"Well hello there Miss Starla," he greeted her cheerfully, "You look awfully happy this evening."
"Oh, I am!" she told him, beaming. "I've just received the most amazing news and I can't wait to tell Maman about it!"
George's wrinkled old face broke into a broad smile as he surveyed the exuberant young lady whom he had always felt a grandfatherly affection for. He was glad to see Starla so happy for she was normally very forlorn looking, like a timid doe taken away from her home in the woods.
"Now you go on up and tell your mother all about your wonderful news," George said. "I'm sure you don't want to keep her waiting."
"Okay. Bye George!" Starla called as she retreated into her building. She darted inside the elevator and pushed the button for the tenth floor. When the elevator stopped she jumped out and practically ran to her door. She stopped short, though, as she heard the angry shouts coming from inside.
"Damnit woman, can't you do anything right?!"
Starla cringed and her eyes filled with tears as she heard her father screaming at her mother and throwing things around. No matter how often her father had had these fits she could never get used to them.
And why today of all days? she wondered sadly as the tears trickled down her cheeks. The one special day in my life and he has to be here to ruin it. I thought he was supposed to be on a business trip!
Unable to stand the screaming any longer Starla ran from the building. She was only a few blocks away from her special place.......the place she went to escape from it all.
"I can't believe it! I think that's Lance Bass!" a shrill voice screamed, interrupting his thoughts. Lance pulled his baseball cap down lower, trying to shield his face, and started walking even faster. He was not in the mood to talk to some prepubescent girl who thought she loved him. Ha! Like she even knew what love was! He turned the corner and discreetly slipped into the doorway of a run down looking building. Hopefully he had lost the little girl.
As far back as Starla could remember her father had always yelled and hit both her mother and herself. No matter how bad it got her mother could never bring herself to leave him. She was always hoping that he'd miraculously change back into the sweet young man she had fallen in love with. Of course Starla knew better than that. Even if Starla went to the police they'd never believe her. Her father was Edward Whetherly, one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in NY. His public image was meticulous and his family life was kept very private. Everyone thought he was the perfect husband and father.
As Starla sat there feeling dismayed she suddenly remembered something her mother had taught her long ago, when she was feeling especially sad. "Whenever I'm feeling sad," her mother had told her, "I just sing my favorite song. It always makes me feel better. Why don't you sing it with me and it can be our special song."
As Starla recalled these words of her mother's she knew exactly what she needed to do.
The beautiful voice led him to a large room where he was greeted by the vision of an exquisite looking girl. Since she had yet to notice him he was able to study her uninhibitedly. She looked to be about nineteen years old and was very petite, probably just over 5 feet tall. Her glossy, raven colored hair fell in soft curls, just below her waist and she had creamy ivory skin which he was sure must be perfect. What really caught his attention, though, was her eyes. She had these large violet colored eyes that seemed to look out into the world with this unbearable sadness. It was as if they were calling out for help.
Finally tearing his eyes away from her, Lance was able to concentrate on what she was singing. His eyes widened in recognintion and he wondered why, of all the songs in the world, she was singing that one.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes / Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
When the dog bites / When the bee stings/ When I'm feeling sad /
As Starla finished the song she was feeling much better than before. She had even forgotten all about her dad for a minute there. The sound of someone clapping caused her to immediately tense up, though. Who's here? I thought I was all alone!
She openend her eyes hesitantly with an irrational fear that it might be her father. What she saw, though, took her breath away. Standing right in front of her was an angel from above....or at least that's what he looked like. His hair was of the palest blond and he had the most magnificient green eyes. Starla, finally realizing how long she had been gaping at him, looked down embarrassed.
"That was beautiful...you could definitely give Julie Andrews a run for her money," Lance told her, breaking the silence.
"T-Thanks," Starla replied softly. "Well, I..um....I have to go now. Goodbye." And with that she quickly disappeared.
Starla Whetherly, brimming with excitement, hurried across the cold, New York sidewalk. It was hard to believe that it was only a few short minutes ago that her English professor had delievered the most incredible news to her. Her poem, "Darkness Falls Upon My Soul", had just won first place in the Young Poets Across America contest. Starla was ecstatic and couldn't wait to share the wonderful news with her mother. She stopped suddenly in front of a very expensive looking apartment building and smiled brightly at the doorman, George.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lance Bass wandered along the cold, winter streets and felt the self-pity wash over him. Here he was with thousands of ardent girls all vying for his attention and yet he had never felt so alone in his life. He was desperately afraid that he'd never find his true love....that she didn't exsist. And while he loved what he did, performing wonderful music for thousands of people, he would give it all up in an instant if it meant that he'd finally find that one special girl.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Safely inside the building she called her 'special place', Starla allowed the tears to run freely down her cheeks. Poor Maman, she thought to herself, I should have stayed there with her. She just couldn't bear to listen to the yelling and crying right now, though. Especially so soon after receiving the wonderful news about her poem. Besides, I'm sure Maman can take care of herself.....she's been doing it for twenty-five years now.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lance sighed with relief when he realized he had lost the girl. Although he was grateful to his fans for all their support he just couldn't face any of them right now. His emotions were just too muddled. He decided to wait a few minutes before leaving his hiding place, to make sure the coast was clear, and he was just about to go back outside when he heard the most beautiful voice singing. Forgetting all about his plans to leave he quickly followed the sound of the singing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Starla, still oblivious to her handsome visitor, continued to sing with a fervor.
Silver white winters that melt into springs / These are a few of my favorite things
I simply remember my favorite things / And then I don't feel so bad
