Backstage by Mandy Bee (guided reading books TXT) 📕

from getting out of the car. “Flower, I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you and Justin. I can see how much you two care for each other. I can also see how much you care for his band members, his brothers. They listen to you, they respect you, and I love seeing that. I guess I just wanted to say thank you.”

“I care for Justin very much, and the boys as well. They are my family. There is nothing to thank me for.” I’m trying not to cry.

“Oh but there is, you turned a drunken rock band around. I knew how they behaved, and they knew I would kill them if they tried to get Justin to do any of that. I will not have him drinking, not after seeing how the older ones acted. But then you came in, they stopped getting bad press, the drinking parties stopped, and it was because they didn’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t think it was because of me.” Was it?

“Justin told me about the other night at the strip club, and I was so proud of you. You showed no fear in marching in there and getting them out. That band needed you, they just didn’t know it. Now I see Scot and Dave healthy and happy, it’s wonderful. I didn’t know this until about a month ago, but John was the one who drank the most. He planed the after parties and he keep the others just as drunk as he was.” Her face falls when she talks about her oldest son.

“I’m sorry about all that happened with John. It is still hard for Justin to talk about, he does here and there but it hurts him.” I squeeze her hand.

“The best thing Justin ever did for his band was fire his brother. John will never understand that but its true.” She whips a tear away then shakes her head. “Enough of the sad stuff.” She reaches in the backseat for her purse then pulls out a small blue Tiffany’s box! “This is for you, for saving not only my son, but his brothers too.”

I open the box and there is a pair of white pearl earrings. I start to cry. “Thank you!” I choke out. We hear a knock on the window and look over at Justin standing there looking confused. We both start laughing.

We gave everyone their gifts as soon as we walked in the door. It was like Christmas morning. Guy loved his dog tags, after hugging me and Rachael he hugged his brother and told him he would never take them off. To say Frank loved his cuff links is an understatement. He thanked us over and over again, then showed them to everyone one at a time, then took a picture and uploaded it to Facebook, Twitter, and a few other sites.

Scot joked about all that he would put in his keyboard holder. Dave locked all his new stuff up in his guitar case, joking that no one better touch it. Chris went and put the drum covers on his drum set but I told him they were for the tour not for the house set.

Rachael and I both watched Justin open his microphone. He studied it at first, reading the box over and over, then taking it out and testing the weight in his hand. When he finally looked up at us he had tears in his eyes. I rushed over to hug him.

“Don’t you like it?” I whispered to him.

“I love it! How could I not?” He is holding back the tears.

Rachael moves everyone to the back patio after giving Mike his new boots, which of course he loved. The boys started the grill and had most of the food ready when we got home. All I had to do was get the drinks ready.

I’m laying in one of the lounge chairs watching Mike, Guy, Scot, and Frank toss a football around. Dave and Chris are cooking the steaks while Justin and Rachael set the table inside. I have nothing to do, and I’m enjoying it. Then the doorbell rings, everything stops, we all look at each other. We know everyone is already here so who could be at the door?

“I’ll get it!” Chris yells but I stop him.

“Oh no you don’t! If that’s one of your bimbo’s I’m not letting them anywhere near you!” I run to the door making sure to get there before him. I open the door and my blood starts to boil, there stands Tammy. Why can’t this bitch take a hint? I feel two sets of hands on my shoulders. Justin is on my left and Chris is on my right.

“Leave now!” Chris barks at her making her jump, I have to hold back a giggle.

“I would like to talk to Flower, just for a minute please.” She acts like she has been crying.

“Do you really think we are going to let you be alone with her?” Justin snaps at her.

“It’s okay boys, she knows how fast I can break a rib. If she tries anything I’ll just show her what other bones I know how to break.”

“Are you sure?” Chris whispers to me. I just nod and watch them take a few steps back.

“Talk!” I snap at Tammy.

“Look, I know you hate me and that’s fine, you have every right to hate me. You just don’t understand how much I love Chris. He was my first and only true love. Yes we had some problems, but I thought if we could just talk and work things out everything would be okay. I should have never said what I did about your mom, and how we played house and stuff. I guess I’m just asking you to forgive me. Then maybe in time Chris will too. You will never understand what I feel for your brother, he is the only man who I ever truly loved.” She has tears in her eyes but