Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 15:41:33 CDT
From: David D <djackson41@hotmail.com>
Subject: fear of falling

     What's up boys and girls.  I am going to lay the disclaimer down for
ya'll now.  This story is of complete fiction.  It does not imply anything
of the sexuality of any member of N'sync or anyone else who happens to
appear in this story.  Do not believe any of this is true, it comes from my
head.  I apologize in advance to anyone who is offended by homo sex, wait, I
take that back your ass should not be here if you don't approve of it or too
young to view it.  But whoever wants to read it can and I hope you enjoy.
Sorry, if any of you think this story stinks.  I am still getting the hang
of writing.  I know you'll do this anyway, but please send some criticisms
and comments to help me write for you better.

  Your new friend

               David D.



Chapter 1

    He's late, again.  You'd think that after 5 years he'd learn a little
bit about being on time.  But I guess he'll never change, it's comforting in
a way I guess.  Five years, man, it's been a long time.  As I let a smile
cross my lips, I look at my watch.  It's been two hours.  How much longer
can he be?  I swear, that boy is never on time.  He was late for that big
music festival thing that was supposed to give him his "big break," but he
overslept.  What a loser.  He was even late to his own graduation party.
God, he better hurry up or else when he comes I am going to seriously hurt
him.  As if by reading my mind, he comes barreling down the airport scanning
the near empty terminal, (looking for someone?) followed by some guys.
Ironically enough, he stops dead in his tracks, directly in front of me
followed by his friends.  I quickly pull my hat down lower over my eyes.  I
am going to make him suffer for a while

"God!" he said, "where is he?"

"Joey, calm down.  He's got to be around here some where," said one of his
friends.

"There is like, no one here," replied Joey, "please tell me I didn't miss
him."

    Good.  He doesn't recognize me.  This is going to be good.  The best way
to lift ones day is a healthy dose of revenge I say.  Look at him, he's all
worried and nervous.  He's changed a lot.  But it's not like I really
haven't seen him in five years.  I can't watch MTV without seeing his face,
or go into a music store without seeing tons of posters and toys and videos.
  But it has been a long time since he's seen me.  I guess I've changed a
lot too, for the better I might add.  He probably wouldn't recognize me even
if he knew who I was.  Just then as I was reminiscing, he and all his
friends turned around and were staring at me.  Apparently, during my little
daydream I let out a small snicker.

"Take a picture," I said.

"What?" said one of his friends, I think it was that Justin cat.

    Apparently, these guys don't get out enough.  Everyone, at least I
thought everyone, knew that joke.

"Since you guys are burning a whole in my head with your eyes, I thought
maybe, just maybe, a picture would help you guys remember what I looked
like.  You know on those cold Florida nights," I explained, in my usually
sarcastic, yet always lovable voice.

    Before he could respond, Joey jumps in and asks me where I am.   "Excuse
me, have you seen a guy about 5'10, dark hair, about 325 lbs?

    Damn!!! I thought to myself, 325 pounds?  I was big.  "No, no, well, oh
you mean fat bastard?  Yeah, I've seen him.  He was sitting over there for
about two-and-a-half hours.  All of a sudden he starts crying saying
something about someone being late all the time.  Anyway, he gets up and
high-tails it to that corridor to the plane over there, but the plane was
gone.  He took a flying leap towards the ground and that was the last time
I've seen him.  Sorry."

    That was not the best thing to say.  I guess they don't appreciate good
humor.  I was getting nasty looks from all save one face.

"Did he bounce?" Joey asked.

"He sure did, I have never seen anything save a racquetball bounce that high
before,"  I replied.

"Sorry I'm late," he stated knowingly, and somewhat surprised.

"I need to get you a watch.  You are always late," I replied.

"I have a good excuse this time," he offered.

"What? Did your limo break down?  Is your private jet in the shop?  I hear
ya.  I absolutely hate it when that happens," I gave with a smile.

"Shut-up.  No, rehearsal ran over today and as you know, we have a concert
tomorrow,"  Joey said.

"Rehearsal?  Concert?  What on earth do you mean?  Are you on that stuff
again?  You know what it does to you," I zinged.

"Loser," he retorted.

"Why Joey Fatone, did you stay up all night thinking that one up yourself or
did you have mommy dear help you?" I asked.

"Are you going to be mad at me forever?" he sighed.

"No, only `til the next Millennium," said I.

"That's going to make the next three months a bitch then, huh?" he smiled.

"I guess I can forgive you now, but if you ever leave me in an airport
terminal all alone, again, I am going to have to re-introduce my foot to
your ass," I said.

"Heh, point taken," said Joey.

"Alright then, but look at you," I said emphatically.

"Look at me?  Look at you.  How much?" he asked.

"I'd say I lost about 150 pounds and grew to about 5'11.  I am looking
gooooood," I said feigning vanity.

"I guess that all the fat went to your head, huh?" he laughed and all the
guys who were giving me the evil eye until Joey said it laughed too.

"Hey, hey.  Not funny, you buncha ugly-ass hyenas!!!" I said faking anger.

    We made our way down the terminal corridor to the baggage claim.  Joey
and I were talking about the fight to drop my triple chin.  He was so
surprised when he saw me.  He asked why didn't I tell him over the phone all
those times we talked about my weight loss.  I told him, I wanted to see his
face the moment he saw me.  And to tell the truth, I was a little
disappointed at his response.  No heart attack, no bulging eyes in
disbelief, and worst of all, no rambling of "no you're not him, stop lying."

"Sorry to disappoint you," he would say.

    As we get my six bags, I finally realize, after all this time, Joey did
not even introduce me to his new friends.

"Hey bone-head, did fame make you forget your manners?" I antagonized.

"What?" he asked.

"For ten minutes I have been walking with you and a bunch of strangers.  You
wanna introduce us?" I asked.

"Not really, but Jay, this is Lance, Chris, Justin, and JC.  Guys this is
John," Joey replied.

"Nice to meet you all, I'm sorry about earlier with the sarcasm, but that is
just how I am sometimes," I said.

"It's OK," said Justin.

"Yeah, no harm done," added JC.

"Thanks," I said.

    These guys are nice.  I like them.  As we wait for Joey to get the van,
I start talking with JC.  It seems I am not the only quiet, sarcastic type
in the group.

"So, Joey has told us a lot about his best friend John," said JC.

"Umm, he has?  All good things, right?" I reply.

"Pretty much, but he hasn't told us about how you guys became friends," he
said.

     There was a reason that Joey hadn't told them the circumstances behind
he and I becoming friends.  I asked him to keep it to us a long time ago, it
is still painful to remember and I guess it'll always be painful.  How do I
tell him that without saying it that way or hurting his feelings?

     Just then, Joey pulled up in his Eddie Bauer, which I was thankful for.
  I am going to have to thank him a little later for actually showing up at
a good time.  I then avoided the question and jumped in the truck along with
the other guys and turned to Joey to tell him what was on my mind at the
moment.

"So, where are we going to eat?" I asked Joey, "I am starving."