Chapter 5

Beep! Beep!

I opened my eyes and looked over at my clock, it was 7:30. I sat up and shut the alarm off and turned the radio on. As I looked around my room I remembered that I was alone.

I began to cry as I laid back down. I never realized how terrified I was of being alone, until now. I just wanted to curl up in a hole and die. There was nothing to stop me because no one wanted me and no one would have cared.

I laid there staring at the one picture of my mom. Why wasn't I with her? Why didn't she contact me after we moved? Why did she give me up for adoption and then come and visit? How come she didn't want me? Why didn't she love me? So many questions filled my mind as I stared at that one picture.

Then I remembered the piece of paper. I had my mom's number. Should I call her? Would she even care? Or would she get upset? What if she had another family?

I got up and searched in my bag for the envelope. Once I found it I put it in my wallet.

I had to call that number. I had to know whether or no there was someone who wanted me or cared that I was alive. I had to know if there was some reason for living.

I quickly got dressed. Then I threw everything I needed into my backpack. I shut my radio off and grabbed my keys. I locked the door and then began to walk to the grocery store.

After about 15 minutes of walking I made it to the grocery store. I walked in and bought a donut. Then I went out and sat on the curb eating my donut. Once I finished I went to the pay phone.

I pulled out my wallet and took the piece of paper out. I set my bag down and then put the money in. As I began to dial my heart began to beat faster. I was so afraid of what she might say.

I let it ring about five times. I was getting ready to hang up, when someone picked it up.

Orlando, Florida

Ring! Ring!

Kevin lazily got out of bed.

"Hello," Kevin answered sleepily.

"What's up?" Nick asked brightly.

"Hey Nick," Kevin said.

"Did I wake you up?" Nick asked.

"No, I was just laying in bed. I didn't want to get up," Kevin replied.

"Oh, all right. Hey, any luck finding Robyn and Lily?" Nick asked.

"No, not yet," Kevin said disappointedly.

"Sorry Kev," Nick said.

"It's okay Nicky," Kevin said. "So what are you up to?"

"Well the guys and I are taking my boat out. Want to come with us?" he asked.

"I don't know," Kevin said.

"Come on Kev. It'll be fun," Nick said persuasively.

"But I'm waiting for a few phone calls," Kevin said.

"You have an answering machine don't you?" Nick questioned.

"Yeah," Kevin said.

"Then they can leave a message and you can get back to them," Nick said.

"I don't know," Kevin said.

"Kevin you're coming with us. If you don't agree, then the guys and I are going to go over there and kidnap you," Nick said.

"All right Nicky. I'll go, just to make you happy," Kevin said.

"Thank you Kevy," Nick said happily.

"Well I have to get dressed so. . .," Kevin said.

"Yeah, I know. I have to let you go," Nick said.

"Exactly," Kevin replied.

"Okay, well we'll pick you up in about ten minutes," Nick said.

"All right, see you then," Kevin said.

"Later," Nick said.

Kevin hung up and then quickly got up and changed. He put on a pair of bright orange swimming trunks and a white wife beater. Then he grabbed his sunglasses and put on his black flip flops.

Honk! Honk!

Kevin grabbed his hat and then locked up his house.

A.J. whistled as Kevin walked out to Nick's truck.

"Mr. Sexy!" A.J. yelled.

"Shut up Bone!" Kevin said as he climbed in to Nick's truck.

"Love the hair," Nick said as he stared at Kevin's hair that was sticking up everywhere.

"Thanks," Kevin said as he put his hat on backwards.

Then the guys drove off.

Jacksonville, Florida

"Hello."

I just stood there unsure of what I should say.

"Hello," the woman said again.

I didn't think it was my mom that had answered. This woman sounded older.

"Uh, hi. Is Robyn Anderson there?" I asked.

"No, I'm sorry she's not. She no longer lives here," she replied.

"Oh," I said disappointedly.

"May I ask who is calling?" she asked.

"Do you know her?" I asked.

"I'm her grandmother," she said.

"Oh okay. My name is Lily Ward," I said.

"Lily? Why are you looking for her?" she asked curiously.

"Because," I said.

"Is she your mom?" she asked.

"You do know who she is!" I said surprised.

"Sweetie, is she your mom?" she asked again.

"Yeah, she is or at least I think so," I said.

"How old are you?" she asked excitedly.

"Fourteen," I replied.

"Oh my god! You must be a beautiful young girl by now. I can't believe it's you," she said as she began to cry.

"So do you know where she is?" I asked.

"No, I don't. I'm sorry Lily," she said.

"Oh okay. Well I have to go now," I said.

"No, no wait," she said frantically.

"What?" I asked.

"Where are you? Do you have a phone number that I can reach you at?" she asked.

"I'm in Jacksonville, Florida. And my number is. . .uh, it's 602-555-6109, and ask for Mr. Countrymen, he'll be able to get a hold of me," I said.

"Okay. Bye, love you," she said.

"Bye," I said.

Then I hung up. I picked up my bag and began walking back home.

Well that's not what I had expected to happen. Instead of talking to my mom, I found out that I had a grandmother. She sounded so excited to hear from me. She was even crying because she had found out that I existed.

I walked into the apartment and back to my room. I flipped on the radio and laid back down. It was barely 9:30 in the morning, it was going to be a long day.

I had know idea what I was going to do. I couldn't live in this apartment forever. But I didn't know if I should tell my grandmother that I needed someone to stay with. Heck, I didn't even know where she lived. But maybe she could help me find my mom or possibly my dad. I knew I'd have to talk to her again because I had so many questions for her.

I got tired of thinking about all the questions, so I relaxed and let myself fall asleep.

Orlando, Florida

Kevin waved good bye to the guys and walked into his house.

They had spent the day on Nick's boat. Kevin and A.J. skied behind the boat while Howie and Brian were on the jet skis. The guys had a blast just enjoying the weather and each other's company. But after a while everyone began to get tired. So they loaded everything up and stopped at Sonic's on the way home. Kevin and Brian got the food and then they took it to Nick's house. Once it got late, everyone was ready to go home.

Kevin walked into his living room and laid on his couch. He was completely exhausted after being in the sun all day. He looked at his answering machine and saw the red light blinking.

He told himself he would check them in a few minutes, he just needed to rest first. He closed his eyes and laid there. Before he knew, he was out like a light.