| Joey sat in the living room of his Great Aunt's home in NY, nursing a spiked egg nog and a wicked hangover. He hated being in NY, loved his family, but the December snowfall had left a chill in his bones that would take weeks of Florida weather to get rid of. Snorting with boredom, he placed his empty glass on the coffee table and stared blankly at the television. "So, Joe, great tour huh?" He blinked as yet another cousin prodded about the NSA tour. "Yeah, yeah. It was great." Joey tried not to let his boredom shine through, but he was so burned out talking about it. "Lots of women, eh?" the cousin chuckled, elbowing him in the ribs. Joey sighed, but forced a smile. "Yeah, yeah. Lots of women." He was sick of talking about himself. He'd had enough of that to last a lifetime. Idilly, he wondered how Lance, Chris, JC, and Justin were making out. They planned to meet in Orlando before New Years. He couldn't wait. Being away from them had proved that they were the only people he could truly be himself around. Before his cousin had a chance to say anything else, he stood up. "I have to go to the bathroom," he explained, stifiling the stretch that threatened to give him away. Once inside the tiny bathroom, Joey sat on the toilet, sinking his head into his hands. It had started last night with his arrival, all the fussing over him. He just wanted to be normal. Last year, they hadn't run into this problem. Hell, last year he wasn't sure there was going to be an N Sync anymore. Back then, his extended family had shown great compassion, but hadn't treated him diffrently. Now, everyone eyed his presents with interest, wondering what their rich relative had bought them. "Ha!" Joey laughed outloud, wishing he had some pot or something to take the edge off the day. He'd declined to stay another night, blaming work. There was nothing planned, but it made it easier for him to say no. A small knock on the door made him stand. Of course, his great aunt only had one bathroom. She'd lived in the same house for years and saw no need to change a thing. "Yeah?" he called out, checking his appearance in the mirror, mostly out of habit. "Uncle Joey! Will you come play with me?" He smiled at the sound of his nephew. The one true joy of his holiday. The little guy adored him, but with an honesty that Joey loved. Feeling his mood brighten, he pulled the door open. "Sure. What do you want to play?" "I wanna make a snowman. Mommy said I had to ask you if you would go with me cuz she's busy with dinner and daddy is watching something on TV.' Joey frowned at the stupidity of his brother. What an ass to have such a great kid and ignore him constantly. "Okay, well, do you have some gloves or boots?" He laid his hand on his nephew's shoulder and walked him down the hall to the living room. "Right there," his little hand pointed, and Joey sat on the tile, helping him on. He glanced over at his leather jacket, knowing full well it would be ruined by the wet snow. Not to mention his brand new $300 boots. But he didn't care. He could always buy new. Playing in the snow would be fun. Cold, but fun. "We're heading out," Joey called, but no one looked up. Shrugging, he pulled his gloves out of his pocket and opened the front door, letting an artic like breeze fly in. He scrunched down in his jacket, wishing he'd planned better. Once out on the front lawn, he was pelted with a snowball immediately. He shook his head and looked up, spying his nephew collapsed in a fit of giggles. "Ooh, you're gonna get it!" he teased, taking off after him. A light snow began to fall, and Joey stuck his tounge out to catch the flakes. His nephew stopped running and stared at him. "Whatcha doing?" he asked curiously. "Catching snow. It's good luck." Okay, well he wasn't sure if that was true or not, but it sounded good. He watched from the corner of his eye as the kid mimicked him, sticking his tounge out as well. Maybe the day wouldn't be lost after all. Spending time with kids was theraputic. They didn't care how much you made, or who you knew, as long as you were their friend. |
| HOLIDAYS JOEY by destiny |