p class="MsoNormal"CHAPTER SIX/p
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p class="MsoNormal"We took a much needed break after that. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI spent hours at a time over at the Starlight Mansion. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMany of the girls were feeling a bit left out, because of Ba Nee's surgery. She was getting a lot of one on one time with Jerrica, as she needed it. So I tried to fill in where I could. I had always been treated like Uncle Rio, and I was more than happy to fill that role. I was getting a very nice tan with all the "pool parties" the girls liked to have. I would come set up a small sound system and play tunes for the girls. Sometimes the Holograms would participate. I think my favorite day was when Jerrica joined us and we let the girls do karaoke. I tried so hard to get Jerrica to sing. But she claimed to have stage fright, even around the girls she knew so well. I decided not to push it. I knew things had been hard on her, too, the last few weeks; ever the life in the music business./p
p class="MsoNormal"But soon we were back to work, once again taking on something that was close to our hearts. The World Hunger Foundation was putting on a shindig in Houston and asked the girls to come be a part of it. The road crew and I arrived a few days before the girls to get it all set up. They would be sharing the stage with English Teen Idol Sean Harrison, so we needed to make sure we were all in accordance. The first night of the event was a barbeque held at Ms. Sally Brand's ranch, just outside of Houston, where they announced Sean was preforming, and of course, Jem and the Holograms. We set things up so that the girls showed up in style, arriving in a bright red helicopter. They hurried onto the stage and began a song Kimber had written, 'We Can Make A Difference". It left everyone in tears, even myself. Kimber was an amazing songwriter./p
p class="MsoNormal"Shortly after finishing their performance, Jem announced she was not feeling well and took off to the main house to rest. Not the best time to start getting a cold, but I could only hope she got to feeling better. Jerrica would be so frazzled if they had to cancel the show, especially since it was a charity event. She was already missing so much of the barbeque to work on things for the event. I think she spent more time working for the band, than the band ever spent on stage./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jerrica, where have you been," I asked, when she finally arrived at the party, running into my arms for a much needed hug. "I was getting worried."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, I'm here now," she replied happily as Ms. Sally came walking up. After a short introduction to one of the investors, Eric and the Misfits showed up. Ms. Sally was allowing then to be a part of the event. Jerrica tried to warn her about Eric, but she claimed she was already prepared. Ms. Sally explained to Eric the four of them would be staying at the guest house. I was honestly surprised that they left without further ado, allowing us to enjoy the rest of the night./p
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p class="MsoNormal"The next morning I woke in a funk. Although the girls had nothing to do, I had plenty. I had to go to the astrodome to work on some changes now that we knew the Misfits would be sharing the stage with Jem and the Holograms, as well as Sean. I wasn't about to let them use any of our equipment. So we were going to have to set up a secondary system that would be shifted over when the time came for the Misfits to go on stage. I also had an idea for something new for Jem, but wanted to discuss it with her and Jerrica. I was sitting at a picnic table, just outside the main house, finishing a bite to eat, when Jerrica found me./p
p class="MsoNormal""Rio, Isn't it a beautiful day?" She said as she sat beside me, her voice cheerful. I hated to have mine be so sour, but I couldn't help it./p
p class="MsoNormal""I suppose. Where's Jem?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Uh, she caught a cold. She's gonna spend the day in bed. But she'll be fine for the concert."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's good." I was hoping she was already feeling better. I really needed to talk with her. "Well, the equipment is loaded. I've got to head to the Dome." I stood and she interrupted me./p
p class="MsoNormal""Rio," she said as she grabbed my hand. "I had hoped we could spend some time together."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah, Jerrica, I'm sorry." I really was, too. These long days apart were hard on me, on us. "I'll call you tonight," I continued as I sat back down, "around ten, okay?" span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMy hand reached out to tenderly caress her soft cheek. What I wouldn't give to stay right by her side all day. But she had chosen me to be the one to run everything for the band, to make sure they were always ready to perform. I was honored, but overworked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay," she sounded forlorn now. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI hated that I took the cheerfulness from her voice. Hoping to bring a small fraction of it back, I brought her in for a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI heard her let out a sigh as I walked away, feeling like an ass. She needed me as much as I needed her, and once again, something about Jem was getting in the way./p
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p class="MsoNormal"We seemed to have one problem after another at the Astrodome. Eric heard we were making changes to the set up and insisted on being a part of it. Once again, he had no clue what we needed to do, and make more work for us all! I had hoped to be done in time for the hayride that night, but should have known better. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhen we finally got done I went out to the only payphone in the area and tried to call Jerrica, like I promised. But the line just continued to ring. Not that I expected her to sit and wait by the phone, but it wasn't like her to not be there, when she was expecting me to call. After the third try I hung up and walked away, feeling the bad mood from the morning style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal"The day of the event I found myself sulking, again; sitting on a platform waiting to get to work, when Kimber came strolling up to me./p
p class="MsoNormal""Rio! Where is everybody," she asked. "They're not in the women's dressing room."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Look, it's been two days and you're the first contact I've had with the Holograms. Not to mention Jerrica, my em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"girlfriend/em." I stood up then, beyond frustrated. It wasn't Kimber's fault; she was just the first one I'd seen. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe didn't seem offended at my rage, but maybe because she didn't have time, she jumped right into explaining what was happening to them, the troubles they had had the past few days./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where's Jerrica," I demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal""She… she caught Jem's cold so she stayed at the ranch. It's the others I'm worried about! Rio, I'm scared." I should have been upset that they had left me out of all this. Had I been there, I could have helped them. But Kimber's final words softened my mood and I pulled her into a brotherly hug. Kimber and I hurried to Ms. Sally to let her know something was going on. Jem, Aja and Shana were missing, but we would find the girls in time for the show. Of course the Misfits were trying to stake their claim and take over the entire show. We couldn't let that happen, but were running out of time./p
p class="MsoNormal"We rushed to the stage as we heard across the sound system the announcer about to introduce the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut he was interrupted by a female voice calling out Jem and the Holograms! Jem, Aja, and Shana came almost flying down with a net of balloons, taking the stage as Kimber ran to join them. The Misfits were still off to stage right, opposite of us, and when Jem began singing their song, "Share A Little Bit Of Yourself" The Misfits tried to interrupt with their song, "Give All You Got", and it became a mash up of the two. Surprisingly, it worked out./p
p class="MsoNormal"After the performance it was discovered that they had not quite hit the $8 Million challenge that had been set for the event. Then Jem held up a briefcase, stating someone had tried to steal it from Eric's office. Eric shocked us all by claiming he had raised it on his own, as a surprise. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWe all knew better though. But it still wasn't enough to push it to the goal. Then Ms. Sally pulled a piece of paper out of her back pocket. It was a contract for Eric's $50,000 promotion fee. Everyone else was there for free, taking no money away from the charity for their appearance. So should Eric. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMs. Sally made him sign it over and they reached their goal. The fireworks were amazing. I couldn't help myself but to put my arm around Jem as we watching them fly overhead./p
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p class="MsoNormal"Our traveling was just getting started. After Houston, we were on our way to China. For once, I got to fly in with the others, well, Jem and the Holograms. I was grateful to be there, but was really missing Jerrica. We hadn't had much time together since Houston, and I felt we still needed to talk after her ignoring me for two days. We exited the plane to a whirl of fans. Once we got inside we just needed to go through customs and we'd be off./p
p class="MsoNormal"When we got to customs, we had to remove all jewelry and metal before going through the detectors. Kimber, Aja, and Shana went right through. Jem caused the machine to beep when she approached the machine. The large security man insisted she take off her large red earrings, but Jem was refusing./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's the big deal, Jem. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNothing's going to happen to them." I couldn't believe she was arguing over taking out her earrings for just a few minutes. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAs the large man stepped closer to Jem, she took a step back. He was demanding she take them off or she would not be allowed into China. Before he could step any closer, they were interrupted by two men that looked far more official than the large customs man. They explained that she was a special guest in China, and should be treated as much. She was allowed to go through the metal detector, right after me. I heard the machine buzz again as Jem stepped through and over to join us. We walked out the doors and into the sunlight to see there was a car waiting for us and we all piled in./p
p class="MsoNormal"After the girls were taken to their hotel, I was dropped off at the Summer Palace, where the Holograms were going to be performing a small concert; less than 1000 people. It was like a pre-show, preparing everyone for the big event in a few days. Even though they had a full team to set up the stage, I wanted to make sure it was done the way we preferred. Just a short time before the concert was set to start, I was pacing, waiting for the girls to arrive. I finally decided to walk the grounds and see if maybe they had gotten lost, again. I didn't expect to see Jerrica walking with the Holograms, away from the entrance and the concert. I had to hurry to catch up to them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jerrica? When did you get here? And where is Jem? The concert's supposed to start!" I couldn't keep the irritation out of my voice./p
p class="MsoNormal""There's been a problem Rio, Jem can't perform this concert," she said as she hung her head./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's the matter? Is she okay?" Now I was worried!/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's nothing like that. She just… can't perform today."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean; doesn't she realize how important this is?" I went from irritated, to worried, back to irritated. I felt like an emotional yo-yo!/p
p class="MsoNormal""Listen, Rio. I don't want to talk about it." Jerrica started to walk away, the others in tow./p
p class="MsoNormal""We'll see you at the Great Wall, Rio," Kimber chimed in. "For the big concert."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And we won't miss that," Aja injected./p
p class="MsoNormal""I wish someone would tell me what is going on," I said out loud but to myself, as they had all walked out of earshot. It would be days before I would see or hear from them again./p
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p class="MsoNormal"I stood on the stage at the Great Wall, just minutes before the crowds were going to be let in for the big concert. The officials were getting upset that Jem and the Holograms had not shown up yet. They were worried that once again, they would not perform. And of course, the Misfits where there, ready to take the girls' place./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jerrica, where are you," I said to the darkening night sky. A short time later, I couldn't help but to pace back and forth, worried to death at this point. The only other time they had not shown up for a concert, they had been in danger. And here we were in, in another country and I hadn't heard from them in two days! Were they em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"trying/em to turn my hair grey?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI could overhear Roxy and Pizazz talking about taking the stage so I had to burst their bubble. I stepped up to them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't count on it! Jem and the Holograms could be here any second!" Unfortunately, I got the opposite reaction than I was expecting. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPizazz began to saunter over towards me; seduction once again laced her voice./p
p class="MsoNormal""I can see that you're upset, Rio. Why don't we talk about it, after our concert?" She tried to slip her hands around my neck but I side stepped her, pushing her hands away./p
p class="MsoNormal""Cut it out, will ya?" I glanced down at my watch as she started to walk away. "They've still got five minutes." I heard the Misfits laughing as the official came over. I was trying my best to get them to wait, just a few more style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThey were insisting the concert must begin./p
p class="MsoNormal""But…" I tried again./p
p class="MsoNormal""That means…" Roxy started./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jem and the Holograms are ready to rock!" I looked over to see Jem and the girls walking over to us, ready to hit the stage. I threw my hands up in exasperation. Did they have any clue what they were doing to me? I was just grateful they were okay./p
p class="MsoNormal""Jem," I said as I moved closer. "I knew you would make it." I brought her in for a hug, so glad they were safe! It was brief, as she needed to get on stage, but it helped calm my racing heart. It was an amazing show. It seemed like they gave it not only their all, but a little bit more, maybe trying to make up for missing the show earlier in the week, I wasn't sure./p
p class="MsoNormal"I tried to get them to go sightseeing with me the next day, but apparently, while I was working on getting things set up for their concerts, and they were ignoring me, they had spent two days seeing just about everything. They all claimed to be exhausted and just wanted to get home and rest. Jerrica stayed behind a extra few days to finish wrapping up things with the government. I guess there had been some kind of confusion at a museum, but no one wanted to give me any details. As we flew home, Jem by my side, I tried to convince the girls they could really use a break. They needed to go away for a little while and just be young. No worries about the music, the foundation, the foster girls; just time for them to relax. I was surprised when they agreed. But should have known things wouldn't go according to plan… when did they ever?/p
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