This particular story is dedicated to my friend Kayanne in honor of her birthday. Have a good one, girl!
Kayanne spotted Cheryl and Lisa just as they were about to cross the intersection at Livingston Street and Orange Avenue. The area was already bustling with people setting up folding chairs at the curb. The Police on motorcycles or bikes were traveling up and down the street. All was preparation for the First Annual Orlando Easter Parade.
The organizers had planned well snagging Backstreet Boy Howie D as Grand Marshall for the festivities. Joining him on the float was his sister Pollyanna, an up and coming Latin songstress. The siblings would be singing "Fly to Heaven". The duet had been written as a tribute to their older sister Caroline, who had passed away due to complications from the disease Lupus. The Dorough Lupus Foundation was co-sponsoring the parade and Pollyanna was scheduled to perform a benefit concert at church Street Station to raise awareness.
It was a beautiful Central Florida morning. Eighty degrees. Barely a cloud above. A slight breeze. The right kind of whether to bring out the true summer clothing and Kayanne, wearing a black tank top and khaki skort, had taken advantage. She knew for certain that she would ditch her black short-sleeve sweater later.
For now, she was decked out as she headed to the Marriott. She had volunteered to help direct a group of Pollyanna's fans to prime seating for the parade while Cheryl and Lisa would be purchasing tickets for VIP seating. They wanted the best spots after all and the proceeds did benefit the DLF.
Once Kayanne had finished her duties as tour guide and the trio had green tickets in hand, they said hello to their buddy Laura, who was busy with her duties as Pollyanna's personal assistant. Pollyanna also spotted them and gave them each a hug in greeting.
Lisa and Cheryl weren’t afraid to point out that Howie had arrived as well. He had been doing television interviews earlier and the two women had chuckled, watching his stylist fret over his straightened hair. With his publicity responsibilities completed, fans began accosting him for autographs as he tried to escape into the section for the VIP ticketholders.
Ironically, the friends had discussed the lack of privacy the Backstreet Boys had in their lives on many occasions. At a recent solo performance at TABU, the nightclub he co-owned, Howie had difficulty leaving the stage thanks to the fans that wanted the opportunity to talk to him or take pictures. More than once, the women marveled at the fan’s directness and wanted to know why he couldn’t be left alone.
It seemed that Howie relinquished his privacy this time too. The VIP section had become the backdrop for an impromptu meet-and-greet with both he and his sister. They happily signed autographs and posed for pictures. Howie may have been the focus of original intentions, but the fans showed love for Pollyanna as well. She, like her younger sibling, had learned the value of being polite to fans.
As the line dwindled, Cheryl first made the suggestion that they join in the fun citing that this could be their best opportunity to meet their favorite BSB. While Lisa was somewhat hesitant about the idea, Kayanne was more easily persuaded given that she would never deny the chance to see Howie up close and personal.
Of course, Cheryl was none too pleased when she was voted the one to break the ice when Howie was finally available. Nervously, she stepped forward first shaking his hand and saying that it was nice to be able to meet him. She could only hope that she wasn’t rambling. The others followed her lead.
The conversation soon hit a lull and there were others waiting. After handing their new friend Ruth a gaggle of cameras, Kayanne slipped in between Howie and Pollyanna while Cheryl and Lisa were on the other side of Howie. Honestly, she was having difficulty concentrating on much else but Howie’s left hand gently caressing her back.
Later, Kayanne and Cheryl would discuss whether the popstar understood how distracting the comforting gesture actually was. They knew he did something similar with the majority of the Boys’ fans – much like bandmate AJ McLean calling fans “sweetheart”. Still it made them melt.
The excitement was only a warm memory ten minutes later when finally took their seats at the curb nibbling on their hot dogs, another VIP perk. They watched Howie, Pollyanna and Laura climb into a golf cart and ride off toward the floats.
~ * ~ * ~
The women felt as though they were starring in a Beatles’ video (or at least the Backstreet Boys’ Sears commercial that spoofed the Beatles) as they followed the grand marshal float down Orange Avenue and passed by any number of BSB landmarks. NYPD pizza sitting on the corner of Livingston. St. James Cathedral spanning the entire block of Robinson. TABU between Washington St. and Central Boulevard. The idea was to beat the rest of the crowd down to Church Street Station for Pollyanna’s solo performance. A small crowd, including Kayanne’s tour group and any number of Dorough relatives, had already gathered in front of the makeshift stage.
Kayanne, Lisa and Cheryl – now joined by their other friend Jill – watched what they could of the rest of the parade and the crew setting up the stage as they stood around waiting for the show to begin. The day would mark the public debut of Pollyanna’s backup band. They had rehearsed for a while before adding Pollyanna to the mix only two days before. Not much time, but with her schedule, there were never many hours to spare.
It was nearly an hour later when Laura came searching for them. She pulled them aside and told them that there were some mounting technical difficulties.
First on the list, the keyboardist had forgotten his instrument, but someone had offered to retrieve one from a local club. Problem solved.
Second, the speakers and monitors weren’t working properly, but the crew was working on it. Problem being fixed.
And last, one of the backup singers had just called saying she had car trouble. That problem had not yet been addressed. After all, they could go on with only one backup.
“Too bad ‘cause I bet Kayanne could sing,” Cheryl said. Kayanne laughed it off, but Laura didn’t say anything.
~ * ~ * ~
“You do realize, she was kidding,” Kayanne told Laura as she was led “backstage”. The fact was that Pollyanna was okay with the idea. The singer had seen Kayanne at many of her shows and realized that she must know some of the lyrics to the songs – at least, enough to fake through it. Laura had told Pollyanna that Kayanne was in the church choir. In fact, she had been chosen to be part of an ensemble in a big event at Downtown Baptist later in the month. One quick impromptu audition would decide it.
It wasn’t like Kayanne hadn’t done something similarly spur of the moment before. November 24, 2000. The Backstreet Boys – or rather 3/5 of the Backstreet Boys – had been signing autographs at TABU. She and her friends had already been through the line and as usual the bulk of them were acting boisterous so much so that the disc jockey on duty called them “the crazy women”.
That night, she and Cheryl had discovered the courage – or maybe they could plead that they suffered a bout of temporary insanity – to sing the BSB song “How Did I Fall” on the TABU stage. Neither one of them could ever forget the cheers from their friends in the audience or the applause from AJ himself.
But this was a little different. This was a bit more real.
As Pollyanna and the band observed, she and the other backup singer harmonized. At the end of their performance, Pollyanna smiled and nodded. “We’re good. I’ll let you guys work together for a while. I have to go introduce Chelsea and do the set to the pre-recorded stuff. I’ll check back.”
Even while she was practicing with Melissa in the Verizon store, Kayanne could hear opening act Chelsea Herring singing in the background. Soon after the completion of her niece’s set, Pollyanna took the stage. It was then that Kayanne realized that should have been part of the crowd was joining in on “Take Me Away”. Maybe she didn’t belong here.
“That’s it,” Melissa said after they finished learning the last part. “Say a quick prayer and let’s hope St. Cecilia is on our side.”
“I am a bit nervous,” Kayanne admitted. “I don’t want to screw this up for Pollyanna.”
“You will do fine,” said a voice from behind her.
Her brown eyes grew wide as she turned around. Oh, God, help me. It’s Howie. And he still looked so good. Eighty-plus degrees and the man hadn’t even broken a sweat. How? She wasn’t sure. Howie Dorough was wearing a maroon and gold, long sleeve patchwork shirt, black pants and black leather casuals. His dark hair was down and straight, though it was starting to curl thanks to the humidity. Not only did the man look hot, he was probably feeling hot.
Howie smiled. “You sounded great,” he continued, oblivious to the effect his presence had on her.
“Thanks,” she replied with a shy smile.
Later, she would remember the experience as if it were a childhood storybook – like the Choose-Your-Own-Adventure series. She couldn’t deny how good it felt to be up there on stage. She’d been nervous but a few reassuring glances from Pollyanna eased any fears she had. She knew the music and it was just so easy to lose senses in the Latin beats and the heartfelt lyrics. Her hips were swaying while her mind didn’t give it a conscious thought.
“Andale Mi Corazon” had been difficult since it was the opener, but it was her favorite song. She didn’t know the words to “Papito” well but faked it. “Fly to Heaven”? The song was simple enough when they’d practiced it. She was fine with it until she realized that Howie was indeed going to join them onstage.
Kayanne tried to calm her mind. The same words ran through her head like the marquee at the New York Stock Exchange. Oh my God…oh my God…oh my God…oh my God… She saw the glances from Lisa, Cheryl and Jill and didn’t she miss the hint of envy despite the sympathy that masked it. Her eyes focussed on him as she sang:
Now I lay me down to sleep
In my heart and soul I’ll keep
If I should die before I wake
In your arms my soul you’ll take
…If I could fly…
By far her proudest moment came as Pollyanna introduced to “d Band” to the audience. She jumped from Raphael on bass to Obie Morant on sax and percussion to Michael Davies on guitar before presenting the two backup singers.
“I used to know her as ‘the short one’, but she came into today without a single rehearsal behind her and to fill in for one of my regulars when her car broke down. You guys think she did a good job?” Pollyanna asked the crowd, which thanks to the cheers of Lisa, Cheryl, Jill and Laura, thundered a little louder. “Maybe I should keep her?” She flashed a smile. “Say hello to Kayanne Smith.”
She could remember the warmth spreading through her as she waved to the crowd. Though all the reactions were favorable, she couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed by it all.
I think I need a drink.
Thankfully, her friends had been thinking the same thing and after she rejoined them, they invited her to celebrate at TABU that night.
~ * ~ * ~
"You didn't need to bring me out here for them," TABU's VIP manager said to the bouncer at the top of the stairs. "They already know where they're going." Lou smiled as he gave each of the young women a hug before taking them to their table. "Have a good night, ladies."
It was nearly eleven before the friends arrived at the nightclub. After Pollyanna’s show, they had each gone their separate ways most opting to return home for power naps, a quick bite or a chance to relax. Still the time passed quickly and soon they were standing outside 46 N. Orange dressed in their black and their leather waiting to get passage from the bouncer, who waved them in without seeing their ID’s. They had walked up the red carpeted stairs to the VIP balcony where Lou had met them.
Minutes later, their server for the evening arrived and took their order. She brought back a bottle of champagne and four flutes - each crowned with half a strawberry. Before the woman could pop open the bottle, Lou reappeared and, explaining that the trio was some of his best customers, he took on serving the trio himself. Of course, that was until Andy insisted they were his best customers. The two men each pleaded their case and the women chose Andy, who exaggerated his duties to an almost theatrical level
Kayanne had been so involved in the animated competition between Andy and Lou that she had missed Howie's entrance into the VIP balcony, but Cheryl was quick to point out his arrival. They easily noticed his more casual demeanor and dress. After being subjected to the humidity, his hair had been pulled into pre-Black-and-Blue era trademark ponytail. John Dorough had followed his brother in, but neither Pollyanna nor Laura could be found yet.
Dropping the strawberry into her champagne before taking a sip, Kayanne let her gaze rest on Howie as he climbed the stairs to upper VIP section. She sighed. The usual group of hangers-on trailed behind him. She often wondered if he tired of their presence. His manners would not allow him to give anyone the cold shoulder - unless he was in a particularly rare foul mood.
Kayanne wished he’d look her way. He had no way of knowing how his words had helped her thorough the half hour-long concert that afternoon, but she wanted to thank him anyway. And of course, her own curiosity was hungry to find out what he thought of her performance.
Before she could discern a way to talk the burly bouncer into letting her talk to Howie, Cheryl dragged her downstairs to the body painter, where the red head had the artist decorate the skin below her collarbone with a string of musical elements. On the way back to VIP, Cheryl made a side trip to the ladies lounge and Kayanne headed back toward the table.
As she passed by the eye-level, glass-partition that separated the restricted VIP area from the all-access hallway, she allowed her eyes to scan the crowd that mingled there. She saw John talking to a woman she hadn’t seen before. Pollyanna had arrived and was introducing Laura to a few acquaintances.
Then like a passage from some Danielle Steel novel, her gaze locked onto Howie, who was staring right back. He smiled and motioned for her to join him. Kayanne had to make a quick check to make sure he was indeed referring to her. Seeing no one else around her, she turned to him once more to find him chuckling. His nose crinkling so adorably as he laughed.
Blushing, she walked toward the stairs preparing her ego just in case she was denied entrance, but Howie had followed. She watched him talk to Dwayne. The bouncer nodded slightly before withdrawing the red velvet rope to allow her access.
“Hey, how are you doin’?” he asked leaning close to her ear.
“Good.” The word was nearly strangled in her throat. He smelled so sexy.
“Join me?”
“Uh, s-sure.” Kayanne wondered if he would notice if she pinched herself. This didn’t seem like reality to her. She felt him place his hand on the small of her back to help guide her to one of the settees. Finding a not so crowd one, he gestured for her to sit.
“Kayanne, right?”
Oh my God…oh my God…oh my God. She nodded. Oh my GOD!
He spotted the server coming back with a tray laden with two bottles of liquor and two stacks of shot glasses. “What would you like?” he asked Kayanne.
“Corona with a lime…please.”
Howie smiled again. “Jessie, could I get two Coronas with lime?”
“Sure,” the blonde agreed then she headed back down the stairs.
Their order placed, Howie relaxed against the back of the couch. “I wanted to thank you for helping my sister today. You did really well having no rehearsal.”
“Thank you. It was fun. When Cheryl – that’s a friend of mine – suggested it to Laura, I laughed it off. I mean, I didn’t think it would actually happen.”
“Polly figured you knew the music. Do you go to a lot of her shows?”
“Yeah, we go when we can. We even froze that night in Tampa at Super Paella.”
“She told me about that drunk guy with the gun.”
Kayanne laughed. “Unfortunately, I think we all danced with that guy. Of course, my big highlight was the Tampa Buccaneer flirting with me.”
“Highlight?”
“Sure, a big strong man like that. All he does is smile…and he never talks back.” There it was again. Kayanne saw Howie’s nose crinkle as he laughed, but the spell was broken too soon. Jessie had returned with their drinks. Once the slice of lime had been twisted into the bottles, Howie raised his beer to her and she did the same. Neither bothered to give voice to the toast.
The alcohol allowed both parties to relax. Conversation was easy despite having to communicate over the sounds of the club. Kayanne liked it that way. Whenever Howie wanted to say something, he’d have to move closer, talk directly into her ear.
“You know, it’s strange,” he mentioned. “I swear I’ve seen you before somewhere…”
Kayanne smiled shyly. “We did have our picture taken with you and Pollyanna before the parade.”
“Uh-uh.” He shook his head. “I mean before today.” He thought for a minute. “Are you a fan?”
“Fan?”
“Yeah, you know, there is a group called the Backstreet Boys.”
She sighed. “Yeah, I am a fan.”
“Where might I have seen you?”
“At the cd signing….um…the Quiet on the Set last month…We went to Lupus 2000.”
“Are you stalking me?” He teased watching her shake her head vigorously. “I AM kidding.” Kayanne took a sip of her near-empty beer and the lime slid down the neck of the bottle. “That’s where I’ve seen you before. You were on the cruise, right?”
Kayanne knew she was blushing. She had been on the DLF-fundraising cruise to Mexico in December. She was hard-pressed to remember the exact night it happened, but it was one of those night’s in the disco when she had drank just a bit too much. Someone. Monica? Mel? She couldn’t remember. Someone had dared her to suck the lime from the bottom of her empty Corona bottle.
She had nearly accomplished the feat until Laura interrupted. “Don’t,” she had said. “Kayanne, don’t!”
“What?” Kayanne withdrew the bottle from her mouth only to find Howie’s eyes on her. She was still mortified.
She turned to him now. “It was a stupid trick really. They dared me.”
“Huh?” He chuckled. “No, you were waiting for the elevator. I nearly fell asleep on your shoulder.”
They both laughed at that. “Yeah, that was me. I didn’t mind. I was half asleep myself.”
“Wait a minute…What were you talking about? Some trick?”
“Oh, nothing really. Something stupid…with a Corona bottle.”
Howie raised his eyebrows. While his mind wondered what her “stupid trick” was, his hormones didn't have to.
Despite the added security of Dwayne at the velvet rope, there were a number of young women eager to get close to Howie that night and their conversation was interrupted by a chain of two or three. Rather then overstay her welcome – who knew how long those other girls would fuss over him – Kayanne casually thanked Howie for the beer and left.
She was just grateful for the opportunity. Settling back in one of the chairs at their table, she sighed contentedly.
“Where have you been?” Cheryl wondered.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
~ * ~ * ~
The houselights came on as they always did at closing time. Kayanne, Cheryl, Jill and Lisa gathered their belongings and headed toward the front stairs. When they reached the bottom, the quartet saw Pollyanna and Laura walking out the door. They briefly stopped them to say goodbye.
“I’ll call you, Laura,” Kayanne told her friend, who nodded affirmatively before smiling brightly.
“There you are.” Howie surprised her by wrapping his arms around her in a gentle hug. “I wanted to tell you thank you again. It was nice to meet you, Kayanne.”
“You, too, Howie.” She started to withdraw from their embrace not realizing he was leaning in to kiss her cheek. She started to turn her head to say something more causing his kiss to just graze the corner of her mouth.
He smiled. “I WILL see you later.”
~ finis ~
