Chapter 19: Home Again That night The girls had arrived safely at Newark Airport, greeted by a crowd of people.  Laura’s and Veronica's parents,  Lauralee’s mother and grandmother were all there, holding a sign at said “Welcome back to the smog!” When they got to Lauralee’s house, a welcome back surprise party was there.  Exhausted, they all enjoyed their friends and family, and to a big dinner cooked by Lauralee’s grandmother.  They exchanged stories about their trip to the crowd of people looking on, but they were careful of excluding Alex, Howie and Kevin—they had planned to tell their families in private. Lauralee finally said goodbye to the last crowd of people, where her mother and grandmother were sitting in the living room, practically passed out on the couch. “What a shindig!” Her mother put her hand to her forehead. “Yeah,” Lauralee sat on the couch.  “Thanks, that was a great party.” “You have a lot of people who love you here,” Catherine Deverson said. “Well, there was one thing I didn’t tell you about the trip.” Lauralee’s mother and Catherine sat up.  “Anything wrong?” “No, it’s all good,” Lauralee eyes sparkled.  “I… met someone.”  Lauralee’s mother—Sandy and Catherine leaned forward.  “His name is Alex McLean.” “Ursula’s grandson,” Catherine smiled.  “I knew it!” “I met when I first met Ursula.  We’ve been seeing each other the whole time I was there.” “Honey, why didn’t you tell us this on the phone?  I trust your judgement.” Lauralee got up and went to her carryon.  She pulled out the Backstreet Boys’ CD and a picture of Alex.  She gave her mother the CD.  “Here.” “Your point being?”  She gave Lauralee a strange look.  Lauralee handed her the picture of Alex. “See the correlation?” “Oh.  Oh my.”  Sandy put her hand to her mouth.  “You’re dating him?” Lauralee nodded.  “Laura is dating him,” she pointed to Kevin’s face.  “Veronica is dating him,” she pointed to Howie.  “Listen the reason I didn’t tell everyone is because their management feels that they would be better off ‘single’ than have girlfriends.  But I wanted to tell you two.” “What a strange business he’s in.”  Catherine took Alex’s picture from Sandy’s hands.  “He’s got Ursula’s eyes.”  Catherine looked at Lauralee.  “Does he make you happy?” Lauralee nodded.  “Happier than I’ve ever been.” “Well,” Sandy smiled.  “When do we get to meet this superstar boyfriend of yours?” Lauralee let out the deep breath she was holding.  “2 weeks.  He’s doing a promotion here in New York with his group.  And he’s excited to meet you.” “If he’s anything like Ursula, I know I’ll love him.”  Catherine gave Lauralee’s hand a squeeze.  “I’m gonna head out.”  She stood up and gave Lauralee a hug.  “Welcome home.” “Thank you.”  She escorted Catherine out.  She turned to her mother.  “I think I’m gonna go unpack and head to bed." “OK,” Sandy hugged her daughter.  “I love you.” “I love you too.”  She grabbed her carryon and went upstairs to her room. Lauralee opened the door and stepped inside.  The room hadn’t changed.  Her bay window overlooked the street, her light blue bedspread, stuffed animals on the bed.  There was a keyboard in front of the window, along with her guitar in its stand.  She put her bags on the bed and began to unpack. ~*~ Lauralee lay in bed, and though she was tired, she couldn’t get a drop of sleep.  She looked at the pillow next to her and closed her eyes, imagining that morning when that pillow was replaced with Alex’s body.  She got up and got the picture from her desk and went back to her bed.  She gazed at that picture, taking a deep breath, and swore she could still smell his cologne.  She looked at the clock, and wondered what he was doing back in Florida.  She reached for the phone, but hesitated, figuring he must be out or sleeping.  She became startled when the phone surprisingly rang. “Hello?” “Figured you were up.” “Were you sleeping?” “No, I’m sleepcalling.  How can I sleep?” “I told my family about you.” “And?” “They’re happy for me and they can’t wait to meet you.” “They’ll probably be scared shitless.” “No, my grandmother especially is excited.  She said you look like your grandmother.” “Always the eyes.”  Alex paused.  “I feel like you’re still here.” “I still wish I was there.  I miss you so much.” “2 weeks.” “Now 13 days.  It’s past midnight.” “I can’t wait to hug, kiss, hug and kiss you some more until my lips fall off.” Lauralee laughed.  “Then how can you sing?” “I’ll manage.” “How are Kevin and Howie?” “As depressed as I am.  They just left my apartment half an hour ago.” “Tell them I miss them, and give Brian and Nick a hug for me.” “I will.  Think you can sleep?” “Now that I’ve talked to you.  Good night.” “Night baby.” Lauralee hung up the phone.  She placed Alex’s picture on her other pillow and drifted off to sleep. Chapter 20 Contents Chapter 17