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My December	By : Fuelish Category: Individual Celebrities > Josh Groban Views: 2010 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know Josh Groban. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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CHAPTER SIX

Josh pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and fished through it for his credit card.
“Yeah, the last four numbers are 9068. Expiration date? Oh, that’s oh-seven, oh-seven.” He listened and when given a confirmation number wrote it down. “Thanks.” He said before hanging up United Airlines and calling Karen. She answered on the first ring.
“You are going to be on a flight from Cleveland to L.A. at 10:00 AM Thursday morning one week from today and arrive at 2:30PM.” Josh said. He was bursting with excitement but didn’t want to show it. Karen, on the other hand, squealed into the phone. Josh pulled it away from his ear quickly and smiled. “I’m guessing you like that.” He said.
“Oh, God, Jay! I can’t wait! And I can’t believe I got two days off. Something’s got to be wrong!” He heard a loud noise in the background.
“What was that, Karen?” He asked.
“Just me falling on my bed. I’m so excited that my stomach hurts.” He grinned.
“Let me help you with that … I’ll just rub it for you …”
“Jay! Be nice!” She chastised.
“Oh, I’m being nice. I could have said something like …”
“Don’t you dare!” He chuckled.
“I’ll save that for next Thursday.” She sighed excitedly.
“I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.” He lowered his voice to a baritone whisper. Karen giggled.
“Jay, you horndog you!”
“You’re right, Karen, I’ve been found out. I’m going to use you for sex. I’m going to lock you in a dungeon called …” He grabbed his notepad where he’d made notes of the hotel and room numbers. “The Omni hotel. Penthouse Suite. They even provide fur handcuffs for select guests at no extra charge.” Karen laughed.
“You’re nuts.” He laughed.
“No, you’re nuts! Especially since you’re willingly coming here and letting me take advantage of you.”
“Jay! How do you know it’s not me who’s taking advantage of you? I mean you are a young man and I’m an older woman. I’m in my sexual prime and supposedly at 24 years old so are you.” He sighed happily.
“Bring it on older woman!” He howled.
“So how many times a night do you think you can do it?” He grinned.
“We’re gonna find out.” Karen growled at him. “Oh God, don’t start that. It’s pure torture.” He moaned. Karen growled again. And again Josh moaned. “Karen, do you know what you do to me when you do that?” She giggled. It was apparent that she did.
“Just think of what it will sound like when I’m doing it in your ear.” She whispered. Josh held the phone to his chest and groaned. He couldn’t wait. If she had been able to get the time off from work tomorrow he would have flown her to Canada with him, Jay or no Jay. He was going to tell her about himself right after Canada. He was excited and scared at the same time.
“Karen you are a tease. Want me to tell you what you’re doing to me right now?”
“Take a picture and show me.” She whispered. He would have loved to.
“I’d rather show you in person.” He reached into his jeans and touched himself.
“Oh would you?” She said playfully.
“Oh yeah, I have something for you.” He sang. She gasped.
“I’d ask what it is but I think I know.” She said with a smile in her voice.
“And it’s huge.” He taunted. She gasped again. “You sure you can’t get the day off tomorrow?” He whispered.
“I wish. Oh, how do I wish! But next week will be here sooner then you think and then we’ll be together.”
“I know.” He said softly. He needed her now. He ached inside and out. This coming weekend was going to be pure torture. He had to be happy, smiling, personable, and worst of all he was sure he was going to face questions about Jan. He closed his eyes and pictured Karen as he was talking to her. “Karen, I’m dreading this weekend.”
“Why, babe? You go there, play the piano and then come home and before you know it you’ll be picking me up from LAX.” She had a smile in her voice and he felt like a cad. “Then you know what comes next …” She flirted.
“Yeah, we go out to dinner at my favorite restaurant.”
“Ohhhhh!” She sighed. “Which one?”
“It’s called The Stinking Rose.” Karen burst out in laughter.
“You’re kidding!” She wailed.
“No! I’m not. It’s so awesome. Can I take you there?”
“You bet!” She said. Josh and Karen chatted another couple hours and then played the ‘hang up’ game. It comprised of who would be the first to hang up and usually after a half hour Karen was the winner. Or loser depending on which way you looked at it.

Josh packed lightly for his short trip to Canada. Before noon on Friday Josh, his mom, dad, and brother along with David Foster and Brian Avnet, his manager were on a flight to British Columbia. He sat next to the window followed by his mom then dad across the aisle. He leaned his head against the cool glass of the window and closed his eyes. He was anxious to get this weekend over with and prepare for the next phase of his relationship with Karen. He felt dread settle into the pit of his stomach when he thought about telling her his real name. She wouldn’t be happy and he knew it. He thought about how he would feel if she suddenly told him she wasn’t who she said she was. He sighed and sunk down in the seat further. His mom patted his arm.
“You okay honey?” She whispered. He nodded without opening his eyes. The plane took off and Josh pretended to nap for a while so no one would disturb him. Twenty minutes into the flight his cell phone rang. He snatched it up and looked at the I.D. It was Karen from work. He answered it quietly.
“You there yet?” She asked.
“Soon.” He said looking out the window. “How’s work?” He heard her sigh.
“It’s work.”
“Yeah, well next week you only have three days of it and then warmth and sunshine.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait!” She said, excited. He smiled and glanced over at his mom who was eyeing him with interest. He blushed and turned back towards the window.
“I reserved your room already and I emailed you the confirmation from the airline.”
“Cool.” She said.
“Print it out and bring it with you to the airport. Your ex is going to take the kids from Thursday to Sunday?” He held the phone close to his mouth so he wouldn’t be overheard. It was for nothing, Lindy heard everything.
“Yes he is. He was going to give me a hard time about it at first and I threatened him until he gave in.” He laughed softly.
“You’re a bitch.” He whispered.
“You got that right Jay!” He glanced over at Lindy who frowned at him and turned away. He turned back to the window.
“I’ll call you when I get to the hotel.” He said quietly.
“What’s wrong?” Karen asked, concerned.
“Nothing.” He said, afraid to elaborate. He was already in trouble with his mother, the look on her face told him he had it coming later. “It’s just I’m on the plane and it’s quiet and everyone is listening to me talk.”
“So?” She said, somewhat agitated.
“Honey, I’ll call you when I get to the hotel. It won’t be long. Please.” He whispered. She sighed.
“Fine. Call me when you get there.”
“I will.” He said and then kissed into the phone. She kissed too and then they hung up. He closed the phone and glanced toward Lindy who had her head back on the seat and eyes closed. He sighed and turned towards the window again where he stared out into the clouds. It was a smooth ride but promised to be a bumpy night.

The plane landed and they were greeted at the airport by a small group of fans who screamed his name and crowded around him. He smiled forcefully and signed autographs but was relieved when he was able to escape into the limousine that drove them straight to the hotel. Josh headed off to his room quickly.
“Josh, we need to go over the schedule.” Bonnie, his new assistant stopped him before he slammed the door shut. He sighed.
“When?” He asked impatiently.
“Well go ahead and get cleaned up. Do you want to discuss it over dinner?” She asked hugging her purse to her chest. He pulled up his sleeve and glanced down at his watch. Karen would be leaving work soon and he wanted to talk to her. Better they should talk later then earlier on in the night when she was busy with the kids.
“Umm …” He tightened his lips as his mind went over his own personal schedule. “Are you up for an early dinner?” He asked. She smiled and nodded.
“It’s up to you, it’s whatever you want.” He leaned against the door and sighed.
“Okay, lemme have like half an hour and then come banging on the door and we’ll go down to the restaurant.” She nodded and turned away.
“Will do.” She called from down the hall on her way to her own room. He shut the door and tossed his bag on the bed. Kicking off his shoes he went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He undressed quickly and slipped in under the warm, pulsating water. He hated traveling; it always made him feel greasy and sweaty. When he was soaped and rinsed he turned off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist before heading into the room. He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He was overwhelmed with the problem of telling Karen about his identity. When he first started talking to her it was as a friend and he didn’t want his celebrity to get in the way but now it’s become way more then just a friendship. He wanted to try to make things work with her. Yeah, she was older, she had kids, she lived half the country away from him but that didn’t mean it couldn’t work out for both of them. He wasn’t bothered by the fact that she had three children, one of whom was just 10 years younger then he was. He wasn’t looking to be a dad to the kids. Being their friend would be enough. He had discussed that with Karen and she appreciated it. He was excited and scared both to meet her and especially since she thought he was just some piano player named Jay. He sighed heavily.
“What should I do?” He mumbled out loud. He thought maybe he would tell her who he was in person. Maybe, just maybe Brandon looked enough like him that she wouldn’t be on to him as soon as she saw him. He shook his head back and forth on the bed. Nope, nope, nope, won’t do. He had to tell her. Sunday night when he was back home in the safety of his condo he would tell her the whole ugly story and hope and pray she would forgive him. Just then there was a knock at the door. He jumped up losing the towel in the confusion and ran for his duffel bag where he found a pair of jeans and jumped into them.
“Hang on a minute!” He called and slipped a shirt on over his head as he opened the door to Bonnie. She smiled at his damp hair and the shirt that was halfway on and halfway off his torso.
“Are you ready?” She asked. He ran into the bathroom pulling at the shirt and retrieved a pair of glasses he’d left on the sink after he’d peeled his contacts off his eyes and left them to soak.
“Yeah, in a second.” He said and ran his hands through his wet hair to settle some of the curls that had gone wayward. When he was satisfied he came out and stuck his bare feet into his tennis shoes. “Ready.” He said slipping his wallet and his cell phone into his pocket and holding the door open for her. She walked past him and out into the hall.

They had dinner together in the noisy dining room. Bonnie went over the events of the fundraising event. During the meeting his cell phone went off three times. Once it was his Mom wondering where he was. He told her to meet him down in the dining room. Next was Brian wondering the same thing and then lastly Karen called.
“Hey!” He said, excited to hear from her again. “I was going to call you shortly.”
“Sure you were.” She said flatly. He couldn’t tell if she was teasing or not.
“I was, I swear! I’m just going over some things with Bonnie, my assistant and then I was going to go back up to my room and call you.” As soon as he said her name Josh wanted to kick himself for even mentioning Bonnie. He grimaced and bit his thumb nail.
“Bonnie, huh? She’s some sort of ‘assistant’?” He puffed up his cheeks and then blew air out deflating them again.
“Yeah. You believe me don’t you?” He whispered and then mentally punished himself.
“Sure, why not? You’re just there alone in Canada with some chick named Bonnie and I’m here. What’s not to believe?” Josh got up and went to hallway towards the bathrooms so he could talk to Karen a moment in private.
“Karen, darling, I’m sensing some sort of …” He sighed and searched for the right word. “Discontent?”
“I’m sorry Jay. I just … I miss you and I can’t wait to see you next week. I know you’re busy. God, I would be so angry if I was at work and you were calling and getting pissy with me because I was busy. I’m sorry.” He leaned back against the wall and watched his parents file into the restaurant and take their place at the table with Bonnie.
“It’s okay. Trust me, I’m missing you too. And I was going to call you when this stupid dinner meeting was over but I’m glad you called me first.”
“Well …” She began. He watched as his Dad waved to him and then waved him over. He waved back.
“Jesus, my Dad’s waving me over to the table. He just got there. I’m going to eat with them really quick then I’ll go up to my room and call you.”
“Promise?” Karen asked, sounding a little sad. He wished he could reach through the phone and put his arms around her.
“I promise babe. Now go and send me an email or something. I’ll be calling you soon.” They hung up and Josh headed back over to the table. Before sitting down he noticed a sharp look from Lindy.
“Who was that, son?” Jack asked. Josh grabbed a copy of the itinerary and pretended to read it.
“Oh that? That was a friend of mine. Her name is Karen.” The table fell silent.
“Karen? I didn’t know you had a friend named Karen.” Lindy said. “Where did you meet her?”
“I answered a personal ad, Mom. I met Karen through an online dating service.” Josh said without looking up from the paper. Jack nearly choked on a drink of water he had just taken and Lindy’s mouth dropped open and her eyes opened wide.
“What?” Lindy gasped. Josh burst out laughing and Lindy kicked him under the table. “That was rude, Josh!” She snapped.
“You are so gullible.” He snickered. Jack laughed.
“You almost gave your mother a heart attack.”
“Me?” Lindy asked. “You nearly choked to death on your drink!”
“But really, I haven’t really met Karen yet, personally. We’ve only been talking on the phone.” He took a long sip of Coke from the straw in his drink as his mother stared at him. “What, Mom?” He sighed and then held his hand up quickly to her. “Listen, before you go off on me, I know what I’m doing here. She’s not a fan, she’s not a stalker. She’s a wonderful woman.” Lindy opened the menu and stared at it.
“Who just happens to have children. She’s not married, is she Josh?”
“Not any more Mom.”
“You sure about that, Josh?” Her lips tightened in anger.
“Yeah, Mom, I’m sure about that.” His own lips tightened the same. Jack looked at the two of them and noticed they both gave the same looks when they were angry. It was quite amusing to him. He cleared his throat and called the waitress over. He ordered a Scotch on the rocks and a glass of wine for his wife. Josh asked for another Coke and Bonnie was drinking water with a slice of lemon. “You know, you have kids, is that so awful?”
“I’m not a divorcee going after a rich man.” He shot her a look.
“Karen isn’t either.” Lindy laced her fingers together and folded them neatly in front of her on the table then looked over at Josh.
“You don’t really know that now do you? You’ve never even met her. How many people do you suppose there are in this world who have not heard of you?” He clenched and unclenched his teeth as she spoke.
“Plenty.” He said quietly. Lindy just chuckled.
“It’s obvious you’re still a naïve young man.” Bonnie sipped her water and stared out at the hotel lobby, listening but silent.
“Listen you two,” Jack said. “I’m not going to sit her idly and let you fight. I think if you have a problem with this Lin you should talk to Josh privately about it.” Josh sighed and thanked his Dad. “That doesn’t mean I agree with your actions Josh.” Jack said. Josh rolled his eyes.
“You can’t tell me who to date and who not to date.” He said matter-of-fact. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions.”
“Even if they are bad ones.” Lindy mumbled.
“Granted. But if we think you’re making a mistake we’re not going to sit back quietly and watch you make it. Especially if it’s harmful.” Josh set down his menu and eyed the two of them.
“If you want me to go back upstairs and eat in my room I will. Otherwise we drop the subject.” Jack eyed Lindy and finally the table fell silent.

Josh called Karen after he returned to the room and they chatted until they both ran out of things to say yet neither one of them wanted to hang up. They sat on the phone until they nearly fell asleep. Then they mumbled goodbyes and kisses until Karen hung up first. The next morning he lay in bed until he was called to rehearsal. After rehearsal his parents caught up with him as he was trying to escape to the protection of his hotel room. They each grabbed an arm and led him off down the street to a quaint pub called The Lion Rampant.
“What’s going on?” Josh asked as they each held tightly to him and pulled him inside.
“We’re having lunch young man.” Lindy said. As soon as they were inside and sure that he wouldn’t bolt back out the door they released him. He rubbed his arms.
“That hurt.” He whined.
“I could have spanked you. That would have hurt more.” Lindy snapped and then frowned when he glanced at her quickly. The hostess approached and led them to a private booth in the back of the pub.
“I love Canada.” Jack said eyeing the list of beer and licking his lips. The waitress was about to leave after handing them the food menu when Jack stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I’d like to order drinks right away.” He said. “I’d like two Boddington’s Ales and a Murphy’s Stout.” She made notes on a pad, smiled and then left. Josh held the menu up in front of his face. Jack pulled it out of his hands and lay it on the table. “You can read it from there. Stop acting like your 12 again.” Josh sighed and leaned over the table. “I’m sorry Josh but there are things in life you need to know about.”
“Do I have to know about them when I’m eating?” He asked innocently.
“Yes.” Lindy said perusing the items on the menu. The waitress brought the beer and set the glasses down on the table. She asked if they were ready to order. “Not just yet.” Lindy said to her with a smile. She left quickly as she had other tables waiting. Jack handed both Lindy and Josh a Boddington’s and took the Murphys for himself. “Thank you honey.” Lindy said and took a sip of her beer. Josh picked up the glass and gulped it down. The cream on the top of the beer had stuck to his upper lip and he licked it off quickly. He had finished half the glass before he set it down on the table.
“Getting drunk isn’t going to help your case.” Jack chastised.
“Maybe not but it’ll help me listen better.” Jack sighed. After they had ordered and the menus were gone Jack began to speak.
“Your mother and I talked about this at great length last night, son.” He began. Josh felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. All during high school whenever he’d gotten in trouble for something his dad would begin the conversation with how they’d discussed his actions at “great length.” It was usually followed by some awful punishment that may or may not have involved some sort of community service or a seemingly endless time alone in the library with a research project that had to be completed before the punishment was over. His parents weren’t into the spanking punishments or simple grounding, it had to be something they had mulled over or discussed together. It was worse then a spanking, spankings were over right away. Their well thought out punishments could last weeks depending on what they were! “We have only your best interests in mind when we tell you these things. I’d like to preface this with that.” Josh felt an overwhelming nausea flow through him like a tidal wave. He boldly held his hand up to his dad.
“Before you go on Dad, I will listen to you both out of respect but I hope you know that it may not change how I feel and what my intended actions are.”
“And I can appreciate that, however, this relationship you have with someone you don’t know and someone who has children from a previous marriage is not healthy for your image.”
“You are a Christian young man who should be dating a Christian young woman. The tabloids and newspapers love to plaster your personal life all over where people of all ages can read it and know exactly what’s going on in your life. You need to keep it simple and clean so that what they talk about is wholesome and not dirty.” Josh drained the remaining beer from his glass and called the waitress for another.
“I know that.” He said. “How stupid do you think I am?”
“We don’t think you’re stupid son.” Jack said twirling his finger around in the beige cream that was in his glass then he stuck his finger in his mouth and licked it off. “But you have a reputation to uphold.”
“And if you don’t think that David has a very tight hold on me and what he allows me to do then you’re crazy.” He took a drink of the full glass of ale he’d been brought. “He’s more strict then you ever were.” He muttered.
“David’s one of the reasons we’re here today too. He doesn’t want to see you getting into anything you shouldn’t be.” Josh leaned back in the seat and folded his hands in front of him. He wanted to tell them to leave him alone and run out of the restaurant. What he did was none of their business but he knew it was their business, he was their business and until he was a free agent he had to do what he was told. He hated it. But he also knew that arguing with them wasn’t going to solve anything. If he was going to warm them up to Karen it would have to be slow. Once they met her they would know what a warm, loving, wonderful woman she was, kids or no kids. He decided it was better to smooth things over then ruffle their feathers.
“You know, you’re right.” He said closing his eyes and breathing deeply through his nose. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.” His mom patted his hands with hers.
“We just love you, Josh. Very much.” She soothed. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“And I love you.” He said smiling what he would consider a fake smile. “And value your judgment too!” He eyed his dad. His compliance seemed to smooth things over for the time being. It was his intent and it worked. The food arrived and the three ate in silence.

The three strolled back to the hotel. Relations seemed a bit more relaxed then they had earlier since Josh had just given in and agreed with them instead of arguing. This time his mom had slipped her arm through his and walked with him lovingly. He left them at the elevator and went back to his room where he napped for a few hours before having to meet with the vocal coach and warm up before show time that evening. He called Karen before vocal warm-up and then before the show. After the show he was expected to attend a gala. He was in no mood for that but he went with his parents. It was there that he met with the reporters and was bombarded with questions about January and her whereabouts. He didn’t know exactly what to say, he hadn’t been prepped by David or his cronies and stuttered at first. Brian was nearby and stepped in. He stated simply that Jan was filming a movie and Josh hadn’t spoken to her recently.
“But surely you’ve heard reports that she’s having a fling with Jude Law.” One woman said. Josh cleared his throat before speaking.
“Yes, I’ve heard something about that but I cannot confirm nor deny those rumors. She’s a big girl and I think she’s old enough to do what she wants.” He smiled.
“So things have cooled between the two of you?” The reporter continued. Brian began to speak and Josh stopped him with a hand on his chest.
“Yes, they have. So if she is dating him then she’s free to do so. I wish her nothing but the best.” He said and then walked away. He made his way to the bathroom where he stood, nauseated in front of the mirror. He rushed to the toilet when he felt he would vomit but it passed and he splashed cold water on his face. Wiping it with a paper towel, he looked at his pathetic self in the mirror. He hated January, he hated her for putting him through this. He wanted to go back to his room and hide. He wanted to lay on the bed and talk to Karen and be soothed by her voice, by her wit, by her comforting words. He needed her and he needed her now. He rubbed his eyes gently, ran his finger tips through his hair and went back to the party. He found his parents and sidled up next to them.
“Mom, I’m tired and I’m going back to my room.” He whispered to her. She jumped when she saw how pale he was. She pushed his hair back from his forehead and felt it.
“Are you okay?” She asked, concerned. Satisfied that he didn’t have a fever she cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m okay, I’m just tired and want to hit the sack. Ring me early so I can get packed and ready to leave.” He pulled her hands from his face and kissed her cheek. After agreeing to call him, Lindy let him go reluctantly.

Josh raced back to the hotel and let himself into his room. He shed his clothes quickly, showered, and dressed in a pair of pajama pants and then snuggled under the covers before dialing Karen’s number. She answered it quickly.
“I need you.” He said quietly. She sighed.
“You’ll have me, and it won’t be long.” She giggled.
“No, I mean now. I just need to talk to you.” The dark tone of his voice worried her.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. He closed his eyes and swallowed.
“Just that damned party. People were asking me about Ja …” He caught himself as he was about to say her name.
“About who?” Karen questioned. He could have made up another name but it was time to stop lying and tell the truth.
“Jan. Her name is Jan and it was very hard for me to answer.”
“Ahhhhh ….” Karen said, she finally had a name for the one she simply called ‘bitch.’
“That really sucked.” He said.
“I’m sorry honey. I wish I could have come with and be comforting you now.” She said softly.
“I know, me too.” He sighed. He would have given anything to buy her a ticket right then and wait for her to arrive. What would it be a 5, 6 hour flight? He knew it wasn’t possible but that didn’t mean he didn’t want it.
“Where are you anyway?” She asked.
“Vancouver.” He said.
“Where’s that?”
“Canada.” He said with a sigh.
“I know it’s Canada you nut, where in Canada?” Karen laughed.
“Oh.” He said and rubbed his eyes deeply now that he had taken out his contacts out and left them to soak in the bathroom. “British Columbia.”
“All the way up there?” She asked. She wasn’t very familiar with Canada’s regions but she did know that BC was above the state of Washington. “By Washington?” She asked.
“Yeah.” He said. “Just over the border really.”
“That’s too far. I’d never make it tonight.” She said as if she’d read his mind. “It would take me about 3 days to drive there.” She laughed.
“I would fly you here but it would take more hours then I’ll be here!”
“Well …” She said with a sigh. “It won’t be long. Then I’ll make you forget about that bitch – who’s name now I know but will not speak it!”

The two talked for another hour and then hung up. Josh went to sleep almost immediately but Karen lay on her bed and thought about Jay. She was curious about this concert and wanted to go to the Josh Groban website and look it up. She glanced over at her computer which sat silent in the corner of her room. She sighed. She was too tired to get up and turn it on not to mention, she glanced over at the clock on the bedside table and sighed, morning would come early around there with the kids home. She tucked herself under the covers and settled into her pillow. She would look it up in the morning she decided and closed her eyes for the night.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Karen heard them before she saw them. They were fighting over cereal. She cracked open a tired eye and glanced at the clock. It was just after 8. She sighed and rolled over pulling the pillow over her head hoping to block out the noise. Carlie came running in and shook her. Karen jumped.
“What, Car?” She said, muffled.
“Ryan’s eating the rest of the Lucky Charms.” Carlie wailed. Karen sighed heavily again.
“There was half a box left from yesterday.” She said into the mattress.
“He’s had two bowls already and now he’s having another one!” Karen dragged herself out of bed and stuck her feet into her slippers. Before heading out into the kitchen she turned on her computer. Carlie ran past her nearly knocking her into the wall in the hallway.
“Mom’s coming and you’re in trouble!” She heard Carlie taunting Ryan.
“I don’t give a crap.” Ryan said. Karen smacked him in the back of the head.
“You’d better give a crap or I’ll take it forcefully by beating it out of you.” She said and headed for the coffee pot. “Stop eating all the cereal. It has to last. And Lucky Charms aren’t cheap.” Karen made coffee and then yanked the box away from Ryan and gave it to Carlie. Carlie poured what was left into her bowl and began to eat. Karen drank her coffee and read the Sunday paper while the kids fought over food.
“So Mom …” Kelly said. “What are we doing today?” Karen sighed and flipped open a sale paper.
“Same thing we do every Sunday Kel. Nothing. I’ve got laundry and you’ve got reading to do I’m sure.” Kelly sighed heavily and rolled her eyes.
“We never do anything fun!” She pouted and tossed her empty cereal bowl into the sink.
“Sure we do, Kel. Housework and homework is fun, isn’t it?” Karen asked without even looking up from the paper. Kelly sighed again and stomped off into her room.
“It’s so boring here!” She shouted.
“Don’t worry, honey, you’ll have LOTS of fun with your dad next weekend!” Karen shouted back. “Then I get to have fun for once.” She said quietly to herself and then smiled.
“I don’t want to go.” Carlie said and crawled into Karen’s lap on the couch. Karen smoothed her pretty blonde hair from her forehead and looked into her eyes.
“Why not sweetie?” Karen asked.
“I just want to stay home with you.” She pouted.
“But mommy’s not going to be home next weekend.” Karen said quietly.
“Where you going, Mom?” Ryan asked before Carlie could. Carlie frowned at him and then growled.
“I’m taking a small vacation to California.” She said. Carlie’s eyes opened wide and she grinned.
“I wanna come!” She squealed.
“California? What’s there for you?” Ryan asked and then laughed as realization dawned on him. “Your BOYFRIEND!” He yelled. Karen smiled guilty as charged.
“You can’t come, Car. It will be the first time I’m meeting him and that wouldn’t be too good to have the kids with.” Carlie frowned.
“Why not? Oh pleeeeeeeease???” She pleaded.
“No, Car, you can’t be there when Mom’s doing the nasty with Jay!” Karen snapped her head toward Ryan and shook her finger at him.
“You knock that off, Ryan or so help me …” He laughed.
“You know it’s true! I’ve heard you on the phone with him, all mushy and stuff.”
“I said knock it off!” Karen threatened.
“You really like him, don’t you Mom?” Kelly asked coming back into the room with her assignment novel from school in her hand.
“Yeah, I really do.” She sighed.
“I’m sure I’ll like him. He’s really cute.” Carlie said. Karen had shown them pictures of Jay and told them all about him so it wouldn’t come as a surprise when she did go out west to meet him.
“You think so?” Karen asked her youngest child with a blushing smile.
“Yeah, I do.”
“I think he’s hot too Mom.” Kelly added flipping open her book.
“I think he’s a dork and probably still in high school.” Ryan taunted. Karen picked up a couch pillow and threw it at his head. He ducked and it went flying past him.
“You’ll be lucky if you make it to high school chump!” Karen shouted. Ryan laughed.
“Maybe we could go riding bikes together!” Ryan said and ran down the hall to his room when Karen threatened to get up and pummel him.
“Mom, how old is he?” Carlie asked. Kelly eyed Karen expectantly.
“He’s 24.” She answered.
“How old are you?”
“I’m 35.” Kelly raised an eyebrow at Karen.
“Don’t give me that eyebrow missy. Yes, Jay is younger then me but he’s very smart and very talented.” Karen went on to tell Carlie and Kelly what she knew about ‘Jay’ and how he played piano for a famous singer, lived in California and right now was on a plane returning to his home from Canada. Kelly inquired with interest as to who this famous singer was. “His name is Josh Groban.” Karen answered.
“Never heard of him.” Kelly said. “He can’t be too famous.” Karen sighed and rolled her eyes at Kelly.
“I’m going to go to his website today and I’ll show you who he is. He’s very famous, Kel. With the right people!” Kelly nodded disinterested and continued to read her book. After a while of talking about Jay Carlie got distracted and ran away. Karen finished her coffee and then headed into the bedroom to get dressed. She sat down at the computer and did a search on Josh Groban. She found his website and went to it. As soon as it loaded the strains of a song began to play. “Kelly!” Karen called. Kelly came bounding in.
“What?” She asked walking over to the computer.
“This is Josh Groban.” Kelly said pointing out the handsome, curly headed man that filled the screen. Kelly looked at him closely.
“Jay looks like him.” She said. “But he’s cuter. I like his hair.” Karen squinted at the screen then pulled up some of the pictures of himself that Jay sent her. She compared them.
“They do look alike.” Karen muttered. “Jay’s hair is more wavy then curly but, yeah …”
“Maybe they’re related.” Kelly said. “That music’s not too bad. A little slow for me though.” Karen pushed her daughter towards the door.
“Get out of here Ms. Britney Spears fan!” Kelly laughed as she left the room. Karen perused the website for pictures of the band and when she found none she looked again. She started at the news page and then moved on to the video page. There was a selection for a ‘hello’ from Josh. Curious, she clicked on it and waited for it to load. She stared at the black screen anxiously as butterflies batted around in her belly. She had no idea why she was nervous but she was. She guessed it was because she was very close to someone who was nearly famous and she’d never had this kind of experience before. It was daunting to say the very least! She sighed, it was taking so long. She’d almost clicked off of it when she heard a voice.
“Hey everybody, this is Josh and welcome to the new website.” He said. Karen felt a jolt go through her like a lightning strike. His voice was very similar to Jay. If she closed her eyes she would have sworn it was Jay! “I have a new album and a new website and hopefully you will enjoy both of them. Uhhh and I hope to post as often as possible and uhhh … keep looking at that news page because there’s a lot of stuff that’s going to be coming up very, very soon so thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy it.” His voice had gotten very low towards the end and Karen felt goosebumps spread over her skin like a wild fire. Her mouth dropped open and she gasped. Josh and Jay were either related or the same person. She hunted for pictures or any sort of mention of his back up band and found nothing. She did a search for Josh Groban and found another Josh website. She clicked on the link and a site with a section for the “Groband” as it was called. She clicked on the link and watched as various faces from Josh’s band began to appear. She found no Jay but what she did find, however was a man named Zachary Provost who played the piano for Josh. Then it hit her. There was no Jay, there was only Josh. The face, the hair, the voice – especially the voice was Josh and Jay. She felt anger then. Her face slowly heated up and a pain bolted through her. “Kelly!” She called again. Kelly came in slowly.
“Now what do you want me to see?” Karen pulled up the picture of Josh and ‘Jay’ he’d sent her and aligned it on the left of the screen and Josh Groban was on the right.
“I think Jay is Josh.” She whispered. Kelly looked at the pictures.
“Well if Jay is Josh then he’s much better looking.” Kelly laughed. Karen gulped.
“You’ve talked to him on the phone, right?” Karen asked her. Kelly nodded.
“Yeah, once or twice.” Karen clicked on the welcome message again.
“Well listen to this guy talk and tell me if you think it’s Jay.” The message played again and Kelly frowned as she listened. When it was over she shrugged.
“It could be. I can’t tell.” Karen clicked all around on the original Josh website looking at pictures.
“Thanks, honey.” She said.
“Is that all?” Kelly asked. Karen nodded and dismissed her. Kelly left the room as Karen clicked on the message board link. It opened and she began to read about Josh and January’s break-up. Her eyes scanned the pages as the talk was that January had gone to Australia to film a movie with Jude Law and Josh was left high and dry. Karen’s throat had gone bone dry and she had trouble swallowing. Numb with anger and frustration Karen got up from the chair and floated slowly into the kitchen where she got herself a glass of water. She stared out the window as she sipped it. She couldn’t believe she had been talking to Josh Groban the whole time and not Jay. She should have been excited but she was furious. He’d lied to her. He lied from the first day they met. He could have told her who he was when he asked her if she knew of Josh and she denied knowing him. He would have been safe. Now he was a liar. She dropped the glass into the sink as the pain hit her square in the gut. She leaned over the sink and began to sob. She cried for herself, for her loss. She cried because she was sure she’d loved him but how could she love someone so deceitful? If he lied about that then what else did he lie about? The sobs wracked her body and she didn’t care who heard. Carlie came running in and threw her arms around her mother’s waist and held her tightly.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Carlie questioned, concerned for Karen. Karen couldn’t speak. She sobbed until she could barely breathe. By that time both Ryan and Kelly had gathered around. They all tried to pull Karen from the edge of the sink but she wanted to just stand there and cry. Her world was crashing down around her.
“Mom, please!” Ryan shouted. “You’re scaring us!” Karen stood then and took the three of them into her arms and hugged them tightly. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s something really stupid.” She said slowly, trying to breathe deeply in between words.
“Jay isn’t Jay.” Kelly said. Ryan frowned and squinted his eyes at her.
“What?” He asked, not sure if he understood what she was telling him.
“Jay is a man named Josh. He’s a singer and he lied to mom and told her his name was Jay and he was a piano player in a band.” Ryan’s face dropped and he gasped.
“What? He lied to her?” Ryan asked angrily. “He’d better never call here again.” He said through gritted teeth. Karen sniffled and then broke away from the children. She went on a search for a box of tissues, found one and blew her runny nose. She gathered all the children into the living room and sat them down.
“Listen. I’m not going to lie to you, I’m very hurt by all of this. It doesn’t mean you get to be rude to the man when he calls here because he’s going to. He doesn’t know I know who he is. When he does you are instructed NOT to answer the phone. I will answer it and talk to him and when I’m done, I’m done. Do you three understand me?” She asked and stared at Ryan in particular. Ryan was always the first one to give Karen grief but would also be the first one to take a bullet for her or defend her to the death. He was truly his mother’s son. Everyone nodded their understanding except Ryan. “Ryan, I need your agreement.” He sat staring straight ahead, lips tight and jaw clenched. “Ryan!” Karen snapped. He moved his eyes towards her but his head stayed put. She searched his gaze for some semblance of understanding and found only anger.
“I’m sorry Mom. This is just wrong. He hurt you and I want to hurt him.” She touched her son’s shoulder and squeezed.
“Don’t get so upset about it. I’m over it now. I won’t be crying any more.”
“He hurt you and made you cry.” Ryan whispered.
“But it’s over now. I won’t cry anymore and after I talk to Jay – I mean Josh today it will be the last time. I don’t want you doing or saying anything to him. Am I clear on this?” He nodded but forcefully.
“Mom …” Kelly began timidly. Karen looked at her, red and watery eyed.
“Yes?”
“Could you forgive him? I mean, I don’t think he was trying to hurt you on purpose. He wouldn’t have called here so many times if he did.” Karen felt the tears pool in her eyes again and wiped them away as they slipped down her cheeks.
“I don’t know, Kel. I’ll have to talk to him and see.” Just then the phone rang. Ryan ran to it and checked the caller I.D.
“It’s him.” He said. Karen panicked.
“Don’t answer it, I’m not ready to talk to him yet.” She yelled. It rang three times before the answering machine picked it up.
“Hey, Kar, it’s Jay. I’m at the airport. I should be home in an hour or so. Call me back or I’ll try you again when I get home. Love ya, bye!” Kelly gasped as she heard Josh leaving a message.
“Oh my God, it IS him!” She said. Karen sniffled and felt the tide of overwhelming sadness wash over her. “Mom, don’t be sad, he’s cuter then the other guy and he’s famous!” Karen threw her hands up in the air.
“Cut it out Kelly, Mom’s upset at him. He’s a dirty liar!” Ryan yelled, his voice cracking a bit.
“You cut it out Ry, Mom needs some encouragement right now!” Kelly hollered back.
“Both of you stop it!” Carlie screamed. “Mom needs a hug.” She threw her arms around her mom and squeezed. Karen hugged her and then paced the living room.
“Thanks guys, really you all have good advice but I have to think things over and figure out what I’m going to do.” Karen bit the skin around her finger tips nervously.
“He’s a singer, Mom, and a good one!” Kelly said.
“He’s a liar.” Ryan stated.
“I love you Mommy!” Carlie said. Karen smiled at them and headed down the hallway.
“I need to be alone for a little bit, okay guys?” They agreed and Karen closed the door of her bedroom to do some thinking. She sat down on her bed and glanced over at the computer screen where Josh/Jay stared back at her. She looked down and then back up at him. Regardless of who or what he was she had fallen in love with him. The fact that he lied and told her he was someone he wasn’t was a major factor in their relationship. Obviously he didn’t trust her enough to tell her who he was and be himself. Trust was a huge part of a relationship and it didn’t exist here. She trusted him but he didn’t trust her! She got up slowly from the bed and exited the website. She couldn’t stand to look at him any longer. She shut down her computer and lay down on the bed where she fell into a deep sleep but was plagued by maniacal dreams.

The sound of the phone ringing and then a harsh banging on her door brought Karen out of her slumber and she sat bolt upright.
“What?” She croaked. Her throat was dry and her eyes were swollen from tears.
“Mom, Jay is on the phone.” It was Carlie. “Or do you want me to call him Josh?” Karen shook her head to clear her thoughts.
“Carlie, open the door.” Carlie opened the door and looked innocently at her mother. Seeing that she didn’t have the phone in her hand Karen asked, “Car, didn’t I tell you not to answer the phone?” Carlie nodded slowly.
“I’m sorry Mommy.” She said softly. Karen sighed, resigned to the fact that she would have to talk to him sooner or later. She got up and headed towards the kitchen. Ryan met her in the hall, his eyes still flashing angrily.
“Don’t worry about it, I hung up the phone.” Karen sighed.
“Why did you do that, Ry?” She padded out to the fridge and grabbed a can of cold soda. She hoped the cold, fizzy liquid might clear her head. Her eyes ached and her head throbbed.
“Because you said not to answer it and Carlie answered it by mistake.” He shrugged. “So I hung up the phone.”
“He’s just gonna …” Just then the phone rang. “Call back.” She said, cracked open the can and took a sip. The three children stared at her expectantly. She stared out the front window. “Just let it ring.” She said. The answering machine picked it up.
“Kar, what’s going on over there? I would have sworn Carlie just answered the phone and went to get you when I got hung up on. Call me back, please. I’m home now. Bye.” Josh said and hung up. Karen put her head in her hands and felt it throbbing through her finger tips. She ignored the message and went about her chore of washing clothes. Hard as she tried she couldn’t put him out of her mind and she decided that she would call him after they had dinner and the kids were winding down before bed. She made dinner and the four of them ate in silence. After they were finished Ryan and Carlie began clearing the table of dishes and Kelly put the leftovers away.
“Mom, think about giving him another chance.” Kelly said quietly as she and her mother put the food away together. Karen sighed.
“I’ll think about it honey.” She said and hugged her.

The dishwasher was running and each of the kids were in their rooms. Karen held the phone in her hand. She was apprehensive about calling. The first time she went to dial his number fear ripped through her and she threw the phone down on the bed. She paced her room until she felt she had enough guts to call then picked up the phone and dialed again. She hung up before it rang on the other end and then suddenly it rang in her hand. She answered it before she could even think.
“Why didn’t you call me back?” It was Jay. She made a face at herself. She would have to get used to calling him Josh. “I was worried about you.”
“I have been busy today.” She lied and then bit her cheek. Why was it ok for her to lie but not him?
“Too busy to talk to me?” He asked sweetly. Her heart ached.
“Listen, Jay, I did some research today …” She paused. He was quiet on the other end. “And I discovered some things.” He sucked in air. “Yeah.” She said. “And Jay, or should I call you … Josh?”
“Karen, I …” He began defensively.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses.” She said angrily.
“There’s a reason for it. If you’d just let me explain …” He pleaded with her. She wanted to hear, she wanted to know but at the same time it didn’t matter.
“Josh!” She tried to get his attention but he was babbling on. “Josh!” She said again.
“What?” He was silent. She said his name just to see if he would respond to it and he did. It was almost eerie.
“You lied. It hurt. I can’t have a relationship with someone I can’t trust.” She said quietly.
“Karen, don’t. Don’t do this. The plane ticket’s bought, you’ve taken the time off, just come out and we’ll sit and talk about it.” His voice was low, soft, gentle. He tore at her heart strings.
“I don’t know Josh, I am not sure I trust even coming out there. I have children I am responsible for.”
“I’m not a murderer for God’s sake, Karen. I would never hurt you.” He whispered the last part.
“You already have hurt me, Josh. More then you know.” He was silent on the other end.
“Please Karen, please let me make it up to you. I …” He trailed off. “I think I love you.” She uttered a laugh.
“You can’t possibly love me, Josh, you don’t even know me and I don’t know you.” She covered her mouth with her hand and stifled a tear. “I thought I knew you and now I find out different.”
“Get to know me, Karen. Jay is no different then Josh. I’m just me.” Karen covered her eyes with her hand and then rubbed them.
“I’ll think about it.” She said finally.
“Thank you.” He whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “Please don’t throw it all away. I don’t want to lose you, I can’t lose you!”
“I said I would think about it.” She sighed.
“Will you call me?” He asked, distressed.
“Do me a favor and don’t call every hour if I don’t. It will upset the kids.”
“I won’t but you have to promise to call.” She covered her mouth with her hand and stared blindly at the wall.
“Fine.” She said at last.
“Good.” He replied.
“Now, I have to go.”
“So soon?” He asked.
“Yes. I have to get the kids into bed.”
“Okay.” He mumbled. “But Karen …”
“What?” She asked with a sigh.
“I do love you.” She felt that ache in her chest again as he said it.
“Thanks.” She said and hung up the phone. She fell onto her bed and sobbed into her pillow. She abhorred being a cold and angry bitch but it wasn’t just her feeling she was concerned about. The kids could be hurt so easily had things progressed between her and Josh when she thought he was still Jay. Had she found out who he was next Sunday rather then today it could have been much worse. The tears came easily and steadily and Karen cried until she felt a small hand on her back. She turned and wiped at her eyes. Kelly sat down on the bed next to her mom and rubbed her back lightly.
“It’s okay Mom. We’re here for you. And I hope you don’t mind but I heard you talking and you sounded like you were going to give him a chance.” Karen sniffled and blew her nose into a tissue given to her by Kelly. “I don’t think he meant to upset you as much as it did. You promised him you’d think about it and I’m going to make sure you do.” Karen hugged her daughter tightly and got out of her bed to help them get into their own.
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My December