“So, what exactly IS the deal with Zac? I mean, he hasn’t even taken the time to call you Kate, isn’t he supposed to come over this weekend? We’ve got that song we were working on, and…and he’s not even paying attention the past couple days.”
“Listen, Tuck man, you gotta chill. Zac’s going through a little time in life I’m sure isn’t any piece of cake. You’ve gotta wait a little while. He’ll come around, he’s just got his own stuff to deal with.”
Tucker turned to Scott and sighed.
“What are we sposed to do then? I mean, we do ultimately, have to get to work on this. Sure, this whole band thing is a hobby and all, but still, it’s a hobby with fans. If he plans on even working this out, he should drop that whole thing like a bad habit.”
“You can’t just expect him to drop it. I mean gee, number one, Ike’s his brother. That’s a big deal right there. Zac’s actually living next to Isaac for the first time in months, willingly, don’t you think that’s something a little worth waiting on?”
Scott rolled his eyes, walking to Kate’s desk chair he threw up his arms.
“That was all personal conflict. Everyone knows it would have worked itself out eventually.”
“Oh please Scott.”
Kate glared in his direction and stood up off her bed, beginning to pick up dirty laundry on the floor.
“Everyone in this room knows that whole story. It’s all about Kelsey, that little slut.”
“Not everyone knows ALL about it Kate. Zac just happened to indulge it all to you, managing to leave the rest of us un-included.”
Kate stopped and sighed.
“It’s really nothing to be excited about. Really. Taylor screwed Ike and Zac over with that chick, and then Zac screwed Taylor over, and then they both screwed Ike, and then she ripped all three of them off. And somewhere in the middle of all that was Zac sneaking around being a devious 14 year old, however devious a 14 year old can be I guess. It’s not a complicated story guys.”
“Oh yeah? Then explain why Zac spoke so bitterly about Ike and Tay, and now he’s willingly living with one. Without parental supervision?”
“Listen. I’m not about to explain Zac’s actions for him. You want the whole story, you confront him. I thought this whole thing was way over a year ago. Anyway, I don’t think Ike was the worst of them. He just stepped on Zac’s toes, and you guys know how Zac hates being criticized.”
“Hating being criticized doesn’t explain his sudden attachment to his brother. Where did we go in all this? And what about Kristen? She’s so pissed right now!”
Kate paused, staring at Tucker.
“Where’d you see Kristen?”
“She took her little sister to the park this morning. I took my little sister too, we met up…she had a few choice words to say, and that was that.”
“Does Zac know that?”
“I doubt it. Knowing Zac he’s too busy kissing Ike’s ass.”
Kate shook her head.
“Listen. If I hear one more negative thing about Zac you guys, I’m gonna kick someone’s ass. Leave him alone for a while, let him settle in. He’s having enough stress put on him from living like that. How do you know he’s being so great to Isaac? Chill out and let him speak before you pass judgment.”
The room went quiet as she stepped to the door.
“I’m sick of hearing the crap okay? 5 days isn’t a long time, I know. All right? But still, I miss Zac a lot, okay? And hearing you three bitch about him not being around isn’t helping. Just give him some time to come around to being his normal self and stop pissing around about how he’s not here. Get on with your own damn lives for a minute and let him be his own person.”
Turning to the door she yanked it open and stepped out with a huff.
Zac waved the movie in front of Tammy’s face.
“I think I’ve had my fill of Arnold, sorry Zac.”
Shrugging he popped a piece of gum into his mouth and walked to put the movie back.
“What about this one Zac? One of my friends said it was good.”
Zac stared at it for a moment, then grinned.
“I’m not watching a chick flick…no way.”
“Uh!”
She flipped the box over and started reading the back.
“Look here, it says ‘a capturing film about a daughter coming home to take care of the family after a tragedy, taking on the…”
“Taking on the responsibilities of the 3 younger siblings and the lonely decrepit father, and falls madly in love with a motorcyclist from New York City…”
Tammy giggled, giving Zac a gentle shake and putting the box back.
“That’s not exactly how it went, but I’ll give you a nod alright? She falls in love with a liquor store managing, escaped convict.”
Zac smiled, and turned back to the “New Releases”.
The two browsed over movies for another 15 minutes before they stopped, not quite sure what exactly they were looking for, but more appreciating the time away from the apartment.
“So Zac, I realize that you and Kristen aren’t on the best of terms, I mean really it’s only a day that you’ve been feeling iffy, but um…shouldn’t you call her?”
Zac paused and glanced at his watch.
Before they’d come to look for movies, they’d cleaned up the house a little, and Zac had actually vacuumed his room. Of course he hadn’t moved anything really, but the small patch of carpet that was showing got cleaned. So it was about three, and he had to be honest with himself. He probably hadn’t been a good boy on the phone last night. He didn’t understand the WHOLE reason why he was being punished, the male gene, he knew it. It would probably be smart on his part though, to ring her up. She had after all, seemed a bit angry last night. Then again it could have been his imagination. Then again Tammy was sure noticing something different about the day…
“Zac?”
Nodding he reached for the closest movie in front of him.
“I guess I should.”
“You don’t have to just because…I…said so you know. It’s your choice.”
“No you’re right. I probably should…”
Tammy shook her head, and reached for a movie too. These movie boxes seemed to ease a little of the quiet.
“I mean I just…well I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t think it was bothering you at all.”
“Well see that’s just the thing Tam, I can’t figure out what exactly I did wrong you know? Like I know I should probably give her a call and figure it out, but there’s this little nagging voice saying there’s nothing really wrong and I’m just hallucinating. And then I’d call her up and she’d treat me like I was stupid or something for thinking that.”
Smiling, Tammy reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Listen. Stress is a horrible thing to do to yourself. When we get home tonight, we’ll make some popcorn, and you can give her a call real quick. If you aren’t so sure, then ask nicely.”
Nodding Zac smiled.
“I guess huh?”
“That’s right.”
“Alright.”
Tammy went back to her movie looking and laughed.
“We’re going to be here forever.”
“So dude, what do you say we catch a flick tonight or something? I mean…there’s nothing better to do.”
Brent sighed and glanced toward the apartment complex across the way.
“Man I already have plans for tonight. Sorry.”
Taylor grinned.
“What kind of plans? The kind that doesn’t involve me? What kind of plans are those?”
“Well they’re actually the kind that have to do with family. And whenever my family is involved, I figured Taylor Hanson wasn’t one to be included.”
Nodding Taylor paused to throw away a piece of paper.
“So what do you carry that thing around for anyway? You’ve almost always got it with you.”
Taylor looked down at his notebook and brought it up to eye level.
“This? Oh it’s nothing, just a little notebook to carry my thoughts in.”
“What kind of thoughts?”
Grinning, Taylor waved a finger at Brent.
“The kind that don’t involve Brent.”
Laughing Brent elbowed his friend.
“I know I know, it’s about grass and trees and butterflies, no need to hide it man.”
Taylor shook his head as a smile crossed his face.
“Nagh, they’re just…just things I think about a lot you know? Like, life, and girls…and family.”
Brent paused.
“Why Taylor, that’s so not Taylor.”
“What isn’t?”
“Thinking about your family?”
Shrugging Taylor looked out at the sun beginning to go down across the Tulsa skyline. Turning back to Brent he sighed.
“I figure everything’s got a starting point.”
He was surprised how easily this week was going so far. At least on the out side, he and Isaac had been doing all right. There’d really been no fights, or howling. No yelling or screaming, an occasional glare or dirty look, and even that very morning there’d been a smile passed between them.
Obviously things weren’t becoming too stressful, unfortunately he wasn’t feeling so great about much of anything.
So he did understand that he’d some how pissed Kristen off, which was obvious. It was now 5 o’clock and she hadn’t called. Very unlike her, especially after she’d hung up with barely anything to say last night. He knew he’d need to do something about that, and considering the day was coming to an end rather too fast for his taste, he was beginning to dread picking up the phone.
It seemed like an un-curable problem, he always had this problem of not fixing things while he had the chance. Things were still okay between he and Kristen, at least he thought they were. And he could easily pick up the phone, call her and work whatever this was out. But then he’d done the same thing with his mother too.
Wait, same thing with half his family true?
Waving a hand he sighed.
There was no use in thinking about all that now. He was worrying enough about pissing off Isaac and Tammy.
Another bucket of stress to add to the pile.
He figured he was doing a fine job staying in line, not pissing anyone off, being as obedient as he could be. But that was wearing thin. Being able to hide things like that was very very useful. Eventually it was going to come down to having to go and party till 5 in the morning one night to set his nerves straight again. Going out and having a few beers, preferably without the company of Taylor, and just relaxing. Whatever happened to that anyway? No more parties lately, no friends, no loud music, no hot chicks. It seemed he was too busy making sure he wasn’t testing anyone too much.
Sighing he rolled over out of his bed.
“Time to call Kristen I guess.”
Walking to the door he rolled his eyes.
“I’m really dreading this….”
“What about this one?”
Taylor picked up his notebook and started getting up next to Brent.
Zac lay back, crossing his arms behind his head and staring intently at his ceiling.
