Chapter 3a "The Flu"

October 2, 2000



5:55 a.m. -  Tany walks onto the elevator.

Tany, Sabrina, Rebecca and Biff walk off the elevator and waiting for them are two limos. One is for Biff, Tany, Jonny and the band.  The Other is for everyone else.  Biff holds the door for Tany, she climbs in.  Jonny and the other band members are already in there.  Tany slides over and Biff climbs in.  

"It's about time, don't you think we should be on time."  
"Shut up, I don't see you running five miles a day."  "Wow, Tany you run five miles everyday." Tisha said, not wanting Jonny and Tany to fight.  
"She only does it so she will look good in front of the camera."  
"Come on guys lets not fight, let's have a relaxing ride." Cale piped in.  
"Jonny, you should run, it might help with your problem."  There was a hush in the limo.  Suddenly everyone started to laugh.  
"I will run five miles when you lift 200 lbs." Jonny dared.  Tany not wanting to accept the challenge, "Nope I like running."

6:25 a.m. - Arrive at Rackerfeller Plaza.

Biff opens the door, The Band climbs out first, then Jonny and then Tany.  A woman wearing a headset usher the band away.  A man with the similar stuff ushered Tany and Jonny into an area behind the stage.  Mark comes over and tells them his questions and says what his cue will be.  Sabrina, Al and Biff are the only ones allowed on the set.  Sabrina brings a comb and fluffs Tany's hair a bit.  Rebecca and Jenny are in the building watching from the green room.  Tany is freezing.  Biff wraps his arms around her to try and keep her warm.  Her outfit wasn't really warm, but it was pretty warm outside.  

6:55 a.m.  Jonny and Tany are again ushered to where they would be singing.  Tany sees that the band is already there and she wonders how long they have been there.  Mark is next to Tany he puts his arm around her.  Let me just say that this was very strange for Tany.  She wasn't use to other men putting their hands on her.  Should she put her hand on him.  "It's O.k. I won't bite."  Tany froze a little then relazed.  "After the break we will be joined by "The Connors"."  "And We're out."  A guy wearing a headset said.  

7:00 a.m. -  Mark who had let his hand drop was now holing Tany again.  She held a microphone.  Mark interviewed both Jonny and Tany.            "Here to sing their newest single "Reason" "The Connors"". With that Mark left the stage and Jonny started to play. Tany sang for the first time that day.

7:10a.m.- They were off to GMA.  Tany was freezing.

7:20 a.m.- They were escorted to the studio.  Everyone was allowed to be there this time. Sabrina had gotten Tany some more tea with honey and lemon.  It wasn't helping her warm up.  Biff was trying but it wasn't working.  Tany was actually starting to feel ill.  But the show must go on.  Jonny could see she wasn't feeling good.

7:25 a.m. - Tany and Jonny are in their places and   Deann Sayer interviews them and then they are off, Tany singing for the second time that day.

7:35 a.m.- "The Connors are allowed to sign autographs, so they pause and walk down a line to do so.  Tany gets several pictures taken of her and fans.  Jonny signs a teddy bear, and a girls shirt on her back.  

7:55 a.m.- Once again they load up into the limo and head to their next interview.  Tany is really starting to feel sick.  She is feeling nauseated.  Sabrina looks at Biff for guidance.  
"Tany are you sick?"  Jonny turns toward her.  Just then she grabs the ice bucket and throws up.  No one in the limo says anything.  Tany throws up again.  She is really feeling sick.  Biff puts his hand on her forehead, "Tany you are burning up."  Tany nods, Biff using his talkie "We are pulling over at the next grocery store."  

8:10 a.m.- After Biff went shopping for some stuff, they did some rearranging, Tany, Biff, Jonny, Sabrina, Jenny and Rebecca are now in one limo and the band is in the other.  Tany has a seat to herself.  The Limo driver has a blanket that she uses.  They also found a bucket for her to use.  She took some tylenol and pepto.  She is also sipping some juice.  

8:25 a.m.  They pull up to their next stop.  Tany will rest until it is time to go on.  Jenny tells Jonny to make the excuse that she is touching up her make-up, which isn't a lie.  Sabrina is covering up her pasty white skin.  Tany is laying on the couch in the green room when her phone rings.  She hesitanly answers it.  "Tania, you look ill are you ok?"  It was Ciera, her mother.  "No, Mom, I am not feeling good."  "You need rest minha."  "I don't know when, The show must go on."  "Aw, Tania, you can't cancel your appearances?"  "No, we need to get our name out there."  "Do you want me to fly up there?"  "No, Mom, I will be ok..................."  Ciera hears throwing up.  Ciera tells Tany she will be up there in about two hours.  Tany just sighs.

8:30 a.m.  They are at the New York studio for MTV.  She sits on a stool and Jonny starts.  She sings for the fourth time that day.  Her voice is clear as a bell.  No one suspects she is sick.  

8:40 a.m. Again they load up into the limo, Tany's stomach is still not letting up.  She is still running a fever, but she is fighting with everything she has to just throw in the towel.  Jonny starts to see something in his sister he has never seen.  He is starting to realize that she is much stronger than he thought.  A seed is planted, in his mind.

9:15 a.m.  They are escorted again into the green room of Regis and Kelly.  Tany lounges on the big chair.  Rebecca ran to get her some gatorade.  So she doesn't dehydrate.  She is sipping her tea, when there is a soft knock on the door. Biff answers it.  It's Calvin.  He is in town promoting his new TV show.  Biff explains to Calvin that she is really ill and that Calvin may not want to get close.  Calvin doesn't care, Tany is a good friend of his.  He walks in Tany's eyes are closed and she seems to be concentrating.  He puts his hand on her hand.  She looks up, she smiles and then she sat up quick and threw up in her bucket.  Calvin makes a disgusted look but holds her hair back for her.  Sabrina rubs her back.  "Tany maybe we should cancel, hun?"  Biff agrees.  Tany slowly and precisly, "No, we have to get our names out there."  "Yes, but at what cost, Mouth?"  "I am the only one that is sick, and since I am the leader of the band, then I say NO!!"  she slumps back down.  "Tany, we can just reschedule."  She moans and then throws up again.  Calvin is up next, before he leaves Sabrina tells him not to say anything.

9:25 a.m.  Calvin was asked about his new relationship and he answered.  They asked him if he was still friends with Tany and he said "Of Course, we make better buddies than we do lovers."  Kelly asked if he saw her, "Yes, I saw that she was here and I went into her room. She looks great."  Tany and Jonny are now on set and ready to sing for the fourth time.  Tany is using ever ounce of her strength.  She sits on a stool and sings, yet again.

9:45 a.m.  They sign more autographs and take pictures.  Tany is exhausted and sick.  One fan sticks out in Tany's mind, he looks to be about sixteen or seventeen.  When asked Tany for her autograph and could her get a picture, Tany smiles.  "My name is Michael Lee and I am the owner of the Tany Connors website."  She smiles, she has never seen it. Actually she is just a little creeped out by it. But, after they take the picture.  She has Biff get his name and email address.  He also gives her a bunny.  Little did he know that bunny became very special in her life.  She hands the bunny to Biff.  She gets into the limo.  She ask Biff to give her the bunny.  He hands it to her and watches as she brushes it against her skin.  Some of her color is coming back.  

10:12 a.m.  They climb back into the limo and head to their last interview for the morning.  Tany holds on to Micheal's bunny.

10:35 am.  They pull up to studio, Tany hands Biff the bunny and tells him to take care of it.  She is still running a fever and is still very sick but she isn't as nauseous as before.  She thinks it's because she has no stomach.  Tany climbs out and Jonny follows.  Jonny is extremely proud of his sister and calls a Doctor to see her at their break.  

10:55 a.m.  Tany is escorted to where she will be singing Jonny again is right behind her.  Tany could see biff was talking on his phone.  She was wondering who he was talking too.  Al too was talking on his phone.  She is so nosey, she was trying to read their mouths.  She of course was loosing.  They were in the Sunny day studio, a New York state TV station.  Tany wasn't paying attention and the counter man, got to one, when Jonny tapped Tany on the shoulder.  She snapped a quick smile on her face.  Again they did an interview and again she sang.  Tom the shows anchor, shook hands with her and Jonny and thanked them for coming on the show.  Tany was starting to realize that this was a relationship she was building with the reporters.  This was new and yet very exciting to her.  Tom thanked them, when she should be thanking him.  Which Jonny did. That's why Mark put his hand around her.

You can watch "The Reason" video here !

Thanks for reading!!

Quitting

I am giving up on "The Connors".  I try my hardest to get you all an episode a week but I just can't.  I have graduation to deal with and then college stuff. I don't have time anymore.  I am so sorry.  

APRIL FOOLS!!!  THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE PUBLISHED TONIGHT!!

R.I.P Jillyson

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.  A good friend of mine on Rebel Writers Nirvana  has passed away suddenly.  Jill loved life and what came with it.  She could tell a story and make it seem like you were there.   Jill was a funny person and never took herself seriously.  She often would tell me to take it easy I had RL stuff that came first.  I could take my time.  Jill if I knew then what I know now.  I wouldn't have taken so time, I would have made you write more.  I am truly blessed to have known such a wonderful person.  Rest In peace, fellow Rebel.  I will miss you, Jill!

Chapter 2 "The Suites"

October 2 2000

It had been two weeks since Cheryl's furneral. Jonny hadn't relapsed like everyone had thought. Unfortunately Tany was still leery.  She just didn't trust him yet. Scott couldn't be at the funeral he was due back in Atlanta. Al had gotten the group several interviews to promote their new single, "Reason".  Biff walked into Tany's hotel room and quietly walked over to her bed.  
"Tany, you wanted me to wake you up at 4," he said softly.  Tany rolled over and smiled.  
"Did you get me some coffee?' she questioned.  

"Of course. It's on the night stand."  
"Oh you are so good to me, what will I ever do without you?"  
"You can't, it's impossible."  Tany threw her pillow at him.  
Catching the pillow he offered "Do you want me to stay?"  
"No I think I will be ok, where is Sabz?"  
"She is on her way up."  
"Ok, I guess I better get up, do you know what time the first interview is?"  
"Hmm, nope, that's why you have Sabz.  I am heading out, I will check on you in about thrity minutes."  
"M-Kay."  She heard Biff shut the door.  

Slowly she got out of bed.  4 am was way too early for anyone.  This was going to be a long day.  She knew they had several interviews and she would have to sing several times.  She needed to have some tea and honey. But first she needed to run on the tread mill.  Five miles should do it.  

After running her miles, She went into the bathroom to take a shower, she heard the knock, "Come in Sabz."  Sabrina sat the cup holder down.  Sabrina knew Tany was going to be singing a lot so she brought her some hot water with honey and lemon, with tea bags.  
"Are you getting in the shower?"  
"Yes."

Jonny and Jenny were just waking up.  They needed to be ready to go at 6:00.  It wouldn't take Jonny long at all.  Jenny would just do her hair.  Jenny was promoted to "The Connors" publicist and she was doing a great job.  She was getting "The Connors" names out there.  

Jonny was already done getting dressed with what Rebecca had laid out the night before. Sabrina would come by later and do Jonny's hair. Jenny was still in the shower.  

There was a soft knock on the door.  Jonny went to open it, it was Biff.  He had a bag of food and some coffee.  
"Is Tany ready?"  
"She is going to meet you downstairs when she is ready."

"Jenny, did you hear that."  Jonny yelled over his shoulder.  
A soft voice said, "Yes, Jonny, I am not deaf."  She was standing right behind him.  
"Oh thank you Biff for getting us some coffee and is that, those donuts from that store on 9th street?" She gave Jonny a scolding look.  He just brushed her off.  He had be crouchy the last two weeks. Everyone was walking on egg shells.  They didn't want him to go over the edge.  Jenny had gotten him a therapist to help him cope with his grieve. No-one not even Jenny knew that Jonny wasn't grieving he was feeling guilty.  He asked over and over again, "What if they were still together, would she still be alive?"  Jenny smiled softly towards him.

Tany had taken her shower and was drying herself off.  There was a knock on her hotel room door.  Sabrina answered it, it was Al and Rebecca.

Rebecca was holding some clothes and a pair of boots.  Al was drinking a large cup of coffee.  Al hated waking up this early but knew they needed to do this.  

Tany could hear everyone talking.  She looked at herself in the mirror.  She looked tired and puffy, but it would go away in another hour.  She put her hands on the counter and looked up.  She was getting those butterflies she always got when she sang.  Her stomach started to hurt.  Hopefully Biff would bring her something to eat.  She dropped the towel and put the hotel's robe on.  Opening the door, Al pointed to his watch.  Tany just nodded.  That was his cue to let her know she had a little over half an hour.  She swallowed and grabbed what Rebecca was handing her.  Rebecca and Tany went into the back room.  Tany started to get dressed and Rebecca was there to help with the belts and her necklace.  

When she was dressed, they walk to the front room. Tany decided she would wear her boots and shirt later.  They decided on the outfit Rebecca bought the night before. Al gave Rebecca a quick nod, "Well I better go check on the other half." With that he left the "girls" alone.  

Tany sat in a chair so Sabrina could do her hair and makeup.

Al knocked on the door and Jenny answered.  "Hey, Y'all ready?"  Jonny who was sitting on one of the couches sipping from his cup of coffee, "Yes I am ready just need my hair and makeup and I am good to go."  
"Ok, we have a little over half an hour."  
"Well, that's my cue to get Ms. Connors some eggs and yogurt."  Biff walked out.  

"So where are they going to be heading first?" Jenny asked with a smile.  
Al smiling, "You set them up you should know." "Yes, but I didn't get all the specifics like you." Jonny who had both hands drapped over the couch started to laugh. 
"You two better get this thing together or we will never be "rich and famous". 

Jenny walked over to Jonny and sat down.  He draped his arm around her.  "Is that the goal, Jonny?"  
"Yes, I think we need to be super rich and have cars, wine and women.  Isn't that right Al."  
"You know I think I will take the cars and wine, but women."



  

"Yeah, not women." Jonny teased.  "Oh you two are just nuts."  Jonny kissed Jenny on the cheek.

Dream on Dreamers!!

Chapter 1 "The Hurt"

September 20th 2000

 Scott, Tany, Johnson and Cintia all stood in silence.  Not knowing what to say.

Tany gave Cintia an apologetic look.  Cintia just shrugged she knew Tany was feeling bad already. Scott broke the silence, "I guess we should go see if, Jonny needs anything."  Tany who didn't know what to say, just nodded.  Cintia picked herself off the floor and started for the door.

Tany hesitated still staring at the screen.  Johnson put his arm around her.  She put her hand on his.  She looked up into his eyes.  Neither had to say it, but they were both singing in their heads, "Ding Dong the witch is dead."  Johnson held the door for Tany.  Scott and Cintia were already in the car.  Johnson helped Tany in and then got in himself.  Tears were starting to fill her eyes, not for her but for Jonny.  This was going to kill him.  She hoped that he would take it better than they were all thinking he would.  Scott started to drive.

"Jonny......Jonny man, I know you are there, talk to me."  Jonny sat there hearing Al, like he was in a tunnel.  He brought his hand to his mouth, he started to feel sick to his stomach.  He grabbed the phone. 

Forgetting about Jenny, he walked out in the bedroom.  Jenny who had heard the news sat there staring at him.  Jonny finally talked into the phone, "Yeh I am here."  "Ah Jonny, what do you need."  Jonny took a deep breath, trying not to cry.  His tongue went over his upper teeth and tears started to come.  Jenny jumped up and went to him.

"I-I need......."  "Jonny anything man, I will bring it to you."  "I need a hit, Al."  Jenny who had been just standing there said, "Jonny that wouldn't be the wisest choice right now."  Jonny turned to her, "DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?"  Jenny shook her head.  "Jonny, come on there is no need for that.  I will over there in a few minutes, please don't do anything."  Jonny walked over to the bed and he slumped down.  Jenny followed suit.  Jonny laid on Jenny's lap and just started to cry.  He never really stopped loving her.  He had saw her about four months ago and she looked really good.  It hurt to see her but this was hurting more, because he knew he would never see her again.

 Tany and Scott made it to the elevator first.  Actually Tany sprinted.  Johnson and Cintia were following close behind.  They went up the elevator to Jonny's floor.  When the elevator door opened, Tany was getting ready to leave, Scott grabbed her arm.  "I think maybe you should let me talk."  Scott nodded.  "Scott that is my brother and I..."  Scott cupped her face and kissed her.  She shrugged, sighed and swallowed, "Fine, but."  "No Buts."  Johnson agreed with Scott.  "Ok, Fine."  "Thank you."

 They walked to Jonny's door and Scott rang the doorbell.  Beth answered it, Tany was glad that her other brother was there.  Tany couldn't see Jonny, he was sitting on his couch.  Johnson and Al were in the way.  Biff had come just minutes before.  He walked over to Tany and put his arm around her.  She smiled up at him, then she was able to see Jonny.

 His eyes were really red and his face was swollen a bit.  She wanted to cry, she did not want to see him like this.  Jonny looked up and gave her a half smile.  She went over to him and sat down, ignoring what Scott had told her earlier, "Jonny are you OK?"  A hush crawled over the room, like a small waterfall running into the creak bed.  Tany felt this was a little inappropriate and so did Jonny.  Actually that pissed him off, "What? Judas Priest can't she ask me how I am feeling?"  Al just shook his head and Tany looked down to the floor, not because she said something wrong, but because they all thought they were going to fight.  Jonny lifted her face up, "Mouth, I don't know yet.  I just got off the phone with Cheryl's Aunt and she told me the funeral will be on Friday and that I am welcome to go."

 "Oh, Jonny I am so sorry," Tany said hugging her brother.  This touched him, besides Beth and Jenny, she was the only one to give him condolences.  He hugged her back and it felt good to hug her.




Several Days later.................

The funeral was basic. There wasn't much to it.  Cheryl's head had been severed so there was a closed casket.  Cheryl's mother had asked if Al would be a casket bearer.  He obliged.  They were all waiting outside the cemetery.  Jonny was saying his last goodbye.  No matter what, she was his first love.  He looked up from her grave and saw Jenny waiting patiently for him.  Jonny knew that Cheryl wasn't going to be his last. 

Here is a little Video about Cheryl, I know DJ will like it.

Dream on Dreamers!!