Part 435
Sarah had gotten into the habit of packing before they ever left a room for breakfast and she never trusted Howie to get everything; he was known to leave stuff at just about every venue or hotel they were in. This habit was usually the reason they were late for breakfast but it also gave them extra time alone or to sign autographs. This morning was no exception. She had had Raoul put their stuff on the bus before breakfast and now they were headed out to the bus.
Holding hands, the couple followed Tommy through the lobby where there were fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite guy. Howie stopped to sign autographs as usual and Sarah was bombarded too. The two happily answered questions about the tour, Sarah’s upcoming CD, and the babies. Howie was in an extremely playful mood and teased Sarah and fans eliciting plenty of laughs from the fans.
"Howie, do you know what Sarah’s having?" asked a stray reporter.
Howie pulled Sarah to him, pulled her shirt tight, and impishly said, "She’s having one-eyed purple monsters."
"HOWARD!" scolded Sarah as the fans laughed. "I am not!"
"She’s right," he smirked. "I forgot, they’ve got horns too!"
That got an even bigger laugh as Sarah playfully slapped him. "You are NOT funny, Howard!" she pouted.
Howie kissed her on the cheek as he rubbed her stomach. "I’m just playing. All we know is that they are fraternal twins and they are gonna be two beautiful miracles."
"Do you have a preference?" asked a fan.
Gazing lovingly into Howie’s eyes, Sarah said, "I’m hoping for boys. We already have a daughter and I’d love to have two little boys with their daddy’s brown eyes."
The gaze was returned as Howie said, "I want girls as beautiful as their mother."
"And have their father’s good nature," teased Kevin as he and Lynne joined the couple.
"Ahahahahaha…you’re so funny, Kevin….NOT!" replied Sarah sticking her tongue out at him.
The fans loved it and cameras flashed as they caught the looks Howie and Sarah gave each other and the way Kevin and Sarah interacted. It wasn’t very often that they got to see the boys like this and it was good to know they had normal lives and friendships.
"Seriously," said Sarah. "All we know is that it is fraternal twins."
"Don’t you want to know?" asked an older fan.
"Not really," said Howie as he continued to hold Sarah. "Our only concern is that they are healthy. We’re going to love them no matter what they are."
As he finished signing a picture, Kevin spoke up, "Howie, we need to get going."
Howie acknowledged Kevin with a nod of the head as he signed one last autograph. He and Sarah said their good-byes to the fans, thanked them for their support, and followed Kevin and Lynne to the bus.
On the way, Sarah caught sight of a little girl cowering behind a young girl that Sarah judged to be in her early twenties. Looking at the older one, obviously the mother, Sarah saw remnants of bruises around her eyes and on her cheeks. Looking down at the little girl, Sarah saw that she was about Jesse’s age. Both appeared to be somewhat nervous and just a little upset.
"Howie, hold up a minute," whispered Sarah stopping in her tracks.
Howie looked back at her, "What’s up, ‘Angel’?"
Sarah nodded in the direction of the young woman and little girl. "I want to go talk to them."
Howie saw what Sarah had seen and understood. "Okay, we’ll go together."
"Howie, where are you two going?" asked Kevin.
"We’ll be there in a minute," said Howie motioning towards the young woman and little girl.
Sarah approached the young woman and immediately saw where a wedding band had been. "Hi, I’m Sarah."
"I know," replied the young woman softly. "I’m Tiffany and this is my daughter, Megan."
Sarah looked down as the little girl clutched her mother’s leg. "Hi, Megan. Are you here to see the Backstreet Boys?"
Megan shook her head, "No."
Surprised, Sarah said, "Oh!"
"We wanted to see you and Jesse," explained Tiffany. "I do like the Boys and we were at the show last night but after seeing your show and hearing your story, I wanted to meet you. I hung around after the show and found out you were staying here."
Howie had joined Sarah taking her hand in his. "I take it you liked her show?"
Tiffany nodded, "Very much. Sarah’s story helped me make a very tough decision and I wanted to thank you. See, I’m in…was in an abusive relationship but after I saw the show, I realized that I could do it. We never went home after the show last night."
"Where did you stay?" asked Sarah.
Tiffany looked down as a single tear ran down her cheek. "We slept in my car. It’s all I have left."
Reaching to touch the young woman’s cheek, Howie said, "That’s not true. You’ve got your life and your daughter. That’s the most important thing."
"Thank you," was the soft reply as she looked up into Howie’s
kind eyes.
"What about your family?" asked Sarah.
"Dallas. I haven’t see them since I got pregnant with Megan."
"What happened?" asked Howie.
"My parents didn’t approve of my boyfriend and then I got pregnant. We ran away and ended up here in Portland. Things were tough and we have struggled but after Megan was born, it got harder. He was working two jobs and started drinking and …."
Sarah knew the rest of the story but she asked, "How old was Megan when it started?"
"Almost two. Seeing you and hearing your story, I realized I couldn’t leave her in that situation but I didn’t think things through. I have no where to go now."
Sarah looked over her shoulder at Howie. "’D’?"
Kevin called from the bus, "Come on, you two! We’re gonna be late."
Tiffany said apologetically, "I didn’t mean to keep you. Megan wanted to give Jesse a present and I got you something to thank you, Sarah."
Megan handed Sarah a bag as Howie said, "I’m sorry you missed Jesse."
"Where is she?" asked Megan shyly.
Howie knelt down and took Megan’s hand, "She went home with my sister to start school. Do you go to school?"
"Yes sir."
"What grade are you in?"
"Kindergarten."
"So’s Jesse. I bet you’re the smartest one in your class."
Sarah had opened the gift to find a slightly worn teddy bear and a maternity shirt. The bear was obviously Megan’s but the shirt was new. Tiffany must have spent much needed money to buy it.
"Tiffany, I can’t accept this."
"Please, take it. You really helped me."
From the bus, Kevin bellowed again, "Dorough! NOW!"
"Sarah, we’ve gotta go."
"Tiffany," said Sarah trying to give the gifts back.
"No," refused the girl as she pushed the things back into Sarah’s hands. "Keep them."
Howie took the bag as he pulled Sarah towards the bus. "Tiffany, thank you and we wish you the best."
"Thank you, Howie, and especially you Sarah," called Tiffany