"But Josh, I still don't know what's going on! Why are you on the news?" Lindy panicked.

"I almost got robbed! This big dude with a mask tried to take my records, but Sweeney defended our home very well. I'm fine, Sweeney's fine, and I have my records. So everything is fine." He told his mother, trying to hide his glee.

"But how did he get in? I think you should start setting your security system again. This is serious, Josh. I don't want something like this to happen to you again. You need to take proper precautions for your own good."

G

David slid out of the passenger side of his sleek, black car. "Thanks, Barb."

"I'll pick you up when you call me, or nightfall: whichever comes first." She said.

David rolled his eyes and stepped back for Barbara to coast around Josh's u-turn driveway.

David rang the doorbell and hear yipping coming from inside.

Josh opened the door and speechlessly wrapped his arms around his mentor.

"It's so good to see you, Josh."

"I know. You look great. How do you feel? Come in." Josh played host.

"I feel great, really, aside from my wounded pride. So this is the puppy? Awww, hi, Sweeney! I hear you are quite the burglar stopper, eh?"

Sweeney barked like a big dog.

"He thinks he's a German Shepard. So do I."

"I'm so sorry about all the press, I'm sure it must have been horrible." David pondered while rubbing his chin.

"It could have been. I just lied like a grandma and got it over with. I agreed to answer questions from 2:30-3:00 only. After that I told them if they didn't leave I would send Sweeney at 'em. They left."

"So what did you tell them? I mean, about how you've been doing and everything."

"Well, I told them that they can expect another album by next spring."

"What!! Josh, its one thing to lie about being burglarized, or if your girlfriend is pregnant, or what color your underwear is, but you can't joke about releasing an album! Now you're going to have to actually make one, or let down all of Grobania."

"Well, then I guess I'll just have to get back into the studio." He nudged his slipping glasses.

"Are you kidding? Today is the first day you've worn pants in three months! And you're going to make a studio album. Yeah right."

"Actually, I am. Yes. I am. In fact, I already wrote a song for it."

David's jaw dropped ten feet, his eyes bulged, and he repeatedly muttered "a song, a song!" under his breath. "How could you write a song?! Please, let me sit down. I don't think this is good for my head."

"Oh, goodness! Don't hurt yourself! Here, lie down on my sofa, and don't mind the Mountain Dew stains. Mom hasn't been over to clean this week." Once David was comfortable Josh continued. "It shouldn't be all that surprising that I wrote a song. My heart has been broken in a way that I never thought was possible, but even the shattered pieces of my heart can still sing. I'll be honest: Sweeney has been my only inspiration."

"Josh, I hope my reaction didn't rain on your parade. I feel sorry for you, buddy, and I'm real glad that you're finding yourself again. How 'bout you sing a few lines from your new song?"

"Well, I don't have my notebook with me, but I guess I could try to remember it. Uhhh, okay." Josh cleared his throat and began in a shaky voice.

"You have inspired meee, Sweety,

You are my guiding liiiight.

When all else fails, I see you there,

You take my hand and leeeeeeeeead meeeeeee!" Josh took in a lungful of air.

"You have inspired me, Sweeney, I mean, Sweety – "

David cut him off with a raised pointer finger. "Thank you, that was very nice," he lied, "I don't suppose you made the slip-up because 'Sweety' really is Sweeney."

"Yeah." Josh looked at his feet. "I didn't do such a good job singing it. I'll play the piano for you and sing it right sometime. If you want me to, that is."

"Well, enough about that." David seemed scarred by Josh's performance. "I wasn't joking before: it really is amazing that you're wearing pants today. And did you shave for me? I feel honored."

"I didn't shave for you! I shaved for the press. I didn't wear my contacts, though, because I know how much my fans like when I wear glasses. I also wore a spray of Antonio Banderas' cologne, but that wasn't for you, either."

"Who was it for?" David raised his left eyebrow.

"My mom."

G