"Hello everyone. The guys have asked me to join them for a few songs. I hope they don't regret it later. This first song for all the pretty women here tonight. But that's enough talk. Let's get back to the music." Mitchell played a few rifts on the guitar, and everyone started smiling and clapping. Soon he was delivering a rousing vocal for 'Pretty Woman.' Hailey, Maddie, and Willow all ran out to dance. Soon they were joined by their parents.The hotel was a bit upscale for college kids. It was used more by parents of students, friends of faculty, and travelers who wanted to stay in a good hotel. Melissa noticed that the few college kids that were there were using their cell phones a lot. A short time later, as Mitchell finished a solid rendition of 'Proud Mary,' more college kids began filtering in.While he had been performing with the band, Mitchell noticed that Hailey, Maddie, and Willow were quite popular with the college age males. They were on the floor for every dance. As h
Mitchell spoke to Christine briefly and then turned to the crowd. "That's it for me tonight, folks. The band was supposed to finish at eleven. Thanks for being so kind toward our efforts and being such a great crowd. Remember this group, 'The Rising Tide' the next time you need a band. They're a great band and a great bunch of guys. "Tomorrow Christine, her sisters, and I Will be doing a promotion for 'Lady in Red' swimsuits and formal wear at JC Penney at the Riverside Mall on Fourth Street. We'd love to see all of you stop in. The profits from this venture go toward a new wing on the local hospital in Highland. I've spent a fair amount of time there lately and they're very good, but short on rooms. We'd appreciate any support you can give us." The crowd began to leave as Mitchell introduced Christine to the members of the band and thanked them for letting him jam with them. They insisted that they should be thanking him. "Where and when did you get so good with the guitar and with
Soon, Melissa and Donna approached Nell with their husbands standing behind them. Mitchell was curious as to what Nell had in mind, so he strolled over to stand near Nell. "I've received a few inquiries about Maddie. A large agency wants her to fly to Chicago for some test shots and interviews. They would like to see her at Maddie's earliest convenience. It's no surprise to any of us here that Maddie would be sought after. I think she should do it if she has any interest in modeling, but that will be a decision for Maddie, and her family, to make,” Nell stated. "That would leave us a bit of light on pretty girls to model the 'Lady in Red' line at these promotions. JCPenney has informed me that they want these kids to travel to several large cities to promote the line and will cover travel expenses and pay them for their time. If Maddie moves up to big-time modeling, we could use Willow to fill in for her with our line." "But Maddie has bigger, bigger, you know top heavy. I won't look
The audience had gone quiet as Jordan and Mitchell sang 'You and I.' Christine and her group stood off to the side and listened as the two sang the duet. Christine couldn't help but wonder how well Mitchell knew the famous Jordan Quick. They sang as if they were in love, and it caused Christine concern. When they finished singing, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Dwayne smiled as he joined the couple at the piano. "Now tell me what you think, Jordan. Is he perfect, or what? That was an incredible rendition of that song. You two fit together perfectly." "Okay, he's pretty and he can sing. I'll take a chance on him since you think it'll work. I know you've had a lot of success in the industry, but it still seems funny to have a black man managing a Country singer." Jordan said. "You've got a lot to learn about music, young lady. When you have an ear for music, color makes no difference. You just know what sounds good and what doesn't. I have an ear for tone and pitch. I can
She couldn't wait to call Jason and tell him about her possible new career. Perhaps she'd be traveling to New York and get to visit him at West Point. Then she thought about leaving Mitchell. The thought of being so far from him bothered her more than she cared to admit, even to herself. He was Christine's man. But Maddie knew that he would always be the first man she loved. She just hoped he wouldn't be the only one. Jason was working hard to join that exclusive club. Maddie decided she had better tell Mitchell goodbye that day since she may be too busy to see him again for a long time. When things settled down with Jordan, Maddie drew Mitchell aside during a break in their promotional duties. "Mitchell, I'm going to try this modeling thing. I don't know if it'll work out, but if it does, I may not see very much of you anymore, at least for a while. Promise me that you'll think about me and call and email me as much as you can. Promise to take care of Willow, Hailey, Mom and Christin
Mitchell and Christine exchanged looks as Nell presented her proposal to Jordan. It seemed like they were going to be babysitting a spoiled, addicted, but talented diva. Half an hour later, the five of them were loaded in Christine's car and headed home. "Just a minute, Christine. Pull back off the road," insisted Mitchell as Christine came to a stop. Mitchell climbed out of the SUV and opened the back door. He plucked the cigarette from Jordan's mouth and tossed it down and then ground it with his heel. Then he reached into her pocketbook, yanked a pack of cigarettes out and crushed them in his hand before walking to a nearby trash can and tossing the pack into it. Then he climbed back into the front passenger seat and nodded for Christine to drive. "You asshole!" screamed Jordan. "Who the fuck do you think you are? You can't take away my smokes. I'm over eighteen and can smoke if I want." "You shouldn't have tried lighting up in someone else's car. That tells me that you have no r
"Okay. I'm sorry that I swore, everyone. It's a bad habit I'm trying to break. Now let me up so I can rinse my mouth you big bas ... bully," sobbed Jordan as she tried to speak without ingesting the soap. Mitchell slid off Jordan, then gently picked her up and placed her on her feet. Jordan looked at him for a second then accepted the glass of water Christine handed her. Everyone left the bathroom as Jordan began rinsing her mouth and spitting into the sink. "I imagine you had an interesting ride home," observed Melissa to Christine. Hailey and Willow had to hold their hands over their mouths to keep from giggling out loud. "I'm seeing a whole new side of Mitchell," admitted Christine. "He and Jordan are like oil and water. They just don't seem to mix. In his defense, he warned her that he'd wash her mouth out if she persisted in her swearing. I don't think I'd like to be treated like that, but I hope I'd never behave like she did, either." "Remember when you explained to me that o
The four seniors left classes Thursday afternoon and reported to the gym. There were numerous sports reporters in attendance, as well as Nell Daniels. She smiled and waved to Mitchell when he stepped onto the small raised platform. Since all four of the seniors had been involved in the shooter attack in some way, the press was very interested in the announcements. Three of the students had been shot during the attack and Tyler had been present when Mitchell killed the first shooter, and then opened the door for Mitchell that fateful morning. The sports reporters dwelled on the attack and the heroic actions of the seniors. They asked quite a few questions about that day and then a few about the championship season. Nell waited her turn and then asked the guys what career they would pursue after college and what majors they had selected. Then she asked how they had chosen the schools, or if they simply went to the school that offered the best scholarship. Mitchell was surprised at the
"If Christine gets cold feet, or her conscience won't let her go through with it, I'd be willing to trade with her, just because that's the kind of friend I am," volunteered Jordan. "Thank you, Jordan. Christine, you're so lucky to have friends like Jordan," stated Melissa sarcastically. "She's willing to take a bullet for you, if the need arises." "Gee, thanks. I don't think I'll need any help, however. I have all the protection necessary, so those 'bullets' will not be hitting the intended target. There's really no need to worry about me. I'll make sure that the gun is empty by morning." "That's how class valedictorians talk these days?" demanded Hailey. "A few months ago, she hadn't ever been on a date and now she's talking about single handedly unloading a dangerous weapon." "I never said anything about using my hands, at least not tonight." laughed Christine, as Hailey was the one to blush this time. "If I may change the subject once again, we're invited to a costume party t
"Look. It's the Eiffel Tower," exclaimed Willow as she pointed out the window of the shuttle van. "Everybody get lots of pictures and we'll share them all when we get home. I have to thank you again, Christine, for making me part of this great adventure. I'm lucky to be your cousin." "You're lucky to be so pretty and shapely. You're lucky to have such understanding parents. You're lucky that Mitchell, for whatever reason, decided to take a chance on me that day at the mall. We're all lucky that Highland won that first football game. I'm lucky I'm not in tears right now because I'm so happy," Christine said. "We're all happy, Sis, but you've got more reason to be happy than the rest of us girls. Tonight, you're going to go to bed a girl and waking up a woman," stated Hailey with genuine happiness for her sister. "Spring Break in Paris with your hunky boyfriend. I don't think it can get much better than that." "It would get better if everyone left my personal life out of their discus
"Are you kidding," shrieked Hailey. "I'm going to Paris on Spring Break. This is way too cool. I can't believe it. I have to go shopping for some new clothes. We should get one of those CD's that teaches you how to speak French in three days. I'm going to call Willow." "Just a minute, Hailey," interrupted her father. "I can't go since we have to work. It's the busy time of year for those of us in accounting. I expect all of you to obey Melissa and Donna without question or dissent. That goes for you, too, Mitchell. You're a very mature young man, but Melissa and Donna are the adults on this trip. I want all of you to have a great time but be safe. Mitchell, I'll rely on you to keep them all safe. You seem to have assumed that duty already. No one wanders off alone and always be sure that Melissa and Donna know where you are. That's my speech on this trip." Later, as Christine was standing on the porch with Mitchell, she mentioned what she knew had to be on his mind. "I made sure tha
Mitchell lifted his overnight bag and went to Jordan's room and knocked. She quickly opened it with her suitcase in hand and tears running down her cheeks. She stepped into the hall and slammed the door behind her. "Let's get out of here. I watched the news while I was packing. They had a clip of you carrying me half naked, but with my tits blurred out. Then they bleeped the bad parts of my brilliant speech about you bleeping me with your big bleep. I've probably destroyed both our careers and lost Christine's friendship. I hope she doesn't believe that we did anything. I don't know how I'm going to be able to face her." Jordan said. Mitchell had called for a cab to take them to LAX. When he and Jordan entered the lobby from the elevator, several photographers began snapping pictures of them and calling out questions. Mitchell calmly led a teary-eyed Jordan out the door to the waiting cab without making any comment. It was dusk when Mitchell pulled into the Leonard driveway "I can'
"You're right, Sweetheart. This relationship, this love that you two have isn't like anything I've ever seen. You aren't normal or average. Your capacity and ability are exceptional. Don't let me discourage you. I admire and respect your confidence in each other, as well as the Acep love you share. It's very rare and extremely special," Mitchell finished speaking with Christine and went to check on Jordan. She had managed to push the covers down, so she was on her side with her amazing breasts on display. Shaking his head, Mitchell covered her back up and went and stretched out as well as he could on a stuffed chair in the corner.He was awaited some time later by an unfamiliar sound and sat up to listen. Unable to identify it, he stood and walked toward it. He found Jordan huddled in the fetal position on the floor of the bathroom, sobbing uncontrollably. He gently picked her up, carried her back into the room, and sat back down in his chair while Jordan cried and clung to him. Mitc
Mitchell remained silent as he carried Jordan to the door while everyone watched. Before leaving, he gently placed Jordan on a chair, unbuttoned his shirt, took it off, placed it over her, and buttoned it up. More than a few of the watchers noticed the way Mitchell's biceps filled out the sleeves of his undershirt as he easily lifted Jordan and left the suite.By the time the elevator reached the bottom floor, Jordan was making no sense at all. She had her arms wrapped around Mitchell's neck and her head buried in his shoulder. Mitchell turned to his left and exited the hotel through a side door. He crossed the street as quickly as he could, entered his hotel from a side street, and hurried to the elevators. Jordan's room was next to his, but when he reached it, he realized that she didn't have her card key. All she had was a thong and the shirt Mitchell had placed over her nakedness.Mitchell had no choice but to take her to his room. As he kicked the door closed, Jordan began maki
Dwayne called Mitchell later in the day. "You and Jordan are going to perform on your big hit on 'American Singer' on their season finale. That's Thursday and they'll have a huge audience because that's when they name their season winner. The show's supplying two round trip tickets, two hotel rooms, and paying each of you ten grand for the day's work. If you want that directed to the hospital fund, I'll see that it happens. I have it set up for the two of you to fly out to LA Thursday. You'll do the show that night, stay in a good hotel and fly home the next morning.""That sounds great. That show's huge and millions of people watch it, especially the season finale," pointed out Christine when Mitchell told her about Dwayne's call. "You'll promote your song and make money for the hospital fund. I'm not upset about not being included. We're going to be apart a lot in the future, and we have to deal with it. You can bet I'll be watching the show and wishing you and Jordan the best."T
"This campaign has been an unbelievable success, and that's mostly the result of everything you two have done to make this work. We have almost three months left, so we should be able to build the total even higher. It would be great if we had a million dollars by graduation. I know that isn't likely, but it would be a tremendous pleasure to announce that total in front of all the parents. But whatever the total, it'll be a wonderful moment for all of us.""Do you want to tell Ms. Metzger, or shall I?" asked Christine, as she watched for Mitchell to nod at her. "Dwayne Burton called last night. He's roughly edited those TV shows we shot in LA, but ABC has already been pushing very hard to buy them. He told us that the network offered a huge sum. It would guarantee at least a million dollars for the hospital fund. Dwayne told them it wasn't enough. He said we'd agree if ABC would ante up another million just to buy an option to hire us to tape two more shows. If they decide to enforce
"She said her news director heard the rumor that Hardy clashed with us this morning and was escorted from the hotel. The local station was disappointed that it didn't have more coverage of Saturday night. They told Nell that she'd be traveling with us when we went to any significant events from now on. Her interview tomorrow will be replayed, at least in part, on the network's morning show. She's going to meet us at school a little early. She thought it would be a good backdrop while she asked us questions,” Christine stated."She wants Hailey, Jordan, and us to be available for the interview. She's going to ask about that encounter you had with that Chechen, so be ready for that. I'll probably tell her about our invitation to Paris, unless you have an objection, Mitchell.""I'm going to be on TV. What should I wear? What will she ask me? What if I sound stupid? Mom, you have to record it for me," insisted Hailey."Go ahead and tell her about Paris. She'll be excited about that tri