YOUR DADDY'S SON
Hey Everyone. We've been writing long stories for a while now, so we decided to try our hands at short stories. Here's our first. The song is taken from the Broadway Musical "Ragtime". It's an excellent play and the music is very moving. We do not know NSYNC in any way, but the fictional characters all belong to us. Please do not copy them or the storyline.
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Sarah walked slowly towards her destination. She could see the cold slab of stone in the distant, small and sadly beautiful. As she walked along, she started to think of the way things used to be...the way she wished they still were...and the events that led up to the life she was living now.
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~ flashback ~
Sarah followed the beautiful music, searching in open doorways, not finding where it was coming from. Finally she stopped at the last door in the studio’s hallway. As the music continued to play, Sarah pushed the door softly open.
Inside sat a young man with his eyes closed. His fingers ran lightly over the keys as he hummed the same tune he was playing. A few minutes later, the music stopped and he opened his eyes as if sensing he was being watched. Sarah found herself staring in the bluest pair of eyes she had ever seen. His eyes widened when he saw her.
“Hello,” she said, softly. She smiled brightly at him, her smile making his heart jump. “I’m Sarah. I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but you play magnificently and I couldn’t help but follow the music. I’ll leave if you want me too.”
He smiled back. “Hi. I’m JC.” He motioned for her to come sit next to him. “Please stay. I could use some good company.”
Sarah sat down next to him, her stomach twisting in knots as she caught the scent of his cologne.
He turned to her. “Would you like to hear something I wrote?” Sarah nodded, speechless, as once again, JC resumed his playing.
~ end flashback ~
Sarah smiled, sadly as a tear rolled down her cheek. She sat down in the grass and looked at the marking in front of her:
Daddy played piano
Played it very well
Music from those hands could
Catch you like a spell.
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Joshua Scott Eaton
October 11, 1999-October 19, 1999
“More precious than any diamond or pearl”
Sarah gently placed the daisies on the ground in front of the stone. She rubbed her hand over the marking, getting caught up in the emotion.
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He could make you love him
‘Fore the tune was done.
You have your daddy’s hands.
You are your daddy’s son.
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~ flashback ~
“JC!” Sarah cried, throwing her arms around her boyfriend of four months. “I’m so glad you’re back!”
“Sweetie,” JC said, softly, kissing his girlfriend who he had longed to hold for the full four months that the guys had been on tour. JC looked at Sarah, nervously. “Um...Sarah, there’s something I need to tell you.” He took her hands and led her over to the couch.
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “What’s wrong, JC?”
JC laughed and pulled her close for a hug. “Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. I just wanted to tell you something that’s been on my mind for a while.” He took a deep breath. “I love you, Sarah Eaton.”
Sarah’s eyes widened in shock before they filled with tears again. “JC...I love you too,” she whispered.
JC smiled, widely before kissing his girlfriend once again, only longer and deeper this time.
Later that night...
“JC, do you think you’ll ever get married?” Sarah asked, entwining her fingers with his.
JC kissed the top of her head. “Of course. And hopefully with you.”
Sarah smiled. “And do you want to have kids?”
JC thought about it. “Eventually, but not until my career is almost over. Having a baby could ruin everything in my life right now.”
Sarah nodded. “Definitely,” she commented before focusing her attention back on the movie they were watching.
~ end flashback ~
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Daddy never knew
That you were on your way.
He had other ladies
And other tunes to play.
When he up and left me
I just up and run.
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~ flashback ~
Lately, JC had been really preoccupied with his career and fans. Sarah was feeling neglected. She walked up to him as he was signing an autograph.
“JC, honey,” she greeted, sweetly. “I’m going to the doctor’s office now. I’m kinda scared...can you come with me?”
JC smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. “I can’t, love. I’ve got a sound check to do. Don’t be scared. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll see you after the concert tonight.” He walked away, leaving Sarah to stare after him.
Justin walked up next to Sarah. She looked at him. “He’d leave me scared by myself at an appointment so he can mingle with his fans.”
Justin shrugged and smiled sympathetically. “You know how JC is. These girls mean the world to him...his career means the world to him.” Justin walked off to Chris.
‘And I don’t?’ Sarah thought to herself.
A Few Days Later...
Sarah put the finishing touches on the letter and left it lying on the counter. She grabbed her suitcase and took one last look around hers and JC’s house. She silently closed the door and walked out to the cab waiting in the driveway. ‘I’m sorry I’ll never see you again, JC,’ Sarah thought to herself as she looked out the window of the cab as it drove off. She rubbed her hand lightly over her stomach. ‘I’m sorry you won’t be part of our son’s life.’
JC arrived home an hour later. “Sarah?” JC called out excitedly. He had just learned that the guys were going to start recording a new album. He looked all around the house for his girlfriend, but the only thing he found was a note.
Dear JC,
I love you dearly, but we don’t belong together. I know you love me, but I also know your one true love will always be your singing, and I don’t want to stand in the way of that. So, I left. Never forget me, JC, and know that no matter what, you will always be here in my heart.
Love always and forever,
Sarah
JC sank down on to a bar stool and for the first time in years, he cried his heart out.
~ end flashback ~
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Only darkness and pain
The anger and pain
The blood and the pain!
I buried my heart in the ground
In the ground.
When I buried you
In the ground...
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Sarah sighed as the breeze blew through her hair. “Joshua,” she said, speaking to her dead child. “I love you, sweetie. I’ll miss you terribly. You were my only link to JC,” she laughed, slightly. “And you were so like your father. You had the same eyes...the same smile...the same magical hands...”
Sarah’s voice faded as she broke down into sobs. Her heart had been broken too many times. First she had lost JC, then moved to a new home, all alone, and now she had lost her first child...her only son.
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Daddy played piano
Bet he’s playin’ still
Mama can’t forget him.
Don’t suppose I will
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Justin looked up as JC approached him, looking deathly as usual. “JC, man...what’s wrong?”
“Justin, you talked to Sarah the night she left didn’t you?” he asked, softly, almost pleadingly.
“Yeah,” Justin said, quietly. He had gone to JC’s house as Sarah had been packing. She had told him everything, but had begged him to keep it a secret.
“Well, I need to know,” JC spoke. When Justin didn’t answer, he looked into the younger man’s eyes. “Please, Justin...I need her. I love her,” he choked out as his eyes filled with tears.
Justin took a deep breath and nodded. “Alright.”
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God wants no excuses.
I have only one.
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“I’m so sorry, Joshua,” Sarah said, looking up at the sky. “I’m so sorry, JC,” she whispered in a quieter voice.
“Sarah.”
She turned around and her heart stopped. After 10 months of lonliness, JC was once again standing in front of her. His watery eyes expressed his sadness...his understanding...his forgiveness...but above all...his love.
“JC,” she breathed.
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You had your dady’s hands.
Forgive me
You were your daddy’s son.
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song used: "Your Daddy's Son" from Ragime: The Broadway Musical
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© Copyrighted Kelly and Ali 1999