Slowly AJ made his way up the steps to the door with Shauna by his side. "Alex go ahead…it'll be ok." Shauna said reassuringly hoping to ease his fears.
"Ok…here goes nothing," he said as he sucked in a breath and pushed the doorbell of the small white house.
"Hello, how may I help you sir?" the medium sized woman with cooper skin and black hair said warmly.
"Um Hi my name is AJ, I was hoping I could talk to you about Tara Lynne McLean." He said his raspy voice quivering slightly, fearful of what she might say or think of him.
"What? Is she ok??" she responded worriedly.
"Yes, yes she is just fine. I saw her at her schools' competition and I'm looking in to signing her on to a record label."
"Oh that's wonderful! Won't you come in? Please both of you." She said her eyes filled with excitement.
They entered the living room that was done in gray and white. The room had a large window in back of the couch lighting the room up brightly. The fireplace was on the far side of the room and the TV directly across the room from the couch. "Sit down, can I get you anything? Water, tea, soda?"
"No thanks I'm fine." AJ said his voice cracking slightly.
"What about you?" she asked smiling at Shauna.
"No thank you ma'am."
"Ok." She said sitting in a chair that was diagonal from where AJ and Shauna where sitting on the couch.
"Ok I really need to tell you something but please don't get mad and please make sure you listen to the whole thing."
"Ok." She said unsure of what was going on now.
"Well, I was very serious about signing Tara. I just started my own label and I'd love for her to be the first I signed. But I also want to get to know her better. I got a call from my father the other day, Robert McLean. And before you get mad, I never knew about Tara until now. Plus I'm only four years older then Tara. I apologize for whatever wrongs Robert might have caused but I really want to get to know you and Tara better. You don't understand how much I've always wanted to have a brother or sister and now I find out all along I did…I really want to know her. And I swear I'm not out to hurt you or trick you or anything. And please don't get mad now…" he said fearing that she would hate him now.
"Well, wow I am not sure what to say. I know what Robert did was not your fault at all…and you seem like a nice enough person… But I'm so scared to trust anyone like that again…I can't invest any money…" she started but AJ cut her off.
"I'll invest my own money in Tara…none of yours. I really believe in her voice and I really want to know her…Please I really do want to know her." He pleaded hoping she'd let him do this.
"You won't expect us to pay you back or anything will you?" she asked trying to find his loophole.
"No, all my money you never pay a cent…As long as I've got the money to back her I'll pay for voice lessons and everything."
"Wow, well if Tara wants this I will allow her to do it."
"Could you please do me a big favor though?"
"Oh…depends what is it?" she said thinking maybe this was where he'd ask for money or something.
"Please ask Tara to forgive me…Robert took me and Shauna to meet her after her competition. She thinks that I abandoned her when I didn't even find out about her until about 9 days ago. I really don't want her to hate me. I mean I was only four when she was born…but I wasn't told until now and I'm 21 right now."
"I'll talk to her and explain it but if she still doesn't like the idea I'm not going to force her into it."
"Ok thank you very much…" He said standing to shake her hand.
"Laura Laven…Nice to meet you AJ. And Nice to meet you too…" she paused realizing she didn't know the girl's name."
"Shauna Lewis. Nice to meet you too Mrs. Laven." She replied smiling.
"Yes very nice to meet both of you."
"I'm going to give you my cell phone number and don't hesitate to call it any time of the day or night…I really won't mind. And I'll give you my home phone number as well, just please don't leave either lying around. I don't want a bunch of people knowing those numbers." He said as he pulled out a card with his name, phone numbers, and address on it then handed it to her. "I think that is about it…I hope to hear from you soon and thank you very much for you time today."
"Well thank you…you are nothing like your father. Somehow he got a very well mannered son. And as soon as I talk to Tara I will call." She said walking them to the door.
"Thank you Ma'am. This does mean a lot to me." He said smiling as he and Shauna made their way down the drive to his car. When they got in he immediately picked up his cell phone and speed dialed Nick's phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Nick! This is AJ could you do me a favor and tell the rest of the guys I have to miss a couple of practices."
"Why? You ok Bone?"
"Yeah but I'm still in California. I really need to be here a little bit longer. So I'll just see you guys later."
"Sure…that it?"
"Yeah I think that just about covers it. Thanks man!"
"No problem AJ…Later Bone."
My Favorite Web sites
Home
Chapter 1
Lil' Sister Index
Chapter 3