Brian picked up his address book that had been sitting on the kitchen counter. He decided he wanted to call the Firm before he called Jive. He picked the phone, dialed the number, and waited for an answer. He patiently listened as it rang repeatedly. Then finally the answering machine picked up and the robot-like voice greeted him and then instructed him to leave a message after the beep.

"Hi, this is Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys. I need to talk to one of your representatives and I was...um...hoping it could be tonight, but I guess the office is closed so...uh...I guess someone will call me as soon as possible. I'm not sure if you have my home phone number since I-"

"Hello?"

"Hi, who is this?"

"My name is Angela Tompkins, I am the secretary here at the Firm. How may I help you?"

"Well, um, I need to talk to one of the executives, is that possible?"

"Sir, please hold."

Brian heard a soft click than slow, relaxing music began to play. He paced around nervously while fidgeting with the phone cord and thinking of what he would say. The music stopped abruptly and a deep voice said, "What can I do for you?"

Brian's voice came out timidly. "Hi, I'm Brian Littrell from the Backstreet Boys and I was calling to inform the Firm of an important decision I made."

"Okay, let me see when we can schedule the soonest appointment. Hold on a moment."

"I was really just going to tell you over the phone."

"Okay then, what is it?"

"I'm quitting the group."

"What?! No, you can't, we have a contract!"

"I'm sorry, but I just did."

"How can you do this?"

"Family comes before this on my list of priorities. Have a nice day, sir."

Brian replaced the phone on the hook and let out a deep sigh. Then he slowly sank to the floor as tears began to fall from his eyes. He was crying so hard, he never even heard the front door open or hear the people walk into his house.