help me start my career.”

 

Stacy coughed.  “Excuse me?  Joey your family moved down here for you and you know it.”

 

“Oh, you’re right.”  Joey frowned.  “Stace, I have all these people counting on me.  I just hope I won’t let them down.”

 

Stacy smiled.  “Joey, you won’t, I promise.  We’re already so proud of you.  Everyone is.”  She paused.  “Now, as much as I love talking to you, I do have to get up early, so let me say hi to the other guys before I go back to sleep.”

 

Joey smiled.  “Okay, and hey if you talk to your lil’ sis and your mom, tell ‘em hi for me.”

 

Stacy smiled.  “You betch’ya, now let me talk to my little spawns…”  She laughed evilly as another voice rang in her ears.

 

“STACYEEEEEE!” 

Stacy sighed as the sweet, high-pitched voice belonging to Chris Kirkpatrick rang in her ears.  “Hey Chris!  Mr. Hyper as usual huh?”

 

Chris chuckled.  “Better believe it!  I’m having the time of my life chica!”

 

Stacy laughed.  She couldn’t help loving the guys who had become Joey’s new brothers.

 

In a matter of 8 months, she had gone with Joey to almost every single one of the group’s rehearsals and shows, even missing a few classes for them.  She never regretted a minute of it.  She had never seen a group of people, let alone young men, ever be so motivated and full of energy and talent.  She had been let in as part of their extended family and was naturally accepted as Joey’s best friend.  Not only had they insisted she come to every rehearsal, but they also invited her to events outside of “NSYNC”. She would go out to dinner with them at night or go to a movie with them during the day.  She had never remembered having so much fun in her life and she knew these guys were going to blow America away, not only with their incredible talent, but also with their amazing and “real” personalities.

 

Stacy laughed as she heard Joey yelling something to Chris in the background.

 

Chris laughed into the receiver.  “Stacy, I have to go, Joe’s complaining about his cell phone bill…”  Stacy pictured Chris’ snickering face.  “He shouldn’t be talking.  He took my phone earlier and was calling all these girls he met at some club last night.  Cheapskate….”  Chris mumbled as Stacy heard the phone being grabbed by someone else.  She laughed again as JC took the phone.

 

“Hello Ms. Stacy.  How are you this MORNING?”  JC laughed, putting emphasis on the word morning and making sure Joey heard him.  Stacy laughed as she heard Joey yelling ‘I forgot’ in the background.

 

“Stressed over mid-terms and you?  Sounds like you guys are having fun over there.”

 

There was a loud sigh.  “Well, when you’re stuck with these lunatics who wouldn’t have fun?”  He chuckled.  “But, it’s a lot of hard work.  We have to finish recording the album soon and meanwhile learn some choreography to the songs we are going to start performing out here.  It’s a lot of work, but it will be worth it.”

 

Stacy nodded.  “Well, good luck.”  She smiled.  JC was always the level headed one and she thanked God that Joey was in a group with someone like JC who could put him in his place and make sure they got done what was needed.  “You watch out for Joey alright?  No craziness over there.”  Stacy giggled.

 

JC laughed loudly.  “That’s impossible, but I’ll try.”

 

(One month later backstage at a fairground stage in Germany)

 

Joey threw his cell phone down into his bag angrily.  “Where the hell is she?!”

 

“Where the hell is who?”  Justin asked, walking out of the small bathroom, drying his curly hair with a towel.

 

Joey grimaced.  “Stacy.  She told me she had to go back home because of an emergency or something and I called to find out what was wrong.  She promised she’d be back today.”

 

Justin rolled his eyes.  “I swear Joey, you call that girl more than your own family.”

 

Joey grunted.  “Do not.  Besides, she is my family.”

 

Justin nodded.  “Yeah, okay.”  He replied sarcastically.

 

“Well, I’ve been trying her cell all day and I even tried her mom’s house and no one is home.”  Joey answered, totally ignoring Justin’s comment.

 

Justin sighed.  “I’m sure she’s fine Joe, now come on, we have a show to do in half an hour and you aren’t even in costume.”

 

Joey nodded, heading into the small dressing room, followed by Justin.

 

 

 

«««

 

Stacy’s face grew hotter with anger as she neared the familiar exit on the Chicago freeway.  She had thought everything was okay, but it had all changed in a split second two days ago…

 

Stacy yawned and poured herself a cup of coffee.  The phone rang mid sip.  Startled, she picked it up, half expecting Joey to answer.

“Stace, it’s Phillip.”  Her heart sank.

 

“Hey Bro.  How’s Japan?”

 

There was no response.

 

“You’re still there aren’t you?”  Her heart beat faster as she heard sniffing on the other end.

 

“Stace.  Mom tried to kill herself again, this time right in front of Annie.  They’re going to take her…”

 

“No!”  Stacy screamed, dropping her cup of coffee onto the floor.  She cursed as the hot liquid sprayed onto her feet.  “But I thought she was alright.  She was dating and everything and…”

 

“We thought so too, but she’s not.  They have to put her in a home.”

 

Stacy could feel the tears staining her cheek.  “But, what about Annie?  You know Dad can’t and won’t take her.  He’s still in prison.  Besides, having her live with Dad is suicide in itself so…”

 

Silence.

 

“Phil?  Come on.  What’s going to happen to her?  They can’t take her away too?  Can they?”

 

“Stacy.  I can’t leave Japan.  Annie’s with Uncle Frank, but he can’t take care of her, you know that.  I will only be here for another year, if you could….”

 

Stacy slammed on the breaks and turned off onto the onramp leading to her uncle’s house.  She knew she had to do it, but it meant putting her dreams on hold, something she wasn’t quite ready to do.  But, she had no choice.

 

Thoughts of frustration and anger turned into happiness and relief as she pulled into the driveway and spied her younger sister on the front steps of the large townhouse just outside of the city.  She quickly parked the car and unbuckled her seatbelt, struggling with it, as if she couldn’t get it off fast enough.  She threw the door open and raced up the driveway, Annie meeting her half way and jumping into her arms.

 

“Stacyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”  She squealed as Stacy wrapped her in her arms and held on for dear life.  She fell to her knees on the hard pavement and hugged her closer. 

“Hey baby!”  Stacy whispered into her sister’s ear as she dug her face into her long, auburn hair.  “How’s my little princess?”  She could feel the tears pricking her eyes as she hugged her sister tighter.

 

Annie’s small hands squirmed around Stacy’s neck.  “Mommy left me.” She cried.

 

Stacy sniffed, stroking Annie’s hair.  “I know sweetie, she’s sick.  But she’ll get better, I promise.”

 

After a few silent moments Annie pulled away and wiped the tears away from her eyes with her tiny fingers.  Her right thumb then went immediately into her mouth and her other hand attached itself to Stacy’s hair, twirling it around her index finger.

 

“You pwomise?” 

Annie’s look was so sincere and honest it made Stacy want to cry harder, but she held it in, not wanting to worry her sister more.

 

Stacy nodded.  “I promise.”  She stood up, still holding her sister in her arms and heading towards the house.  “Now come, on.  We got a lot of stuff to do.  You’re gonna come stay with me for awhile, what do you think about that?”

 

Annie’s face lit up and she squealed in childish glee.

 

Stacy couldn’t help but laugh.  “I guess you’re just excited as I am.”

 

«««

 

(Three months later-The Fatone residence)

 

Stacy grabbed a dish from the water and soap filled sink and washed it vigorously with a rag.  She handed it to Joey’s brother, Steve as he gently dried it and placed it into a dish drainer.  Annie sat in the living room on Joey’s mother, Phyllis’ lap as she was read a story.

 

“So, have you heard from Joey lately?”  Stacy inquired.  She ached to see her best friend again.  She didn’t even care if it was for half a second.

 

Steve smiled and nodded.  “Yup, today actually.  He was so excited.  You should hear him Stace.  I guess that some guy from RCA out here was at one of their shows and talked to Johnny about them and they are in negotiations to be signed a label here in Florida called Trans-Continental.  I’m surprised he hasn’t called you….”  His voice trailed off.  “Of course, it probably could be because you are rarely home.”

 

Stacy shot an angry glare at Steve.  “Steve.  You know why…”she motioned to the living room.  “I…things have just changed so much and…”

 

“Have you told him yet?”  Steve interrupted, grabbing another dish from Stacy.

 

Stacy shook her head quickly.  “And how would I bring that up in the conversation?  Yeah, by the way, I quit college, work full time and am practically a mother to my little sister….”

 

Steve chuckled.  “Something like that would work.”

 

Stacy sighed.  “Steve, he’s living out his dream.  This is only the beginning, how can I ruin all this for him?  Why bring him down?  He’s having the time of his life, he doesn’t need the weight of my problems on his shoulders, trust me.”

 

Steve had had it.  He threw the small towel onto the counter and turned to face Stacy, his face full of worry and sincerity.  “Stacy, he’s your best friend.  How would you be ruining anything?  Annie is an amazing little girl.  And she has you to thank for that.  So you’ve changed, so your life has changed, so it might not be the same when he does come back….you’re best friends, nothing will change that.”  His brown eyes drilled into Stacy’s and she gulped nervously.  She cleared her throat as her eyes roamed the small kitchen, trying to look everywhere but at Steve.  She ran her hands through her hair nervously.

 

When she didn’t reply Steve added;  “Besides, I still think you’re an amazing person.  In fact, I was going to ask you out again…although I can bet ten bucks that your answer is….”

 

“No.”  Stacy laughed, throwing her arms around Steve.  She buried her face in his shoulder.  “Thank you anyway though.” 

Steve wrapped his arms around her waist and swayed her back and forth.

 

“Don’t worry Steve, I’ll work everything out, I just need time.”  She said reassuringly, more trying to convince herself than him.

 

“Stop fondling her Steven.”  The loud, husky voice of Joe Fatone echoed into the kitchen from the family room down the hallway.

 

Steve pulled away from Stacy and stared at her in shock.  “How did he….?”  He glanced around the kitchen and out into the hallway that led into the family room where his father sat with Annie and his mother.

 

“I know my sons, and I know about that certain Fatone charm.”  Joe yelled back, answering him.

 

Phyllis giggled.  “Don’t fall for it Stacy.”  Joe laughed heartily.

 

Steve gawked.  “Dad, don’t worry she turned me down again.”

 

“And what does that make it?”  Joe questioned.

 

Steve rolled his eyes.  “Number 21.  The 21st time she’s turned me down.”

 

Annie covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

 

Joe laughed again, this time Phyllis and even Annie joining in, even though Annie didn’t quite know what she was laughing at.  “Son, move on.  There are other fish in the sea.”

 

Steve laughed, taking Stacy’s arm and leading her down the hall into the family room.

Joe and Phyllis watched her walk in and hold her arms out to Annie.  Annie yawned tiredly and allowed Stacy to pick her up from where she sat comfortably on Phyllis’ lap.

 

Joe’s eyes narrowed.  “Although…”

 

Stacy turned to face him, holding Annie in her arms, resting her comfortably on her left hip.

 

“I’ll be damned if I won’t see her fall for a Fatone.  You just wait.”  He winked jokingly at Stacy.

 

Stacy rolled her eyes, bending down and kissing him gently on his forehead.  “Yeah right…that’ll be the day.”

 

Phyllis stood up and wrapped her arms lovingly around Stacy. 

“Well, Annie is ready for bed, so I’ll be leaving now, and no Steve you can’t walk me home, I’ll be fine.  Thank you so much again for dinner.”  Stacy let go of Ms. Fatone and winked at Joe.

 

Stacy gave a quick wave as she started down the hallway.  Steve walked her to the door and smiled at her as she opened it.  She started to walk out, but turned around quickly, kissing him softly on the cheek.  “Thanks Steve.”

 

He nodded as Annie waved at him, resting her head on Stacy’s shoulder.

 

He winked at her and blew her a kiss.  She raised up her arm and pretended to catch it as Stacy started walking down the block.

 

Annie was already sound asleep when the door closed behind Stacy and she made her way down the hall to Annie’s bedroom.  She gently laid Annie down in the queen-sized bed and tucked her in, kissing her cheek gently.  She opened the door quietly, turning around and glancing around the room.  She sighed, leaning on the doorframe.  The walls that once held Joey’s Superman memorabilia now held pictures of Barbie and of Sailor Moon.  The closet that was once home to Joey’s jean jackets and pants was now home to frilly dresses and tiny pink, fur jackets.  And the bed that Joey slept in when he needed time away from his family or when Stacy needed someone to stay with her, now belonged to Annie.  A tear trickled down Stacy’s cheek as she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.  She shook her head.  How was she going to explain to Joey? 

A loud ringing interrupted her thoughts.  She ran into the living room and grabbed the phone off of its holder, hoping the noise wouldn’t awake Annie.

 

“Hello?”  She whispered into the phone.

 

“Why are we whispering?” 

Stacy sighed, falling back onto the couch at the sound of Joey’s voice.

 

“I have no idea.”  She talked louder this time, adding a giggle.  “Joey, it is so good to talk to you, you don’t even know.”

 

“Trust me, I know.  I’ve missed you so much.  And it’s frightening.  Everything is happening so fast.  I’ve barely had time to talk to my family, and I’ve tried to call you, but you’re never home.  Did you get my messages?  I left you like five.  You must be really busy.”

 

Stacy nodded.  “I know.  I’ve just…I have to…”  Stacy looked around her living room, noticing a few dolls lying out on the floor.  She shook her head, closing her eyes.  “A lot has happened.”

 

Joey’s brows furrowed.  Something wasn’t right.   He could feel it.  “Stace, are you okay?  How’s school?  Is it going okay?”

 

Stacy closed her eyes guiltily.  “School is fine.”  It’s not a total lie.  The school is doing fine.

 

“Then what?”

 

There was a long pause and Stacy considered actually telling him everything.  But she went against her better judgment.  “It’s just kinda lonely around here without you.”

 

Joey chuckled, trying to ease the tension that was apparent to both parties.  “Of course it is!  You miss my wit and my charm and my ruggedly handsome face.”

 

Stacy broke into laughter.  That was the best friend she remembered and needed.  Her laughter was contagious and she could soon hear Joey laughing on the other end of the phone.  After a few minutes, she calmed herself down and wiped the joyful tears that her laughing produced.  She took a deep breath and spoke softly into the receiver.

 

“Thank you Joey, I needed that.”

 

“No problem.  I heard you haven’t been having the best of times lately.”

 

Stacy tensed.  “What?  Who did you hear that from?”

 

“My Dad.”

 

Stacy threw her right fist into the arm of the couch.  They swore they would let me break the news.

 

“What did you hear?”  She said threw gritted teeth.

 

“Not much.  Just that you switched jobs, but I had to beg to get even that out of them.  Why didn’t you just tell me you work at an office now?  I mean, isn’t this a better job?  It beats working at the mall right?”

 

Stacy took a deep breath.  I’ll have to thank them later.  “Yeah, it’s great, I love it!  I’m a secretary.  It’s the perfect job for me.”  Yeah, perfect job for the college dropout.

 

“Good.  Listen, I have to go, but I wanted to ask you a favor.”

 

Stacy rolled her eyes.  “You mean you didn’t just call to make sure I was alive?”  She giggled.

 

“I did, but since I got you on the horn, might as well…hope you don’t mind.”

 

Stacy shook her head.  “No, no, I don’t mind.”  Maybe it will help me feel semi-normal again.

 

“This guy, Lou Pearlman out at Transcontinental-Records in Florida wants to sign us to the label!  I am so excited and it happened so fast!  He is sending our families the contracts while we finish our tour over here, and I wanted to know if you wouldn’t mind looking over it before our lawyer does.”

 

Stacy opened her mouth to object, but stopped.  She heard the excitement in his voice and couldn’t let him down.  “Sure.  I’ll stop by and get it.”

 

“Thank you so much.  It will be there in a week or so.  I owe you one.”

 

Stacy smirked.  “That you do.”

 

“Love ya Stace.”

 

“You too, big man.”

 

The phone clicked off and she set it down sadly as tears formed at her eyelids.  She wiped them away quickly.  How could she ever handle this by herself?  She had always had Joey.

 

***Flashback-July 1986.  Chicago Theatre Day Camp for Kids***

 

Stacy heaved her backup back up onto her shoulder and stepped off the bus.  She waved goodbye to the driver as the bus drove away.  She looked around and sighed, taking in her surroundings.  This was already the most amazing camp she had ever been to.  The large, white theatre building in front of her with marble columns proved that from the brochure she received five months ago.

 

She had saved up all year from babysitting and cleaning yards to go to this summer camp, so she had to take in everything.  Her parents had wanted to send her to her usual summer camp-Camp Pixy, so they could “get a break” as they called it, when in reality all they did was pull themselves more into debt with their drinking parties and drug fiascos.

 

Why her?  Phillip had already gone off and moved out on his own.  At age 17, he already held a job and lived as far away from their parents as possible.  Stacy couldn’t be that lucky.  Her only chance to escape was the summer and she was not going to ruin another one by going to the trashy camp she usually went to.  No, instead, she packed her things, ran out of the house the night before her departure to Camp Pixy, and caught the bus to the amazing place she now stood in awe at.  She knew she would get a beating when she returned home in August, but she didn’t care.  This was her time and she’d be damned if anyone was going to spoil it for her.

 

“Hey, you lost or somethin’?”

 

Stacy jumped at a loud voice from behind her.  She turned around, facing a boy about her age.  His piercing brown eyes twinkled in the sunlight and his dark brown hair blew slightly as the wind whipped past it ever so gently.  His small frame shivered at the cool breeze as he zipped up his jacket.

 

Stacy stared at him in shock.

 

“I said, you lost or somethin’?”  He repeated his question, curious at the beautiful young girl in front of him.

 

Stacy nodded.  “Yes.”

 

“You goin’ to this theatre camp too?”  Was his response.

 

Stacy nodded again. 

“Well, that makes two of us.  I am so excited.”  His body showed his excitement as he jumped up and down in front of her.

 

She couldn’t help but laugh.

 

He stopped bouncing and frowned.  “Whattya laughin’ at?”

 

Stacy shook her head.  “Nothing.”

 

“So, I guess you’re staying with the girls in their bunkroom.  Boy, I would love to be a fly on that wall.”

 

Stacy’s eyes grew wide in shock as the boy held out his hand and motioned for her to follow his lead.  He took her hand and led her to a large building with the words: “Sleeping Quarters” written on a large wood door.  They stopped in front of the door and the boy motioned to his right.

 

“The girl’s bunkroom is down there.  This is the guy’s room.”  He paused, reaching out his hand.  “I almost forgot.  My name’s Joseph, but everyone calls me Joey.”

 

Stacy nodded, taking his hand and letting it go immediately.  She quickly walked past him to where he had pointed minutes before.

 

“And you’re supposed to tell me your name now…”he called after her.

 

“Stacy.”  She called before walking inside the door to her new home for the summer.

 

“I’ll be seein’ you around Stacy.  Count on it!”  Joey shouted before the door closed.

 

Stacy sighed.  He had almost always been there. He always made sure he was in her life, even if she didn’t want him there and she had done the same for him.  How could she hide this from him?  He would find out, and then he would find a way to make it all better, no matter what the cost to himself.  No, she couldn’t bare the thought.   She had to postpone him finding out for as long as she could.  She would rather die than crush his dream. 

She threw her arm over the couch, bending her elbow and placing her head on it as a pillow.  Her breaths deepened as she quickly fell into a restless sleep.

 

«««

 

“How’s our little Medusa doing?”  Chris turned the television in the hotel he, Joey and Lance shared and pounced onto the couch.

 

Joey’s blank stare gave away his feelings about Stacy.

 

“She’s keeping something important from me, I know it.”

 

Chris shrugged, not taking his eyes off of the television screen.

 

“Joe, I’ve known you for a few years and I’ve known Stacy almost as long.  Granted, I know I don’t hang with her much, but I’ve seen the way she is with you.  She’ll tell you when she feels it’s time.”

 

Joey stared at his friend, dumbfounded.  “Wow, that was deep man.”

 

Joey snapped out of his trance as a couch pillow whizzed by his head.  “Hey, watch it, brace boy!”  Joey chuckled, taking a seat next to Chris on the couch.  His eyes widened as Chris scanned through the stations.

 

“WAIT!”  Joey yelled. “Turn it back there.”

 

“Where?”

 

“That last channel.”

 

Chris turned the channel back and rolled his eyes when he noticed what was on.

 

“Baywatch?” He said, disgusted.  “You need to go out and find yourself a lady Joey.”  He laughed.

 

Joey nodded and grumbled a ‘shut-up’ before gluing his eyes to the television once more.

 

A few minutes later a yawning Lance walked into the living room, observing the two seated on the couch their stares blank.

 

“Watching ‘Baywatch’ again?”  He chuckled in amusement.  “What an exciting day to spend your free evening.”  He walked into the hotel kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

 

Joey turned his head and watched Lance.  “Ya know, you’re right.  Let’s go do something.”  He smiled, nudging Chris in the ribs.  Chris whined.

 

“We have to get up early.”

 

Joey groaned.  “That never stopped you before, Mr. Coffee.”

 

Chris shrugged.  “Whatever.”

 

Lance looked with interest at his friend.  “What do you want to do?  I can’t go clubbing, so that’s out the question.”

 

Joey stood up, laughing.  “You’re kidding right?”

 

Lance shook his head, confused.  “I’m under-age Joey, even for Germany.”

 

Joey let another chuckle out from under his breath.  “Lance, do you realize how big we are getting out here?  They’ll let you in the club.  Now come on.”

 

Lance shrugged, grabbing his wallet and followed Joey out the door.

 

Joey had to get out and do something or else his mind would wander back to his friend and he would only worry, bringing him down.  No, what he needed was a night to relax and he knew just how to do it.

 

Chapter 4

(1 week later-Orlando)

 

The morning air was crisp and the sun was slowly rising over the horizon as Stacy zipped up her jacket.  She bent down and zipped up Annie’s as well, taking a hold of her hand and locking her front door behind her.  She opened her purse and dug through it searching for her car keys.  She slowly walked to her car, fumbling for the right key.  She opened the back door, picking Annie up and buckling her into her car seat. 

“Don’t tell me you were going to drive over to our house?”

 

A familiar voice sounded behind her as she pulled her door open.  She turned around quickly.

“Steve.  And to what do I owe this pleasure?  I was just going over to say hi to the fam.  Are you gonna ruin that for me?”

 

Steve nodded, smiling from ear to ear and handing her an overstuffed manila envelope containing the record contract Joey had asked her to look over.  She grabbed it quickly from his hands and glanced at it, before tossing it into the passenger seat of her small car.

 

Steve made his way to the opposite side of the car, as Annie squealed in glee.

 

“Uncle Steve!”  She smiled at him, pressing her palm to her lips and kissing it, waving her hand towards him as he opened up her door.

 

His fingers made their way to her stomach and she giggled as he tickled her sides.

 

“How’s my little rascal this morning huh?”  He laughed as her small hands tried to push his own away, with no results.  He stopped tickling her and kissed her forehead, waving a goodbye and closing the door.

 

“Actually I was gonna try to ask you out again.”  Steve made his way back to Stacy and took her hands in his, getting down on his knees.  Stacy burst into laughter.

 

“Steve, you are too much.  How many times do I have to shoot you down before you get it through that thick Fatone ego that I don’t want to go out with you.”

 

Steve stood up and plastered a pout on his face.  His eyes got larger.  “It’s because you’re in love with my brother huh?”

 

Stacy laughed harder.  “Yeah.  The day I fall in love with your brother is the day….”

 

“The day that NSYNC sells a million albums.”  Steve smiled widely, pulling his hands away from Stacy’s.

 

Stacy stopped laughing and her brows furrowed in confusion.  “You don’t think they’ll make it?”

 

Steve shook his head quickly, leaning on the car.  “No, I didn’t mean that.  I support those guys all the way, but come on, a million albums?  That’s damned near impossible.”

 

Stacy nodded.  “Nothing’s impossible and watch your language around the young one.”  She motioned to the back seat where Annie sat, playing with a Barbie she had discovered on the seat next to her.

Steve’s eyes widened mischievously.  “So you are in love with my brother?”  He chuckled softly.

 

Stacy quickly sat down in her car and slammed the door, rolling down the window.  “You just stop that right now Steven!”  She turned the key in the ignition and started down the driveway.  She honked and leaned her head out the window.  “And say hi to mom and dad Fatone for me!”

 

Steve waved back as Stacy sped down the road.

 

«««

 

“Joey, come on.  Concentrate here!”  JC sighed and glanced over at his friend.  “This is the last song we have to do.” 

Joey nodded, placing the headphones back over his head.  He glanced around the small recording booth at his friends.  He looked through the glass at the man sitting at the controls and stuck his thumb up, motioning for him to continue.

 

“Your love is like a river, peaceful and….”

 

The music stopped abruptly and the group heard the microphone click on.

 

“Joey that is all wrong.  You’re too high on that part and you’re half a beat behind everyone else.”

 

Joey rolled his eyes in aggravation.  “Why can’t I get this down?”  He grumbled to himself.  Maybe because all you’ve been doing lately is going out to clubs?  Or maybe it’s because you can’t stop worrying about Stacy.  Joey shook the thoughts from his head as the music started once more, this time totally emerging himself in the song.

 

«««

 

“But Steve!  Something is wrong with her I know it!  What is it?”  Joey shouted angrily into the receiver.

“I’m sorry Joe, I promised I wouldn’t tell you anything.  She has to tell you herself.”

 

“WHAT?!”  Joey couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  His best friend was keeping something from him deliberately and his family knew about it.  Why didn’t he?  She was his best friend.  Maybe “was” is the right phrase.  Maybe she feels like I abandoned her.  I mean, I did, didn’t I?  Joey shook his head in confusion.  “She, she isn’t mad is she?”

 

Steve sighed.  “Joey you’re not gonna get anywhere with this, you gotta talk to her yourself.  But no, she doesn’t resent you.  I know what you’re thinking.  You’re still her best friend.  She’s just…” there was a short silence.  “She’s scared.”

 

Joey was even more confused now.  “Scared of what?”

 

Steve’s voice got louder.  “I don’t know!  Scared she might lose her best friend!  Scared she can’t live out her dreams!  Scared she might ruin yours!  I don’t know Joey, why don’t you ask her yourself!”  Steve’s hands flew into the air in frustration.

 

Joey’s heart sank.  “She’s scared she’ll lose me?”  His voice was barely above a whisper.

 

Steve shook his head, guilty that he let out a small portion of Stacy’s secret.  “I don’t know Joey.  But at the rate I hear you are partying and drinking in those clubs over there, I am too.”

 

“What?  I’m not going out and getting drunk every night.  I don’t drink that much.  Besides, I don’t go for the alcohol anyway.”

 

Steve snorted.  “Oh yeah, you go for the promiscuous women.”  He sighed angrily.  “What’s with you lately.  I mean you have always been a flirt, but from what the guys have been telling me about the way you act when you guys you go out, what do you think you’re so big already that you can go do whatever with women over there and they fall all over you or what?”

 

Joey’s face grew red in anger.  “No!  God Steve!  You have no idea what it’s like!  It’s hard work and it’s stressful.  I just need a break.  Would you relax and stop acting like my father!”

 

“Well, someone needs to.”  Steve muttered under his breath.

 

“I heard that!”

 

Steve shrugged.  “So…”

 

Joey almost slammed down the phone in his hand, but Steve continued.

 

“Are you gonna call her?”

 

Joey sighed in defeat.  “Yeah.  Listen, sorry for yelling at you.  I think part of it is….”

 

“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain yourself.  What you do with your life is your business, not mine.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

«««

 

Joey stood still in shock.  Stacy could see the tears brimming in his swollen eyes.

 

“Joey, I meant to tell you, I swear…It’s just how could I?”

 

Joey shook his head in disappointment.  The disappointed looks of five other faces stood in front of her.

 

“How could you do this to him?”  Justin muttered.

 

JC stared at her angrily.  “You are such a liar.”

 

Stacy couldn’t help the tears that fell down her face.  “But I was trying to protect him…”

 

“From what?”  Steve’s voice echoed in her ears.

 

Stacy looked around, trying to find the voice belonging to him.  She turned to face Joey again, discovering him gone.

 

The world around her turned dark and she was alone, standing in the middle of a desert, Annie’s small hand holding onto her own, but slowly fading away.

 

“No!”  She cried out to the now lonely desert.  “Don’t leave me alone Joey.  I can’t do this alone!”

 

Stacy’s eyes jerked open and she breathed faster, trying to calm herself down.

“Stacy?”  Stacy’s sleepy gaze fell onto her sister.

“What are you doing here princess?  Why aren’t you sleeping in your own bed?”  Stacy whispered into the dark room, trying to distinguish Annie’s features.

 

“I hoord you cwying sissy.  Why are you so sad?”  Annie moved her head closer to Stacy’s and laid it gently on the pillow next to her.

 

Stacy’s left hand found her sister’s hair and she ran her fingers through it soothingly.  “I’m sorry I woke you sweetie, but I’m not crying.”  Her right hand moved up to her face and she felt it, noticing her wet cheeks and eyelashes.  She wiped the tears away quickly.

 

“Do you miss mommy too?”  Annie whispered into Stacy’s ear as if trying to tell her a secret.

 

Stacy nodded.  “Yeah sweetie, I do.”  To be honest, her mother was the least of her worries, but she played along anyway.

 

Stacy could see Annie’s sympathetic smile in the darkness.  “Well, mommy told me that anytime I get sad I gotta sing dat lullaby she used to sing to us.  Do you member it?”

 

Stacy’s brain searched through her lost memories, searching for the song her sister so vividly remembered, but she couldn’t.

 

“No, sweetie.  Do you want to sing it for me?”

 

Annie nodded happily and began humming the tune to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” 

Memories flooded Stacy’s mind as Annie started in on the chorus.

 

“In da jungle, da mightily jungle, da wion sweeps tonight…”

 

Annie’s eyes slid shut as Stacy took over, singing in a whisper.  After a few minutes, she kissed her sister’s cheek softly and covered her small body with her comforter.  Her eyes slowly closed once more.

 

«««

 

Joey waited for the dial tone and quickly dialed Stacy’s number, his hand shaking nervously.  The phone rang twice before the soft voice of a child answered it.

 

“Hewo?”

 

Joey shook his head, hanging up the phone quickly.  He laid back on his bed and rubbed his hand over his face in confusion.

 

“Hey Joe!”  Chris’ cheerful voice broke the silence.  “So, did you tell your family the good news?”

 

Joey nodded, answering in a muffled voice.  “Which good news?”

 

Chris snickered.  “Too hot to handle, Mr. Ladies’ man?”  He paused, purposely bouncing onto Joey’s bed next to him.  “Too much to drink last night, you hunk?”

 

Joey shook his head from where it rested underneath his bent arm.  “No.”

 

Chris bit his lip.  “Oh.  Well then, did you tell them we are coming home to fine tune the album and re-release it?”

 

Joey shook his head once more.  “Not yet.”

 

Chris jumped up and down a few times on the bed before bouncing onto the floor, landing on his butt.

 

Joey laughed.  “Serves you right.”

 

Chris winced in pain.  “Ow, that hurt.”  He stood up and gained his composure.  “Well, you’d better tell ‘em soon, this guy Lou Pearlman wants to meet with us in two weeks.”

 

Joey sat up straight and glared down at Chris.  “I’ll tell ‘em okay?  Just, give me time.  This is a lot to handle.  I don’t know what you are so upbeat about.  This is all happening so fast, it’s like I’m caught on this roller coaster and I can’t get off.”

 

Chris nodded, standing up and taking a seat next to Joey on the bed.  He patted Joey’s knee gently.  “And you don’t think we all feel that way?”  His eyebrows lowered, as if waiting for an answer, but he continued.  “Ya know if we all worry about this like you are right now, we’d be total stress cases.  I’ve learned you have to appreciate what you get, what’s been handed to you, as long as you deserve it and so I’m going with the flow and enjoying it.  We’ve deserved this Joey, don’t ever forget that.”  Chris frowned slightly and stood up, walking to the door. He opened it, turning around and smiling comfortingly at Joey before walking out and closing the door behind him.

“Where is it?!”  Stacy yelled into the empty walk-in closet in front of her.  “God, the one thing he gave me, I can’t even freakin’ find it!”  Stacy threw a pair of sneakers out of her way and onto the floor of her bedroom.  She dug around a little more, finding a white cardboard box.  She tore it open and rummaged through it, finally finding what she was looking for.  She smiled slowly as she pulled a camera out of the box and examined it, making sure it was still usable.

 

***Flashback-December 1990.  Stacy's family's small apartment in Chicago***

“Joey, I can’t believe your mom let you come visit me all by yourself!”  Stacy stared at her friend in shock as he threw his bag over his shoulder and strolled into the tiny apartment, greeting her with a hug.

“Well, how could I leave my girl all alone?”  He smiled, looking around the apartment.  His heart fell.

 

The apartment hadn’t been cleaned in weeks and he doubted anyone but Stacy would get around to doing it.  Dirty dishes lined the square kitchen counters and even cluttered on the coffee table in the small living room.  The apartment reeked of cigarette smoke and beer.  Joey swallowed the lump in his throat as he tripped over an empty beer bottle, one of many that lay on the floor.

 

Stacy blushed, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.  She smiled at him, trying to clean up a path for Joey to get through to her closet-sized room.  “I’m, I’m sorry.  I was supposed to clean today, but I had that photography contest at school and I just….I didn’t….”

 

Joey smiled, taking her hand in his and leading her to her own room as if he knew the way perfectly.

 

“That’s okay.  You should see my room!  Man, it’s like a hurricane went through it.  You would be so disgusted Stace, it’s not even funny.”  He chuckled, trying to make her feel better.

 

Stacy laughed, his remedy working, as Joey laid his bag down, taking a seat on Stacy’s twin sized bed.

 

“So, how did it go anyway?”

 

Stacy bit her lip in contemplation.  “How did what go?”

 

Joey patted the empty spot on her bed next to him.  “The contest silly.”

 

Stacy’s eyes widened.  “Oh!  It went great!  My teacher let me borrow her camera and I took pictures around the city and I won 3rd place!  My collection is up in the library at school!”

 

Joey’s smile grew wider as he wrapped his arms around Stacy.  “Congratulations Stace!  I knew you could do it!  I knew you were like the most awesome photographer ever!  Ever since that day at camp when you saw that guy taking pictures of the plays, from then you were hooked girly!  And you are awesome at it!”

 

Stacy blushed.  “Thanks.  At least I found something I love to do.  I just wish I could do it all the time, get a job or something, ya know?  Get out of this damn house.”

 

Joey’s face dropped.  “I’m sorry Stace.  But listen, I am here for the weekend, so we are gonna go party it up, go out, do whatever you want to do!  I promise.”

 

Stacy’s eyes lit up!  “The whole weekend?!  Your mom didn’t tell me that!”

 

Joey laughed.  “It was supposed to be a surprise, did it work?”

 

Stacy nodded.

 

“And, I have another surprise for you.  Close your eyes.”

 

Stacy’s eyebrows went up in expectation as she closed her eyes.  “What is it?”

 

Joey pulled out a box wrapped in blue wrapping paper out of his bag, grunting as he set it down on the bed in front of her.  “Okay, open them.”

 

Stacy stared at the box in confusion as Joey motioned for her to open it.  She started unwrapping the box carefully.

 

Joey couldn’t contain his excitement.  He started tearing off the wrapping paper himself.  “Come on Stace!  I am only here for the weekend, open it already!”

 

Stacy giggled as she finished unwrapping the gift and her eyes widened in shock and she squealed in delight.  She opened the box quickly, taking out a professional sized 400-millimeter zoom camera.  Joey smiled proudly as she unwrapped the camera from the protective plastic and examined it closely, fiddling with the settings and aiming the lens around the room.  After a few minutes she dropped the camera in front of her and hugged Joey tightly, rubbing his back and digging her face into his shoulder.  He closed his eyes taking in the scent of berries.

 

“Joey this is the best gift anyone has ever given me!  Thank you so much!  I…I don’t know what to say…it’s just so….”

 

Joey chuckled.  “You don’t have to say anything that look on your face told me I was right to buy that for ya sweetie.”  He paused, letting the moment set in.  “Just promise me you’ll stick with this Stace, never give up your dreams.  No matter what.”

 

Stacy nodded.  “I promise.  And Joey.  You too.”

 

Joey nodded.  “Never.”  They broke apart giggling, just happy to be in each other’s company.  “Now!”  Joey sighed.  “Let’s go do something!”  He grabbed Stacy’s hand leading her out of the apartment, both ready to take on the world.

 

Stacy turned the camera on slowly and looked through the shutter.  She sighed.  It had been two long years since she had even touched the thing, let alone take any pictures.  Photography used to be her life.  She chuckled sadly.  Used to be.  Now, the only fun she had was braiding her sister’s hair at six thirty in the morning.  She stared at the camera in contemplation. 

Steve had trained her to use it properly and she remembered him telling her one-day that the reason she took pictures so well was because that was how she saw life.  To her, life was something to capture, a beautiful picture to treasure forever.  That was why she had made the choices she had made and followed Joey down to Florida and helped him to pursue what was now his reality.

 

Stacy frowned, putting the camera down and rummaging through the box, looking for spare film.  She smiled widely when she found it and placed it in the camera.  She threw the camera over her neck and walked outside, aiming the lens and shooting whatever she could.

 

An hour later Stacy felt more alive than she had before her life had changed and she didn’t want to let it go.  Her feet had taken her to the nearby park, a mile away from her home, where she was taking pictures of the children on the swings and the little boys playing catch with their fathers.  She smiled, taking in the view in front of her, before finally placing the camera back against her chest and taking a seat on a nearby bench.

 

“If only I could make a career out of this.”  She sighed aloud letting the soft afternoon sun beat down onto her face.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a shrill ringing protruding from her pocket.  She grunted, lifting the small object out of her pocket and flipping it open.

 

“Hello?”  She sighed into the receiver.

 

“Hey baby.  What are you doing?”  Steve ‘s cheerful voice swarmed into her ears.

 

“Taking pictures.”

 

Silence.

 

Stacy frowned.  “Steve?”

 

“Yeah, I’m here.  Taking pictures? You mean with your camera?”

 

Stacy laughed.  “Duh.”

 

“Wow.”  Steve took a deep breath.  “It’s been awhile hasn’t it?”

 

Stacy nodded, feeling guilty.  “Yeah it has.  Too long.”

 

“You thinkin’ about getting back into it Stace?  You know it’s been your dream.  You are such an….”

 

“And how could I do that without any income Steve?  Come on….”

 

“Woah, sorry, didn’t mean to upset you.  I just thought maybe it’s time you got back into the swing of things.  Speaking of which, what time is it?”

 

Stacy glanced down at her wrist.  “What do you mean what time is it?” 

“Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere?”

 

She glanced down at her watch once more.  “It’s five o’clock.  Not really.”

 

“Oh, like I don’t know isn’t it time to pick up Annie?”

 

A light flashed on in Stacy’s head.  “OH MY GOD!  I completely forgot!  OH MY GOD!  I am such a horrible person, I didn’t even know, I lost track of time and….”

 

The sound of Steve’s laughter could be heard from the other end of the phone. 

Stacy scrambled to her feet, gathering her camera and taking off towards her house.  “Steve, why the hell are you laughing.  I am neglecting my little sister!”  Her steps quickened as she turned onto the sidewalk of her block.

 

“Probably because I already picked her up.”

 

Stacy stopped walking and stared at her phone in confusion.  “What?”  She said out of breath.

 

“I saw you at the park, so I figured I would pick Annie up for you.  She needed some quality time with her uncle Steve anyway.”

 

Stacy sighed in relief.  “Thank you Steve, you are a lifesaver.”

 

Steve chuckled.  “Don’t thank me yet, wait till you see what we’ve been doing.”

 

Stacy rolled her eyes.  “I don’t even want to know.”

Joey walked off the plane, feeling more relaxed then he had in a long time.  He was home, finally.  After months of shows, promo stuff and recording, they finally had a record deal.  In the course of the next three weeks they would record four new songs to complete their first US album and it would be an amazing album, better than the one they had recently released in Europe.  It would announce them as a group, as *NSYNC.  Lou promised it would pave the way for shows, press, millions of fans and a summer tour.  He looked around the airport in awe, not being able to find one person who recognized him.  Sure, it was five thirty in the morning, but he expected some fans to be there.  It was something he had grown accustomed to in Europe.

 

 ~~Flashback-3 months prior-Eastern Europe~~

 

Chris was the first off the plane and was greeted by a mob of girls, begging for an autograph, picture, or some sort of memory of the five men that had stolen their hearts.  He smiled and waved at the girls, stopping to sign autographs as he was ushered along by the new bodyguards hired to protect them from the screaming fans.

 

Joey smiled as he stepped off the plane into the large crowd of screaming, crying and giggling girls.  He stopped to sign a couple autographs, but was quickly pulled away by the bodyguards, urging him to follow them to the limousine.  He looked around at the crowd of girls and had to laugh.

 

“If Stacy could see me now.”

 

 

 

Joey eyed the small airport terminal, his eyes finally landing on his family.  His heart beat faster and his eyes filled with tears as he walked up to them, seeing them for the first time in almost a year.  They embraced him with tears in their eyes and ear to ear smiles on their faces, before flooding him with the millions of questions he had expected them to ask.

 

“So, Superstar.”  Steve laughed.  “Meet any girls you wanna send my way?  What’s this I hear about you being mobbed at the airport in Germany?  Is it true your album sold that many over there?  When is it gonna be released here?”

 

Joey’s mother kissed his lips and broke away, heaving a sigh of relief.  “I was so worried about you Joseph.  So, let me feel this new beard you have growing.  It’s very handsome.  When do you guys start touring?  Did Europe treat you good?”

 

“When can we hear your songs?”  Joe Sr. begged, putting his arm around his son.  “I’ve been bragging to all my friends, I gotta back myself up here Joe.”

 

Joey chuckled.  “Don’t worry Dad.  You’ll get the CD when I unpack.”

 

“Joey, have you talked to Stacy yet?  Does she know you’re back?”  Joey’s heart stopped when his sister mentioned Stacy’s name after hugging him.  “She misses you, ya know.”

 

Joey nodded.  “I haven’t talked to her.  I know something’s wrong so I was giving her time.”

 

Joe Sr. shook his head in disappointment at his son.  “In laments terms your avoiding her because she hasn’t talked to you.  Bull Joseph.  You’d better go see her…”

 

“Before she leaves for work.”  Phyllis added, pushing her son towards their car.

 

“Work?”  Joey asked confused.  He allowed his family to rush him out to their car while waving goodbye to the other guys, promising to call them later.

 

 

 

Joey slipped his key into the lock and turned it slowly, being careful not to make any added noise.  The doorknob turned slightly and he stepped inside.  A soft glow emanated from the small living room.  A smirk appeared on his face as he fell down to his knees, creeping up behind the couch and peeking his head over the top of it.  The sight caught him by surprise.

Instead of a tired looking Stacy, a small, almost tiny body sat in front of the glowing television, her back to Joey.  Her long, auburn hair fell down her back and stuck out in all directions.  Her body gently swayed back and forth to the music and dancing of the cartoons on the television as she tried her best to sing along.

 

“We’re animanwiacs.  We’re cwrazy maxes…”

 

Joey smiled lovingly and dropped down so he was on all fours as he crawled up beside Annie, still unnoticed by her.  He sat down behind her and swayed along to the music with her.

 

“Animany, totally insany…” he sang along in a whisper.

 

Annie’s small body froze as she tried to recognize Joey’s voice.  Realization hit a second later as she turned around, squealing in delight.  She threw her arms around Joey and hugged him tightly.

 

“Uncle Joey!”  She whispered into his ear.  “What you doin here?”

 

Joey chuckled pulling her closer to him and sitting down, placing her on his lap and running his fingers through her soft hair.  “I could ask the same of you lil’ bit.”

 

Annie giggled softly.  “I’m waitin fa sissy to get up and do ma hair fa scwool silly.”

 

Joey’s brows furrowed in confusion.  “School ya say?”

 

Annie nodded proudly.  “We’re gonna finga paint today.”

 

Joey’s eyes grew wide as he plastered on a fake smile and looked down at her.  “You are!  Can you paint a picture for your uncle Joey?  PUUULEEEAAAASEEE.”  He whined.

 

Annie laughed.  “Okay.”

 

Joey smiled down at her again as he rocked her back and forth in his lap.  “So, are you goin’ to school here while you visit Stacy?”

 

Annie laughed and playfully smacked Joey’s chest.  “No silly.  I wive here.”

 

Joey froze in shock.  He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.  He was totally and utterly confused.  His head jerked up as he heard a door close from down the hall.  He stood up quickly, pulling Annie into his arms as an exhausted Stacy strolled into the living room, wiping the sleep out of her eyes.

 

“Annie sweetie, it’s time for…”

 

Stacy’s eyes widened when she saw the person standing a few feet in front of her Annie smiling in his arms.

 

Tears pricked Stacy’s eyes as she stared at Joey, frozen in place.

 

Joey smiled tenderly at her, placing Annie on the floor. 

Annie pointed up at Joey once she was safely on the floor.  “Wook who’s here sissy!”

 

Stacy nodded.  “Yes, I can see that.”  She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, her eyes never leaving Joey.  “Go get dressed for school sweetie, okay?”

 

“Otay.”  Annie waved at Joey and ran down the hallway to her room.

 

“Joe…Joey, what, why, what are you?”  Stacy swallowed quickly, not quite knowing what to do, but knowing that the site of her best friend, tired face and all was about the best thing she had seen in a very long time.  Her eyes brightened the moment she realized that her best friend, her lifeline was standing in front of her in her living room, a new, older look, goatee and all, but her best friend nonetheless.  “What are you doing here?”  She finished quickly and took a deep breath to calm herself down. 

“We came back to re-release our album here and tour.”  God she looks exhausted.  She looks like she’s lost all the life in her.  He gulped and stepped closer to her angry at himself for upsetting Stacy and making her feel uncomfortable in her own house.  “I wanted to surprise you.”

 

That step forward was all she needed.  She couldn’t take it anymore.  She threw herself into his outstretch arms and buried her head in his shoulder, crying out all her frustrations and grief.

 

Joey ran his hands through her hair, trying to provide her with any amount of comfort he could.

“Shh.  It’s alright.  I’m back, for awhile at least.  I promise.”

 

Stacy smiled into his shoulder.  “I have to tell you something.”

 

Joey nodded.  “It can wait.”

 

Stacy shook her head and backed away from Joey, wiping the tears from her eyes as Annie skipped back into the living room, now dressed in jeans and a “My Little Pony” T-shirt, and carrying a brush in her right hand.

 

“Sissy.  I need ma hair bwushed.”

 

Stacy nodded, sniffling up her tears and wiping the rest away with the back of her hand as she turned towards Annie, getting down on her knees so she was level with her and picking up the brush out of Annie’s hand, brushing through her hair.

 

Joey watched on in interest as Annie smiled up at him, cringing now and then when Stacy brushed through a tangle.

“Joey, you don’t understand.”  Stacy continued, not daring to look up at Joey.  “I’m not the same girl you left.”

 

Joey took a deep breath and nodded.  “No.  I guess not.”  He shrugged.  “But what does that matter?”  He took a step forward and sat down next to her, crossing his legs.

 

The brush left Annie’s hair as Annie ran back down the hallway, grabbing her backpack.

 

Stacy stared at the floor.  “I don’t know.  See, when you were gone…”

 

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted her.  She glanced at Joey quickly, before standing up to answer it.

 

“Stace, hey!  Sorry I’m so late, Matthew would not take his bath this morning and…” 

Joey stood up and walked to the door, staring at curiosity at the dark woman standing in the doorway, holding a small boy in her arms.  She smiled at him.  “And you must be the Joey that Stace is always telling me about.”  She glanced at Stacy and then smiled back at Joey.  “Well hot damn, I guess she wasn’t lying about you then!”

 

The little boy in her arms widened his eyes.  “Momma you said daaaayuuuum.”

 

The woman rolled her eyes.  “Hush Matt.  Don’t listen to me.”  She let herself in and set the little boy down on the carpeting.  He smiled and ran down the hallway in search of Annie.

 

Stacy smiled absently at her friend.  “Megan, this is Joey.  Joey, this is Megan.  I, uh, I met her when I was taking my practice bar exam, uh, a while ago and turns out she lives a few blocks over…” she laughed nervously.

 

Joey smiled and held his hand out to her.  “Nice to meet you.  Practice bar exams huh?  Wow, you lawyers…”  he chuckled, trying to break the thick tension in the room.

 

Megan nodded, walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, sticking her head into it.  “I take Princess Annie to preschool.  I teach there.  Matt is my son.”  She stood up and faced Stacy and Joey, laughing at their awkward faces.  “I failed the practice bar, so I figured what the hell, kids are better anyway, so I started teaching.  Stacy didn’t tell you I guess about her…”

 

Stacy grunted loudly and glared at Megan, motioning for her to shut up with her eyes. 

Megan’s eyes widened as she bit into her apple, and glanced down at her watch.  “Looks like I was interrupting something so…well um, I’m running late anyway.  I’m just gonna take the kiddies to school now and leave you two to um…”  She cleared her throat.  “Talk or whatever you were doing.”  She flipped back one of her braids and walked back over to the door, opening it and calling for the kids.  Seconds later Annie and Matt raced into the living room and towards the door. 

Stacy kissed Annie’s forehead and waved goodbye as she pranced out the door.  Megan grabbed the door handle, closing it, but not before winking at Stacy and smiling.

 

“See you two laterz!”  She called, slamming the door behind her.

 

Stacy glanced awkwardly at Joey.  Her eyes lowered when they met his and she stared at the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.  Finally, after what seemed like forever in the awkward silence they both shared, she gently took his right hand in hers and started to lead him down the hallway.

 

“Joey.”  She paused. I can do this.  “I want to show you something.”

 

Joey nodded, allowing himself to be led down the hallway.

 

Stacy stopped in front of his room, or at least what used to be his bedroom.  She opened the door slowly and led him in, turning on the light.

 

He looked around the room in shock.  His posters were gone, his sheets were gone, and even his clothes hanging in the closet seemed to have disappeared.  He looked to Stacy for an answer.

 

She nodded.  “This is Annie’s room now.”

 

Joey nodded, letting go of her hand and exploring the room.  His eyes darted from one wall to the next, finally landing on a small pile of boxes in the far corner of the room with his name on them.  He took a deep breath.

 

“I guess things HAVE changed.”

 

Stacy approached him slowly, his back to her and reached out to touch his shoulder.

 

“I wanted to tell you so badly, but I knew how you would react and I couldn’t bear to stand in the way of your dream.  It’s just that, it all happened so fast.  You going away, this and now you’re back and I know you must be upset but…”

 

Joey turned around to face her and she searched his face for some kind of emotion.

 

Compassion and hurt dripped from his eyes.  He clasped Stacy’s hands in his and smiled tenderly at her.

 

“Just tell me what happened.”  His voice was barely above a whisper, but Stacy heard his stern tone loud and clear.

 

She sighed loudly and finally broke down, telling him what she had wanted to confide in him for months.  She told him about her mother, about how Paul couldn’t take Annie, her new job, her decision to quit school and work full-time and her decision to keep Annie there as long as she needed to.  She hated her new job, but she wouldn’t trade her new life with Annie for anything.

Joey nodded now and then in understanding and let Stacy tell him what she needed to.  He knew it had killed her to keep this from him and it hurt him as well that she felt she couldn’t tell him something this important, but he understood her reasons.  He realized that she was absolutely right.  As soon as he would have found out he would have left Europe to help her out and if he had done that, then this new life, his dream would not be possible...

More Coming Soon...