Part 394
Underneath the stage, Howie and Sarah stood facing each other on AJ’s lifter. A look of pure love filled their eyes as they stared at each other. No words were needed to be said as they waited for the show to begin.
The lights went down leaving the stage in complete darkness and a hush fell over the crowd. On the screen, a picture of Howie and Sarah on their wedding day appeared and Sarah heard Chris cueing her over her headset.
Her voice filled the darkened arena, "I do swear that I’ll always be there. I’d give anything and everything and I will always care. Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better, for worse, I will love you with every beat of my heart."
As Sarah said the words, she looked into Howie’s brown eyes. It was as if she were saying her vows for the very first time and both felt the emotions they’d felt that day in Key West…an eternal love that they were both holding on to tight.
The picture disappeared and a spotlight fell on the center of the stage as the couple rose together through the floor.
The music began and then Sarah’s voice, "From this moment life has begun…."
Howie picked up, "From this moment you are the one…"
Together, their voices joined together, "Right beside you is where I belong, From this moment on…."
The crowd was held spell bound by the couple as they poured their love into the words they sang to each other. It was amazing to see the depth of their love.
As Sarah sang, "I give my hand to you with all my heart," she placed her hand in his and he pulled her close.
"Can’t wait to live my life with you, can’t wait to start," sang Howie.
Together, "You and I will never be apart…My dreams came true because of you."
Standing off to the side, AJ watched the couple and smiled to himself. He was glad to see they’d worked through their problems. They had just needed a gentle nudge and a friendly reminder.
"You’re the reason I believe in love," sang Sarah as she pointed to Howie.
Howie followed, "And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above," as he pointed to the sky.
Nick wrapped his arms around Becca as they watched. Pressing his lips to her ear, he whispered, "You’re the answer to my prayers."
"And you’re my reason to believe in love, Nick," said Becca as she ran her hands across his arms. Watching her best friend with Howie, she smiled, "She’s gonna have her fairy tale ending."
"If Howie has anything to say about it."
As the song ended, Howie took Sarah in his arms and kissed her, the usual soul bearing kiss that was characteristic of their love. Then he turned to the audience as the lights came up, "KBNHA Records presents ‘Sweet D’s Angel."
The music, upbeat and fast, started with the lights flashing and Sarah launched into her first number. She had the crowd on their feet rocking and screaming as she danced across the stage. She worked them to perfection.
Howie now stood off-stage with AJ watching her, pride plainly visible in his eyes and his smile.
"She’s come a long ways," smiled AJ as Sarah flashed a smile at them.
"In more ways than one," answered Howie without taking his eyes off Sarah.
The parts of the show that Sarah had planned to include Becca were near the end of her set so Becca was watching. The closer Sarah got to it, the more nervous Becca became.
"Nick, I don’t know about all this. Look at her. She’s gonna ruin her set with having me out there."
"Becca, stop! If Sarah was worried about that, she wouldn’t have asked you. Besides, you’re awesome and the fans are gonna love you!"
"Nick," whined Becca. "My strength is gospel stuff…not what Sarah does."
"Okay…stop it!! You ARE good and I don’t want to hear another word. If the fans don’t love you, I will get up with GT tonight."
"Yeah, right," smirked Becca, "like you’d REALLY hear him, Mr. ‘I’m Dead When I Sleep’ Carter! Nick…thank you."
"Any time, baby!" smiled Nick as he kissed her.
Sarah finished the song ‘Wild One’ and was now talking to the audience. "The pictures that you saw were of me when I was a little girl and of course, there were pictures of Howie with our daughter Jesse. The song is special to me because when I was growing up, my dad told me that I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up and that’s what Howie and I want for Jesse as well. I wasn’t as wild as the song says and I pray that Jesse won’t be like that either but the fact remains that a little girl in this day and time can grow up to be anything she wants to be. The next song I’m gonna do is called ‘Independence Day’ and a country singer, Martina McBride does this song. It too is close to my heart and when I’m done….I’ll explain how the two songs go together. I do want to warn you, the pictures that you will be seeing on the screen might be disturbing to some."
All five guys were now standing together with Becca watching Sarah. Sarah glanced their way and Howie winked to give her encouragement to go on.
As Sarah sang the song, the pictures flashed on the screen and gasps could be heard throughout the audience. Looking around, the guys saw that there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd and seeing Sarah, they saw she was fighting hard not to cry.
Kevin said softly, "Howie, maybe you should go out with her."
"She’ll be okay," said Howie as he watched his wife. He knew in his heart that she had the strength to do this. After all, she had faced the hardest part, telling her friends.
At the end of the song, Sarah went to the center of the stage. "I did the first song, ‘Wild One’ to show you that a girl can grow up to be whatever she wants to be but NEVER does she imagine growing up to become a battered spouse. The last picture that you saw was me. I was a battered wife and when I was growing up, I never imagined that it could happen to me. My father was a very loving man and treated my mother with great respect. My brothers were kind to their girlfriends and wives as well but when it happened to me, I didn’t know what to do. He was mentally abusive to me telling me that a woman’s place was in the home and that I didn’t have what it took to become a performer. He used my daughter to keep me from leaving him and he kept me from my family. Physically, he raped me frequently. He’d tie me to our bed and leave me there for days at a time but he never left any visible marks on me until that one weekend. The beating I received when this picture was taken was the first time and last time that he did this to me. I left him as soon as I got free. All you young girls need to know that NO MAN has the right to treat you this way. If it happens to you, LEAVE…for god’s sake get out."
Turning to see Howie standing watching her. Her tears started to fall seeing him and she reached out to him. Howie never hesitated joining her onstage. He took her in his arms holding her close as he felt her trembling.
"Today, I have a wonderful man who loves me and respects me. Howie has taught me what true love is and he’s stood beside me helping me realize my dreams."
Taking the mic from Sarah, Howie said, "Sarah has plans for a shelter to be added to the Youth Center she runs and we own back in Orlando as well as a Rape Hotline. All five of us, Kevin, Nick, AJ, Brian, and I , support her in this and we want to add that if you are in this type of relationship, PLEASE, get help, get out. Sarah had her family to get her through once she left and then she had me and the other guys to help get away from her ex. Check out the shelters in your area. They are there and there is someone who will help you. You DO NOT have to take this kind of abuse.."
Sarah took the mic back as Howie gave her a kiss and the crowd applauded her. She waited for them to quiet down to continue.
"All of this is leading to one more cause that is close to my heart and is headed by my best friend. We met over eight years ago, about the same time as Howie and the guys were stealing the hearts of young women in Europe. Please, welcome my best friend, Becca Carter."
Becca walked hesitantly out onstage with Sarah who met her half way, took her hand and led her to center stage as the music began to play. After Becca’s first line, she relaxed and she and Sarah wowed the audience. At the end, the crowd was on their feet.
Sarah looked at Becca whose eyes were wide with amazement. She laughed, "I told you they’d love you!"
Becca just stood in amazement, giving small bows, and catching the stuffed animals that were thrown on stage.
When the noise had died down some, Sarah said, "The song was about a man who cheats on his wife and I also told you that my ex cheated on me. All of that brings a more serious issue to the forefront….the possibility of AIDS. Becca has started an AIDS foundation and on the screen is the address that you can donate if you wish but you need to hear Becca’s story. Bec."
Becca cleared her throat and nervously began to tell her story about how she’d fallen in love with Andrew and how one night of carelessness almost cost her the love of a lifetime. She told about how she found out that Andrew had died of AIDS and how she’d fled town in fear that she’d given it to Nick.
Becca went on to explain about the foundation. "I was an adult when all this happened to me and I was able to support myself but I know that there are teens out there that will panic and end up on the streets or for that matter, will be thrown out by their families. My plan for this foundation is to first help support research but I want a shelter where teens and young adults can go to get information, counseling, and even to be a safe place for runaway teens. The funding will also go to community education and awareness. Please, take the time to learn more about AIDS and HIV."
Sarah added one last bit, "If you have had unprotected sex and you are in doubt, please, get checked out. I do it every six months because of what my ex husband did to me and because I love Howie and I love life."
Sarah ended her set with ‘Honey, I’m Home’ and of course, she changed the word ‘honey’ to ‘Howie’ and had the crowd laughing as she bounced across the stage. Howie just stood watching and laughing as Sarah flirted with him and the cameramen when they caught her making eyes at Howie.
Leaving the stage amidst the roar of the crowd, Sarah was greeted by Howie who took her in his arms spinning her as he kissed her.
"GOD!! It was awesome!!" laughed Sarah.
"You had them, Angel, right where you wanted them."
AJ laughed, "It was awesome, ‘Tigger’."
"Where’s Becca? God…they loved her. She’s crazy if she doesn’t go back to singing!"
"I think Nick took her to his dressing room to get ready. Come on, Angel. AJ and I need to get ready too."
The three made their way to the dressing rooms where they parted ways so the guys could get ready for their show.