My stomach had been in butterflies for the past hour. It began that churning motion once we pulled out of the parking lot at Shoney's. I knew it wasn't the sausage links, either.

Meeting Tay's parents. I'd had lengthy conversations on the phone with them, especially after Tay moved in. I swear, they thought I was going to corrupt him. If anything, it had been the other way around. Mama and Dad had freaked almost as much as Walker and Diana. As parents almost always do, they thought there was something more involved than just your average, routine roommate swap. Thanks to the liberal co-ed dorms of UNC, the administrators had no problem with it. Guys and girls often ended up rooming together. However, it wasn't such a popular idea with our parents. Mama drove herself down to our room, and personally moved our beds as far apart as they could go. I've never been more uncomfortable in a situation in my life. They had nothing to worry about. Tay's probably my best friend. Friend being the key word.

What ended the whole mess was when my parents and Tay's planned an official visit to Chapel Hill. Walker and Diana had only passed through North Carolina during concerts, so they weren't very familiar with anything. My parents took the liberty of taking them to a Tarheel's basketball game, and dinner afterwards. UNC is very popular for its college basketball, and its crazy fans. One of those insane fans is my father. I suppose the game built trust. Either that or Walker and Diana wanted to go back to Tulsa to get away from my parents. Daddy covered his face in sky blue paint, and screamed at the players like a madman. I'm sure it stunned Taylor's parents, but I pray they didn't mind too much.

After Mama died, Diana called me a few times. She checked up on me to see how I was doing. She had this tone of voice . . . like she was incredibly sorry for me. At first, I appreciated her concern, but after that, I didn't want to be felt sorry for. Mama is definitely the most inspirational and strong woman I know, ever knew, or ever will know. I consider myself greatly fortunate to have her as my mother, and I will never feel bad for that. Or her death. I know I'll see her again someday. Until then, I'll live my life the best way I know how.

That visit was the only time I'd ever met Walker and Diana. I only saw them for a short time period, because Taylor and I felt our parents should get to know each other. Suddenly, I'm going to spend a complete summer with them. I never know exactly what I've gotten myself into, until I actually fall into a situation.

The car began to drive across gravel, and I realized we were in the driveway. I'd been here once before. When I was fourteen, my friend Elizabeth, her mom, and I drove to Tulsa. I had been so obsessed. I was constantly adding to my collection of posters, and I got so disappointed when Hanson didn't plan to go to North Carolina on their first official tour. Mama had gotten so angry that I couldn't have what I wanted, that she went on the internet to get the directions to Tulsa from our hometown in Black Mountain. It was crazy, I know, but Lizzy's mom took us. We were lucky enough to meet some local fans who knew the address to their actual house. We ended up taking a zillion of pictures of the front of the Hanson home. There was a slight disappointment that the Hansons, themselves, were off in Europe. Whatever bitterness I had left inside of me because of that incident, was gone, however. It couldn't have stayed. Taylor was my college roommate, for Heaven's sake, and I was about to stay in the very house I wasted a whole roll of film on, years ago. It's very strange how life works out. Of course, I'd never let Tay know that I once rode fifteen hours straight, just to see his house. That would either scare him or satisfy him. Neither of which, I'd ever want to do.

"Haley, we're here." The sound of his voice startled me. The butterflies tripled their flight, and I just sat there, staring off into space. Taylor stepped out of the car, and walked to the other side of the car. Lifting the handle of my door, he pulled it open.

"I could've gotten it myself," I said, as I was brought back to the real world.

"Oh, Haley. Don't pull that feminism crap, now. The last thing I need is for you to stop shaving your armpits." Under normal circumstances, I would've snapped back, but I just couldn't do it. I swallowed hard, and stepped out.

"Tay." I started to say how I was feeling, but Tay understood merely from my facial expression. I guess I understand, though. My color was a sickly pale green; I was terrified out of my mind.

"It'll be okay, Haley." He was seemingly reassuring. "Just don't try to ask for one room, this time," he lightly added. I gave him a slight punch in the arm.

"Oh, but Tay. I thought you were going to let me have the top bunk." My tones oozed with sarcasm.

"We don't have bunk beds anymore, Haley. I'm surprised that you knew we did. Just admit it. You've bought Bop magazines before, just to see pictures of yours truly."

"Dream on. It wasn't until last week that I realized you weren't a girl." That had him.

"Oh, snuck a peak while I was changing, eh? Always knew these big feet would pay off." He tapped his foot. It always seemed as if I had him with a smart remark, but then he'd just destroy it. I wasn't about to comment on his last statement. I decided not to pursue the subject.

"Get my bags, Tay," I said as I grabbed my purse. I needed to check my hair before I went in.

"Oh, I see. Strong enough to open her door, but too weak to carry her suitcases." I wasn't about to let him get to me. Brushing through my hair, I let him do all the work.

"Tay! Haley!" The sound of Walker flowed through the screen door. In seconds, an impromptu family reunion was taking place. I stood back, slightly out of place, while Tay was clobbered by brothers and sisters galore. I smiled, slowly, as Diana carried out a pan of brownies. I felt so jealous of him . . . all that attention.

"You must be Haley," a young man with a very deep voice, stood in front of me. I recognized him almost at once as Zac.

"And you must be Zac." I grinned, and shook his hand.

"Are you sure you can take a summer with all of us?" Zac glanced towards the display of Taylor in the middle of a huge commotion. He managed to balance the plate of brownies, though. Well, what was left of the brownies.

"If she keeps making those brownies, I can." Good Haley. Nice, sincere, lighthearted statement.

"Let me help you with your stuff," he walked over, and picked up the bags Taylor had dropped once he came in contact with brownies.

"It's nice to know that someone is a gentleman," I said, picking up a few bags, as well. Zac led the way inside.

"Yeah, well. You looked a little out of place out there."

"I hope I didn't look too pathetic."

"No one can look too pathetic in this family."

"There any chance Tay will save me a brownie?"

"He's been around ever since I was born, and I can plainly state that Tay has never shared a thing. Except for when he had to share a room and he wasn't very graceful at that.

"He shared a room with you and Ike?" I stated more than asked. I knew very well.

"Yeah, sure did." Zac began dropping bags in the living room. Isaac . . . he wasn't out there with Tay.

"That all of you guys? Out there with Tay?" I purposely tried to bring up the subject of Isaac.

"All except for Ike." Oooh. Point for Zac.

"Why isn't he joined in the reunion?" I tried my best to sound nonchalant.

"He's with his girlfriend. We didn't know exactly when you guys would be here. Mom said something about Dollywood." I cringed at the word, girlfriend.

"Girlfriend?" Good. It sounded completely innocent.

"Well, actually. Fiancé." I cringed a bit more. "Her name's Theresa. She's pretty cool."

"So, will there be a wedding while I'm here?" I weakly smiled.

"If you want to be a bridesmaid, you'll have to take that up with Theresa." That's the last thing I wanted. Well, I couldn't rule out everything with Ike. I hadn't even met him yet.

"My idea of fun isn't exactly in a pink taffeta dress." He smiled at me.

"You're obviously not like Jessica, then. She's been going on about it for the past two months. We've got a complete wedding party with just the family. Zoë will inevitably be the flower girl. Tay and I will be the two best men."

"Two?"

"Isaac couldn't choose between the two of us. He knows the one left out would hurt him." I smiled at that.

"Where's my room?"

"Upstairs. Follow me." Zac led me up the stairs and down the hallway. These people had a regular hotel set up. "Last one on the right." I stepped inside. The room reminded me something out of Anne of Green Gables. Obviously, Diana had a hand in the decorating.

"Hope you enjoy floral wallpaper," Zac said from behind me.

"Definitely a kind of country cottage motif. Help me open up the window." Zac and I retreated to the opposite side of the room to pull it up. Looking out the window, I had a perfect view of the driveway, and the area around it. Tay was still there. Only now, he was attempting to herd the family back inside. All leftover luggage was grabbed by a separate family member, and taken inside.

"We should go back down." Zac said, thoughtfully.

"Sure. Time to meet the family." I was no longer nervous, but quite overwhelmed. How could they all be so blonde? That was in exception of Walker, but when you're surrounded by so many blondes, you start to be somehow overlooked when comparing hair color.

Downstairs, the luggage was strewn wildly about the room. Four-year-old Zoë had retreated to her big brother's lap. Tay sat content in the recliner, hands draped loosely around her waist. Next to him, on the coffee table, was a pan of brownie crumbs.

"I can't believe you didn't share the brownies," I said as I found a seat next to him.

"Tay ate all of them except one," Zoë giggled from his lap.

"Oh really? Did he give it to you?" Zoë shook her head, completely to each side.

"No. He said," Zoë's voice dropped low to imitate Taylor's," 'Haley might want a brownie. I'll save it for her.' It's in the kitchen." Zoë was pretty smart; I could tell already. I blushed slightly at the fact that Tay had saved me a brownie. Believe me, I deserved it, but that simple act was completely unexpected.

"Taylor? You must be in the family spirit. Sharing your brownies with me?" I joked.

"If he was in the family spirit, he would've given it to me," said a new voice. I recognized her as Avery. Tay talked about her many times, and the pranks he used to pull on her. This ten-year-old was very susceptible to Taylor's practical jokes. I guessed I would probably get a taste of that medicine once I got to know the family better.

"Avie, why would I give that brownie to you?" Tay spoke up again. "You've been in the batter, I can tell from your shirt." Avery looked down at the tell-tale chocolate stains on her tee. She smiled a guilty smile.

"Not much. Zac still lives here, you know." I smiled. Everyone's humor seemed vaguely familiar, like that of the Partridge Family. Of course, I couldn't complain. Another young David Cassidy wasn't anything to be bitter about.

It went on like that for about an hour. I shook so many hands, and learned so many names. Zoë who's four, Mackenzie's eight, Avery ten, Jessica thirteen, Zac was sixteen, but Isaac had still yet return. I was exhausted by six thirty, completely unprepared for what was awaiting me at dinner.