Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 12:02:38 EDT
From: D LS <dls_stories@hotmail.com>
Subject: Brian & Me Part Two

Alright everyone, here we go again.  This story is a complete work of
fiction, and is not meant to imply anything about anyone.  While some of
the characters may be loosely based on real people that I know, none are
meant to actually represent anyone, particularly any of the members of the
Backstreet Boys.  We may wish that they were gay, and maybe some of them
even are, but I'm certainly not about to say that they are. :) If any of
them happen to be reading this (hey, we can dream can't we?), feel free to
drop me a line and let me know what you think.

As usual, if you are offended or made uncomfortable by material concerning
sexual relations between consenting adult men, lighten up or go somewhere
else.  Also, if it is in any way illegal for you to be reading this type of
thing, please don't.  Or do, just don't get caught.

This is my first time writing a story like this, and it's also my first
time letting other people read anything that I've written, so I'd really
appreciate any comments (good or bad) that any of you may have.  If they're
bad, please support your opinions so that I can improve.  Drop me a line at
DLS_stories@hotmail.com

Enjoy!


     Brian & Me
     PART II
     by DLS


     A lot can happen in a year, let me tell you.  It had been eleven
months since I had had the opportunity to meet the Backstreet Boys
backstage at their concert in L.A. and in that time, my life had been
pretty much turned completely upside down.

     Once again I was standing in front of a mirror trying to get my hair
to behave itself, and once again, I was very very nervous.  I was going
through it alone this time, though, because I was all the way across the
country from Andrea's calming influence.  I was at the end of my two-week
stay in New York, with one final appearance to go before I could head home.
The problem was, this was the biggest appearance I had.  In a few minutes I
was going to be meeting Rosie O'Donnell, and I was nervous as all hell
about it.

     I had finally finished my novel, and had been successful in getting
someone to publish it.  That had been nine months ago, and now I was busy
doing interviews and promotions for the book.  Called 'Blue Sky,' it had
recently hit the best-seller lists, and as a result, my publishers were
working me hard to get some promotion in for the Christmas rush.  Normally,
this would only have involved a few interviews for literary magazines and
newspapers, and a few book signings, nothing too hard.  Apparently, though,
Rosie had read my book and loved it, and so she had asked me to do her
show.

     It hadn't even crossed my mind to turn her down.  When Rosie calls,
you listen.  But the thought was certainly going through my head as I
waited in the green room before the show.  I finished playing with my hair
and decided to sit down and try to relax.  As I did so, and idea struck me.
I pulled out my cell phone and gave Andrea a call.

     "Hey you!" I said when she picked up.  "What's shakin'?"

     "Nate!  What's going on?  Where are you?"

     "Well, at the moment I'm sitting in the green room at the Rosie
O'Donnell show, waiting for it to start.  Just thought I would call and see
what was going on.  You know, to pass a little time so I'm not just sitting
around getting more nervous than I already am," I replied, standing up and
making my way to the little table that had been set up with various foods.

     "Oh, thanks for reminding me.  I have to set a tape so I don't miss
you.  Mom and dad are going to watch too.  They're really excited."

     "Great.  That's what I need.  My entire family watching me make an
idiot out of myself on national television," I laughed, selecting an orange
and some strawberries and sitting back down on the couch.

     "Aw, you'll do fine.  You didn't have a problem letting the entire
world read your book, did you?  That's as much reflection of you as
anything that will happen on the show.  Maybe even more of one, actually."

     "Yeah, but I didn't have to talk with the people who read it, and the
huge cheque from the publishers helped some too," I said.

     "Come on, just turn on the charm.  You'll have Rosie eating out of the
palm of your hand," she giggled.  "Of course, you'll have to let her down
easy afterward, I suppose."

     "You're pretty funny for being such a loser," I laughed.  Andrea had
worked her usual magic.  I wasn't anywhere near as nervous as I had been
before calling her.

     "You better watch what you say, pal.  You've got to come back down
here sooner or later."

     "Speaking of which, I should be down to visit in...say three weeks.  I
leave New York in the morning, and then I want to spend some 'me' time at
home.  How's that sound?"  This was another change that had taken place in
my life.  I had left L.A. after the book had been published and bought a
house just outside of Toronto.  While the sunshine and beaches of
California had been wonderful, I just felt more at home in Toronto.

     "Sounds great.  I'll let mom and dad know when I call them tonight to
talk about how foolish you look on TV," Andrea responded, laughing again.

     "Oh you just do wonders for my ego, you know that?"  I laughed with
her.  Just then the stage manager stuck his head in the doorway and
motioned that he needed to talk to me.  "Listen sweetie, I'm gonna have to
let you go now.  I have to finish getting ready to look foolish."

     "Alright.  I'll be watching.  Break a leg, or a typing finger, or
whatever writers need to break for good luck!"

     "Will do.  Talk to you later," I said, ending the call and turning to
the stage manager.  "Sorry about that, just needed a little moral support.
Of course, given who I was talking to, it was more like immoral support."

     The stage manager, who introduced himself as Steve, grinned and sat
down beside me.  "No problem.  Now, here's how things are going to work.
Rosie has a special surprise guest who will be coming on first.  They'll
come on, do their thing, and then she's going to be talking to you in the
last third of the show.  I'll send someone here to get you when it's time.
While you're waiting, there is a TV in that cabinet over there so that you
can watch the show.  Got it?"

     "Yeah, no problem.  You gonna tell me who the surprise guest is?"  I
tried my best, most innocent-looking smile on him.

     "Sorry, man, that's Top Secret.  Rosie'd kick my ass if I told," he
laughed again and got up from his seat.  "Remember, I'll send someone in to
get you.  If you need to leave the room for some reason, say to use the
washroom or something, let us know, so we can find you when it's time."

     "I'll be here," I said as he walked back out into the hall, shutting
the door behind him.

     I laid back on the couch and closed my eyes, trying to maintain the
calm that talking with Andrea had given me.  A few minutes later, there was
a small knock at the door.  I opened my eyes and looked at the door.  It
was further than I felt like walking at the moment, so I just yelled for
whoever it was to come in.

     I sat bolt upright when Rosie herself walked through the doorway.

     "Hey Nathaniel, nice to finally meet you!  I'm so glad you decided to
come!"

     "Hey Ms. O'Donnell, I'm just flattered that you asked me," I said,
getting up and shaking her hand.

     "Please, call me Rosie.  If you call me Ms. O'Donnell again, I'll have
to kick your ass, and while the audience might like it, it's not the way
that I wanted to start off our interview."  Rosie laughed and took a seat
next to me.

     "Alright, Rosie it is then.  I'm still trying to get over the fact
that I'm actually here."

     "You nervous?" she asked, grabbing my hand.

     "I was, but I was just talking to a friend of mine, who assured me
that I was going to make a fool of myself out there.  Now I'm feeling quite
a bit better."

     "Sounds like quite the friendship you got going there," Rosie laughed.
"Very supportive."

     I suddenly had a brainstorm.  Turning to face Rosie, I asked her if
she could help me with a surprise for Andrea, in return for her being so
supportive on the phone.

     "Sure, anything to help.  What do you want me to do?"  I quickly
outlined what I had in mind.  As I told her what I wanted to do, a wide
grin spread across her face.  "You got it.  That shouldn't be too hard to
set up, and it'll be damn funny too.  You do realise that Andrea is going
to kill you when she gets her hands on you, don't you?"

     "She wouldn't be Andrea if she didn't at least try to retaliate," I
laughed.

     Rosie laughed again.  "Okay, now down to business.  Is there anything
specific that you want me to steer around in the interview?  I know from
first hand experience that there are some things that some people just
don't want to talk about, and I don't believe in making them."

     "Nothing I can think of, Rosie.  My life's pretty much an open book,
so to speak."  I grinned.  "Sorry, author joke."

     "Okay then," she said with a small laugh.  "If you're all set here,
I'll go see what I can do about setting things up for you, and then I have
to go and get ready myself," she said, standing.

     "Thanks a lot, Rosie," I said, shaking her hand and walking her to the
door.

     "Don't mention it.  Just promise me that you'll protect me if she
comes after me!"

     "You got it," I said.  "By the way, can you tell me who this mystery
person is?"

     "Nope, sorry.  If I told you, I'd have to kick my own ass!"  she said
with a grin.

     I laughed as she shut the door behind her.  I walked over to the
cabinet set into the wall and rolled the front up.  Inside was a colour TV
set and a remote.  I hit the power button and went back to sit on the
couch.  I didn't have too long to wait for the show to start, but by the
time the opening sequence came on, I was nervous again, and there were no
more strawberries left on the table.

     I watched the opening of the show with little interest.  I was
concentrating on not screwing up when I actually got out onto the stage.  I
was having visions of tripping, or knocking something over, or
inadvertently insulting someone or saying the wrong thing.  With all this
on my mind, I was startled when I heard my own name come across the TV.

     "And also here today, a fantastic new author who recently released his
first novel, which happens to be on the best-seller lists currently.  I
read this book in one evening it was so good.  I just couldn't put it down.
Excellent book, great young man...Nathaniel Healy will be joining us a
little later.  But first, we've got a special mystery guest segment coming
up, so don't go away!"  Rosie said, as she sent the show into its first
commercial break.

     'Wow, she really must have liked the book,' I thought to myself,
starting in on the melon slices.

     When the show started again, Rosie once again started hyping this
special mystery guest.

     "And now, without further ado, it's my pleasure to introduce...The
Backstreet Boys!"  she yelled, as the music to "Everybody..." started and
the curtain began to open.

     My heart leapt into my chest as the boys walked out onto the stage and
sat down.  I froze with a slice of melon half way to my mouth and then
dropped it back onto the plate.  My appetite was gone.  It had taken a long
time for me to get over the way Brian had reacted to me when I had met the
boys almost a year before, and I had thought that I was over it.  I thought
I had come to a 'let bygones by bygones' place with the whole incident, but
I had apparently been fooling myself.

     As the boys started their interview with Rosie, the camera moved in
for a close up on each of them.  When the camera stopped on Brian, who was
sitting closest to Rosie, he turned and smiled at America.  The look of
kindness and caring he gave was intense, but the only thing I saw was the
way he had looked in that diner before rushing Nick out the door and
leaving me there with a lukewarm cup of coffee.  That blank stare, followed
my anger, possibly even hatred.  There were no traces of these things on
his face now, but I saw them there nonetheless.

     I barely paid any attention to what they were talking about.
Something about a series of concerts in New York and the tour they were
currently working on.  Most of this just washed over me with little impact.
I was too caught up in trying to get over the fact that they were actually
here, in the same studio, and that there was a pretty good chance that I
would run into them during the course of the show.

     At that thought, I said a silent prayer to whatever deities may have
been listening to please make them leave the stage before I went on.  I
wasn't sure I could handle an interview knowing that Brian was sitting a
few feet away from me thinking about how disgusting I was.  I was
disappointed that I wouldn't get to say hello to the rest of the boys, but
there was no telling what Brian had told them about me.  Nick had been
pretty cool, but we hadn't really had much time to get to know each other.

     I almost screamed when someone tapped me on the shoulder.  I had been
so intently watching the screen that I hadn't noticed the stage hand enter
the room, or heard her call my name several times.

     "Sorry!"  she said, removing her hand from my shoulder.  "I called you
but you didn't seem to hear me.  It's time to get out there and get you
ready to go on."

     "Oh, okay.  Can you tell me if the Backstreet Boys are going to be
staying out there during my interview, or do they have to leave?"  I asked
hopefully.

     "I really couldn't say.  Steve may know, but he's gone up into the
booth, so I guess you'll have to wait and see if they're there when you get
there.  Sorry."

     "No problem," I said, hoping that I wasn't lying.


     Before long, I was standing off to the side of the studio looking out
onto the set for the show.  I could see the boys and the back of Rosie's
head as she talked to them, but I was pretty sure that with the lights and
everything, they couldn't see me.

     "So, thanks you guys for coming and visiting.  It's always a pleasure
to see you.  Great album, and good luck on tour," Rosie said, holding the
CD out to the camera so that America knew what it was looking for when it
went music shopping.

     "Thanks Rosie!"  they all said in unison.

     "Now are you guys going to stick around and meet my next guest, or do
you have to get going?"

     "Unfortunately, Rosie, we've gotta hit the road.  Our management has
set up a couple of meetings for this morning before we have to go practise
for the concert tomorrow night," Kevin answered for the group.

     "Oh, that's too bad.  I'm sure that you would have liked my next
guest.  He's written an incredible book."  Rosie turned to face the camera
again.  "Nathaniel Healy, coming up right after the break!"

     As the show went into another commercial break, I noticed Brian and
Nick looking at each other, as if they were asking each other if they were
hearing what they thought they were hearing.  They both looked over toward
where I was standing, but with the lights shining on them and not me, I was
just a blurred outline.  Nick seemed concerned, and leaned over and
whispered something to Brian, who just nodded and continued to stare in my
direction, as though he could part the darkness.

     The stage manager came out onto the set and escorted the boys back to
their dressing room.  Thankfully, they didn't have to pass me to get there.
I again said a silent prayer, this time one of thanks, to whatever deity
had seen fit to help me.

     When the show came back from its break, Rosie once again told the
audience how much she had enjoyed my book.  She held her copy up, and then
introduced me.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, Nathaniel Healy."  She gestured toward me and I
felt the stage hand who had brought me from the green room give me a slight
push from behind.

     I walked out onto the set with a smile, waving at the audience as I
went.  In the excitement and confusion of seeing the boys again, I had
completely forgotten about my nervousness.  I made it over to Rosie's desk,
and she stood up and gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then motioned
for me to sit down.

     "First of all, is it Nathaniel or Nathan?" she asked as I sat.

     "Actually Rosie, I prefer Nate," I replied.

     "Okay, Nate then.  So how are you doing now?  You were a little
nervous when we talked backstage."

     "I'm doing pretty well right now, Rosie.  This is the first big
television interview I've been asked to do, so I'm a little wary."

     "Well, I'll try to take it easy on you," she laughed, picking up the
cue cards with her questions written on them.  "Let me just start by
telling you that I absolutely loved your book.  Couldn't put it down."

     "Thanks a lot, that's really good to hear.  This is what I've dreamed
of for so long, it's a little hard to believe that it's really happening."
I was grinning like a fool, and I knew it, but I was apparently powerless
to stop it.

     "Now, for those who haven't read it, would you like to tell them what
it's about?"  Rosie asked.

     "Sure.  Well, first of all, it's called 'Blue Sky,' and it's about a
convict who turns his life around while he is in prison, and the image that
he keeps in front of him is that of walking free under a cobalt blue sky.
It's a bit more involved than that, but I don't want to give too much away.
Basically, it's about his attempt to straighten himself out, and how it all
works out for him.  I really enjoyed writing it, and it's nice to see that
people apparently enjoy reading it as well."

     "Well, I certainly did, and if the best-seller lists are any
indication, I'm not the only one.  Now, this is your first novel, right?"

     "Yeah.  I've been working on it off and on since university.  About a
year and a half ago, I picked up what I had written of the story and went
through it again, getting rid of what I didn't like and really working on
it in earnest.  I wound up throwing out half of it, but what I kept I
really liked, and it became sort of the backbone for the rest of the story.
I finished it shortly before Christmas last year."

     "That's great.  Do you have another one on the go at the moment?"

     "Actually, yes.  Right now I'm sort of sifting through different
ideas, trying to get the feel for them.  I should be starting work on it
full time in a month or so.  Right after my vacation."  I smiled at Rosie.
This was the set-up we had decided on for my little surprise.

     "Vacation?" she asked innocently.

     "Yeah.  I moved back to Toronto from L.A. several months ago, and I
really miss my friends down there.  So, after I take a quick trip back
north to relax for a little while, I'm going to head down there for a
vacation and to see my friends and family."

     "Any friends in particular you're looking forward to seeing?"  Rosie
asked.  She was good.

     "Oh yeah, my friend Andrea.  She's great.  I can't wait to see her."
I responded with a smile.

     "Isn't she the one that told you that you were going to make a fool
out of yourself out here today?"

     "That's her.  That's Andrea's version of support," I laughed.  "She
really is more like a sister than a friend, and you know how siblings are."

     "Well, I think we should just give Andrea a call and let her know that
you're handling yourself just fine.  What do you think?"  Rosie asked,
turning in her seat and moving a phone into the view of the cameras.

     The audience clapped and yelled their approval as Rosie picked up the
receiver.  They quieted as she placed her finger to her lips and began to
dial the number that I had given her.  I knew that Andrea would be at work
at this time of the day, and so I had given Rosie her office number.  It
was a good thing that the show was being taped for air the next day,
because there was no telling what kind of language Rosie was bound to get
from Andrea.  I smiled to myself at the thought of Andrea cursing in front
of Rosie's TV audience.

     The overhead speakers cut in and we could hear the call as it went
through and began ringing.  The secretary answered and Rosie asked to be
connected to Andrea.  I could hardly contain my laughter when Andrea got on
the line.

     "Hello?" she said over the speakers.

     "Hello, is this Andrea?"  Rosie asked.

     "Yes it is," Andrea responded.

     "The same Andrea who told their best friend in the world that he was
going to embarrass himself in front of millions of viewers on my show this
morning?"

     "Oh my God!  Is this who I think it is?"  Andrew practically screamed.

     "Well, that all depends on who you think it is, I guess.  Hi Andrea,
it's Rosie O'Donnell calling.  We were in the middle of Nate's interview
when I we thought we'd call you and let you know that he's doing just
fine."  Rosie laughed into the phone.

     "Can Nate hear me right now?"

     "Honey, half of the country can hear you right now," I said, finally
breaking my silence with a laugh.

     "Oh you are so dead when I get hold of you.  I'm so embarrassed!"
Andrea wailed.

     "Alright Andrea, we should get back to the interview.  I'm gonna let
you go now.  Thanks for taking the time to speak with me and my nation-wide
audience," Rosie said.  I burst out laughing as soon as she had hung up the
phone.

     "Oh, she really is going to kill me, you know."

     "Well then," Rosie said with a devious grin.  "We might as well make
it worth it."  She grabbed the phone again and began dialling.  The
overhead speakers came on again, and I heard the secretary at Andrea's
office pick up.

     "Hello?"

     "Hello, this is Rosie O'Donnell calling from New York, who am I
speaking to?"

     "Uh, Stacy," she responded, sounding a bit overwhelmed.

     "Okay, great Stacy.  I need a favour.  Could you please make sure that
everyone in your office watched my show tomorrow?  Everyone but Andrea,
actually.  It's kind of a surprise."  Rosie could hardly contain her
laughter, and I was having the same problem.

     "Yeah, sure.  So everyone but Andrea gets to know about this?"

     "That's right.  Thanks a lot Stacy.  I hate to go, but I'm kinda in
the middle of an interview at the moment," Rosie said.  She exchanged a few
more pleasantries with Stacy before finally hanging up.  The audience
immediately broke into a round of applause and laughter.  Rosie turned to
me again.

     "Well, what do you think?" she asked.

     "I think I'll try and stay on your good side.  If that's what you do
to people you like, I don't want to see what you do to an enemy," I
laughed.

     Rosie laughed along with me for a moment, before she noticed one of
the stage hands waving a sign at her.  "Oh, I guess we're out of time,
Nate.  Thanks again for coming and talking with us.  You'll have to come
back as soon as your next book hits the shelves.  Will you sign my copy of
'Blue Sky' before you go?"

     "Sure thing, Rosie," I said, taking the pen from her and signing her
book as she announced the guest for the next show.

     After the show ended, I was ushered back toward the green room again.
I was counting my blessings.  I had managed not to make a fool of myself in
the interview, got the last laugh on Andrea, and best of all, I had avoided
any contact with the Backstreet Boys.  I was still thinking of this when I
opened the door to the green room and walked in.  Just as the door shut
behind me, I realised that I wasn't the only person in the room.  Before I
could look up, a voice froze me in my tracks.

     "Hello Nate," Brian said.


To be continued...

Okay, that's it for this part.  Please let me know what you think, and
whether I should keep going with this story.  I've gotten a couple of
responses, and they're pretty positive, but everyone's opinion is welcome
and wanted.  As I said before, I'm kind of fond of the story, but I'm a bit
biased. :) Email me at DLS_stories@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading! :)