CHAPTER ELEVEN-“Kristin”*

 

“There it is,” John said as we pulled out of the Lincoln Tunnel.  “New York City.”

 

Lina gazed out the window, as she sat at the dinette table, her eyes wide, her mouth agape.  “Oh my god,” she said as we passed through the eminent Times Square.  “Look, it’s the Virgin Mega Store.” 

 

“Look across the street.”  I told her when we passed MTV studios. 

 

“Eeww,” she said with a laugh.  “I think I saw Carson.  Rick the Temp, from Much Music is way hotter.” 

 

“Right, whatever,” I said.  Unfortunately Canadians didn’t get MTV.  They were deprived of what a real music television network was like.  Not to mention what a truly hot host looked like.**

 

Lina arched her head as she pressed her face against the window to see all the tall buildings we passed on our way to fifty-ninth and Central Park South. 

 

“Start spreading the news.”  John began to sing. 

 

Lina and I exchanged glances. 

 

“I’m leaving today.  I want to be a part of it-New York, New York”

 

Lina and I joined in.  “These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray.  Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York.  I want to wake up in a city that doesn't sleep.  And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap.”  We all shouted. 

 

“These little town blues, are melting away.  I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York.”

 

“Bring it on home Miss Mayfield.”  John said. 

 

And of course, Lina did.  She started belting it out just like Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. “If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.  It's up to you - New York, New Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooork.”  She sang holding the note.

 

John laughed at Lina’s exhilaration, and I applauded.

 

“Thank you, thank you.”  Lina kidded.  “Please, hold your applause.”  She said this, while motioning with her hands to keep them coming.

 

We ceased as we turned the corner, and came to view with the hotel that we would be staying at, The Plaza Hotel. It resembled an eighteen-story French Chateau.  It took up the length of its entire Manhattan tailored block.

 

John stopped the bus, long enough for Yvonne to get in.  She had her own bus, which was much smaller, and resembled a trailer.  She didn’t care.  She liked the privacy.  Her trailer/bus had been behind us, while the Backstreet Boys bus, which we had been following, long ago left us behind.

 

“Ok, we’re here” Yvonne said, as John started moving again.  He drove the bus across the street into a garage that led under the hotel itself.  “Grab whatever you can girls, or whatever you immediately think you will need.  I’ll be sending someone for the rest of your belongings in a while.  Here,” she said handing me the key to our suite.  “You can go on ahead.  Your suite number is 801, top floor.  Lina’s family is already there.  They have suite number 803.”

 

“My parents are here?”  She asked.

 

“Yeah.  They arrived this morning.”

 

“What about my dad?”  I asked her.

 

“He couldn’t make the flight out today, so he will be taking one tomorrow morning.  You can go pick him up when they drop Leighanne off at the airport.”

 

I thought about that for a second.  “Oh, ok.”  I said, anyone could have noticed, I wasn’t too excited about that idea.

 

“So Isabelle, you head up to the room, and Angelina you come with me.  We did some maneuvering, and you are going on Letterman tonight.”

 

“WHAT?!?!”  Lina said her face all of a sudden becoming pale.

 

“We’ll discuss it when we get to my room, now come with me there are a few things we need to do.”  She said getting off the bus.

 

Angelina and I followed.

 

“Go on through there.” She told me pointing to some doors that led to the lobby.

 

I did as Yvonne told me, and walked past a line of limousines and up a set of marble stairs, and into the Plaza Hotel.  Inside, shinny marble columns rose to a high, and gilded ceiling.  There were people running around everywhere.  There were huge restaurants, and indoor shops with fancy names.  The site was actually familiar, I’d been here before, when I use to live in NY.  Either to shop, or out to dinner, but I’d never stayed in one of the rooms before, let alone a suite.    I made my way to the elevators.  When it opened, I stepped in.  The car was carpeted and wood –paneled, and it had a sofa in it.  I swore someone could live in it.  When the doors opened on the eight floor, I went down the hallway till I found door number 801.  I opened it up, and almost fell to my knees.

 

The place was the size of a house!  There was a full size living room with rawhide furniture.  There was a gigantic flat screen TV, stereo system, movie player, and a pc.  Near one of the corners, there was an actual minibar, with a corner tabletop, and real bar stools.  There was a refrigerator near the bar.  It was stocked with soda and juice.  How convenient, I thought.  I went into the bedroom.  I gasped at the site of the two, king sized beds, a mini fridge, a drink cabinet, and a large screen TV.  My next stop was the bathroom.   Oh my god, I thought to myself.  Within the marble walls, there was a four-person whirlpool tub, a separate shower and bath, and another TV. 

 

I was staring at the beautiful view of Central Park from our living room window, when someone knocked on the door.  I walked over, and opened it.

 

“Michael” I yelled as I wrapped my arms around Angelina’s cute older brother.

 

“Hey Isabelle,” He said hugging me back.  “How’s it going?”

 

“Fine, everything’s going great.  How are you?  How was your flight?”  I asked him.

 

“The flight was great, I mean who’s going to argue with first class.  I’m fine, everyone’s fine.  Dad and Lisa are in the room unpacking right now, and Ryan and the girls went back down to the lobby to check things out.  Have you seen the rooms?  They’re like the size of our house back home.”

 

“I know, it’s huge in here.”  I said.  “Wait till Lina sees it.”

 

“Where is she anyways?”  He asked.

 

“She’s going over some stuff with Yvonne.  They just now booked her for an appearance on Letterman.

 

“Yeah, I heard. The guy that picked us up at the airport said this would be like her television debut. Can you believe it?   Man, I’m just so excited about seeing my little sister perform.”

 

I smiled.  If there was anyone Lina ever said she looked up to, it was her brother Mike.  It was going to make her so happy to know he was so proud of her.

 

“Well, I better go down and find Ryan, cuz I just know that in a place like this, he’s bound to get into trouble.”  He said.  “Catch you later Isabelle.”

 

“Bye.”  I said closing the door.  I was about to go back to the bedroom and start unpacking, when Mike knocked again. 

 

But when I opened the door, it wasn’t Mike.

 

“Hi.”  She said as I stared her up and down.  She was wearing a short, green and white handkerchief top and a long, dark green skirt the hem was so long, it covered her shoes entirely.   On her ears there were silver, hoop earrings, her white blonde hair was ran down the length of her back to her waist.

 

“Hi.”  I said.  “Can I help you?”

 

“I’m sorry, but I seem to be lost?”

 

I almost laughed at that notion.  How could anyone get themselves lost in a hotel?

 

She must have sensed my absurdity because she smiled warmly at me.  “I’m looking for Kevin Richardson?  I know he’s on this floor, because the bellboy downstairs told me the eight floor was set off for everyone who’s on the tour.  Do you know what room exactly I can find him in?”

 

In all honesty, I had no idea.  But why was she looking for Kevin anyways?  Who was she?  “I’m sorry, I just got settled into my hotel room.  I’m not really sure what room he’s in.  You can call downstairs to the receptionist and maybe she can…”

 

The door across from me opened, and Kevin stepped out.  “Kristin?”  He said when he saw her.

 

“Kevin!”  She cried.

 

I watched as she practically jumped on him with enthusiasm.  He welcomed her in his arms, and she was in his embrace an instant.  They kissed on the lips, and I could feel my heart sink.

 

When she pulled away from him, her cheerful, laughter rang through the hall.  Kevin looked at me, and they both started walking towards me, obviously to explain who she was.  My heart was thumping with anticipation, a small fist of fear growing in my stomach.

 

“Isabelle,” Kevin said as they approached, “I’d like you to meet Kristin Brooks.”

 

“Hi, Isabelle,” she exclaimed, her eyes were filled with excitement.  She wore light pink lipstick that matched the color of her coat.  When she extended her hand to shake mine, the dozen black, rubber bracelets on her arm all came up to her wrist.  Here fingers were adorned with the strangest arrangement of rings I had ever seen.

 

She was a tall woman made to look even taller by the length of her skirt.  She looked like a model in that top, yet when the material shifted, I could see that she was braless, her breast pressing up against the thin cotton.  She wore a thin leather collar around her neck with tiny multicolored stones imbedded in the material.

 

Her smile was pleasant and airy, and a radiant light came from her eyes, they blue in them practically glimmered.  Her features were small, and her mouth was petite, making the light pink lipstick look graceful on her, instead of shoddy. 

 

“Hi,” I said.  She took my hand and shook firmly.

 

“When were you born?”  She asked quickly.

 

I gave Kevin an odd expression, then answered, “June seventh,” Kevin just smiled.

 

“A Gemini,” she gloated.  “I was right.”

 

“Kristin is an astrologer,” Kevin explained.  “As well as a dancer.”

 

“Oh.  My mom believed in that.”  I said.

 

“Well your mother was probably very bright? ” 

 

I nodded, not wanting to bring up the issue that my mother had passed away when I was younger.

 

“Can we please save the voodoo crap till you are at least settled?” Kevin said. 

 

“Oh Kev, you know you believe in that stuff just as much as I do.  It’s what brought us together.”  She said. 

 

He quickly looked over at me.  His face was filled with embarrassment.

 

He looked away again, and anxiously changed the subject.  “Isabelle, is Angelina Mayfield’s cousin, and is traveling with us.

 

“Great!”  She said.  “I can’t wait to get to know you Isabelle.  I’m going to be traveling with you guys too now.”

 

She was staying? Why had he invited her here?  Who was she?  I thought to myself.

 

“Are those your things?”  Kevin asked pointing to some suitcases that were outside my door.

 

“Oh, yes, my things.”  She said, her singsong voice was beginning to give me a headache.  Kevin grabbed the two largest and brought them inside his hotel room.  When those two suitcases were moved away, you could see what looked like a large, clear stone, propped up against the wall.

 

“Could you please carry this inside for me, Isabelle,” she said, picking it up.  “I’ll get the other things.”  She said picking up a smaller suitcase, and a handbag.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Oh, well it picks up energy.” she explained.  It is always laid by my bed, so that I can draw the energy from it.  Kevin doesn’t mind.”  She said.

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you.  I just can’t wait to get to know you,” she declared.

 

“Exactly how long are you staying on the tour?”  I asked.

 

She stopped, and looked around, well I guess until I don’t feel like being here.

 

She closed the door when we were in Kevin’s room.  It was practically identical to mine.

 

“Where do you want me to put this?” I asked.

 

“Hun, I already told you.”  She said.  “That has to be beside the bed.”  She nodded towards Kevin’s bedroom and smiled.

 

I paused, completely indecisive.  I felt faint, and completely disappointed.

 

Kevin came out of his bedroom.

 

“I put your suitcases by the closet.”  He told her.

 

“Thanks, Kev.”  She said. 

 

“Well, I’m sorry to say, but you know the drill.”  Kevin said.

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

“I’ll be back as soon as we are done with Randy.”  He said.  Randy was their tour manager.

 

“Don’t worry, Isabelle can keep me company.”  She said smiling at me.

 

“Do you mind, Isabelle?”  Kevin asked.

 

I just looked at them, failing to find any words to respond.  “I think I’m getting a little stomachache.  But I’ll be fine.  I can stay,” I said.

 

“Oh?”

 

“Stomachache?  Don’t you worry, Kev.  I’ll help her.  I have just the herbal medicine for stomachaches.  Come along, Isabelle,” she sang as Kevin left the room.

 

Unwillingly, I complied with her and I followed her into Kevin’s bedroom.  She took the stone and placed it beside the bed on a nightstand, her face as always held a smile.

 

“Time of the month?”  She asked.

 

“What?  Oh.  No,” I said.

 

“Did you eat something nasty this morning?”

 

“No”

 

“Just stress then,” she concluded.  “I have just what you need.”

 

“I doubt it,” I said harshly.  She stared at me curiously.

 

“You have a lot of negative energy coming out of you, Isabelle.  If you let me, I’ll help you.”

 

“No thank you,” I said.  “I’ll just walk it off.  That usually works.”

 

“You sure?”

 

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”  I said as I left her in bedroom.

 

I sat down on the couch in the living room and breathed a sigh.  This was horrible, I thought.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay here with her, or just go back into my hotel room.  Why didn’t anyone tell me this was going to happen?  Why was I so stupid to believe Kevin and me would go any further?  She didn’t come out of the bedroom after me, but I just continued to sit there, doing nothing but pouting like a four-year-old.  I was going to stay here because that’s what Kevin expected me to do. 

 

I decided I was just going to ignore Kristin when I heard what sounded like chanting coming from the room.

 

“Changed your mind,” she asked.  She sat on the carpet, in a lotus position, her arms folded under her breast. 

 

There was a small tray by here that held incense which was causing a small stream of smoke to rise up.

 

“What are you doing?”  I asked.

 

“Meditating.  I too need to release the stress, and get mentally primed for the time I am going to be spending here.  It gets pretty hectic on the road when you go on tour.” she said, moving over.  “Why don’t you try it with me, it might help you with your stress.”

 

“Meditate with you?”  I asked with a sneer.

 

“Relive you of all that negative energy that surrounds you,” she replied.  “All the answers to your questions are in here.”  She said, pointing to her heart,  “but you have to find the way to reach them, unlock the doors. I’ll help you do that if you want,” she said.

 

I started to shake my head and laugh at her.  Was she for real?

 

“It won’t cost you anything but a little of your time and energy.”  She said quickly.  “And it might be just what you need, Isabelle.”

 

“How do you know what I need?”  I snapped back at her.

 

She smiled softly.  “I know you need some peace, some answers, some strength.  I know you’re looking for meaning and love,” she added.

 

I sat down on the blanket next to her.  “Where do you live?”  I asked.

 

“I live only a train ride away in Greenwich Village,” she explained.  “It’s where a lot of artist and writers, and folk singers and musicians live.  I have a shop there on Christopher Street.  I do readings on astrology, personal horoscopes, sell candles and crystals.”

 

“I know where that is.”  I told her.  “You’re a fortune teller?”

 

“Yes, in a way.  Your destiny is dependent upon the sign of the zodiac under which you were born and the relationship of the planets at the time and throughout your life.  She went into a detailed rationalization of how the planets and their position at the time of your birth have a great deal to do with your future.

 

She sounded so impractical.  Why would Kevin like someone who believed in these things?  I wondered.

 

“I can do a chart for you while I’m here, if you want. 

 

“No, that’s ok” I said harshly.

 

“I’ll even explain it as best I can for you.,” she offered.

 

“I’m not interested.”

 

“Well, don’t hesitate to ask if you have a change of heart.”

 

“Who’s watching your store while you’re here?”  I asked.

 

“A friend of mine, Rob Bienes.” She said

 

“Is he your boyfriend?”

 

“He’s more like a good friend.”  She said.

 

I nodded and looked away.

 

“You’re Kevin’s girlfriend though, aren’t you?”  I asked her, not caring if I seemed to be prying.

 

She laughed

 

“As much as anyone could be Kevin’s girlfriend.  Kevin is never stable.  He’s always here, and there.  One minute he’s in Germany, the next in Australia, the next in Japan.  He is only committed to one thing, and that is his music.”

 

“But you’re here, living with him, aren’t you?”  I practically spit back at her.

 

“He and I will never be permanent in the way you mean.  We have been this way since we met, more than eight years ago.”  She said.

 

She saw the look of confusion on my face.

 

“You’ll understand if you let me open a door for you.”

 

“What door?”

 

“The door to yourself, all you need is a little faith.”

 

“Every time I have a little faith or a little hope, I get disappointed,” I said.

 

“Maybe you’ve been putting your energy into the wrong things, the wrong places, the wrong people.”

 

“How do I know what’s things I should put my faith on?”

 

She closed her eyes. “You like Kevin a lot, don’t you?”  She asked.

 

“Maybe, a little.” 

 

She opened her eyes, and looked at me with a gentle, angelic smile on her lips.  “It’s not unusual to imagine things-wonderful things-with such a person.  When I was your age, I did a lot of that, too.”  She looked at me, her eyes still warm, but smaller, more intense.  “You’re angry with me, aren’t you?  Angry that I showed up?”

 

I turned away from her quickly.

 

She looked at me very intently, her eyes soft but determined.  “I know I’m good for him, Isabelle.  I know I give him something he needs, something that helps him be the artist and the man he wants to be.”

 

Tears came to my eyes.  I was hoping that was what I would give him and who I could be.

 

“You’ll do that for someone special soon, Isabelle.  I can see it in your eyes.  Someone needs you to do that for them.”

 

*Kristin-though that is the name of Kevin’s real life love interest, she is heavily based on a character I read once in a VC Andrews book, so are her scenes in this chapter.

**Ya know I love ya…Krissy, Mel, Missa and all my Canadian friends. You know I think Canada rules! =)

 

 

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