She read on and found out that they were a band. The band was called Hanson, their last name. Wow, at that age? Danielle wondered. Then, sadly, she remembered about her disability. She'd never get to hear their music, unless some miracle happened. Danielle bitterly went against that thought. The three were described as the "next Jackson 5". Danielle had heard OF the Jackson 5, but never heard them. Okay, time to stop linking everything to my stupid deafness, she scolded. Danielle also found that their music was described as "bubble gum pop" or "happy music", which she couldn't find to be understandable. She read more.
At first, from a glance, Danielle thought that Taylor was the hottest Hanson. Taylor, with his perfect sapphire eyes. Taylor, with his hotter-than-hot nose. Taylor, with his mischievously quiet grin. And Taylor, with his beautiful, long hair, complete with that little braided rattail. But, as she read more about Hanson from her many magazines, she found that Isaac was quite humorous...and nice...and...and handsome. Danielle took a closer look at Isaac. He IS actually very cute... she observed. She shifted her glance to Zachary, or Zac. Danielle declared to herself that he was just as adorable as his brothers, maybe even more so, just not in her age range for dating. Suddenly, Danielle caught herself, shocked. Like I'm ever going to date them!! she exclaimed silently. I can't believe I was thinking about that... Shaking her head and smiling at her foolishness, Danielle went back to reading.
Danielle woke up with a jolt. It was dark outside, she discovered. Shit, I must have fallen asleep while reading, she figured. I didn't know I was that tired. Sure enough, an opened magazine lay beside her. She brushed it aside. The noise that Danielle woke up from was her mother's car door slamming shut. They were stopping at a McDonald's for a bite to eat. Sly, very sly Danielle thought, chuckling. Leave me here to sleep while you get food...? I don't think so!!. She opened the van's sliding door and got out. It was pretty chilly out, she observed, rubbing her arms in an attempt to get warm. Danielle ran to her parents, catching up with them at the McDonald's door. They were a bit surprised about her being awake, but just smiled it off quickly. Danielle smiled back. They all got into the restaurant, starving. Danielle sighed with relief, Good thing there wasn't much of a line.
They ordered their food and sat down at a booth to eat. Danielle could see the moving truck outside. The drivers were probably getting food, too. She'd ordered a fried chicken sandwich with fries and a Coke. Starting to eat, Danielle realized that she didn't even know which state they were in now. She got her father's attention and, in sign language, asked him which state they were in. He replied that they were a moderate distance from the Iowa/Missouri state borderline. Danielle nodded, understanding. They all continued eating, Danielle's parents talking out loud a bit. She knew they were, although they'd been trying to hide it. Within about ten minutes or so, they'd all finished eating.
Danielle and her parents climbed back into their van, Danielle with an ice cream cone in hand. The moving van was ready, too, so both vehicles got out of the parking lot and out onto the road. Once on the highway, and when Danielle had finished her ice cream cone, she started on her magazine again.
Taylor said, exasperated, "Jeez, Ike!! You totally scared me, next time tell me when you're gonna start acting like King Kong."
Isaac chuckled. "Okay, okay." Then he asked, "So, what are you reading?"
Taylor showed him the book's cover and said, "Some Stephen King novel Dad said I'd like. I just started it."
Isaac shrugged, "Hey, maybe you will. When you're done, tell me about it."
He pulled on some jeans and walked out into the hall. Two little girls popped out of a room down the hall and zoomed toward him. Ike flinched as they stopped right in front of him, almost knocking him over. They giggled hysterically. Isaac remarked, "We gotta get you two to stop drinking that Dr Pepper."
The older girl, Jessie, jumped on Ike's back while the younger Avie wrapped her arms around his legs. Laughing, he exclaimed, "Ack!! I'm getting attacked by two little munchkins!!"
Ike tickled them until they let go of him and started rolling on the floor. Grinning, he shook his head and walked downstairs. The smell of baking pancakes drifted past his nose. Isaac inhaled deeply. He got to the downstairs hall and walked towards the kitchen. On the way, he peeked into the TV room and saw Zac and Mackie watching some cartoons.
The pancakes were there all right. So was his mother, but he'd entered through the door just as his father was exiting, almost bumping into each other. After a few seconds, Walker said to Isaac, "Ike, get the rest of the kids together, we have an important announcement."
Isaac rounded up Zac, Mackie, Jessie, Avie, and Taylor, bringing them back to the kitchen where his parents sat. Everybody either sat down or stood near the table while Walker started speaking. He said, "Kids, a small family is moving a few houses down the road from us. They're supposed to get here in a day or two. Your mother and I were thinking that we should go over there and welcome them to Tulsa. They drove down from Minnesota, so they'll want to rest a while first."
Diana took over, "I heard that they've got only one child..." All the Hanson kids crossed their fingers. She resumed, "...and I heard that it's a girl. Possibly between the ages of 15 and 18, I don't really know."
Isaac grinned, not believing his good luck. He realized that his dad was talking now, so he listened. He was saying, "...so be on your best behavior, we don't want to scare them out of Tulsa!! Hopefully, she'll be a Hanson fan, guys." Walker winked at Zac, Taylor, and Ike.
Diana concluded, "Well, I guess that's it. Any questions?" No one really had one. "Well," she said, "have a nice day, kids."
Zac walked out of the kitchen with Ike. "Did you hear that, Isaac? A GIRL!!" He giggled.
Isaac rolled his eyes, "Oh, please!! C'mon Zac...do you think I go crazy over every single girl I see?"