| Chapter 3: When you least expect it… Almost a week had passed since Laura’s arrival in Orlando. She spent her time getting to know the area, driving around, but mostly lounging by the pool, working on a tan. She knew Florida would be great, but she was starting to feel homesick. She missed being with her friends, talking to her mother—just being known among people. Now she was known as “the girl in the Jessup’s place.” She was staying at home, picking up things here and there, and slowly unpacking her things. She went to put her jacket in the closet, when a piece of paper fell out. She went to pick it up and opened it. “Ursula Fernandez…” she read aloud. “That was Grandma’s friend.” Putting it back in her jacket, she stopped, looked at it again and brought it to her chest. Well, I am a little lonely, and I did promise an introduction at least, she thought. She went to the phone and dialed the number. “Hello?” a woman asked. “Hello, is this Ursula Fernandez?” “Yes, who is this?” “You don’t know me, but I’m Catherine Deverson's granddaughter. She told me to…” “Catherine… yes… Yes! Laura is it?” “Yes it is.” “It’s about time! Your Grandma told me you were coming to Orlando and I told her for you to call me.” “Well…” “I’m so glad you called. Are you free today, say about 2?” “Yes.” “Now you’re not. You’re coming over so I can meet this infamous granddaughter. Let me give you directions.” She gave Laura the directions to the house and said goodbye. Laura’s head was spinning from Ursula’s excitement. “At least it’s not the grocery store,” she said to herself. ~*~ At exactly 2, Laura arrived at a pristine house on the outskirts of Orlando. She got out, wearing a white sundress with pink roses on it. She rang the doorbell, and a short, plump woman answered the door. “Laura?” she asked. “Mrs. Fernandez?” “Welcome!” she responded with a bear hug. “Please come in.” Laura entered as Ursula closed the door behind her. The house reminded Laura of her grandmother’s house; a warm feeling attached to it. The house was trimmed with lace accents, from the curtains to the doilies on the tables. The one thing that was out of step were the gold records hanging on the walls. Laura examined the name on the plaque “Backstreet Boys.” Backstreet who? she thought. On the coffee table, was a picture of 5 guys, and next to it stood a single picture of one of the guys in the group picture. “Did you have any trouble finding the house?” Ursula asked. “Oh… no, not at all,” Laura responded, breaking her stare with the pictures. Something about that single picture struck her. He was truly handsome. “Come into the dining room,” Ursula instructed. She led Laura to a wonderful lunch: lasagna, tossed salad, rolls and lemonade. “This is wonderful, but I don’t deserve such a…” “Of course you do!” Ursula interrupted. “I haven’t cooked for a person in a long time. My husband, Ivan, died about 3 years ago. Since then, its too much work to cook for one, so I love the company. So tell me how Catherine is doing.” The lunch went very well. The food was delectable, and Ursula told stories of her and Laura’s grandmother. Laura brought her photo album and showed pictures of herself and her family. Laura felt as if she had known this woman all of her life as all feelings of homesickness had left her. Laura, trying to clutch her stomach after a hysterical story about Ursula and her grandmother’s trip to New Orleans, took a deep breath. “I just want to thank you for inviting me. This is just what I needed.” “This is what I needed too,” said Ursula, getting over her laughter. “I haven’t told those stories in a long time.” Laura loved the stories, but all of a sudden her curiosity got the best of her. “One question though. What are all of those gold records on the wall?” Laura stopped herself too late. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.” “No, no, please. I was going to tell you about that eventually. Those are from the Backstreet Boys.” A puzzled look came across Laura’s face and Ursula read it. “Ah, that’s right, they’ve been in Europe,” Ursula said. “The Backstreet Boys are a 5 member singing group. They have been the biggest things in Europe in… well… I don’t know since I haven’t lived there.” “Then how do you know they’re the ‘big thing’ in Europe?” Laura asked. “Come with me,” Ursula instructed. She led Laura back to the living room where the two pictures were sitting. “There,” Ursula said. “Those,” pointing to the picture of the group of men, “are the Backstreet Boys. And that,” pointing to the single picture, “is my grandson.” “Ohhhh…” Laura said, realizing the correlation of the two. Ursula picked up the picture of her grandson and showed it to Laura. “His name is Alex. In fact, he’s just your age,” said Ursula. “He was always talented with his singing and dancing. About 5 years ago, he got signed to a record deal with his friends, and the Backstreet Boys were born. They weren’t the hit in America, but in Europe, they were huge. So, they were touring there until a few months ago, they started again back here. Ever hear the song ‘Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)’?” “Yeah, they were playing the song in New York all the time!” “Yup, that’s my boy,” Ursula sighed, smiling. “Say, how about some herbal tea?” “Lemon Zinger?” “With extra zing,” Ursula responded with a wink. “Come on, let’s go to the back porch.” Later, Ursula and Laura, sitting outside on the porch with more tea, were still having a conversation that seemed to last forever, when a voice rang out from the front, “Gram? You home?” “Oh my God!” Ursula exclaimed. She got up immediately and ran to the front. Laughter was heard from the front. “Good thing you’re here, because there’s someone I want you to meet,” Laura heard Ursula say. “Speak of the devil, Laura,” she said as she walked in with someone. “This is my grandson, Alex.” Laura stood up to find the same figure in the picture. A chill ran up her spine as she stared into his deep, brown eyes. He was wearing a white tank top that showed off some pretty nice tattoos on his arms, baggy jean shorts and on his head a white baseball hat worn backwards. “Alex, this is Laura Deverson. You remember my friend Catherine?” “What?” Alex said, breaking his stare. “Oh… yeah, your friend from New York you had all those trips with?” Ursula laughed. “This is her granddaughter.” “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard all about you today,” said Laura. Alex cleared his throat. “I hate to say that my grandmother didn’t tell me how Catherine had such a beautiful granddaughter.” The comment made Laura blush like a child. “And she didn’t tell me what a insatiable flirt her grandson is.” “Hark, I believe you have been found out Alex,” Ursula laughed. “Now why don’t you sit down and have a cup of tea with us.” “I was only going to stay for a few minutes…” Alex started, but he turned to Laura. “But I think I can stay for a little while.” A little while turned into an hour. Laura, Alex, and Ursula sat at the porch and had a funny conversation. Alex was just like his grandmother; full of energy and cracking jokes, all the while, Laura felt completely mesmerized by his being. After that, Alex looked at his watch “Oh man, I really got to go. Gotta sign some papers at my manager’s.” He stood up. “I really should go too,” Laura stood up as well. Ursula walked them both to the door. Ursula hugged Alex good bye. “Don’t be a stranger now,” Ursula said. She turned to Laura. “You either,” she said to Laura as she hugged her. “Ursula, thank you for such a wonderful afternoon.” “No thank you,” said Ursula. “It’s been wonderful to meet you. I can see why Catherine loves you so much.” “I can see why my grandmother has you for a friend.” “Now Alex,” said Ursula. “Go be a gentleman and walk the lady to her car. Go on and I’ll see you two later.” “Bye!” they both called. Alex walked with her down the steps. “So, I really enjoyed talking to you,” said Alex. “Me too,” said Laura. They got to Laura’s car. Laura didn’t want to get in that car unless she had some inclination that she would see him again. She turned to the door. “Hey,” said Alex. Laura turned around. “Have you ever been to Pleasure Island?” “I think its in Disney World,” said Laura. “Yeah, its this island with all kinds of clubs and stuff,” said Alex. “I was wondering if you want to go.” “Yes,” Laura said within a second. “Yes?” “That’s what I said.” “Tonight OK?” “Sure.” “About 8?” “OK, let me give you my number and address. Have some paper?” “Uh, sorry I don’t.” “That’s OK,” said Laura. She took a pen from her bag and took his hand. Laura swore she felt a surge of electricity run through the two of them. She wrote the information on his hand. “Later?” “Yeah, later,” said Alex. She got in her car and drove away, looking at the rearview mirror and seeing Alex standing in the street, looking at his hand. Laura couldn’t help let out a shriek of joy as she saw that sight. Chapter 4 Contents Chapter 2 |