Bailey's Hanson Story

"Why, Mom?", I could still not believe she was asking this of me. How in the world could she ask me to befriend a family of kids from Oklahoma. Geez Oklahoma! of all places to be from.

"Bailey, You know that this is important to me. This is part of my job, thats why I accepted this transfer." Mom, replied.

Two years ago we moved from Philadelphia, PA, to L.A., when mom put in for a tansfer and was also getting a promotion along with it. Mom was now in charge of the A & R Department at Mercury Records, a division of Polygram Records. Signing up and building up new artists.

My mother is great at her job. She's a born business person, and marketing person. Her associate signed on a new group. Three young brothers from Oklahoma, named Hanson.

My mom is not the maternal type, at least not with me, or with Jason my half brother.

Jason is ten years older than me, Jason and I are close, but we operated on different wave lengths. Jason works for Mercury Records also, as a bodyguard. He is tall and built like a linebacker, but in fact is a huge pussycat.

My father died when I was young. He use to read to me, take me to museums, go for hikes in the woods and teach me about nature, and astronomy, everything even music. At the age of four I could play piano and flute. Dad always told me I was the smartest little girl he'd ever known. Dad was home alot with me, opting to work from the house, mom commuted back and forth to work. We had a nanny, Consuelo, who taught me Spainish, which I am fluid in, which got me hooked on learning languages. I now speak not only Spainish, but French, German and some Japanese. Dad was killed in an automobile accident when I turned eight. My whole world turned upside down.

Mom hardly ever came home, she was either at the office or off on business trips. I spent alot of my time alone or with Consuelo. School was boring for me. Not that I couldn't do the work it was just too easy not challenging. I hardly ever had home work, and my grades were exceptional. Not too many of the kids at school understood me. I related better to adults than I ever could to kids my own age. So I've always been more mature and subdued. Not really knowing how to be a kid.

Now here I am sixteen years old, living in L.A., going to a gifted school. Preparing myself to go to college at UCLA, and study either music or medicene. Mom wants me to study business and marketing and after graduation go to work for Mercury. Even though I've grown up around singers and musicians, and been to the Grammy's and American Music Awards, and other award shows, I just took it as just another day. That meeting celebrities, and going to fundraisers, and fancy restaurants and getting into just about any concert I wanted was a norm for everybody, I took it for granted.

When Mom came home a month ago from Tulsa, Ok, she was so excited, all she talked about was the Hanson's. She just knew they were going to be the biggest teen band since the Jackson 5, or the Osmonds. Give me a break! Couldn't she see that alternative music was where it was at. But I never voiced an opinion around my mother. I've seen her eat her assistants up alive, if they didn't agree with her. Today she just announced to me that the Father, Walker Hanson was coming out to check out some rentals, for his family, while they're here to record their first contract album.

Walker would be staying with us, while he and mom looked at rentals. She was going to the airport later today and pick him up and bring him back here. We were all to have lunch together and then they were going out that afternoon to look around for a house. I only had a half day today so I'd be home in time for lunch.

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Lunch was ready when I got home. Walker and mom were sitting out on the deck looking over the skyline of L.A. We live up in the canyon, with a huge wrap around deck and inground pool, and this wonderful view of L.A., especially at night. Walker stood up as I walked out onto the deck. 'He's so tall!' was my first thought. He literally towered over me. He looked alot like Mr. Brady from the Brady Bunch, only his hair wasn't curly, wavy but not curly. Mom introduced us, "Bailey this is Mr. Walker Hanson, he is father to the group 'Hanson', that I've been telling you so much about." "Hello, Mr. Hanson," I stuck out my hand for him to shake. "Hello, Bailey and please call me Walker, everybody does.", he replied, and shook my hand with a strong solid handshake. Wow! I thought he's not from around here thats for sure, especially with that strong of a handshake.

Lunch was actually quite pleasant. Walker was pretty cool. Knew alot about current music, trends, and current events. He began telling me about his family after I asked how they were doing. His wife Diana, was busy packing everything up that she could and made list after list of things that had to be done before they left. She and him had been high school sweethearts, and attended college together. He studied finance and business and had his C.P.A. and Diana had a degree in Music. Both had been in a traveling chorus, The Horizons, a gospel group. After college, Walker went to work for Helmerich and Payne an oil company based in Tulsa.

"We have six children so far," he told me. "Six, wow I can't imagine that!, most of the parents I know around here only have one maybe two kids, tops." " It must be difficult at times to deal with so many kids, how do you do it?" "Well,' he replied, We rely on God for guidance and we trust in him, and accept him into our lives each and everyday."

He had talked about God so matter of factly, that I was sort of quiet after that. Out here religion isn't stressed alot, especially in the music and film industries. Lord knows it hadn't been stressed in my life.

His oldest son Isaac was 15 soon to be 16 in November, I told him i'd be 17 in January, so I was alittle older than Isaac. Thank goodness, I would of hated to have to be told to listen to him just because he was older. Isaac played guitar and piano. And was into Science Fiction.

Next was another son Jordan Taylor, but was told he went by Taylor. He was the most creative as far as music of the three. He played piano, organ, bongos and some drums. He was shy, and a little klutzy, plus his voice was changing. Thats why everything was in fast forward to get the album recorded. He also loved to draw cartoons.

The third son was Zachary, called Zac for short, was a dynamo, hyper active actually. He also liked to draw. He played the drums.

The fourth child was Jessica, 7 and a half, blonde and beautiful like her mother. She also liked to draw and paint. She too had a good voice, but wasn't interested in doing it with the guys.

Another daughter Avery, looked more like Walker, and was a little more subdued than her sister, she was 5. She loved making up make believe characters, and loved nature.

The youngest boy was Mackenzie, but they called him Mackie or Mac. He was 2 and a half soon to be three in a few weeks. Already talking , singing, and Zac was teaching him how to play the drums.

By the time he was done talking about his family, which you could tell he was very proud of, and very protective of, it was time to go rental hunting. I bid them both good bye, and headed to my room. I had alot to think about, after all I knew I was going to be spending a good deal of my free time with them. I decided I had to look at this as an adventure. Like when I'd gone to Europe with mom and met different people and sampled different cultures. And so it would begin within a matter of days, my adventure with the Hansons from Oklahoma. Geez! I still couldn't get over it, that they were actually from Oklahoma, Lord only knew how backwards they were going to be. I just knew they were going to be an embarrassment to me.

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Summer was now in full swing. The Hansons found a great house just a few blocks away, with a wonderful view of the 'Hollywood' sign, from the back deck. There was a semi wooded area around too, where I knew the kids would get a kick out of all the wildlife there. I'd been spending most of my time at the riding stables, riding my horse Prince Pride, a beautiful black stallion with a white star on his forehead. I loved riding it had become a passion of mine since moving here. I'd finally caught up with Mom several days after the Hansons had moved in, "Bailey, please be sure and remind Consuelo, that the Hansons are coming for dinner tonight. They'll be here around six." "Mom, you never told me that they were coming for dinner tonight!", I could believe she forgot to tell me. She'd been going nonstop since they arrived, getting them settled and get the guys in the studio on Monday. "Mom it's Friday night, I've got a date with Gary!", I reminded her. "Well tell Gary to come over for dinner, dear, please don't make problems where there aren't any," she said.

"Mom, we had plans to go to an outdoor concert at the bowl,' I tried to explain to her. "Oh, Good!, then you can take the Hansons with you, at least the ones who want to go."

She was on her way out the door, just a wave and the door was shut. No discussion, no nothing.

Great, Gary's gonna love this, I thought to myself as I went to find Consuelo.

Promptly at 6 pm the doorbell rang. Consuelo answered the door. I had just stepped out of the shower when I heard voices downstairs, and little kids running around and shrieking.

I just knew this was going to be one of the longest nights of my life. Mother took everybody out on deck. Everybody had worn their swimsuits under their clothes, so they could swim, mom had told them we had a pool, and they were excited to get to swim.

I finally made it downstairs, I was dressed in shorts, a half sweat shirt, with a sports bra on underneath. I have reddish brown hair, and porcelin skin, and most people thought that I should model. But I never saw myself that way. As I walked out on deck everybody's head turned. I could feel myself start to blush.

The oldest brother breathed out a whistle, and a "Wow". I smiled at him and said hello and introduced myself, "Hi, Im Bailey, you must be Isaac, nice to meet you." He was slow to respond, "Oh, yeah, ah, Hi, yeah Im Isaac, but you can call me Ike if you want." "Thanks, I will Ike,". He had his hair pulled back in a ponytail, and the sides had been shaved, he was in a white t-shirt and cutoffs.

Walker soon stepped up to me and introduced me to his wife, Diana. Diana was about a head shorter than Walker. Thin, but definitely had a figure, and the longest blonde hair I'd ever seen. She was one of the most striking women I had ever seen. I'd met movie stars and other female celebrities, but theirs was mostly fake, this was a fresh beauty, an inner soul beauty, that made her features even more beautiful. And she spoke in a soft spoken manner. She then introduced me to Mackie, who was hanging onto her knee, a blonde male version of her. Mackie at first was shy, but as soon as I said "Hi, big guy", he'd wrapped his arms around my neck and said "You're pretty, Ikeypoo, thinks so too!" Everybody laughed, poor Ike, he was turning a little red.

The girls came up to me then, Jessica introduced herself and Avery, both very beautiful, with huge beautiful eyes. We talked a little and found out we all liked Barbies, which I told them that after dinner I'd take them upstairs to the spare bedroom and let them play with my Barbie collection. Which included the three story house, corvette, pool and horse, that Barbie and Ken have. They were really excited after that bit of knowledge was revealed.

Walker brought up the last two boys, Zac and Tay, who had been looking over the edge of the deck at a fox in the distance. Zac had braids in his hair, I couldn't take my eyes off of his head. Zac caught me and asked me what I thought of it. I told him I couldn't believe he'd sit still long enough for anyone to braid his hair. He just laughed at me and said he was going to enjoy getting to know me.

And lastly I turned my head towards Taylor, a beautiful young boy with blonde hair, and blue eyes. But what was the most catching was the way he had this smile always on the edge of his lips, and the light that shone through his eyes. I could tell he was a little embarrassed with me looking at him and holding his hand in a shake, for he was turning a little red. Wow! I thought does everybody in this family blush. It was a welcoming sight, most of the people I met couldn't be made to blush no matter what was said or what you did.

Taylor finally found his voice, which cracked when he talked, " So I hear you play piano and the flute?" "Yeah, I do, I also do some composing", "Great maybe we can get together and compare notes!", he replied. I laughed at this, at first he didn't get the pun, but soon caught it and he started laughing, and turning red.

Gary soon arrived and I introduced him around to everybody. Gary was a little wary at first of Ike. Gary can be a little possessive at times. But I know he loves me and I knew I was falling in love with him. Gary went to the same school for the gifted as I did, only Gary had to really work hard to keep his grades perfect. I didn't have to work quite as hard, and Gary didn't like that fact. But most of the time I just ignored his outbursts on this subject. Gary was the perfect romantic, always brought me flowers, or little gifts, or just opened doors, or leave little notes for me at my locker or on my car windshield. And he usually called me at night to say goodnight. Gary had swepted me off my feet, I just knew my future was with Gary.

Dinner was soon over and the kids wanted to swim. Gary and I went off to the outdoor concert. Before I left I told Diana that if she needed any help with unpacking or need a babysitter to just call me and I'd help out any way that I could. Diana jokingly said, "Once you start hanging out with us, you'll never be able to get rid of us." I only laughed back, not realizing just how true her words would be.

Saturday morning, I awoke to the sounds of nature outside my window. Friday night had not been as bad as I thought it would be. The Hansons were a little wierd but not as bad as I thought. Gary and I had had a nice night at the concert, after he got over the way Ike had, as Gary put it 'practically drooled all over me'. It took the 45 minute drive there to calm him down and get him in a good mood again.

Just then the phone rang, 'Geez, only nine a.m., and somebody's calling, doesn't anybody sleep in on weekends anymore.' "Hello?" "Hi, Bailey, did I wake you?" "Ah, no" "Bailey this is Diana", "Oh, yeah, good morning", "Bailey I was hoping I could take you up on that offer last night to help with the unpacking?" "Why, sure I'd be happy to. I can be over there in about an hour, is that ok?" "Sure dear, see you then, and thanks!".

An hour later I was at their front door, before I could ring the bell, Ike answered the door. "Hi, Bailey", "Hi, Ike", "Is that your car?" "Yeah, why?" "But its a corvette, I love corvettes!" "Well, maybe sometime we can go on the back roads and you can drive it."

"Really, you'd let me drive it?" "Sure, I'm sure a studly guy like you can handle a powerful car like that", I said teasingly. "Alright!!" "Ike don't be so wierd", "Whose wierd, ME?, no never!" We both laughed.

Diana had still two whole rooms left of boxes to unpack. She told me that Walker and the boys had to go take care of some business and would be gone most of the day. So they wouldn't be around to help. "Isn't that they way it always is, when theres work to be done around the house, men can't be found anywhere." "Yeah, you're right, especially Walker!"

At that comment Walker came in the room, "Whats this about me?" "Oh, just how you like to avoid housework, just like your sons!", Diana smiled at him. "Well I guess it runs in the family then doesn't it?", Walker teased back at her. "Well, we're outta here!, Come on boys lets go before your mom changes her mind and makes us stay here and work!", he yelled at the boys. Zac and Ike came bounding in from the dining room. And Tay came in behind them. Zac and Tay both stopped and said, "Hi,", "Hey, are you going to help unpacking?", Tay asked. "Yeah, I am, why?" "Well my computers in one of the boxes, if you'll just leave it in my room, I'll set it up later." "Cool, what kind of computer do you have?" I asked. "Its a Com-Paq," he replied. "Great, so's mine." "Wow, that's wierd we'd have the same computer!" "Well, lets go !" Walker yelled from the front door. "Bye, guys!" "Bye", they yelled as they ran out the door.

Diana and I got organized she'd take one room and I'd take another. And we'd take turns keeping an eye on the kids, Jessica and Avery were to keep Mackie occupied as much as they could. I went to work on the guys room. Organized their closets and drawers. Made beds, hung pictures, and set up Taylor's computer. Little did he know, I had set up my own. I had hoped he would be pleasantly surprised to see that he could use it as soon as he wanted to. Their room took most of the day. We had a late lunch out on the deck, then laid Mackie down for a nap. Around six p.m. we had completely finished, the house was neat and orderly with everything in its place.

At six thirty while we were all sitting down relaxing and marveling at how well the house looked the guys came wandering in. None of them could believe we'd gotten the house organized and everything unpacked. The guys disappeared into their bedroom, a few seconds later I heard, "Bailey, get in here, please!", 'Uh-oh', I thought, what did I do now. Walker and Diana followed me into their room. Taylor was standing by his computer, Zac was at the dresser and Ike was at the closets. "Well, what do you think?" "Did you do all of this?", Taylor asked. "Yeah" I replied a little tentatively. "Mom, Dad do you see this?"

"Will somebody tell me what is so wrong with this room?", I was getting a little annoyed, after all they did ask for my help.

All three of the guys came up to me at the same time and gave me a group hug. "You guys, are so wierd. What is it, somebody better say something?" "Bailey", Taylor looked up at me, "This is just like our room back in Tulsa, how did you know?'" "It's the best thing you could of done for us." Zac replied. "Yeah, now we won't be so homesick!", Ike commented. "Geez, guys I didn't know, I just wanted things to be nice for you. I know what its like to have to live out of suitcases, and unpack and stuff. I'm really glad you like it.", "For a minute there, I was afraid I had done something wrong." I said. "No, way!", the guys said.

"Really, Bailey, thank you for all of your help." "Without you I'd still be unpacking for the next month!" Diana said. They invited me to dinner but I told them I had another date with Gary, tonight. As I got ready to leave, Walker and Diana, told me to come over anytime, or call if I ever needed anything. I left feeling kind of wierd, I'd never been made to feel like a member of a family. These Hansons were so open, warm and loving. I shook my head back and forth in the car on the way home. I keep thinking how wierd this family was compared to mine or my friends' families. This was going to take some getting use to.

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Chapter 4

On Monday the guys met and started spending time with the Dust Brothers, a.k.a. John King and Stephen Simpson, at their house. These weren't the only experienced writers they would be working with, there was also Mark Hudson, whom I'd met several times, and has a great sense of humor. But the Dust brothers probably had the most impact on the guys due to their laid back atmosphere and approach to music. Also John and Stephen introduced them to all different kinds of music and artists.

The album was coming along alot faster than anybody ever hoped would. The guys would arrive around noon or so after having school that morning and slowly get into the mood of rehersing, and finally recording actually parts of each song. Stephen Lironi, whose English, was so patient with them. He had told me that he'd felt like he'd been working with pros. After all they had already done two independent records, Boomerang (Which comes from one of their favorite fast food places in Tulsa,) and MmmBop.

The guys had come over to my house one Saturday and we had been discussing the word 'wierd'. Like how many times a day I say it, and before they knew it, they had picked up and was using it regularly, too. It started earlier when i was over at their house, and I noticed either Ike or Taylor would yell out " thats number so and so!". Finally Diana and I tracked them down and asked them what they were doing. And they said they had noticed how I say wierd alot, and how nobody's ever written a song about it. They were going to pitch the idea for a song to Desmond Child who had worked with Aerosmith. I thought, 'yeah, right! Like thats ever going to be a song'. Should have known better, once those guys make up thier minds there's no way to change it.

By this time they were half way done with the recording process. Diana and I had spent quiet a bit of time together. Wether it was at her place, shopping, or at the studios. I'd gotten quiet attached to the girls and Mackie. But Diana somehow knew how to get me to talk especially about my feelings. She got me to talk about stuff I don't even wright in my diary.

For example: One afternoon we were in the van, we'd been out shopping for new clothes. We had been talking just about nothing important, when she asked me, "So how are things between you and Gary?" "Alright, I guess." "Well, that doesn't sound too positive," she mused. "It's just that he's everything I want in boyfriend but I just don't know if I'm ready to make a commitment. I mean I'm pretty sure he's the one, but I graduate this year, and then college in the fall." "It's just alot to deal with you know?" "Yes I do , Bail, but you just need to take one day at a time, don't rush into it. Walker and I knew each other years before we made any actual commitments." "How did you know Walker was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with and have children with?" I asked her.

"Well, we first met at church when we were pre-teens, he was tall and kind of awkward, and shy, but the thing that sold me on him was his voice." "His voice, what do u mean?" I asked. "Oh, you haven't heard him sing have you, well it can be very sexy and sensual, he puts his whole soul in it. The first time I heard it it just swept me away." "Wow, that is so romantic!" "Yeah it was and he still is." I could tell that her and Walker would be in love with each other forever.

Then she asks me about sex! "What!" I couldn't believe she asked me. I mean this is something I didn't even talk about with my Mom or with my friends, except only in joking.

"Bailey, I've noticed the way that you dress, in a grown up sexy kind of way. Why?" "Well, I guess because I've always been surrounded by grownups and stuff, I don't really know how to be a teenager." "And no I'm still a virgin, but if I was going to do it it'd be with Gary." Then it dawned on me, I thought to myself 'How does she do that, get me to talk about myself so openly like that'. Then I realized I had said it out loud. Diana smiled at me. "You've never had a very maternal mother have you?" "No, mom just kind of does her own thing. I was the closes to my Dad." "Bailey, even though I have my own daughters, I feel very close to you, and feel like you're one of my own. You've had to grow up so quickly, and be mature due to your circumstances. But it's not too late to be a kid you know. Maybe you should take lessons from Taylor and Ike, I'm sure they could show you how to have fun and let loose and not be afraid to show feelings."

She then pulled into a stip mall, and we got out. "What are we doing here?" I asked her. "We're going shopping, for some new clothes!". Little did I know what she had in mind. She helped me pick out several outfits meant for a 16 year old girl. We had so much fun. And I love her style and sense of color. We stopped for dinner and picked up take-out for the guys, and Walker. "Diana, I really want to thank you, you're the first adult whose taken thier time to really see me and take an interest in me since my father died." I took off the star necklace I had on, and leaned over and put it around her neck. "Diana, my father gave this to me on my eighth birthday, my last birthday with him. You remind me so much of him. I just want you to know that I've come to love you like a Mom. This is the only way I know of to say, 'thank you' for being you." Diana grabbed me and hugged me to her. "Bailey no matter what the future brings I will always be there for you, and be in your corner. And thank you, for the necklace, I'll cherish it always." "Now that we've made each other cry, lets go home."

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Chapter 5

That week I bought rollerblades, Tay, Zac and Ike took me out rollerblading. I was terrible at it I couldn't hardly stand up. Taylor would get on one side and Ike on the other, and Zac would bring up the back. It took a good three hours but I eventually got my sea legs so to speak. I was beginning to relax around them and really get to know them. How they can be so sensitive. Seeing them with their younger siblings, especially the girls, they play with them, talk with them, look out for them. It is so lovely to see them intereact together as a family. Taylor and Jess and Avery play tag alot. Taylor stands out in the caring for the younger siblings catagory. I've noticed how if one of them is hurt, or sad or just needs attention, they go to him first. Ike and Avery at times are inseparable, especially when Ike is composing. Avery will get up behind him and lean on his back, and just talk softly to him while he plays. And he will quietly answer her back. It's like he draws inspiration from her. Zac and Mackie are two of a kind. Both love the drums, and has a thing for Lego's. Zac and Mac can be together for hours playing in their own little world of Power Rangers, and share JELLO.

Christmas of 1996 was fast approaching, the guys were putting the finishing touches on the album. I'd grown so attached to this family, but I was still unwilling to admit to it.

The family would be returning to Tulsa to celebrate Christmas with their family and friends. I would be spending Christmas with Gary and his family in Tahoe for skiing.

When the time came for them to start packing up to go home, I stayed away as much as possible, this was something I couldn't face. But this was something I was doing subconsciously. Tay or Ike would call nearly every afternoon after I'd get home from school to either go blading or go to the arcade or the movies, or just hang out. I was already missing them, and they weren't even gone yet.

Soon the day arrived, Mom and I drove over to say goodbye, before they headed back home to Oklahoma. Tay, Ike and Zac had taught me how to be a kid, Diana had taught me it was ok to have feelings and show them. Walker taught me it was ok to have a substitute dad, that he wasn't out to replace mine. Suddenly I realized I had gained a whole family, parents, brothers and sisters.

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