You know what? Blood is a scary thing. Especially when you see it coming out of someone you’ve started to like as much as I liked Meg. So, it would be an understatement to say I was a bit worried. I was sitting at the table tapping my fingers on the hard wood when she entered the kitchen. She looked alot less pale and also very relieved. She was wearing my favorite grey shirt, which made me blush furiously, as it sucked my dance lesson fantasy into the present. I smiled to myself in rememberance. I could really picture it now. Was I a sicko or what? I was actually undressing her with my eyes. I am not usually this forward even in my thoughts about someone I’ve just met. I mean I’m a normal person, and it’s not like I’ve never fantisized before, but I was never actually standing in front of the person before. It was a new experience to say the least. Anyway, when she walked in I jumped straight up out of my chair, my dad gave me this real strange look, but I ignored him.
“You okay? “I asked.
“Yeah, like I said, it’s nothing new. The only thing that really upsets me is that I ruined that shirt, it was one of my favorites.” she said looking down at herself, “Not that I don’t like this one or anything.”
She smiled wickedly.
“Yeah, I like it too, it’s one of my favorites,” I thought about it a moment and then added,” And so now two of my favorite things are right here together.” I said looking down, as I began playing with my ring, it was a silly habit, but it put my attention on something besides what had just flown out of my mouth.
After my comment she thought for a moment also and then said,” How did you get so good at that?”
“Good at what?” I said completely confused.
“That whole complimenting thing.” she said.
“It’s easy to compliment you, there are so many nice things about you that I could go on all day.” I said smiling. Oh God, I’m such a sap.
“Okay, I’ve had all I can handle of this puppy love talk, I’m going to go and read in peace.” my dad said, breaking into my thoughts, making me realize that he was still there and he had heard everything I’d just said. There was no way I could hide my embarassment, I must have been positively crimson. And if I was, Meg and I matched perfectly. When he was gone I looked back up at her. She was looking out the window like she had been when Ike had first seen her. I had to admit, it is a very sweet pose. I was standing there leaning against the counter watching her, when she shook herself out of her trance.
“So,” she said,” tell me about your family.”
“Oh, well, there’s alot of them, so this might take a while.” I said smiling at her.
“I’ve got all the time in the world.” she said.
“Okay.” I said walking over to the table, nodding at her to do the same,” Well, Ike’s the oldest, obviously, and he thinks he knows everything, he’s not stupid, but he’s not Sparticus either. He’s really funny and he probably gets into more trouble than Zac and me combined, but we do our fair share. it’s not that he’s not a good person, he just doesn’t think before he does things, you know? He’s real good to mom and dad and helps out alot with the kids, funny thing is, he doesn’t seem to get into trouble with mom and dad alot, he usually gets himself into it with total strangers, usually by misunderstanding. He is the best big brother I could ask for, he’s so good to me and Zac, he always treats us with equality, never puts us down, you know?”
“Yeah, Ike seems like the classic, nice guy.” she said.
“He is, Zac is also extremely nice. I would even venture to say that he’s almost charming, He’s the type of person that makes you feel good just to be around him. He’s funny, and whitty, which are two traights that I unfortunatly didn’t inherit. Zac is also very intelligent, he’s good at math and english, and he has this wise attitude, kind of like, “I know what I know.” He doesn’t ever pretend to know something that he doesn’t know, and every once in a while he will just sit back and take everything in. He gets really quiet and sometimes, when you least expect it of him, he’ll say something to you or to everyone that will just solve whatever problem you are having. He’s a good at giving advice too. I tell my brothers almost everything. Jessi is getting really big. I like the fact that I can talk to her about stuff now, but I miss the little Jessi sometimes. She looks alot like mom, she’s smart as a whip too. I think she has a hard time not having older sisters, and a mom isn’t the same. She’s very secretive about all the things she’s going through. I hope she knows that even if it embarasses her, and on second thought, me, she can still talk to me about anything.” I said stopping a second for breath.
“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret about girls, they won’t do anything at all untill they are ready. Jessi is a girl and she is doing just fine, but girls have a lot of pressure put on them to be pretty and curtiouse, and polite, when on the inside, girls are just as gross and rude as any guy, it’s like what guys put on the outside, all that rude, tough, hard exterior, we girls try to hide away. When you are a little girl, people tell you all the time that cretain things are just not “lady-like.” So, weekness and sensitivity, is the only thing that is left, so that’s the thing we show on the outside. Don’t get me wrong, we aren’t fragile little flowers that bruise at the touch. We’re tough and strong. Women have surviving skills that most men can’t even understand.” she said.
“I always kind of thought that whole, fragile like a flower thing was a little over rated. I was always more attracted to the kind of girl who was self assured, because if she was sure of what she was doing, then how could I not be sure, understand what I’m saying?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’ve always tried to be sure of myself, because there have been times in my life where I was the only one who was sure everything was going to be alright.” she said looking as though she was not really here with me anymore, like she was somewhere else completely.
“I’ve noticed that about you, like I said, I’m attracted to self-assured girls.” I said. Now, that I did mean to say. I didn’t regret it though, even after I’d said it, anyway I think she knew I was attracted to her so it really was no big secret. This was starting to get fun though. this whole back and forth flirting thing, I’d never done it with anyone else and like I said it was really fun.
“You seem like the type.” she said smiling.
“But am I your type?” I asked. This I regreted almost immediately. Did I really want to know that? What if I didn’t get the answer I hoped for? What if I did? What would I say to her after she answered? In the second or two I’d been sitting there after the initial question I almost made myself have a nervouse break down. Then she answered so I didn’t have much time to really mull over it.
“Well, I’m pretty sure you are, but why don’t you tell me a little about you so that I can make sure.” Oh good, at least she was giving me something to go on, but I’m not too good at this whole “describe yourself” thing. I always start out pretty good, but then I go off track and end up just telling the person I’m talking to everything that I hate about myself, you know, all of my bad qualities. So, to tell you the the truth I try to avoid talking about myself as much as possible, but in this situation, what could I do?
“Well, you know about the music, so I guess people would say I’m the artsy one, I draw alot, so do my brothers, but I’m the one who does it alot. I write and draw, and that’s me. I’m also the moody one. The funny thing is that people who don’t really know me, like most of the fans, they all pick that up right away, that’s how I come off, you know? But I’m not really as bad as most people think I am. I just like things to go right. Like if you plan something, and then it doesn’t come off right, I hate that. My brothers say that I’m a peace maker, but I’m not so sure. I guess I do stop their fights alot, but I start plenty of them myself, so I don’t know. Anyway, do I measure up?” I asked, remembering my origional intent.
“Well, let me see, an atrsy musician, who’s a little moody, but actually just likes for everyone to be happy, a guy who’s peaceful and from what I can tell is a bit modest about his good qualities? A guy like that?” she asked smiling at me, “I think I could become pretty attracted to a guy like that, so yeah you are definatly my type.”
And you are definatly mine, I thought. She’d taken everything I’d said and fit it so that it was a compliment. I knew right then that I would enjoy being around her.
Just then the kitchen door opened and in stepped Ike and Zac.
“Hey, you two, mom made us take out the trash and when we went aroundthe other side of the house to the backyard you were both gone.” said Ike.
“Oh, Meg has this burn on her side and it started bleeding so we came in and she got it all cleaned up.” I said.
“Oh, Meg, are you alright?” Zac asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine it’s no big deal.” she said looking down it her side.
“Are you sure?” Ike asked.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay.” she said.
“Well, alright, so do you guys want to go back outside, or just stay here?” asked Zac.
“I think we’ll just stay in here.” I said.
“Taylor, baby, it’s almost six and Meg told her dad she’d be home by six-thirty.” My mom said from the other room.
“Or maybe not.” I said.under my breath, then to everyone else I said, “that means we must go my fair lady.”
I stood up and bowed dramatically. She giggled, and my brothers just rolled their eyes.
She turned to my brothers and said,” The caridge waits.”
“Dose it get any cornyer than this?” Ike asked.
“No it dosen’t and cornyer isn’t a word.” said Zac looking at him smuggly.
“Stop correcting me.” Ike said.
“Stop using words wrong.” Zac said a smile of satisfaction on his face.
“Stop it all together.” I said smiling at them in amusment.
“I would ask you guys to come along, but I’m afraid you would damage one another if you were in such a confined space.” Meg said smiling at them.
“I think we could handle it.” said Zac who looked at Ike and they both nodded in agreement.
“Well alright, but you two better behave.” she said wagging her finger playfully.
“We’re not promising anything.” Zac said. So, dad, Ike, Zac, Meg, and I climbed into the van and we were off.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
When we pulled up in front of Meg’s house I finally understood Meg’s reaction to our house. Meg’s house, to say the least, isn’t much to look at. It’s a beat-up yellow thing that is about as big as our kitchen and dining room put together with one of the bathrooms.
“It’s the yellow one.” she said pointing.
“Alrightie, it was nice meeting you.” my dad said looking back at her.
“Same here.” she said smiling.
“Would you boys walk me to the door?” she said smiling with michief.
“Gladly.” I said, opening the door to the van.
So, we got out of the van and walked up to the door behind her. She pulled out a key and began to unlock the door when it swung open and there stood a big man who was a little burly, he had dark hair and a dark, thick beard. If you ask me he looked a little like a lumber jack, but oh well. Anyway, he had to be one of the tallest people I’d ever seen in my life. This had to be the stepdad, ‘cause from the minute I saw him I didn’t trust him. I was right behind Meg when he opened the door and she took a silght intake of breath and stepped bsck so that her back touched my chest , I put my hand on her shoulder and she seemed so cowardly at that moment that I really wanted to comfort her, but I knew this was not the time nore the place for anything remotly like that so I just squeezed her shoulder as she regained a bit of composure, it was weird, I’d never seen one human being have that effect on another, and I hated it. Especially because it was happening to Meg, someone I’d grown to care about somewhat, even though we’d only known each other for about five hours. It upset me that he could do this to someone who was so full of life and I can do nothing to stop it, it made me feel useless and that isn’t a feeling that I ‘m used to. Not ever, and by the look on my brother’s faces they were having a milder case of what I was feeling..
“Hello Megan, well, well, well, who have we got here?” he said looking at my brothers and I.
“This is my dance partner Taylor, and his brothers Zac and Ike.” Meg said in a stiff introduction.
“So this is the famouse partner you were so nervouse to meet.” said “Stepdad” with a smile. Meg turned the farmiliar raddish red that I’d come to hold so dear.
“Guys, this is Will Garrett my stepfather.” as she said “my stepfather” I could feel a shiver run up her spine that conected hard to my hand, if I didn’t know better I would say that she was terrified.
“Hello Mr. Garrett, it’s......uh, nice to meet you.” I said sounding totally unrealistick. I can never hide my true feelings very well, for as long as I remember anytime I was unhappy everyone in the room knew it and I still haven’t quite figured out how to mask my feelings when necessary, which, considering the business I’m in, is not the best of all my traits.
“It’s nice to meet you too boys, I’m sorry I left you to take care of Little Miss Egyptian Princess, but why don't you three come into the entrance hall for just a minute.” It was a little more of a statement than a question, and we were in no mood to argue with the man, “ I’m sure you all heard an earful about her infamouse struggle in the new world of America, right?”
He was trying harder and harder to make her look bad and I wasn’t going to stand around and listen to it anymore.
“Oh yeah, we heard about Egypt and everything, it was pretty interesting, then again
I could listen to Meg talk all day.” as I was saying this I gave Meg the most killer smle I could muster and then turned to look square into the eyes of a man I was pretty sure I’d just made my worst enemy. Strike one.
Almost imediatly understanding my motive, Zac poped in and says,” Yeah, Meg’s a great story teller, I’m sure you are as proud of her as you can be.” He gave Meg the same staple Hanson Man Smile that I’d flashed just moments before. Strike two Mr. Garrett.
“ AndI saw her dance, you must be just bursting with pride to have such a beautiful and talented stepdaughter, Mr. Garrett.” Ike chimmed in grinning at Meg like a fool. Strike three, you’re out Willy my boy.
“Well, I don’t know what Megan here did to charm you, but I’m sure you’ll come to see the real her in time.” he said keeping his tone light and a smile on his face, but his eyes were that of pure evil.
“I’m sure we’ll all love the real her too, how could we not?” I said, then I leaned over the liittle table in the hall and scribbled on the pad of paper. I tore the paper off and handed it to Meg, then I said,” And whatever it is you did to charm us, let’s do it again sometime, I’ll see ya on Thursday, call me.”
Then I turned on my heal and said,” Come on boys, let’s boogie.”
And as I led the way out the door I looked over my shoulder and gave her what I hoped was a drop-dead gorgeouse stare and a wink, then I slamed the door.
“You were great in there.” said Ike with admiration, letting out a sigh, that had a hint of relief in it.
“Did you see the look on that guy’s face when you stared straight at him, you have no fear,man.” Zac said, his voice wavering a little as he finnished.
“Well, I would be liying through my teeth if I said I wasn’t afraid of that guy, I was, in a word, terrified.” I said, trying, in my mind to shake off the feeling of inferiority that I’d oddly been able to hide so well in his presence.Or it may have been Meg’s presence that had made my courage soar. I wasn’t sure.
“I have to admit that guy definately made me uneasy, he brought out fear in me that I didn’t think was there.” said Ike, his voice was far off though, like he was thinking out loud instead of actually talking to us.
“And I don’t care how nice he was, I don’t trust him, and neither does she.” I said reffering to Meg.
“I don’t blame her, how does she even sleep at night knowing he’s in the room down the hall?” Zac asked shivering at the thought. None of us had an answer to that one. We stepped off the curb to the van and I pulled the door open to let myself in and dad lookedup.
“You boys were gone for a long time, was there any....uh.....trouble?” he aksed, making it more than obviouse to all of us that mom had laid into him and made sure he was watching out for us so I reassured him.
“Nothing was the matter, you can tell mom everything went alright..” I said giving him a look.
“You’re getting too smart for your own good, you know that?” he said.
After that the car was silent and I’m sure we were all lost in our thoughts anyway, and boring small-talk is just that, boring. We’re family anyway, so there’s really no need.
When we got home, dad went out on the porch and read, while the guys went up to our room and I, went to talk to mom, but she was in the shower so I sat down in the kitchen to wait. You know, it’s strange, I never used to talk to mom as much as I had been lately, after “pancack day,” I’d been doing it alot, and you know, I liked it. You see in the back of my mind, I was completely conscious of the fact that my brothers and I were growing up so fast. I mean, even if you had just seen us from afar and didn’t know us, we looked older, but the big difference was the way we acted. When we were first starting out as “the kids of Hanson” that’s just what we were, kids. We acted like kids, we looked like kids, our friends were kids and so were our fans. Then everything changed and it was all mostly for the better. Zac and I shot up and filled out, well, Zac did at least. Ike calmed down and gained alot of self-esteem. Zac mellowed out also, he used to pretend to be hyper all the time so that his shyness didn’t make him blend into the backround. Then about six months before his fourteenth he started being real quiet all the time and then he gradually started saying things that genuinlly made sense. At times he said things that were very defining, like he’d actually took the time to think about what was going to come out of his mouth, which for him, given his history, was unusual. I also caught him out on the back porch a couple of times just kind of looking at everything, and by the look on his face.........kind of taking it all in. I remember the conversation we’d had the first time I’d “caught “ him staring. I walked out onto the porch and he was sitting on the steps in jean overalls and no shirt, NOT his normal attire, his “country-boy clothes” as he called them, even though he’d insisted upon them. His hair was tied back, he had his elbows resting on his knees and his hands were clasped. I remember thinking how much older he looked sitting like that, He looks like me, I’d thought. I watched him for a minute or two and noticed how he would close his eyes and open them carefully and how every breath he took was so slow, like he was trying not to disturb something. And there was a peaceful smile on the corners of his mouth. I almost went back into the house as not to disturb him, but he noticed me
And he didn’t even look up.
“Hey big brother.” he said calmly
“Hey yourself.” I said walking over to him in bare feet and stood next to him.
He didn’t say anything else for a while and I didn’t want to inturupt the peaceful silence, so I just sat down next to him, putting my newly-chopped hair behind my ears, then he spoke.
“Have you ever noticed that the temperature changes dramatically when the sun hits the horizon?”
“Well,............. not really, but I guess I never paid real close attention either.” I said, looking out at the now-falling sun. He still hadn’t looked up.
“That’s okay, not many people do.” he said.
“Do you?” I asked not looking at him, if he wasn’t looking at me, why should I waist the energy?
“I didn’t used to, but.........” he trailed off.
“But what?” I asked.
“But, there are a lot of things right in front of me that I never noticed before.” he said quietly.
“ ‘S not just the sunset, huh?” I asked.
“No.” he said and after a pause he looked at me, finally, but didn’t change his position otherwise.” Not just the sunset.”
Then he looked back at the trees and the sun and contiued,” Things like how pretty mom is when she’s dancing in the kitshen, and how Jessi runs around the house and opens up the windows when it rains, then she’ll just sit and listens. She thinks that that is the most romantic sound in the world, you know?” he was really smiling now.
“Oh really?” I asked, hoping he’d tell me more.
“Yeah, I caught her sitting in the front window listening to the rain, and she had her eyes closed, she looked so pretty and so much like mom it was almost shocking. Well, I asked her what she was thinking and she said she was thinking about her wildest dream. I asked her what that was , and at first she didn’t want to tell me, but I just sat there. Then she asked me “don’t you think the rain is romantic” and I said I never really thought about it. Then she told me she thought the most romantic thing would be kissing in the rain.”
“Our little sister said this?” I asked a bit amused and somewhat appaulled.
“Yeah, then she said “can’t you just imagine it” and you know what Tay? I can.......... and so can you.” he said looking up and smiling at me knowingly. He was right, I could, and she was right too, it was kind of a romantic thing if you thought about it, I wasn’t going to admit it of course, but it was.
“ I know, it’s okay, you don’t have to admit it, I thought the same thing at first.” when did he get so smart?
“What?” I said pretending he hadn’t just read my mind. he just gave me that “yeah, whatever you say” look. He really was getting to too smart for his own good.He just shook his head though.
“The point is that people don’t notice most of the wonderful things that are always there. Like moms and little sisters. Sure you love those people and things and you’d miss them if they were gone, but you never think about how much you’d miss them, you only know that you would.” he said, not looking at me again. “When you’re young, like our age, all you can think about is growing up, but I think when you finally get there you think back and realize just how much opportunity you had when you were young and how much you missed out on.”
“I guess you’re right. How long have you been thinking about this?” I asked him.
“”A while .” he said not event trying to guage the time.
“Why didn’t you ever say anything before?” I asked looking over at him.
“I guess I thought you’d just laugh, you know, me, your little brother, talking about sunsets and the romance of rain, I always thought you’d credit it to a hormonal imbalance and forget about me.” as he spoke, I could tell that he’d thought alot about telling us, and had thought of some good reasons not to.
“What makes you tell me now? And why would you think all that stuff?” a little of the hurt showing in my voice.
“I’m telling you now because I realized when you walked up behind me that I don’t really care if you laugh at me anymore, I also have been wanting to put these thoughts to words, it was all there, just jumbled, untill now that is.” he stopped speaking after that, and didn’t answer my other question, I wasn’t going to let it pass though.
“But why did you think I wouldn’t care?” I prodded, he didn’t answer for a minute, like he was trying to think of just the right words, but then he just surrendered to his feelings and said it.
“Think about it Tay, haven’t you noticed how much quieter I’ve been lately? I know you have, you just haven’t wondered enough to ask what I was thinking, or even care, beyond figuring it was a little un characteristic.” He’d been thinking about this alot, because he said it with conviction, and as he did I realized just how much he knew about me and how nuch I didn’t know about him.
He scoffed a bit and then continued,” yeah, I know alot more about you than you thought I did, don’t I?”
“How..........?” I started, but I really didn’t know what it is I wanted to say.
“How do I keep saying what you’re thinking?”
That was it exactly.
“I really don’t know how. I just think what I would say to me if I were you and then I say it, you and I are alot alike you know, more than you think, at least.” the last part was so quiet it was almost under his breath, then he was quiet.
I thought about that last comment, as the stars popped out above us as Zac stared up at the sky in silence. Maybe he was just like me, or more than I’d thought previousely anyway. Maybe I needed to give him a little more credit than I had been, maybe I should care a little more about what he was thinking, and now was a good time to start.
“So, what else did you find that you were taking for granted would always be there?” I asked.
“Well, lots of stuff, catching lightening bugs, untouched nature, little kids being little kids, trees, snow, kissing, flowers-”
Did he just say kissing?
“Wait, wait just a second.” I said cutting off his list,” What was that before flowers?”
I gave him an amused half-smile and raised one eyebrow.
“Snow? What’s so unusual about snow?” He asked, doing areally bad job of hiding a smile. He was positively giddy.
“After snow.” I said.
He gave me an innocent look,” there was nothing after snow.”
“Yes there was.”
“No there wasn’t”
“Yes there was”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No”
“Kissing?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, then he said, “Oh, that.” Then he looked completely away from me, hugging his knees, and I could tell he was smiling.
“So........When? Yesterday?” I said fully expecting it to have been the day before.
He looked back at me and then at the sky as he spoke, “Oh, I don’t know, February?”
Now he wasn’t even trying to hide his smile.
“February? that’s like four months, how did you keep such a secret? When we were kids-”
Turning seriouse he cut me off,” I’ve grown up a little since we were kids,” then going back to being giddy, he said,” I’m allowed my secrets.”
“I know you’ve grown up a bit, but I still thought you would tell me about this kind of thing.” I said bumping him with my shoulder.
“Honestly?.... I thought I would too, but having this kind of a secret was really fun. I would walk in the room when you and Ike were talking about girls or dates or whatever, I would put my two cents in and then you would tell me I didn’t understand. I would think “If they only knew.” It was fun having that kind of secret.” he said while shaking his smiling face back and forth.
“So, I want details.” I said, wanting to feed my hngry curiosity.
“Weeeeeeeeeeell.......... I don’t know.......” he said, having fun at my expense.
“Oh, come on.” I sai d desperatly, he just laughed.
“Alright, alright .” then he stopped.
“ZAC!!” I winned loudly.
“It was amazing.” He said quickly.
Was that wistfulness I detected? Zac doesn’t get wistful.
“That good huh?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
“Oh yeah, better.” he said.
“BETTER? She mush have been something.” I said surprised.
“Yeah, she was something alright.” he said.
“What made it so good?” I asked.
“Oh, I don’t know, the fact that before she kissed me she ran her fingers all along the lines of my face and......”
“Wait, she did?” I asked.
“Oh, I left out one important thing you should probably know.....................she’s blind.” Well, I hadden’t expected that.
Blind? “Blind?”
“Yeah, she’s taking a sculpturing class down at the rec center, I met her when I went to go pick something up for mom.” he smiled again.
After a pause on my part I asked, “So, what happened?’
“She fell and I happened to be there to help her up, to make a long story short, we talked for a long while, sitting outside, we decided to meet same time, same place, next day. I met her there, we went to the park., at one point she asked if she could look at me. I was a little confused, but I said sure. then she ran her hands slowly over my face and then she kissed me. Let’s just say I didn’t stop her.” he smiled a bit at this.
“Whoa.” was all I ould think to say.
“Yep, whoa is pretty much the word forit.” he said laughing and shaking his head up and down.
“So, what happened?” I asked for like the third time.
“So, we talked a while longer and I found out she was, like, 16 and I knew we’d never work out, so we’re just friends now and we’re both fine with it.” he said, sounding strangely wise.
“Wow, what a story.” I said, “What’s her name?”
“Would you believe Taylor?” he asked.
“No way ! she didn’t look like me, did she?” I asked laughing.
“Naw, you’re alot cuter.” he laughed.
“Oh, THANKS!” I said
“I’m just kidding, no, she was the cute one.” I laughed and hit him on the arm, we sat there laughing and joking untill Ike came out and told us it was midnight and mom wanted him to lock up the house. After that night I started noticing how much my family was changing. I finally began to see what Zac was talking about, the things I take for granted won’t always be there
like mom.
Where is mom anyway? I’d been sitting in the kitchen thinking about Zac of all people, I mean I love the kid, I mean guy, but enough was enough.
“Hey, baby.” mom said as she walked into the room.
“Hey, ma.” I said.
“So did Meg get home alright ?” she asked, putting an emphases on “alright”
“Yeah, but her stepdad is really weird. He was kinda scary.” I said.
“I hope she’s alright, but this makes me wonder where she got that big cut from.” mom said thinking outloud.
“Cut?” I asked.
“Yeah, you know, on her side?” she asked.
“She told me it was a burn.” I said
“That was no burn baby, something, or someone cut her and hurt her badly. I don’t know why she would lie though, unless......” she trailed off.
“Exactly, I though that guy was scary, but.............abusive? Oh Meg.” I put my head in my hands.
“There’s nothing you can do tonight, you’ll see her on Thursday, untill then all you can do is pray.” she said coming over to me.
“I’m tired, I’m going to bed, okay?” I said.
“Okay baby, ‘night.” she said kissing th top of my head and walking out of the room, her hands curled around a mug of coffee.
“Goodnight.” I called after her. Then I went up to my room and fell into bed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
We pulled up to the house the next Thursday, after our second dance lesson, which had gone much better than the first had, thankfully. Jessica was sitting on the front stoop, tapping her foot, and staring off into space, but when she saw us walking toward her, she jumped up and shot us both a worried look, then she walked up to us took, Meg’s hand and walked into the house beside us. When we got to the house Meg said,” When I’m done with you, his knees will buckel at the meer sight..”
“Relly?” Jessi asked, her eyes shining.
“Yep.” she said smiling down at her.
“Well, if Meg makes you look half as pretty as she is, you’ll be fighting them off with a stick.” I said not making eye contact with Meg, blushing like crazy and grinning like a fool.
“How sweet!” Meg said quietly. Then Jess, stopped me and leaned up to peck me on the cheek, then she said, “I hope Sam is half as sweet as you are.”
“You know, no brother and sister should be this nice to each other, but thanks, Jess.” I said surprised.
“No problem. Come on Meg, lets go beautify me. “she said, leading a giggling Meg into the house and out of sight. I sat down on the porch and stared out at the sky, I’d taken up the hobby after my talk with Zac. A second later I heard a tinny tapping noise coming from behind me. I turned to stare into Zoe’s wet face, she had a pointer finger in her mouth and the saddest eyes I’d ever seen in my life. It’s times like these where I really know how much I love my sister, because it broke my heart to see her so sad. I gestured for her to come outside as new tears rolled down her chubby cheeks. She sat down beside me.
“Hi, Tay.....Tay.......Tay-la.” she stammered and with the last syllable let out unreserved sobbs.
“Hey, kid, what’s the matter?” I asked her
“Mac sa-sayz dat I gots bwa-bwack Puag.” she said looking up with her big round eyes and began to cry again. Heck I wanted to cry by now, she was killing me.
“Why did Mackie say you had the Black Plauge?” I asked, trying to calm her.
“Oh, I dunno, he jus sayz I do an’ he doesn’ wanna play wif me.” and as she finnished she broke down again and burried her head in my chest.
”You don’t have the Black Plauge or any other terribible deseases either.” I said, and she giggled at the word “terribible”
“Terridible? Terridible ain’t a word. It’s ter-ble.” she said with conviction.
“Oh, that’s right,” I said,” Now do you feel better?”
“Yeah, but can I jus’ stay ear, an stare wif ya?” she asked.
“Sure.” I said snickering. So we sat there and stared.
But not for long.
An expensive little yellow car spead down our street, bringing with it a pounding base and a chorus of rap, it stopped in front of the house and engine was abruptly cut.
“Waz zat ‘posta be moo-sic?” I heard Zoe wisper.I looked down at her.
“I think so.” I said almost laughing, and I would have laughed if the next few seconds had gone any differently. Because when I looked up I saw Sam Roman walking acrossed the street next to, non-other than Lynn any-time’s-a-good-time-to-be-a-bitch Roman.
“Oh, God.” I said under my breath.
As she got closer she spoke in a mocking voice,” Well, well, well, if it isn’t Miss Taylor Hanson.”
“Miss? Well Lynn, I knew you were scum, but I didn’t think you would sink so low as to hit below the belt.” I said smiling and walking over to her.
“Well, you shouldn’t have any troubles than, I know I wouldn’t be worried if I were you, below-the -belt comments are only painful to those people who have something below the belt to protect.” she smiled ruefully, as she stopped and look up at me.
As much as I hated to admitt it, my five second for a whitty comeback expired, “ Why are you here Lynn?”
“Just dropping off the brat.” she said.
“No, I mean here, as in, standing on my yard insulting me.” I said.
“I need to know what time to pick him up, so I’ll need to talk to someone who knows how to tell time.” she said pushing past me and started walking toward the house. I turned around to follow her, but Sam tapped me on the arm and I turned to face him.
“I told mom I’d walk, I tried to keep her away, but mom insisted, I couldn’t say anything to change her mind.”
“It’s okay Sam. You look nice by the way, Jessi’s gonna flip.” a humongus smile broke out all over his face at that.
“Do you think?” he asked.
“Take it from me, you’re cool, but if you touch my sister I’m gonna kill you” I said, then smiled.
“I’ll make sure to remember that, thanks.” he said and walked swiftly towards the door, I have to admit, the kid had the cool walk down-pat. I looked over to the front door and saw Zoe and Lynn standing on the front porch saying something to one another, then Lynn tucked a piece of hair behind my little sister’s ear. For just a second I forgot who exactly I was looking at, the girl that I saw giggling with me baby sister wasn’t Lynn, it was someone different, someone more caring, not a monster. That little slip I saw froze me. Why did she have to treat me the way she did, when she could treat someone else with such gentleness? We could have been friends.
She looked up and saw me watching her and as quickly as it had come, that compassion drained from all of her features and she looked annoyed again. I decided to let it go for now, and just let her inside. We walked up the steps in silence and I told them to wait in the living room while I went to go get mom and tell Jess that Sam had arrived.I picked Zoe up and walked out.
When I led mom back into the living room Lynn and Sam weren’t speaking to each other and they were as far away from each other as possible. Mom gave me a look and then broke the silence.
“Well, hello, how are you?” mom said.
“Oh, just fine Mrs. Hanson, it’s nice to see you again, so what time do you think I should come and pick up the kid?” Lynn asked standing up, Sam said nothing.
“Oh, seven-thirty should be just fine, now, I’ve got dinner to make and I’m sure Taylor will be happy to show you out.” mom said making her exit as quickly as the entrance had been.
“ Happy isn’t the word for it.” I said to Lynn as soon as mom was out of ear-shot.
“Hi.” a little voice from behind me cut of the nasty remark that I had no doubt been on the end of Lynn’s tounge. It was Jessi, and I have to say, I’ve never seen her more beautiful.
“Hi.” that witty opener came from Sam, but her face lit up like fire works, so it worked, whatever he had, she was in seriouse “like” with it. I have to say, they were really cute, both blushing furiously and sneeking peeks at one another every once and a while. Then she walked over to stand in front of me and said,” Keep Ike, Zac, other kids entertained per our agreement?”
I shook my head “yes” and she turned her attention back to admiring the brown-haired boy standing beside me.
“Why don’t you two go up to the little TV room off Zac, Ike’s and my bedroom, you can play games and stuff.” I said smiling at Jess, and she smiled back in thanks.
“Alone? I don’t think so.” Lynn said.
“Why?” asked Sam.
“Well, what do you expect liking a Hanson? She may only be eleven, but she’s probably already a little tramp.” all our eyes went straight to Lynn as soon as she’d uttered the words, but before either Meg or I could put anything to words Sam spoke up.
“You know what Lynn? I can like whoever I want to, and I like Jess. And by the way, tramp? No Lynn, she’s nothing like you! What do you think I liked most about her? Huh? She wasn’t anything like YOU ! ” he finnished with a menacing glance that could have killed and then he took Jessi’s hand and she led them out of the room.
Now.............you would have thought that Sam ‘ad said it all..............but no.
“Is your name Lynn?” Meg asked from behind me.She didn;t sound happy.
“Yes, and you are?” Lynn said brushing off embarassment, but not to worry, more was soon to come.
“Not important. The only thing you need to know is that I am a person (I should tell you that Meg was backing her up to the wall in the process) who dose care about Jess, and I an a person who will kick your ass if you ever again say anything remotly close to what you just said. I would suggest that you get out of my sight before alot more than clawing and hair pulling ensues.”
Oooh, chick fight..................wait, forget I thought that.
Anyway, Meg was now standing in front of Lynn, actually looking down on her and, as I said prevously, I’m a big boy and I can take care of myself, but I wouldn’t have been too thrilled to be Lynn at the moment.
Note to self : never make Meg too mad at me.
They wre just kind of staring each other down, actually Meg was doing must of the actual “down” Lynn was just kind of staring in general.
“Defending your own own kind huh?” Lynn said in a shaky voice.” That’s it, has to be. You’re probably easier than pie, no wonder Taylor’s infatualted, you probably put-out like crazy.”
Lynn’s words got stronger as she went on, now the two girls staring at each other with all the hatred in the world. I decided that this was my cue. I stepped over to the girls, put my arm around Megs waist and dragged her away, then I spun around on Lynn and said it in a low voice, plain and simple..........................
“Get out.”
