| Chapter 71: The Storm Continues “Lau! Say it’s not true!” Carmela Passaro screamed into the phone. “…I’m so sorry,” Lauralee cried into the phone. “NO! NOT MY BABY!” Lauralee heard the phone go dead. The phone rang a few minutes later and Lauralee picked it up again. “Hello?” “Lauralee, it’s Anthony. The police came to the house?” “Yeah, right after it happened. It was the only address they found in the car.” Lauralee wiped the tears away. She heard Anthony sob and paused a few moments. “Alright, uh, we’ll be down in a few hours. We want her laid to rest in New York and have to take care of the arrangements.” “Let me take care of the arrangements, there’s no need to come down here, and I think it would be too much for you. You need to be there with your family now,” Lauralee stiffened her back up. “Lau, I can’t…” “Really, I want to do it. Please.” “I’ll call you in a few hours and tell the police and funeral home to release all the decisions to you.” “OK… bye,” Lauralee hung up the phone. “She’s going to be buried in New York.” “They coming down?” Laura asked as she broke from Kevin’s grasp. “No I told them I would arrange everything,” Lauralee shook her head. Alex looked at her. “We’ll help.” “No I’ll do it,” Lauralee straightened up. “I’ve done it before, I can do it again.” She looked at Howie, slumped against the wall, rubbing his eyes. Lauralee knelt down to his level. “I’ll handle everything… I don’t want you to worry about anything OK?” Howie nodded and swallowed hard. She motioned towards Alex to come by. Alex grabbed him and looked at Lauralee. “You…” “Just take care of him,” Lauralee stood up and faced the girls. “You guys gotta call your families before they find out from the press. I’ll call Riley and Tommy. There’s a line in the den, and you all have your cell phones right?” “Yeah, but…” Elizabeth started. “Just… do it,” Lauralee closed her eyes. The girls got to work, with the guys comforting Howie. ~*~ 1 hour later… “Lau I know,” Riley answered the phone. “How?” “Heard it on the news this morning. Lau, I’m so sorry. She was an amazing girl.” “Damn,” Lauralee paused as she grabbed Alex’s pack of cigarettes from the kitchen drawer and lit one up. “I’m in Tampa and will be there in a couple of hours. You all over there now?” “Yeah, looks like no one’s moving for a while,” Lauralee closed her eyes as she exhaled a puff of smoke. “Can you please bring me cigarettes when you come?” “Uh… sure,” Riley said slowly. “Just stay put and don’t open the door for anyone… looks like this is already a press frenzy.” “OK, bye.” “Bye.” Lauralee turned on the television to the morning news. “The music world has lost a young talent as 23-year-old Veronica Passaro from the hit R & B group Elegance was killed in a car accident early this morning…” Lauralee flipped the channel to CNN... “…say she was hit by a drunk driver and…” …and again. “…Police are not making any comment to the details of the crash, nor have we heard anything from Sony or the group itself…” Lauralee turned off the television as Alex walked inside. “How are you?” She closed her eyes. “Fine, how’s everyone in there?” “Howie’s in a catatonic state, as is everyone else, just motionless,” Alex grabbed a cigarette from the counter. “It’s shock. I think I’m in it myself.” He gave Lauralee a hug. “Do you need anything? “No,” Lauralee broke from his embrace, stubbed out the cigarette and walked to the living room. Laura walked over to her and gave her a hug, crying into her shoulder. “Shh,” Lauralee smoothed the back of her head. “You call Riley?” Kevin asked. “Yeah, looks like everyone knows now,” Lauralee still holding Laura. “We just need to stay put.” The others nodded as Kevin pulled Laura away from Lauralee and held her. Lauralee went to Howie, who was standing by the window. “D?” Howie still stared out the window. “Howie?” “She loved sunrises.” Lauralee stood next to him. “I know.” “We’d watch the sunrise together if we were out late or at her house.” Lauralee stared at Howie as his eyes filled up with tears. “You need me to call your family?” “No, Kevin did it already. They said there was so much press outside that they couldn’t get in.” “We’ll get through this,” Lauralee put her hand on his shoulder. “Riley called Marcus and Mario and they’re bringing extra security with them. They should be here soon, so I can tell them to bring your family over.” Howie shook his head. “I’m fine here.” Lauralee left him to check on the others. She leaned over the couch to check on Elizabeth laying her head on Brian’s lap, both staring into space. She went over to Bianca and Nick—her head buried in Nick’s shoulder. She checked on Laura and Kevin, who were sitting against the wall of the living room. Lauralee overlooked the scene of disbelief and grief in the living room, taking in a deep breath and swallowing hard. No, can’t let people down now… got to be strong. She looked over at Alex, who had his hand on Howie’s shoulder. Just have to wait now… ~*~ Riley entered the back door of the house, with Marcus and Mario in tow. “Lau?” Lauralee turned around and gave Riley a hug. “Hey.” “How’s everyone holding up?” Lauralee broke her hug with Marcus. “Not good. They’re in the living room.” “How about you?” asked Mario. “I’m getting through,” Lauralee closed her eyes. “You bring me…” Riley handed her a pack of cigarettes. “Since when do you smoke?” “Since now,” Lauralee accepted the pack. “Go on in.” Riley entered the living room as Mario and Marcus stood by. “We got people around the house, and some at the gate controlling the press.” Marcus rubbed his eyes. “How many out there?” “You don’t want to know,” Mario shook his head. “Shit… uh, why don’t you guys go inside,” Lauralee led them into the living room. Marcus and Mario exchanged hugs with everyone around them. “So, what’s the plan now?” Lauralee asked. “First thing we need to do is get the press out of here. There’s only so much our guys can do,” Mario said. “Plus, it’ll double by the afternoon,” Riley folded his hands together. “I called the Passaro’s, and they said it would be OK to make a statement. At least it’ll by us some time to get you guys out of here, and will settle them down a bit. They told me what they wanted to say, so if you would guys like, I’ll make a statement on your behalf as well.” The group nodded. “They won’t listen to you Riles.” Lauralee walked to Riley. “Sure they will, they’ll…” “Think it’s a stunt. They’ll put her memory through the trash, seeing our manager give a statement.” “What are you saying Lau?” Alex walked up to her. “Let me make the statement.” “Lau, I don’t think it’s a good idea that you…” “The press would listen to me. Plus, I think it would be better for everyone if I do it.” “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Riley asked. Lauralee nodded. “Just make sure the security is tight, and inform them that I’ll be out in a few minutes.” “You’re the boss,” Marcus said. He went outside with Mario. “Lau, are you sure you want to face all of those people?” Laura asked. “Its what’s best,” Lauralee gave Laura a hug to reassure her. She went into the kitchen to grab a piece of paper. She began scribbling down on the piece of paper what she was going to say, then went upstairs to change into some jeans and a black, sleeveless collared shirt. She managed to touch herself up with some powder, slick on some clear lip gloss, tie her hair in a low ponytail, and put a pair of Alex’s sunglasses on. She went downstairs, holding the paper in her hand. “You want me to come with you Lau?” Alex held her hand. “I better do this alone,” Lauralee gave his hand a squeeze. “All set,” Mario waited at the door. “OK,” Lauralee was led out the door with Mario close behind. Marcus was waiting with 2 others, as they walked down to the gates of house. Lauralee was in awe of all the press waiting for her. The clicks of the cameras were deafening, and the sea of reporters was almost endless. Lauralee stood as Marcus and Mario stood at either side of her, the press waited in eagerness. She opened the paper from with shaking hands. “I’m gonna make this brief, and at the respect of the family, I will not answer any questions afterwards. First of all, we are all shocked at the turn of events that has happened over the past 24 hours. We did not lose a group member, but a friend and a sister. I speak for the entire group and Backstreet when I say that words cannot express all of the pain and anger we’re going through right now. The Passaro family has asked that you please let them grieve in private, as they have lost their only child, and not make her death a press event. To all of our fans, Veronica loved you all, and we are all very sorry for your loss. We hope that we can all get through this together. Thank you and may God help us, help us all.” Lauralee turned around, ignoring the press around her as the bodyguards escorted her through the gates into the house. “Veronica would be proud of you,” Marcus opened her door and escorted her inside. Elizabeth was the first to give her a hug. “We saw it on the news. You were eloquent.” “Thanks, now I hope they give us a little break for the time being,” Lauralee took off the sunglasses. “Looks like it worked,” Brian opened the curtain. “They’re leaving.” “Good, now what?” Nick said. “First off, y’all should get home and change. We’ll figure out what to do next,” Lauralee sighed. “Hang in there, girl,” Bianca gave Lauralee a hug and wiped away tears as Nick led her out. The group dispersed, with Howie leaving last. “You can stay you know,” Lauralee squeezed his hand. “I better be going. My family’s waiting for me at the house,” Howie gave her a hug. “Bye.” Marcus drove Howie away as Alex and Lauralee looked on. “Nothing’s ever gonna be the same,” Alex sighed. Lauralee fought back tears as she grabbed the phone to make calls. Chapter 72 Contents Chapter 70 |