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“Mackenzie!” a familiar voice called. She turned around to see Denise jogging to catch up with her. “Mackenzie! She gasped. “Glad I caught up with you. I wanted to explain the sleeping arrangements.” Mackenzie nodded and waited for Denise to go on. It had been a hard day, and she was more than ready to find her bed, crawl in, and sleep. The only problem was, the day wasn’t over yet. “There are three buses, five 18 wheelers, and a couple of vans which travel with us. Most of the grips bed down in the venue, or on the trucks. They drive them also. One passenger bus carries event staff, one carries the Backstreet band and Nina the tour manager, along with security. Our bus carries the boys, myself, Randy, and now, you. The 18 wheelers haul the stage and set-ups, while the vans cart luggage and personal gear which could not fit under the buses. The passenger bus has several rows of seats as well as 12 bunks. The other two buses have living space and eight bunks a piece.” Denise paused, letting Mackenzie absorb all that she had just related.
“I’m staying on the bus with you and the boys?”
“And Randy.” Denise nodded. “Every once in a while, we’ll book a hotel, but this tour is so jam packed, we’ve got to keep moving. Come on, I’ll take you to our bus.” The two set off in the direction of the backstage exits, which fed into a fenced paved area, where the three buses sat. A portable basketball hoop had been set up and Mackenzie could see Brian, Nick, Kevin, Howie, and AJ involved in a fierce game with some of the grips and the band. Denise led her over to the bus that had previously carried them all to the venue. They boarded the bus.
“This will be your bunk.” Denise said simply, continuing on to the back of the bus. “Make yourself at home, I’ve got some work to do.” Mackenzie glanced around the bus, her eyes settling on the her duffle bag, which was laid on her bunk. She perched on the edge of the bed, and unzipped the bag. Gently, she lifted out her possessions, one at a time. Two pairs of jeans, five T-shirts, three pairs of shorts, an extra pair of shoes, one nice summer dress, socks and plain cotton underwear. A small bag of bathroom gear came next, followed by a little wooden box. The box contained her only jewelry: a dainty ruby ring, a silver pendant which formed the mask of comedy, and a pair of clear stone earrings. Mackenzie reached up and fingered the tiny, silver filigree cross at her throat. She smiled, remembering the day that her mother had given it to her. Life had been so simple. Mackenzie sighed. “That was then, this is now” she thought. The last two items in her bag, were a small stuffed rabbit and a gold framed picture. The picture was faded, and Mackenzie caressed the slightly tarnished frame with her fingers. The picture showed a happy couple, with their teenage daughter smiling at the camera. Not a care in the world rested on their shoulders.
“Thinking?” Mackenzie started at the sound of AJ’s voice. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” he said softly.
“That’s all right.”
“This seat taken?” he gestured at the place next to her on the bunk. She shook her head. AJ smiled at looked over her shoulder at the happy trio in the picture. “You’re parents?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“And who’s that gorgeous girl with them?” he glanced at her dubiously and exclaimed in mock surprise, “Why! I do believe it’s you!” AJ’s expression turned to one of tenderness. “You may not believe me, but you’re really much prettier when you smile and laugh. Actually, you’re a knock-out.” Mackenzie blushed while he chuckled. “You’re not used to receiving compliments are you?”
“No...I.....well, no.” AJ let the subject drop.
“So, do you think you’ll like it here with us?” he questioned. She looked at him in surprise.
“Of course! It’s wonderful, I love it already!” she assured him.
“Do you like to shop?” he asked suddenly. Mackenzie was caught by surprise.
“Yes, but I don’t-”
“Great! Come with me, Randy’s no fun to shop with, and they insist on sending security with me! The guys are all into their game, and I NEED a shopping partner!” he cried, yanking Mackenzie to her feet.
“Wait, I-”
“Come on! You can put your things away later!” Mackenzie glanced at AJ, and hurriedly crammed her clothes back into her bag. He only laughed and pulled her to her feet before she could shove the rest of her possessions away.
*****
Mackenzie stood in front of a floor length mirror, and starred at the reflection. A girl with long mahogany hair, and wide green eyes gazed at her. The girl was clothed in a soft, burgundy, velvet dress which hung just above her knees. The dress emphasized her graceful limbs and elegant figure. It was neither too loose nor too tight, bringing out her rosy cheeks and peaches and cream complexion. “Could the figure in the mirror really be me?” she thought. Mackenzie felt like a princess.
“Hey! Are you gonna come out, or do I have to come in?” Mackenzie smiled at AJ’s impatience. She stepped shyly from the small dressing room. AJ whistled long and low. Mackenzie blushed.
“Girl.......wow.” he said with a grin.
“Do you really like it?”
“You have got to get that dress!” he exclaimed. Mackenzie shook her head vigorously.
“No, I can’t-”
“Yes, you can!”
“AJ, you don’t understand-” she pleaded.
“Mackenzie, you’re a vision in that dress, you’ve got to.” Tears welled up in Mackenzie’s eyes. AJ saw them immediately, and wanted to pull her into his arms.
“Oh,” he said softly. “You can’t afford it.” She nodded her head, glad that he understood. She felt embarrassed enough as it was. Mackenzie missed the determined look which passed over AJ’s face. “Take the dress off, and hand it to me. Give me anything else you like too. I want you to have them.” he said. Mackenzie’s eyes widened.
“I can’t let you do that!” she exclaimed.
“YES, you can.” AJ responded forcefully. His face softened. “Please, let me buy them for you.” She wavered. He pushed her back into the dressing room. “Take it off, throw it over the door. Stay there,” he ordered. She did as she was told. A few moments after the dress had disappeared, and a robe was put in it’s place, she heard AJ’s voice calling to her to come out. Mackenzie slipped shyly out of the cubicle. A woman stood next to AJ.
“Mackenzie, this is Vanessa. She works here, and I’ve given her explicit orders to bring forth everything in this store that you could possibly like. I want you to try it all on, and then we’ll discuss what you’d like to have.” A shocked expression came over Mackenzie’s face, and she opened her mouth to speak. AJ cut her off by coming to her and placing his hands on her arms. He looked into her eyes. Mackenzie’s mouth closed. AJ smiled, and turned to Vanessa. “Bring it on!” he ordered.
*****
Mackenzie flopped tiredly into a chair across from AJ. She sighed, and grinned at him. He beamed back at her, with a chuckle.
“Exhausted?” he asked. She nodded her head vigorously.
“Mr. McLean?” Vanessa, the saleswoman, asked. She handed him back his card, “Your bags are by the front desk sir.” AJ thanked the woman; when Mackenzie wasn’t looking, he tipped her a twenty. She simpered at him, which he ignored, and picked up half of the bags. Mackenzie picked up several, and what they couldn’t carry, Randy undertook. John, the driver of their van walked up to Mackenzie and AJ, taking both of their loads.
“I’ll stow them in the car while you get dinner.” he said. Mackenzie looked at AJ.
“Dinner?” she asked. He nodded and said with a smile,
“Of course Madam. We’ve been busy. I think we deserve sustenance.” As they walked toward the food court, Mackenzie thought back to her conversation with Howie, earlier that day. This truly was the best day of her life.
*****
“Anybody seen AJ and Mackenzie?” Howie asked tensely. Brian shook his head and glanced at Kevin and Nick who shrugged. Denise’s forehead wrinkled in thought. Just then, the door to the trailer opened; a laughing AJ and Mackenzie burst in. Everyone turned to look at them. They took in their arms laden with shopping bags, the happy smile on Mackenzie’s face, and Randy’s tired expression. Brian snickered and addressed AJ.
“Bone, did you make Mackenzie carry all of your shopping bags?” he asked with mock severity.
“No, I made her carry her own.” he replied with a cheeky grin. Mackenzie made her way inconspicuously to her bunk. “Where am I going to put all of this?” she whispered to herself.
“You can keep some of it in my closet.” a friendly voice offered. Mackenzie turned to find Howie smiling at her. “I’ve got some extra room.” he explained. She nodded and he took some of her bags. “Let’s unpack before your clothes get wrinkled.” She followed him to the closets in back, watching as he opened one of the six doors. Mackenzie set her bags down, and opened the first one.
“I don’t know why he bought me so much.” she said softly. Howie looked at her, confused.
“AJ bought all this for you?”
“Yeah, I tried to talk him out of it, but he insisted. It’s been so long since I’ve had something new, I hardly know where to begin.” Suddenly, Howie understood why AJ had bought Mackenzie so many things. This girl was impossible not to love. She had so many endearing qualities, and Howie found himself wishing HE had been the one who was earning her thanks. He looked into her upturned face tenderly. She wore an expression of awe and disbelief as they unpacked her new things. Mackenzie caressed the fabric of each item and wondered anew. Howie felt the urge to pull her into his arms, well up inside of him. Instead, he took several of her garments and hung them in his -their- closet. The last items they unpacked were the burgundy velvet dress, and a pair of black, block heeled leather shoes. Mackenzie sighed and starred at the apparel which hung in the closet. A smile emerged on her lips.
“Howie! You’ve got a last sound check for this evening, and Mackenzie, lighting needs you!” Denise called. Howie ran his hand through his hair and grinned down at Mackenzie.
“Back to the real world!” he exclaimed. The two exited the bus together.
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