Part 5
Her heart was racing as she led Annie back to the line to wait for the show. That was entirely too close for her comfort but she had known that it was a very real possibility she’d see him. After all, he was a part of the group too. Now the trick was to get through the rest of the night without him seeing her.
“Aunt Moni!” squealed Annie with delight bringing Chelsea out of her daze.
“Hey, cutie! Fancy seeing you here! What are you doing in downtown Norfolk on a day like today?”
“Oh, Aunt Moni! You KNOW why I’m here!” laughed the little girl as Monique picked her up.
“That’s right. I seem to remember now something about a concert. What’s the group’s name…’NSync?”
In exasperation, Annie said, “NO…it’s the Backstreet Boys!”
“That’s right! You’re favoritest group in the whole world,” laughed Monique as she imitated Annie. “Hey, Chels! Been here long?”
“Long enough! The guys got here about thirty minutes ago.”
“And guess what, Aunt Moni?”
“What, Sweet Pea?”
“I got to meet AJ and he signed my lunchbox and he gave me a kiss too!” announced Annie in one breath.
“You DID?! That’s really exciting! Did you get to see anyone else?”
“I saw Howie.”
“What, no Kevin?” asked Monique as she looked at Chelsea.
“Too short,” answered Chelsea and she explained what had happened.
“And guess what else, Aunt Moni?”
“What’s that?”
“AJ signed Mama’s hand!”
“He DID? What did AJ write on Mama’s hand?”
“I don’t know. Mama wouldn’t show me.”
“Mama?” questioned Monique with raised eyebrows. Chelsea blushed as Monique took her hand and looked at it. “That’s a ….”
“SHHHH!” hissed Chelsea.
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Nothing,” was her quick answer as she pulled her hand away.
“Oh come on! He gave it to you for a reason. You should use it.”
“What about Annie?”
“I’ll take her home and make sure she gets tucked safely into bed.”
Shaking her head, “I can’t.”
“Why not? Too chicken?” taunted her best friend.
A commotion from the direction of the backstage door interrupted the two friends and Chelsea looked over to see Marcus rounding the corner. Not wanting him to see her, she turned her back to him and tried to hide the best she could.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t want….”
“So he was right,” came the voice. “You ARE here.”
Chelsea turned around slowly and gave a weak smile, “Hey, Marcus! It’s nice to see you again.”
“That’s ALL I GET….’Hey, Marcus! It’s nice to see you again’? I USE to rate a hug.”
Chelsea had always liked Marcus and the hurt in his expression made her laugh. Giving him a hug, she asked, “How have you been?”
“I’ve been great! What about you? You LOOK fantastic. So who’s the lucky guy that managed to catch you?”
“No one. I’m still single. I just couldn’t find someone as wonderful as you.”
“Ummm, excuse me for interrupting but…do you two know each other?”
“I’m sorry. Marcus, this is my best friend and roommate, Monique. Monique, Marcus…one of Backstreets’ security.”
“Nice to meet you, Monique,” greeted Marcus. “And who’s this beautiful young lady you’ve got?”
“Hi! I’m Annie!”
“So THIS is Annie,” smiled Marcus. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You KNOW me?” questioned the wide-eyed little girl.
“I sure do! See, I’ve known your mom for quite a while now…ever since she was about your age.”
Monique eyed Chelsea, “You’ve been holding out on me.”
“Not on purpose.” Before Marcus could say anymore, she said, “Moni, I’ll be back in a minute. I want to talk to Marcus alone.”
“Sure.”
“Mind your Aunt Moni!” ordered Chelsea.
“Yes ma’am.”
Stepping away from Annie, Monique, and the rest of the curious crowd, Chelsea asked, “How does he know I’m here?”
“AJ was describing you…right down to the star pendant. He asked me to come out here and see if it was you and to bring you backstage. Chels, I know you made the decision not to tell him but he deserves to know.”
“Why? What’s it going to change? He’s married now. Besides, he’s gonna be furious when he finds out.”
“Maybe not but you have to take that chance. Get Annie and Monique and come on with me.”
Chelsea didn’t react. She just stood there staring at her daughter playing with Monique in line. How would she react to finding out her father was one of the Backstreet Boys?
Seeing the look in her eyes, Marcus said softly, “You don’t have to tell her he’s her father right away. Talk to him and you two work it out first.”
“Why can’t you just tell him it wasn’t me?”
”Come on, Chels…that’s not fair to him.”
Anger began to build as she glared at Marcus. “HE wasn’t very fair to ME when he walked away without even saying good-bye! Why do I have to be fair to him?”
“I don’t have to tell you why. You’re smart enough to know that answer. Let’s go,” said Marcus as he reached out to put his hand on her back to lead her inside.
Knowing he was right, Chelsea gave in and walked with Marcus back to get Monique and Annie and the three went with him into the theater. She knew without a doubt that her life was about to change and she was nervous.
