DISCLAIMER and what you need to know . . . .
First off, it's recommended that you read "Think of Laura" first. This is not a
sequel persay, but events from "Think of Laura" are referred to and the
characters are the same. If you haven't read it, then please do so. If you started to but
didn't like it, you most likely won't care for "Lady of My Heart" either. The
story is from Zac's point-of-view. It takes place (or starts out) in Tulsa. It's the end
of October 2008, just after Zac's 23rd birthday. Ike will be 28 in November, and Taylor is
25-years-old.
Also, because of the nature of this story, there is something I must stress. I AM NOT
AFFILIATED WITH MERCURY RECORDS, NOR DO I KNOW HANSON. ALSO, I AM NOT ONE OF DIONNE
WARWICK'S PSYCHIC FRIENDS, AND THEREFORE I CANNOT PREDICT THE FUTURE. Some of the things
mentioned in the story are true. Others are strictly my opinion, so please don't be
offended. If you have trouble distinguishing between the two (fact and opinion), e-mail me
(scheele2@tcnj.edu) and let me know. I'll clarify.
There. Now you can read "Lady of My Heart."
"Ugh! This is SO uncomfortable! Do we HAVE to wear tuxs?"
"Zac, stop whining! It's Taylor's wedding. Of course we're wearing tuxs you
schmuck!"
"Ike, I HATE these! You know that. And these friggin' bow ties always choke me. And.
. . OUCH!" I felt something sharp pinch the skin at my ankles.
The tailor looked smug. "Now hold still."
"Serves you right," Ike muttered under his breath.
"Up yours!" I yelled at my older brother, chucking a pair of socks at him.
"Will you two quit it already?!?" Taylor materialized from somewhere sporting
his tux. "Well, how do I look?"
"Great."
"Like a penguin."
Taylor rolled his eyes. "Get over it Zac. You're wearing a tux and that's all there
is to it. Think you'd be used to them by now."
"Never. I opt for comfort any day. No need to dress up to impress someone. If she
can't appreciate you at your worst, she can't appreciate you at all."
"Oh really? Are we referring to anyone in particular?" Ike prompted me.
"Forget it," Taylor said. "You won't get anything out of him."
"Excuse me, but they call it a PERSONAL life for a reason." Sometimes I don't
know who's worse, Mom or my older brothers.
"If you don't hold still . . . ," the tailor warned.
"Alright. Alright. No need to get testy," I said to him.
"No need to get testy? Zac, you've been giving us a hard time since we got
here," Ike said in this tone of voice that has mysteriously developed since his
daughter's birth.
"You know, I liked you much better when you weren't a father. I mean, the older,
protective brother gig was bad enough. Now you've gone all parental on me."
"We're just looking out for you. You don't have to get so hot under the collar,"
said Tay in a parental tone similar to that of Ike's.
I rolled my eyes. 'Hot under the collar?' The 25-year-old Tay standing in front of me was
replaced with an image of him as a 40-year-old man. I sincerely believe that it's some
unwritten law that once you become a parent, no matter how, you must use dorky,
out-of-date phrases. And my
brothers, being the law-abiding citizens that they are, fell into this habit. There was
Ike, responsible Ike, raising a baby girl, Kaitlyn, with his wife, Rebecca. Taylor was
marrying his college sweetheart, Laura, and adopting her five-year-old daughter, Madeline.
Then there was me, single as of three weeks ago.
"Done! Go get changed," the tailor instructed me.
"Glad to," I replied, heading for the dressing room.
"So Zac, who are you bringing? I need to know so I can give the caterer a final
headcount," older brother number two shouted at me.
"No one," I shouted back.
"No one?" The tone told me that older brother number one was standing on the
other side of the door with one eyebrow raised.
"No one," I repeated. I left the dressing room and tossed the tailor the tux.
"You're not just gonna ask Susan anyway?" asked the husband-to-be.
"Nope. We're through. The tour did us in."
"Sorry to hear that," Ike said, emerging from the dressing room and tossing the
tux to the tailor.
"Yeah, well, I guess it was for the best. Better now than later anyway." I tried
to sound optimistic and profound, but to no avail. The prospect of being a free agent
didn't exactly thrill me. I sighed. Fame made relationships so hard.
"Okay kiddo," I said, turning off the TV. "Time to get ready for bed."
Taylor and Laura were at a pre-cana session, and I was baby-sitting Madeline in their new
home.
"Aww, Zac! Do I have to?"
"Yup."
"Can't I stay up a little bit longer? Please?" she begged, giving me puppy-dog
eyes.
I sighed. Madeline sure knew how to pour on the charm. "Tell ya what. Get ready for
bed, and then I'll read you a bedtime story. Okay?"
We went upstairs to Maddy's bedroom and she got ready for bed.
"Did you brush your teeth?"
"Yup."
"Are you sure?"
"Uh-huh."
"Let me smell your breath."
"Oops. I forgot."
She rushed to the bathroom and I stood in the doorway, supervising.
"Now. What story do you want me to read?" I asked as we made out way back to the
bedroom.
Maddy stared at her bookshelf and pondered. "This one!" she said, holding a
small, thin book.
I looked at the cover. The title read, "Once Upon a More Enlightened Time."
Underneath it said, "More Politically Correct Bedtime Stories."
"Where on earth did you get this?" I asked as she snuggled under the covers.
"Someone gave it to Mommy before I was born."
I opened the cover. Inside was a message written by the presenter. I read the inscription
aloud. "Dear Madeline, May you grow up to be
independent, strong, and may happiness fill your life. Much Love, Amanda Jean." I
paused. "Who's Amanda Jean?"
Maddy shrugged, taking the book from my hands. "Beats me." She flipped through
the pages. "Here. Read this one."
I chuckled at the title, "Sleeping Persun of Better-Than-Average
Attractiveness." I read the story to my soon-to-be niece. Even though she didn't
really grasp the concept, I thought it was hysterical. Apparently, Amanda Jean had a great
sense of humor.
"Zac?" Maddy asked when I was done reading the story.
"Yeah Honey?"
"Do I have to wait until Mommy and Taylor are married to call you Uncle Zac? Is it
okay if I call you Uncle Zac now?"
"Sure Sweetie," I said, kissing her forehead. "You can call me uncle now if
you want."
"Well, then, do you think it's okay if I call Taylor dad even though him and Mommy
aren't married yet?"
I smiled while brushing her bangs out of her eyes. "I bet Taylor would LOVE it if you
called him dad."
"Uncle Zac?"
"Mmm-hmm?"
Maddy reminded me of how I always tried to put off going to sleep when I was young. If I
didn't know better, I would swear there was Hanson blood
pumping through her veins.
"Do you think I'll get a little brother or sister?"
I smiled. "It's possible."
"Well, I want a sister. That way, we can be in each other's weddings, like Mommy and
Aunt Pam."
"I think you've got a while before you have to worry about that," I told her.
"Good-night Sweetie."
"Good-night Uncle Zac." Maddy blew me a kiss.
In the living room, I opened a text book and attempted to study before Tay and Laura came
home. I smiled to myself, remembering how Maddy blew me a kiss. She was, to say the least,
a charmer. And at the rate I was going, she'd probably be married before me.
"How much longer?" I groaned, standing in the back of the church.
"Hang in there Zac," coaxed Ike.
"I don't remember your rehearsal being this bad," I said to him.
"Yeah, well, I didn't have a five-year-old flower girl and a six-year-old ring bearer
who hated each other's guts."
It's true. Throughout all forty-five minutes of rehearsal, Maddy and her cousin John had
been fighting non-stop. Laura's mom made the mistake of suggesting that her grandchildren
hold hands as they walk down the asile. No sooner than those words were out of her mouth,
did an all-out war
erupt. I just hoped they got it out of their system before the actual ceremony tomorrow.
"Don't touch me!" shrieked Maddy.
"Don't tough me!"
"I wouldn't. You're gross."
"Well you're ugly."
"You're ugly."
"You're stupid. OWW!!"
Ike and I bit out bottom lips to keep from laughing. Madeline had given John one good,
swift kick in the balls. He was now lying in the middle of the asile, doubled-over in
pain.
"You know," I said to Ike. "If he keeps this up, he'll be sterile by the
reception."
"Who are you kidding? My money's on Maddy killing him before the ceremony
tomorrow."
I did my best to not laugh as the two cousins were repremanded yet again. "Taylor's
been teaching Maddy to play soccer. Nice to see she's utilizing
the skills she's learned."
With that statement, Ike lost all self-control and burst out laughing. As he tried to
stifle his laughter, I heard giggling from about three pews in
front of me. I looked for the source. It was a brunette wearing an oversized sweatshirt
and baggy jeans.
"Who's that?" I asked Ike, pointing to the girl who's back was now turned to us.
He shrugged. "Beats the hell out of me. Probably from Laura's side."
"Oh."
"Hey guys! You ready back there? We're gonna take it from the top," shouted Tay.
"Yup," said Ike and I, pairing up with Pam and Nikki respectively.
As Laura took her father's arm behind Ike and Pam, she apologized. "I'm sorry this is
taking so long guys. I swear my nephew embodies all that is evil. And if he ruins this for
me, I'll have him castrated."
I snickered. "Bet Maddy beats you to it."
She smiled. "Probably."
As I stood up in the front of the chruch walking though rehearsal, I scanned the pews for
the brunette. I spotted her. But as soon as we made eye contact, she looked away.
"You may want to wipe your chin Zac."
"Huh?"
"You're practically drooling over the brunette," Ike whispered to me as the
priest babbled about something.
I shrugged. So what if I was? She had laughed at what I said earlier. Anyone who finds
what I say funny is worth getting to know. Right?
"Are we done yet Daddy?" Maddy asked, tugging on Taylor's pants leg.
"Yeah Sweetie. We're done."
"Finally," I muttered under my breath.
Since Taylor was busy keeping Madeline from killing John, I decided to do a little
detective work. I tapped Laura on the shoulder. "Who's that?" I asked, pointing
to where the brunette was.
"Who's who?" Laura asked, confused.
I looked in the direction in which I had been pointing. The pew was empty.
"Nevermind," I said.
The opening notes of the wedding march filled the church. Arm-in-arm,
Taylor and Laura walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
Nikki and I followed Pam and Ike towards the back of the church. As we walked down the
aisle, I scanned the "bride's side" for the brunette. My efforts remained
fruitless, as she was nowhere to be seen. Then again, it was a full house. So it's
possible she was just hidden in the crowd.
Surprisingly, the cermony went off without a hitch. Security managed to keep the reporters
from entering. And even though Madeline slapped John across the face just before the
beginning of the ceremony, the two somehow lived to see the end of it.
I stood between Nikki and Ike at the back of the church as all the guests filed out,
congratulating Taylor and Laura on the way.
"Oh Zac! I guess it's just a matter of time before I see another great-nephew of mine
get married! Where's YOUR beautiful girlfriend?" The short, old, greying woman beamed
with happiness.
I stood there, completely dumbfounded. For the life of me, I couldn't place a name with
the face. I felt like a fool. But slowly, it began to dawn on me. The last time I had seen
this woman was at Ike's wedding. Now I was seeing her for the second time and Taylor's.
However, something told me I'd be attending her funeral before actually making it to the
alter.
"I. . . I don't have. . . " I, for whatever reason, began to explain to this
nameless relative.
"Honey, leave him alone. Let him enjoy the bachelor life. God knows it's the
best," a man, whom I can only assume to be my great-uncle, said to the alleged aunt.
Then he turned to me. "Don't let just anyone put the ol' ball and chain on ya. They
don't look the same in thirty years or so. Make sure she's got that special
something." With that, he winked at me and then escorted his wife out of the church.
"Who the hell was that?" I asked Ike.
He looked in the direction I was pointing. "Oh, that Aunt Doris and Uncle Charlie.
They're Mom's aunt and uncle. You won't see them again unless someone either gets married,
is born, or dies."
"I don't remember seeing them at Kaitlyn's christening."
"Couldn't make it. Uncle Charile was having his gall bladder removed."
I stifled a laugh.
"So, have you seen the brunette?"
I shook my head. "No. Have you?"
"Nope. And I haven't seen her come through here either," was Ike's reply.
After all the guests had left the church, we, bride, groom, bridal party, and groomsmen,
made our way to the front of the church so we could have our picture taken a million
times. I was pleased with the photographer's ability to get this done so quickly. I also
loved that he was silent, other than when he told us where to stand. Thanks to the many
overly-caffinated photographers I've had to deal with during my pre-teen years, I'm
undergoing therapy over this whole 'love the camera' situation. I mean, you can love the
camera, just don't LOVE the camera. Apparently, no one told the photographers that.
"Why don't you ask Laura who she is?" Ike asked me as the photographer directed
him, Tay, and I where to stand for our picture.
"Ask Laura who who is?" inquired Mr. Nosey, aka my brother Taylor.
"This brunette Zac was drooling over during rehearsal yesterday," Ike answered
for me. What? Can't I speak for myself?
"I tried, but she was gone when I asked. Laura didn't know who I was talking
about," I explained to older brother number one.
"Zac! Look!"
I looked in the direction Ike was pointing. Standing in the back of the church was the
brunette. Instead of an oversized sweatshirt and jeans, she was wearing a plum dress with
a rather plunging neckline and daringly short in length.
I picked up a hand in order to wave and catch her attention. But before I could wiggle my
fingers, she slipped out the door.
The reception was in full swing. Ike gave a speech, having drawn the shorter straw. Dinner
had been served. Everyone was dancing, and even I was having the time of my life. Okay, so
I was cutting a rug with my five-year-old niece. Still, I was having a good time. That is,
until the asinine DJ decided to play a love song. Granted it's a wedding and all, but was
a long song really necessary?
"How about we take a breather?" I asked my dance partner. Dancing to Celine
Dion's "Because You Loved Me" with Madeline would be more depressing than not
dancing at all.
She nodded her head in agreement, and together we made our way to the nearest table. As we
walked towards it, I noticed it wasn't unoccupied. As we drew closer, I saw the brunette
was sitting by herself at the round table.
I debated what to say as I sat down. I DEFINATELY wanted to get to know her, but I didn't
want to resort to some cheap pick-up line either. As it turned out, I didn't have to say a
word.
"Madeline! My, you've grown up SO much! I can't believe this is the first chance I'm
getting to talk to you. You're just so popular," the brunette rambled.
Maddy giggled and gave the brunette a hug. "I've missed you Aunt AJ. You have to
visit more. Are you here by yourself?"
The brunette, or Aunt AJ rather, nodded her head. "Yup. I'm all by my lonesome. But I
see that even at five you're a man-eater. Who's your friend?" she asked, tilting her
head in my direction.
"Oooh. Sorry," giggled Maddy. "Aunt AJ, this is my Uncle Zac. Uncle Zac,
this is Aunt AJ."
AJ extended her right hand for me to shake. As I did, I remembered that day at ORU when I
met Maddy. Apparently good manners runs in the family. But still, something was bothering
me.
"I thought Pam was Laura's only sister."
AJ smiled. "She is. I'm Nikki's younger sister. Even after we moved to New York our
families were really close. So Laura just introduced me to Maddy as Aunt AJ. Zac. Hmm. . .
you're Taylor's brother, right?" she asked, flashing me a brilliant smile.
"Yeah." 'Yeah?' Nice retort Zac. Upon close examination, I realized that AJ was
kinda on the ordinary-looking side. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and porcelin skin.
Still, there was something about her. She appeared to have the poise of a Greek goddess or
something. I don't know. I couldn't quite place my finger on it. It was just. . . .
something. And it wasn't the plunging neckline either. She appeared to be as comfortable
in her dress as I was in my penguin costume.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. walked over to us. Madeline jumped up into Taylor's arms, and
Laura and AJ embraced.
"AJ, I'm so glad you made it! How did you get off work?"
"I didn't. Work brings me here."
"Oh," Laura responded kinda knowingly. "I hope you're not. . . "
"Nope," Aj cut her off. "And I'll be here when you get back. So, do I get
to meet the groom, or do I have to wait until next week? After all, I AM responsible for
this union," said the Grecian beauty, flashing that brilliant smile once again.
Laura shot her A LOOK, and then made the introductions. "AJ, this is myhusband,
Taylor. Taylor, I'd like you meet Nikki's little sister, AJ."
AJ and Taylor shook hands. "Nice to meet you," said my brother ever-so-polietly.
"Likewise," was AJ's response.
I immediately recognized the gleam in AJ's eyes. You don't grow up with six brothers and
sisters and not know what that gleam means. AJ had a secret she was just DYING to tell.
And I could tell by Laura's fidgeting that she wanted AJ's trap shut. Needless to say, my
curiosity was peaked.
Laura shot AJ another LOOK and she kept her mouth shut--for now. "Congratulations, to
the both of you. I'm sure you'll be very happy. I'm glad everything worked out." If I
didn't know better, I would swear AJ was trying to supress laughter.
"Thanks," Laura and Taylor responded simultaneously.
The bride and groom excused themselves, and Maddy went with them to mingle with the other
guests. The Grecian beauty and I were left alone. Well, not REALLY alone. There WERE two
hundred some-odd guests in the room.
"Interested is taking a break from the whole dancing, being a semi-host, and
pretending to be comfortable in these clothes thing?" she asked, eyes twinkling.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Sure."
"Good. Follow me," she instructed, leading the way out of the ballroom of the
posh hotel the reception was being held in.
I could hear Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl" being played in the ballroom as AJ
went to the coat room to retrieve her purse. I momentarily felt a stab of guilt for
leaving the reception, and Taylor, just because I felt uncomfortable. But everyone in
there was so happy, so. . . . together. It could very easily be a cheesey made-for-TV
movie starring Jonathan Lipnicki as me, the single brother. And as we all know, singledom
just doesn't make for an interesting story, or high ratings for that matter. Just ask
Jonathan Silverman.
As I continued to cast my TV-melodrama-excuse-for-a-life that, had this been the 1990s,
would've undoubtly been produced by Aaron Spelling, AJ led me to the elevator. She pressed
"L" for lobby, and we rode down in silence. I probably should've asked her where
we were going or what she had in mind, but I was too busy. I was in the process of casting
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Taylor. Hey! Why not? They have the same middle names.
When we reached the lobby, I mechanically followed AJ out of the elevator. She held a door
for me and we began a semi-long walk down a narrow corridor. Then we came to a fork in the
hallway. There was a sign in front of us with two arrows. One pointed to the right and
said "pool" above it. The other pointed to the left and read "rec
center" above it. We beared left.
"You up for a little one-on-one?"
"Excuse me?" I said, taken aback.
"A little one-on-one. You know, basketball."
I shrugged my shoulders. "Sure." AJ was certainly one-in-a-million. This was the
first, and most certainly the last time, I would ever meet a girl who'd rather play
basketball than dance at a wedding reception.
AJ showed the guy working the counter her room key, and he gave her a basketball. I
glanced at the name tag. It read Bob. Well, Bob looked at us like we had three heads a
piece. I guess most of the guests don't play basketball in tuxs and evening dresses.
When we got on the court, AJ put down her purse and kicked her shoes off in a corner. I
tossed my jacket to the floor, which was soon followed by that damn bow tie, and
unbuttoned the top collar button of my shirt. Aaah. It felt so good to be able to breath
again!
"You're gonna have to take off your shoes."
"What?"
"Lose the shoes. Mine look like a pump and feel like a pump. There's NO WAY I can
play in them. And if I'm barefoot, so are you. You're not gonna step on my feet wearing
shoes. Besides, it's not good for the court."
At this point, I noticed two things about AJ. One, she was tall, even without her heels.
She had to be, at the most, two inches shorter than Tay. Tay wound up being the shortest.
I snuck up from nowhere, and ended up towering in a 6'2". Ike was about an inch or
two shorter than me. The other thing I noticed about AJ was that she wasn't wearing
stockings, pantyhose, or whatever the hell you want to call 'em. So I lost my socks and
shoes, and rolled up my sleeves.
AJ dribbled the ball to the half-court line. "I'll spot you eight points," she
said, smiling sweetly.
"Um . . . thanks, but no thanks. I don't need your charity."
"Just thought I'd offer. We'll play to ten. You can have the ball first, since I'm
such a good sport." She shrugged her shoulders, as if she thought I was a fool for
not taking her up on her offer.
Well, as it turned out, she was right on both counts. She was a good sport, and I was a
fool for not taking her up on her offer. Then again, unless she spotted me ten points, I
probably wouldn't have won anyway. We played four games, and AJ kicked my ass each time.
Now we were taking a break. She was sitting in the middle of the court, indian-style. I
was next to her, lying on my back.
"You're awesome."
"Huh?"
"You're awesome," I repeated. "Where'd you learn to play like that?"
"My older brother. When we lived in Jersey we'd play in our driveway. That ended once
we moved to Manhattan," she said shrugging.
"Your brother older than Nikki?"
"Yup," AJ said, nodding her head for emphasis. "I'm the baby."
"When did ya move to New York?"
"Just before I entered high school. I played varsity basketball all four years."
I rolled onto my side. I had a sneaking suspicion, and I wanted it confirmed. "What
does AJ stand for?"
"Amanda Jean," she replied, looking down.
"Ah. Amanda Jean." I smiled.
The expression on AJ's face became defensive. She snatched the basketball and stood up
abrubtly. "What is THAT supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. It's just that not long before the wedding I was baby-sitting Maddy. I read
her a story from a book given to her by an 'Amanda Jean.' I just assumed that was
you." Why the hell was she getting so defensive? Sure, Ike and Tay go by their middle
names, but they don't fly off the handle when you ask them about their first ones.
"Yeah. Yeah, it was me," she said, relaxing a bit. SWISH. AJ sunk her fadeaway.
"Nice shot. How come when I asked Maddy who Amanda Jean was, she said she didn't
know? She obviously knows you."
"I don't really go by Amanda Jean and all. Everyone calls me AJ. Maddy just doesn't
know what the initials stand for. Guess Laura never told her."
"Doesn't that bother you?"
She shrugged. SWISH. Nothing but net from the three-point line. "Not really. I've
been AJ for almost as long as I can remember. My mom tried calling me Mandie. I absolutely
HATED it. I was always a tomboy. My brother started calling me AJ. I liked it, and it just
stuck." SWISH. AJ delivered a perfect lay-up.
I stood up. "State champs?"
She nodded her head. "My Sophomore and Senior years. Maybe we should be getting back.
We've been gone for quite a while."
"On one condition."
"Oh? What's that?" The Grecian beauty once again flashed that dazzling smile.
"You dance with me."
"Okay," she said a little reluctantly.
"Good," I said, taking the basketball from her. SWISH. I made my first shot of
the night. Maybe it was an omen.
"Come on. Just go out there," I coaxed AJ.
She shook her head vigorously. "No way. I'm not going to degrade myself by stampeding all the single women on the dance floor in order to catch a bouquet of flowers that'll only be dead in less than a week. Besides, I don't believe in those lame superstitions." She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Some good sport you are. Amazing with a basketball in your hands, but a bitch when it comes to fun."
"Hey! You don't know me well enough to call me that!"
Apparently, I had offended AJ. "Well, prove me wrong then," I challenged her.
"Fine," she huffed. "I'll go out there, but I won't like it."
On the way back to the ballroom, AJ told me how she sat the whole night, other than our basktetball game. Not once did she venture out onto the dance floor. So when we got back in time for the throwing of the bouquet, I insisted she participate. It was just the sort of thing she needed in order to relax. At the same time, I was amazed AJ agreed to dance with me, seeing as how she sat on her ass the whole night. Well, I was keeping her to that promise too.
I heard the women squeal and looked up. AJ was walking towards me with a scowl on her otherwise pretty face. She chucked the bouquet at me. "Now look at what you've done!"
I laughed. "I didn't do anything. Certainly didn't make you catch a bunch of flowers that'll only be dead in less than a week."
AJ did her best to look mad, but failed. "Yeah, well, just get your butt out there mister." She smiled.
"What for?" I asked, smiling flirtatiously.
"You know what for wise-ass." AJ gave me a playful shove towards the dance floor. "Come on. Get your butt in gear."
I walked onto the dance floor and looked around. All the guys were fidgeting, and it appeared like some were doing the pee-pee dance or something of that nature. I haven't seen testosterone this active since Ike and Tay sat next to Cindy Crawford when we were on "House of Style" back in the day. I suffered only minimal bruises from attempting to sit in the chair that Taylor thought had his name on it. Apparently, older brother number two was unfamiliar with the word 'jailbait.'
All the guys were really hollering now, and I craned my neck in an attempt to see why. I chuckled at the sight. Taylor's head was hidden under Laura's dress while retrieving the garter. I sneaked a peak at mom. Hopefully, Taylor would reappear with it soon because mom looked about two seconds away from dying of embarrassment.
Wanna talk about embarrassment? I nearly fell over that morning when Laura walked into the kitchen wearing Tay's clothes. Man was I relieved I HADN'T spent the night there. But then Taylor gave me grief because I didn't. God knows why. And, um, yeah. . . can we say hypocrite?
I was brought out of my thoughts by a silky piece of material hitting me right smack dab in the middle of my face. The next thing I knew, I had a pastel blue garter with lace trimming in my hands. Oh boy.
The DJ called "the lucky two cathers" up the where Laura and Tay were. Well actually, just Tay was there next to an empty chair. Laura was busy trying to drag AJ out onto the dance floor. AJ had a good grip on the table though.
I watched them with amusement. They appeared to be having a mini-heated discussion. I am, by no means, an expert lip reader. Lip synching, as anyone can tell you, is NOT my strong suit. But it looked like AJ said something along the lines of, 'if you keep hounding me I'll tell loverboy.' Laura shook her head and said something about 'a dream come true.'
AJ stormed away from Laura. "All bets are off!" she shouted. Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the chair by which the new groom was standing. "Let's get this over with," AJ said. Her enthusiasm was immeasureable. She sat down in the chair, and I just stood there holding the garter.
"Let's hear it again for our lucky catchers!" said the DJ. Everyone cheered. Oh sure. Egg him on.
Mr. Asinine began playing this music which, thanks to mom's music appreciation class, I was able to identify as a striptease used in burlesque during the late 1800s. I gulped. This was it.
AJ crossed her legs, the right one on top. She kicked off her shoe. I knelt down. I stretched the garter over her foot, and then snapped it at her ankle. I began to slide the garter up her leg, slowly and in time with the music. After closely examining her legs, I saw that they were thin yet muscular. Her skin felt incredibly smooth under my trembling fingertips.
I was too busy absorbing everything about AJ to pay attention to what I was doing. When I felt her hands on mine, I snapped back to reality. The garter had ended its journey mid-thigh. Umm . . . yup. That was far enough, especially considering Maddy was about two feet away watching with great interest.
"Alright! Let's hear it one last time for the lucky guy and gal!" The DJ really needed to get over this. Get a hobby perhaps.
Just as the music started, AJ stood up. She put on her shoe, but I grabbed her hand before she could walk away.
"Hey! You still owe me a dance."
"What? Getting to run your hands up my leg wasn't enough?" She smiled flirtatiously.
I felt myself blush, which isn't something I do easily. And I flirted right back anyway. "Nope. Now come on. You promised me a dance." I flashed her a smile.
Still holding hands, she walked towards me. AJ let go of my hand and clasped hers behind my neck. I circled my arms around her waist, pulling her close. Staring into each other's eyes, we swayed to the music.
"Elizabeth Taylor."
"Elizabeth Taylor?"
"Elizabeth Taylor," I repeated.
"Man, that is so easy."
"Well then, quit stalling and prove it already."
"Okay. Elizabeth Taylor was in 'The Flinstones' with Rosie O'Donnell, whonwas in 'A League of Their Own' with Tom Hanks, who was in 'Apollo 13' with Kevin Bacon. I can't believe you've never played this game before." AJ appeared unable to grasp the concept.
"Sorry. Guess I just had better things to do with my time."
"Oh yeah? Like what? With all those car and airplane rides, I'd figure you be a master at it."
I shook my head. "Get real. That precious time was reserved for sleeping. I was so overworked at such a young age," I said melodramatically.
"Aww, poor baby."
"Hey! There's no need for sarcasm."
She laughed and then took a bite of her hamburger.
"So, you really wanna go ice skating after this?" I asked, hoping she had changed her mind.
She nodded her head yes. Damn! "Uh-huh. Come on! What's the big deal? You rollerblade. Suck it up and be a man."
"Nah. I think I'll be a little boy and whine my way out of it," I said, shoving a fry in my mouth.
"Well then, I guess I should warn you. I'm immune to whining. Just ask Maddy if you don't believe me."
I couldn't help but smile. Since AJ was in Tulsa on business, we had seen,each other everyday following the wedding. Unfortunately, the week was coming to and end, and she would be heading back to New York. The wierd thing though was that every time I asked her what she did for a living, she changed the subject. Not even the pentagon was this secretive.
I dipped my last fry into the puddle of ketchup on my plate, and popped it into my mouth. "You ready to go?"
"Yup," she replied.
"I'm gonna go pay the check." I got up before she could protest, which I knew she would. I paid, and we left.
"See? It's not THAT bad. You're doin' great. Why don't we pick up some speed?"
"Okay," I reluctantly agreed. It's been a LONG time since I've been on ice skates. I just hoped I managed to stay on the skates and not on my butt.
"Good. Good. A little faster. Faster. Good. See? What did I tell you? I'm a great coach!"
"Mmm, and modest too."
"Piss me off and you're on your own," AJ threatened.
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh?" She dared me to try her.
That was the one thing that made being with AJ so different, so great. She didn't hide anything, minus her occupation anyway. Point is, she never acted helpless or like some airhead. AJ was always strong and true to herself. Girls like her are rare. I was certainly going to miss her when she was gone.
"So, we can't get together at all tomorrow?" I asked AJ. We were in the lobby of her hotel. We had finished ice skating and I was dropping her off.
She shook her head. "I have that meeting tomorrow night, and I have to prepare."
"Yeah, but all day?" I asked, disappointed.
"You have NO idea. Besides, you said you had some photo shoot."
I frowned. "Oh yeah. Well, can I at least take you to the airport Saturday?"
AJ shrugged her shoulders. "If you want," she said, emotion absent from her voice.
"Well, fine. If you don't want me to. . . . " I was hurt by her less-than-enthusiastic response.
"No. No. It's just, well, if you want. It's up to you."
I studied AJ's face. Its expression was sad. But there was something else too. It was, I don't know, guilt?
"AJ," I said softly. Without thinking, I leaned in. I felt two fingers gently press against my lips.
"Don't. I'll just make Saturday that much harder," she whispered.
I closed my eyes and sighed. "Will I ever see you again?"
"Sooner than you think, I'm sure."
I opened my eyes, and AJ smiled weakly. She kissed her two fingertips and gently touched my lips. Then she turned and walked towards the elevator.
The host led Ike, Tay, and I to our table. We were meeting a reporter from "People Magazine" for dinner and an interview. We had a photo shoot this afternoon. Oh yeah, and Tay returned from his honeymoon this morning. Things were back to being hectic as usual. We sat down at our table, one chair remaining empty though. The interviewer hadn't arrived yet.
"So, how was it?" Ike asked Tay.
"Incredible. Unbelievable. It was SO nice to just get away from everything and everyone for a while. Laura loved Hawaii. But it was wierd. I mean, I hate to say it, but Maddy had always been a obstacle kinda when it came to Laura and me finding time to be alone. We had a whole week to ourselves, and by the end of it we were lost as to what to do. Okay, not ENTIRELY lost, but we spend so much time doing everything for Maddy we forgot how to do things for ourselves. It was, like, too easy or something. And for some bizarre reason, we actually began to miss the interuptions. Not that we really like them or anything. It's just that, well, hehe, they kinda made things fun," babbled Tay.
Ike nodded his head, apparently understanding the situation of the babbler. I, the non-father of the trio, just rolled my eyes. I had a sneaking suspicion that Tay would be eating those words later on tonight.
"I can't believe you just said that."
"Said what?" Tay asked me.
"That, about the interuptions."
Older brother number two chuckled. "You just don't understand yet. You will someday."
"Don't understand? Hello? Do you hear yourself? You'll be singing a different tune soon enough. Tay, there will be few surprises in life to match looking Laura directly in the eye and feeling someone tickle the bottom of your foot."
Ike, to prevent himself from choking, spit the water in his mouth back into the glass. He began to cough and laugh at the same time. And it's at times like these that I swear Tay's a chameleon. He turned three different shades of red.
"Great. Once Kaitlyn is out of the crib that'll be what Rebecca and I have to worry about. How long do you think we can keep her in there?"
"Don't worry about it Ike," I told the eldest Hanson. "Before you tuck her in at night, just slip a cowbell around her neck."
Ike snorted with laughter. Tay opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it. He appeared to be contemplating this course of action.
Finally, the three of us burst out laughing.
"I'm glad you're getting along fine without me."
I recognized the voice, and turned towards the speaker. "AJ! What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting tonight?"
"I do."
"Here?"
She nodded her head.
"Well, we have an interview."
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry I'm late guys."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Tay said, pulling out the empty chair for her.
"Traffic can be a bitch."
"Thanks. Ike. . ."
"Hey AJ," was his response.
"What the hell is going on here?" I asked. Granted it was pretty obvious, but I wanted to hear the words out of her mouth.
"AJ's going to interview us. Duh," said Taylor.
"You knew about this?"
"Oh course. Laura told me on the way to Hawaii."
"And you?" I asked, turning to Ike.
He shrugged. "Yeah. Taylor told me before the shoot this afternoon."
"Why the hell didn't you tell me? Why doesn't anyone tell me anything? Why am I always the last to know? Jesus Christ, I'm not eleven anymore!"
I looked at AJ, who was sitting across from me. "Why didn't YOU tell me? Did it just sort of escape your mind over the course of the week?" I absolutely HATE IT when people play games.
"Oh Zac, get off it! This isn't about you, it's about me. Admit it, we had a great time this past week. But there's no way you would've opened up to me and let me get close if you knew I worked for a magazine. And don't say I'm wrong 'cause you KNOW I'm not."
"Fine. But you at least could've told me in the lobby of the hotel last night." I kept my voice low, not wanting to cause a scene.
"Should've, would've, could've. Point is, I didn't. If you want, after dinner we can go out to the parking lot and you can wring my neck. In the meantime, I've got a deadline. Ready?" she asked, pulling a small tape recorder out of her purse. AJ's voice and movements demanded attention and respect.
"So, let's get started," she said, pressing the record button. "I guess the most obvious question would be, did you ever think you would be in the business this long?"
Ike and I shook our heads. "Never," we said simultaneously.
"I mean, we hoped we'd be in the music business this long, and longer. But you just don't know what to expect. I mean, we knew what we wanted, but the public plays a role too. And as long as they want to hear from us, we'll be here," rambled Tay. Apparently, he thought my and Ike's answer needed clarification.
"Ah yes, good ol' capitalism, supply and demand. But you could've chosen not to fill the demand. Did the word 'break' ever come to mind? Not 'break up,' but just 'take a break'?" asked AJ.
"Yeah, things get hectic and crazy. That's usually when we'd truck off to the studio and record. But college also serves as a break. Ya know, arranging performances and such in between semesters," I answered her.
"Now Zac, you're still in school, right?"
"Yup. I'm in my last semester. Usually it takes engineering majors five years, but I'm getting out in four and a half. I received credits for my work in the studio."
"Hey, every little bit helps. Now, correct me if I'm wrong here. Ike, you majored in business. Taylor, you majored in music. And Zac, you're studying music engineering. Now, was this all planned in conjunction with starting your own record label? What's the story behind that?" I had to give AJ credit. She's the first to TELL us what we majored in, not ASK us.
Ike prevailed over this question. "Well, it didn't start out that way. Little by little, we always became more involved with our music, producing, etc. When it came time for me to go to college, I wanted to learn more about the business aspect and managing. Tay and Zac chose what they were interested in. We had also been writing and producing for others as well. Starting our own record label just sort of evolved from that. Everything fell into place."
"But you still record under Mercury, right?"
"Yes," my brothers and I said together.
"Mmm. . . . taking lessons from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber?"
"What?" I didn't have the foggiest as to what AJ was talking about.
"Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was knighted. Blech. Anyway, in London he has his own theatre company. Calls it the Really Useful Company. What he does is run one of his shows in a competitive theatre on the West End, London's equivalent to Broadway. Then he'll run another big show, like 'Les Miserables,' in his theatre."
"So how are we taking lessons from him?" I asked. I wasn't really following the lines AJ was going along.
"Well, you have your own record label, yet you record under that of one of your competitors," she explained.
"Oh. Yeah." Now I was following her. "Wonder why."
"Maybe you should ask Ike. He took economics," suggested AJ. I didn't realize I said my last thought aloud.
"Why DO we do that?" I asked my eldest brother.
"Marketability," was his response.
"I thought it was because we were loyal to Mercury."
"We are," Tay told me.
"But I'm sure loyalty wasn't on the CPA's list of reasons to stick with 'em," said AJ.
"How do you know all this?" I asked her.
"Know all what?"
"This, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, marketability."
"Hey! I went to college too! And I must give credit to the wonderful world of gen eds." She giggled. "Now, next question..."
"Wait!" I interupted her. "I want to hear more."
AJ laughed. "Zac, this article is about Hanson, not me."
"Well then, turn off the tape recorder." I flashed her my most dazzling smile. Damn! Why does she have to leave tomorrow?
"Flight 209 to New York has been delayed one hour."
"Damn!" AJ shouted towards the ceiling at the loudspeaker. She was pacing back and forth.
"Come on, sit down. Worried about your deadline? Why don't you start writing the article?" I suggested.
"Can't. Have to save that for the plane. Keeps me from thinking about crashing."
"AJ! That's a terrible thing to say!"
"Sorry. It's just. . . I hate flying." She flopped down into the chair next to me, now chewing on her brown locks.
"Just relax, alright? Everything's going to be fine." I said, trying to soothe her.
"Are you psychic?"
"No."
"Then how do you know everything's going to be fine?"
"Because. . . . I would never let anything happen to you," I said softly.
"Zac!" AJ was just as surprised as I was by my statement. There was an awkward silence between us. She looked me in the eyes and broke the silence. "Thanks," she said softly, smiling weakly.
I took her hand in mine. "You better come back."
"Of course. But I'll have to visit Maddy too. She'll be extremely jealous if I don't."
"Well, we can't have that."
"Nope."
More awkward silence. I hated this. I racked my brain for something to say. I didn't want to start an argument, but it was the only thing I could come up with.
"Why did you jump down my throat at the wedding after you told me your name? Full name that is."
"Oh, that. Yeah. Sorry. Well, it's just, I hate it first of all. And, well, I was afraid you might figure out that I worked for 'People.' I don't know. I just. . . . I wanted to get to know you, REALLY know you. Ya know, outside the 'I'm-on-my-best-interview-behavior.' I didn't mean to snap at you though. Really."
"It's okay. But, if you don't mind my asking, why do you hate your name? I think it's pretty." I brushed some strands of hair out of her mouth.
"I don't know. It's just . . .so . . girlish."
"Well, you ARE a girl."
She shrugged. "Yeah."
"Not all it's cracked up to be?"
"It has its moments."
More silence, but it was comfortable. "I'm sorry to see you go."
"I have to. I need civilization."
"Where the hell do you think we are? The boondocks?"
"No. But, the people here are so. . . friendly. And there's less of them, and cars, and less sirens too."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"No. Not bad I guess. Just. . . different. Sorry you decided to see me off yet?"
"No. Why do you ask that?"
"Well, good-byes blow big-time."
I rolled my eyes. "You word that so eloquently."
"Hey! You want poetry? Check out e e cummings!"
"Yeah, but you ARE a writer."
"Sylvia Plath I am not."
"Good thing too. She committed suicide." I smiled and she smiled back.
"Well, this certainly is an uplifting conversation. Oh listen! I love this song!" AJ's face lit up.
"Can't say I recognize it."
"They played it at Taylor and Laura's wedding."
"They did?"
"Yeah. When dinner was being served."
"You remember what song was played while dinner was served?"
"Yup. I told you, I love this piece. Pacabel's 'Canon in D'."
"What? Taco Bell?"
"No, not Taco Bell. Pacabel."
"You know, I never would've pictured you as a classical music fan." AJ just didn't look the type.
"I'm not really. I just love this piece. I was forced at gunpoint to take piano lessons for seven years. BLECH! For whatever God forsaken reason, ma thought I would want to take 'em just because Nikki did. Um. ... . . WRONG! Nikki only wanted to take them because our neighbor did and she thought the instructor was cute. And sadly, the only thing she can play now is the melody of 'Heart and Soul.' You know, I always thought 'I Will Come to You' sounded like this song. It's the strings. And the opening measures, the downbeat, they're the same in both songs. I don't know. Don't listen to me. I'm no Puccini." She shrugged her shoulders.
I concentrated on listening to the music, thinking about what AJ said. "They're not exactly the same, but they do sound similar. You have a good ear."
She blushed. "Thanks."
"Any other hidden talents I should know about?" I teased her.
"Um. . . I have double-jointed elbows?"
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
"Telling you."
"Oh. Well, that's not a talent and it's gross."
"No it's not!"
"No it's not what?"
"Not gross. Just. . . "
"Disgusting," I supplied.
AJ rolled her eyes. "You're the last person I expected to say ANYTHING is gross."
"Why?"
"Well, at the risk of sounding incredibly stereotypical, because you're a guy."
"Yeah, well, I have this thing about limbs that bend in directions they're not supposed to."
AJ shrugged. "Your loss."
"My loss? Why? What else is double-jointed?"
She laughed. "What makes you think I'm gonna tell you?"
I casually shook my head. "I don't know. Just thought maybe you'd want to share."
"Yeah, well, I think I've shared enough."
My eyes clouded over with hurt at that statement.
"About being double-jointed that is," AJ quickly added. She sighed. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry. I've had the best time this past week, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even for an interview with Leonardo DiCaprio."
I cracked a smile. "So, I rank above Leo? Hmm. . . just the ego boost I needed."
"Just doing my duty. It's my job to see your head gets bigger than Delta Burke's butt." AJ returned the smile.
"Oooh. That was cruel."
Once again, all AJ could manage to do was shrug. We sat there, looking at one another. It felt like forever, but in reality it was only about thirty seconds. A voice over the loudspeaker broke through the silence. "Now boarding flight 209 to New York."
AJ stood up. I followed the suit. "Well, I guess this is it," she said.
"Guess so."
"Let me know if you're ever gonna be in New York. Maybe we can get together or something," she suggested.
"Sure. And you better some back to Tulsa."
AJ nodded her head.
Silence.
"See? I told you good-byes blow big-time." She cracked a weak smile.
Despite the fact that she was just mere seconds from walking out of my life, quite possibly forever, I smiled. There was just something about AJ. She would ALWAYS make me smile.
She picked up her carry-on. "I'll see ya, alright? Take care of yourself. And watch Maddy for me?" She fought back tears.
I wanted to hug her, to kiss her. But physical contact would only make this harder than it already was, providing that was possible. I had my doubts. "I will. And you take care of yourself too. Be careful."
"Umm-hmm."
"Last call. Now boarding flight 209 to New York."
"I gotta go. Can't miss my flight. Bye Zac."
"Bye. . . Amanda Jean."
She smiled at me. Then she headed for the plane. And that was it. She was gone.
Why was everyone so happy? What was the big deal? Why such a fuss? Because it was Tay, Laura, and Maddy's first holiday together as a family. Because Tay and Laura were celebrating in their new home. Because the rest of us didn't have to cook. Yup, just another Hanson Thanksgiving.
"Hey Zac! Why the long face?" asked my sister-in-law, Rebecca.
"Wouldn't you be depressed if you only had three weeks of school left, and then you were done forever?" joked Ike.
Under normal circumstances, I'd be doing backflips in anticipation of graduation. Mary Lou Retton wouldn't be able to hold a candle to me. But these weren't normal circumstances. I said good-bye to AJ two weeks, five days, eight hours, and twenty-six minutes ago. But whose counting?
"Yup. That's it Ike. You've hit the nail right on the head," I snapped at him. My older brother looked taken aback. "I'm sorry Ike. I didn't mean to bite your head off."
"Apology accepted."
"Zac! Can you come here in the kitchen and help me?" shouted Tay.
Me? Help? Kitchen? Tay was either desperate or lying. But I would have to go into the kitchen to find out.
"What do you need?" I asked, entering my least favorite room of the house.
"Nothing. Sit down," Tay instructed me. I did as I was told.
"I've been debating whether or not to give this to you. You haven't exactly been flying high lately. But Laura thought maybe it would help. Anyway, this is for you, from the both of us." Tay handed me a manilla envelope.
I opened it and removed the contents. It was two 4x5 pictures. One was of me sliding the garter up AJ's leg. The other was of the two of us dancing together afterwards.
"Laura mailed a copy of each to AJ as well."
"I guess she's not coming back anytime soon then, huh?"
"No. Not to my knowledge. Haven't you talked to her?"
I sighed. "Once. She called me to make sure I got my copy of 'People.' We talked for a while, a few minutes actually. It's not the same. I don't care if I sound selfish, I want her here."
Taylor nodded his head. "Laura invited everyone out here, AJ, Nikki, the whole family. But Nikki's pregnant and sick every morning. She wasn't up to making the trip."
"Well, a lot of good that does me." I let out a deep breath. "Why doesn't she call?"
"Maybe for the same reasons you don't call her."
I looked down at the pictures again. Why hadn't I called her? What was really the worst that could happen? Odds are she wouldn't be home anyway. Besides, what was I getting so mushy about? We only spent a week getting to know one another. The rest is just time and space.
"Thanks for the pictures Tay," I said, standing up.
"No problem. You sure you're okay Zac?" He appeared to be concerned.
I forced a smile. "I'm fine, or I will be anyway. The show must go on."
"Yeah." Taylor didn't appear to believe my charade though.
"Well, since you don't need my help in here, I'm gonna go in the living room and see what the rest of the family is up to." I excuse myself from the kitchen.
I flopped back into the armchair I had been previously sitting in. I stared off into space, ignoring the hustle and bustle surronding me. I knew I wasn't myself, and I couldn't be. A piece of me was missing.
"Uncle Zac!" an excited Maddy opened the front door.
"Hey kiddo! Can I come in?"
She giggled. "Of course." She shut the door. "Daddy's not home right now and Mommy's in the kitchen."
With the success of Thanksgiving, Tay and Laura decided to throw a New Year's party. I walked to the kitchen and stood in the doorway. "Is it safe for me to come in?"
"Hail the conquering graduate! Of course it's safe! Why wouldn't it be? Now get your ass in here and help your sister-in-law."
"I hope you have good homeowner's. Most do their best to keep me OUT of the kitchen."
"Don't tell me it's because you can't cook! Seems I remember a particular morning when you made bacon and eggs."
"Tay ACTUALLY let you EAT that!?!"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Laura's face. "Come to think of it, we only had the bacon."
"That and each other. Speaking of older brother number two, Maddy tells me he's out."
Laura shot me A LOOK, definately for the 'had' remark. But she's cool. Oh yeah, and she'll get even when I least suspect it. "Yeah, he's running an errand for me."
"Man! First Ike, now Tay. What is it about you and Rebecca that has those two dorks so whipped?"
"Great sex. Now fill the ice bucket," Laura said, not missing a beat.
"Oh, and the answer to your next question is women talk."
"I didn't say a word."
"I know what you were thinking."
"You do?"
"Yup. Which is why when Taylor rings the doorbell you're gonna answer it."
"Aww! Do I have to?" I jokingly whined.
"Uh-huh. It's that or to bed without dessert."
"What's for dessert?"
Laura laughed. "Well, when you open the door you'll find out." She began to laugh louder and harder.
"You're evil. You know that?"
"Comes with the second X chromosome."
I shook my head.
Laura looked at her watch. "Zac, will you get that?"
"Get what?"
'Ding-Dong.'
"That."
I walked to the front door and looked out the peep-hole. I gasped at the sight. "Touchdown! You win Laura!"
'Ding-Dong.'
"Zac! Open the door already!" my sister-in-law shouted from the kitchen, supressing laughter.
I opened the door.
"Zac?"
I smiled. "Happy New Year. . . . Amanda Jean."
"Oh my God, Zac!"
AJ and I embraced in the doorway. I couldn't believe she was here. But now that she was, I wasn't letting go.
"As touching as this reunion is, can we take it inside please? Right now the only thing colder than me is the cheesecake in the freezer Maddy sold for Girl Scouts," said Tay impatiently.
I led the way into the foyer. "Cheesecake? I thought Girl Scouts sold cookies."
Taylor shrugged. "New century, new product. What the hell do I know? AJ, I'm gonna put your suitcase in the guestroom."
"Oh no you don't!" I shouted before the host could move a muscle. "Just leave it right there by the door. You don't want to stay here AJ."
"Oh no?" She smiled flirtatiously. "Then where do I want to stay?"
"With me."
"Seriously Zac. Thanks, but I don't want to put you out or anything."
"Hehehe. . . "
"Shut up Taylor!"
AJ put a hand on my shoulder. "I'll take care of this," she whispered in my ear. She faced my older brother. "If I were you, I'd be more careful. You wouldn't want Zac to slip any info to me."
"Like what?" challenged the fool.
"Oh I don't know." AJ shrugged. "Some interesting Tay tibits, embarrassing moments, photos, etc.," she said casually.
"'People' wouldn't run anything like that."
"Who said anything about 'People'?"
"You're bluffing."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Didn't your mamma teach you not to play with fire?"
Laura suddenly appeared in the foyer. "Let it go Tay. You'll never win. TRUST ME on that one."
AJ smiled angelically.
"But. . . " the fool began to protest.
"In the kitchen. NOW," ordered Laura.
Tail tucked, my whipped dork-of-a-brother followed his wife to the kitchen. AJ look surprised by Tay's obedience.
"Great sex, or so I'm told."
"Oh. That would explain it." The Grecian beauty giggled. "Nice place they got here."
"All you've seen is the foyer."
"Will you do me the honors of giving the grand tour then?"
"Sure."
"Stop right where you are!" AJ shouted when I reached the entrance of the living room.
I turned around. "What?"
She walked towards me, grinning from ear to ear. "Look up."
I did. I was standing under the mistletoe. I looked at her and smiled.
"Happy New Year Zac." AJ delivered a gentle kiss to my lips.
"AJ, you'll never guess what I just heard on the radio!"
She emerged from the bathroom, hair wrapped in a towel on the top of her head like a turban. "Zac, relax. It's just a test."
"Ha, ha. Very funny. No, there's a snowstorm headed this way. Suppossed to hit tonight. I'd feel much better if you stayed an extra night and didn't leave."
"Mmm-hmm."
"No, really. Besides, if the weather is really bad, your flight will most likely be cancelled."
AJ removed the towel from her head, her damp, brown hair falling to her shoulders. She ran a comb through her locks. "How do I know you're not lying about the storm?"
"What an awful thing to say! Would I lie about something like that knowing your fear of flying?"
"More like hatred. And yes, to get me to stay longer you would."
"See? You're just gonna have to stay longer and get to know me better. I wouldn't LIE to keep you here. I have other ways, other methods." I smiled.
AJ returned the smile. "My, that was beautiful. So romantic, so . . . Has anyone ever told you you're the next Cyrano?" She batted her sooty lashes dramatically.
"Aren't we the coy one?" I teased her.
"Yeah well, the biggest flirt to ever grace the earth just happens to be my older sister."
"Nikki? Really? I never would've pictured her as the. . . . "
"Oh please. She makes Cher look like a prude."
I laughed. "You're funny. Ever thought of going into comedy instead of writing?"
"Nah. Besides, I have a tendency to combine the two. I'm gonna go blow-dry my hair." AJ retreated back to the bathroom.
Later that night, AJ and I were sitting on the couch watching TV. As predicted, the storm hit and her flight was cancelled. She called into work and told them she'd be on the first flight to New York.
"Oh! Go back to that channel!"
"This?" I flipped back one channel. "What do you want to watch this for? This station only plays re-runs of TV shows that have long since been cancelled."
"Please, next you're gonna tell me that you've never seen 'The Golden Girls'! That's the BEST show! Growing up I've always watched its re-runs. I always said that when I was eighty, I was going to be just like Sophia. Thank you for bein' a friend. . . " AJ began to sing the theme song along with the TV. She stopped singing when the TV went off, along with the lights and the rest of the power.
"The storm must've knocked some power lines down." I went into the kitchen and returned with a flashlight. I lit a candle as well.
"Great. Now what?"
"Now we get to know each other better."
"Oh? And how exactly do you propose we go about that?"
"First you're gonna answer my question."
"Which is. . . "
"At Laura and Tay's wedding, what did you mean when you said YOU were responsible for the union?"
"You heard that?" Even through the darkness, I could see AJ was blushing.
"Yup. So spill. How are you responsible?"
"Well, how responsible depends on your point-of-view. PERSONALLY, I don't think I'm DIRECTLY responsible. . . . "
"You're stalling Amanda Jean."
"Um, yeah. Oh boy." AJ let out a deep breath. "You know how Laura was at Paramus way back when you guys performed there?"
"Laura was there? I never knew that. I knew she was from Jersey, but. . . . "
"Taylor never told you? Well, Laura told him all, well almost all, about it. Yup. She was there. In fact, she's the one who ripped Taylor's shirt."
"You're kidding!"
AJ shook her head. "No. She was always so shy, afraid to make any sort of move. But she had the BIGGEST crush on him. It was pathetic. She needed encouragement. A push in the right direction if you will. How was I suppossed to know she'd lose her balance and break her fall by ripping Taylor's shirt?"
"YOU pushed her?"
AJ nodded her head.
"You were THERE?"
"Zac, I was always there. I was at Paramus. That summer, I was in the City every time you were. I was even in the Beacon. Granted it was up in the balcony, but I was there nevertheless. The funny thing is, in the beginning, I was dragged to those performances and such by Nikki and Laura. But eventually, I came to like your music too." Her voice was soft.
"And now?" I asked.
"And now, what? We're practically related."
"But we're not you know."
AJ smiled. "Yeah, I know."
"And you know something else? I'm mad at you. That was my favorite shirt of Tay's. I borrowed it all the time. But I certainly wasn't going to wear it with a hole in it!" I said, jerking her chain.
"Oh please. With the stylist and a shitload of clothes and all, I'm sure one shirt didn't really make a difference."
"Get real! With that stylist, one shirt made ALL the difference in the world!" We burst out laughing.
"Well, if memory serves me correctly, which it usually does, the hole didn't keep Taylor from wearing it."
"Yeah, but I'm not Taylor."
"No, you're not," AJ softly agreed. "And you know how I know?"
I shook my head.
"Because you call me by my full name sometimes."
"So?"
"So, no one else does that. Not even my parents. You're the only one I allow to use my full name."
"I'm honored. But why?" Needless to say, I was curious.
AJ shrugged. "I don't know, not for sure anyway. It's just. . .well. . . there's something. . . " She left out a deep breath. "I like the way it sounds when you say it."
I was rendered speechless. Even through the candlelight I could tell she was blushing colors not even Taylor's babyface had appeared in. And it meant so much that she had said it. Not just because of the electricity it ignited, but because she had opened up to me. I know it took a lot for her to say it. One thing was very apparent about AJ right from the very beginning when I first met her. She doesn't like to be vunerable.
"Amanda Jean. . . "
"Yeah?"
Our eyes locked, and she took my breath away. How could I go on like this? Her dropping in and out of my life? But I didn't want to think about that. I only wanted there to be this moment. Just her and me.
So, I leaned in and said every thought racing through my mind with one single, gentle kiss. It wasn't the punctuation of a statement, it WAS the statement. So I made another one.
I ran my fingers through her chocolate-brown locks and looked deep into her eyes. They said everything. AJ was finally letting her guard down completely. No more hiding behind an image of the tomboy that once was, and the real Amanda Jean began to surface. It all happened in a matter of seconds through the eyes of the Grecian beauty sitting before me.
"You really are a Grecian beauty. You know that?"
She thanked me by kissing me, lips parted and all. Had it not been for the need for oxygen, I'm sure the kiss would've lasted forever. But seeing as how we aren't blessed with gills, we did pull apart. AJ held my gaze. Then she crossed her arms in front of her, pulled her shirt up over her head, and discarded it to the floor. She took my hands in hers and kissed me gently.
Still kissing, she placed her left hand at the base of my neck and began to lean back. I followed her. Up until now, I never REALLY knew how she felt. It had all been, well, innocent flirting. But now. . . . there was just her, me, and the candlelight.
"Amanda Jean, I'm back! And I come bearing food!" I shouted, entering my apartment. I opted against poisoning AJ with my cooking, and picked up some bagels from the shop down the street. That place is ALWAYS open, regardless of the weather.
It's been two days since the big storm hit. For the most part, the streets were cleaned and life was returning to Tulsa. And I was probably the only one upset about that. Clean streets with life in them could only mean one thing, AJ will be leaving. . . . again.
For two days I racked my brain for something to do or say that would prevent her from leaving. But I knew that wasn't fair of me. AJ loves her job, and she's great at it. Plus, New York is her home. I had no business asking her to give that up. That's what broke up Susan and I. She couldn't handle my constant traveling and I wasn't willing to give it up. Ironic the way things turn out sometimes.
"FOOD!" AJ dove for the bag in my hand. "Food, food, FOOD!" She snatched the bag from me and began to examine its contents.
"Hope you like taylor ham and cheese," I said.
"Love it. Right now, I'm so hungry I could eat just about anything, even your cooking."
"Think about what you just said. I doubt you're THAT hungry."
She laughed. "You're probably right."
We sat down in front of the TV with our breakfast. AJ began to flip through the channels. "Do you get the Cartoon Network?"
"Yeah. Channel fifty-three," I answered.
AJ punched fifty-three into the remote. The closing credits of "Space Ghost" flickered across the screen. "Stay tuned for 'Josie and the Pussycats,' next on the Cartoon Network," said the announcer.
"EEEE!!!" She let out a girlish squeal. "I LOVE 'Josie and the Pussycats'! Nikki and I watched this together. Probably the only thing we agreed on."
"You and Nikki really didn't get along, did you?"
"That's kinda hard to answer. We're sisters. We always loved one another. But. . . . we also resented one another too. My parents were always telling Nikki that she should put more into her schoolwork, like me. And I. . . well. . . I think I was more jealous of her than resentful. She was always Mom and Daddy's princess, their delicate flower, the pretty one. Guys just always flocked to Nikki likes bees to honey. And once, JUST ONCE, I wanted someone to look at me that way, like I was more than the key player on the team." AJ let out a sigh. "Thank God for Laura. She helped me so much. She really is like a big sister to me. You know, it was she who encouraged me to go into writing."
"Really?"
"Yeah. She caught a glimpse of a short story I wrote when I was twelve. In fact, she's the only one whoever read it, or any of my works, minus the published ones of course. But I began to run out of ideas, so Laura fed me hers." With that statement, AJ burst out laughing.
"What? Come on Amanda. Tell me. Please," I pleaded for her to share her secret with me.
She cleared her throat. "Well, I wrote stories for Laura."
"What kind of stories?"
"Well, they were fiction. . . "
"Yeah."
". . . but the characters were based on real people. . . "
"Uh-huh."
"Hanson fanfiction. Okay? I wrote Hanson fanfiction for Laura. They were never posted or anything. Just for my writing and her reading pleasure."
It all began to make sense. AJ's laughter, her comments, the looks Laura kept shooting her. "Taylor doesn't know about this, does he?"
"Nope. This is my one trump card, and I'm saving it for a rainy day," she stated proudly.
"You're too much!"
"DO NOT tell me you've never done the same with any of your brothers or sisters."
I laughed, thinking of Mom's favorite picture of Tay, the three-year-old stark naked just before his bath. And only I knew its location, under the mattress in my room. It keeps older brother number two in check. "Okay. You're right."
"Of course I am." AJ's smile faded. "Zac, I have a favor to ask." She took a deep breath. "I called the airport. The first flight to New York takes off tonight at five. Could you please take me to the airport?"
"Of course I'll take you. You don't have to ask." I felt a lump rising in my throat. I knew this was coming, but I wasn't prepared for it. How could I have been?
"There's one more thing."
I nodded my head.
"I have to say good-bye to Maddy."
"Sure. We'll go as soon as you're ready." And even though my heart was breaking, I knew I was doing the right thing.
I rang the doorbell. AJ nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Taylor opened the door. "Hey guys! What's up?"
"We came to visit our niece. . . ." I began.
". . . . and say good-bye," finished AJ.
Taylor escorted us to the living room. "Going already AJ? You just got here."
Amanda's face looked forlorn. "Yeah, but I couldn't get many days off work. I only stayed as long as I did because of the weather."
"Oh." Taylor looked at me questionably, obviously wondering if I was okay with this. I shrugged in response.
"So, where's Maddy?" I asked, changing the subject.
At this point, Laura entered the living room. "She's in the playroom hopping about."
"Well, I just stopped by to say good-bye. I have a five o'clock flight," AJ explained.
Laura shot her a disapproving look. "Okay, if you MUST go . . . "
"Laura, please let's not start." AJ's voice trembled and her bottom lip quivered.
"Why don't you guys go in the playroom with Maddy?" Laura addressed Tay and I. Then she took hold of AJ's hand. "Come on," she said, leading her up the stairs.
While Taylor and I played a few rounds of Memory with Maddy, Laura and Amanda were having a heart-to-heart upstairs. . . .
"So, do you want to leave?"
"What do you think?"
Laura let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't know WHAT to think anymore. First you two hook up. Then you barely speak to one another. You come back, hook up again, and now you're taking off. AJ, it's not right. It's not fair to string Zac along like this."
"FIRST OF ALL, I am NOT stringing Zac along. Second, I HAVE to go back. It's either that or hop on the unemployment line. And futhermore, you're in NO position to be moralizing."
"Amanda, I'm not moralizing. I'm speaking from experience."
"Well, our situations are completely different."
"Sure, on the outside they are. But the bottomline is communication. Just do me a favor and tell Zac what you're thinking and feeling. Okay?"
AJ nodded her head, silent tears caressing her face. The two women embraced.
"It hurts. . . so much. . . Laura. So much," Amanda said softly in between sobs.
"I know it does sweetie. BELIEVE ME, I know." Laura said soothingly.
AJ wiped her tears and nose on her sleeve. "Just so you know, I told Zac."
"Told Zac what?"
"You know, TOLD HIM."
"Amanda Jean!" Laura scolded her.
"It just came out, alright? We were having this mini heart-to-heart this morning, and I spilled the beans."
Laura huffed. "You might as well give 'em to him to read while you're at it."
"Maybe I will," whispered AJ, lost in thought.
"I win again!" proclaimed a jubilant Maddy.
I couldn't believe it. I lost a lousy game of Memory to a six-year-old. Maybe it's the early stages of Alzheimer's setting in.
"You need to improve on your memory skills," Maddy informed Tay and I with hands on hips.
"Thanks for the newsflash," I said much more rudely than I had intended.
"Well SOR-RY. What's with you?" asked my niece. Even at six, she knows when I'm not myself.
"He's just sad to see me go," explained AJ, entering the playroom.
"You're leaving?" Everything I was feeling was written on Maddy's face.
"Yeah sweetie. I gotta go back to work. But I'll come visit again. I promise." Amanda's eyes were filling up with tears. "Come give me a hug 'cause then your Uncle Zac's gotta take me to the airport."
"AJ! Quick! Come here! I gotta give you some pictures from New Years,"Laura shouted from somewhere in the house.
AJ and Maddy hugged one more time. "I'll see ya. Okay? Take care of your mommy, daddy, and Uncle Zac for me?" My niece nodded her head. Amanda kissed her forehead, then left the playroom.
With her aunt's departure, Maddy broke down in tears. It broke my heart,
and I gave her a hug. "Shh. . . it's okay. She'll be back," I soothed her.
"I know," my niece whispered in my ear.
I bounced my right knee up and down as I sat next to AJ at the airport. Her flight had been delayed. But considering the weather, it was no surprise. I glanced at her. She was staring off into space. Her expression said she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I let my mind wander as AJ and I sat in silence. Here I was, mentally preparing myself to say good-bye for the second time. A SECOND time. It was tearing me up inside. As soon as we get closer, in every sense of the word, we only end up going our separate ways. Good-bye. I never thought that one word could hurt so much. It certainly never did all those times I said it to Susan. For some reason, my mind began to wander to Taylor. Laura left for Spain, and he never said good-bye. He never said good-bye.
Finally I couldn't take it any longer, and put my head in my hands, my elbows resting on my knees.
"Zac?"
"Yeah Amanda?"
"I don't want to go." She paused. "I am because I have to though. But I don't want to. I want you to know that. Remember that." She sniffed.
"I know. It's just. . . this is hard for me, and new too. I've never been on this end of the stick before."
"Well, it's not easy on my end either. I feel so guilty for leaving. I'm the reason you're hurting so much." A lonely tear slid down her cheek.
"Don't you EVER feel guilty, Amanda Jean. Do you hear me? NEVER feel guilty. Meeting you was the best thing that happened to me. I don't regret it for a second."
"I don't know how to thank you," said a sniffling AJ.
"Thank me? For what?"
"For everything. For accepting me unconditionally like you did. For playing basketball with the tomboy. For flirting with the woman that occasionally surfaces. For looking at me the way the teenager longed for. For being you."
I hugged her, tightly. I buried my face in her neck, inhaling the faint scent of her perfume. I felt the tears well up in my eyes, but refused to let them fall. I needed to be strong for Amanda. So I let go of her and stood up.
"Where are you going? You're not leaving, are you?" Her eyes begged for me to stay and touch her again.
"No, I'm not leaving. I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be right back, okay?"
AJ nodded her head.
After a semi-short walk through a maze of people, I found myself in the men's room. I let my guard down and a few random tears fell. I didn't even bother to wipe them away. They'd only be replaced with fresh ones.
I composed myself and splashed some cool water on my face. I took a couple of deep breaths, looking hard and long at the reflection in the mirror. Finally deciding that its haphazard appearance would have to do, I left.
Little did I know what was going on while I had been in the men's room. . . . .
"Now boarding flight 359 to New York."
"No, wait. This can't be. Zac's not here," AJ said to herself.
"All first-class seats, now boarding."
"Oh God. Zac, where are you?"
"Now boarding coach, rows A though H."
"Zac, hurry up. I need you here."
"Flight 359, coach, rows I through P, now boarding."
"No! I can't go, but I have to. I. . . good-bye Zac." AJ walked down the ramp and boarded the plane.
"Now boarding coach, rows Q through Z."
I finally made my way out of the maze. I scanned the seats for AJ. Nothing. Suddenly, an awful feeling washed over me. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. A knot formed in my stomach.
Slowly, I walked up to the counter. "Did flight 359 to New York take off?" I asked the clerk.
"Everyone's boarded and the plane just started taxing."
"Thanks."
I walked towards the window and watched the plane take off. I sighed. I didn't say good-bye.
I turned off the TV after channel surfing through countless infomercials. I sighed, looking at the clock. I couldn't call Amanda. It was two am in New York, and she'd most likely be asleep. So I did the next best thing. I picked up the one-subject notebook she had sent me. It contained one of her fanfic stories.
(FLASHBACK)
"So, did you read it?"
"Yup. Every word."
"And?"
"Relax Amanda. I liked it."
"You liked it!?!"
"Yeah I liked it. Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, because it sucks," she said laughing.
"No it doesn't."
"Zac, be honest."
"Okay, so it wasn't the most original plot. But all things considered, it was well-written for a twelve-year-old."
"Geez, that was inspiring."
"Well, what do you want from me? I just read a story about a girl, whom I assume was modeled after Laura, and my brother falling in love ten minutes after the heroine moves to Tulsa. I mean, I had a few good wisecracks in there, but I didn't even rank as supporting actor."
"I'm sorry. But I was just the mere writer. Laura was executive producer." She giggled.
I laughed. "Actually, there's one thing about your story I can't believe."
"Oh? What's that?"
"That a twelve-year-old settled an age-old debate. Guess life does imitate art."
"Hardly. That was just a fantasy written out on paper. Laura just got, well, for lack of a better word, lucky."
"Oh come on Amanda Jean. Sometimes dreams do come true."
(END FLASHBACK)
My fingers traced the cover of the notebook and I smiled. Amanda called me from the airport as soon as the plane landed. I apologized profusely for not saying good-bye. But she told me not to worry about it, and to expect a gift in the mail within the next few days. I couldn't believe SHE was sending ME a gift. It should've been the other way around. I told her so, multiple times. But she sent it anyway. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but to say I was surprised by the fanfic is an understatement. And at the same time, there was something great about it. Being this open with one another is just, well, there are no words for it.
I opened the tattered notebook and leafed through the pages, searching for my favorite section. I found it and began to read AJ's words, which to me seemed magical.
~~
Lara looked out her bedroom window of her new Tulsa home. She couldn't believe it was just two weeks ago her parents dropped the bombshell. Her dad got transferred, and the entire family was uprooted to Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lara sighed and looked across the lawn and into the window of what appeared to be a bedroom. There was a set of bunk beds, dresser drawers, and two closets. Three blonde boys occupied the room, engrossed in a pillow fight. The middle one, who appeared to be thirteen, had Lara's undivided attention. The boys appeared to be happy, and she wondered why. They were, after all, in Oklahoma.
"This is SOOO cool! I can't believed we finally got signed!" said Taylor, his voice cracking, which it had been doing a lot lately.
"Yeah, neither can I! Who would want to sign us? You sound horrible Tay," said Zac.
Taylor rolled his eyes. "Like I can help it. Go ahead. Poke fun. I'll remember this when YOUR voice changes."
"Hey guys. Look. Someone moved in next door. She looks about your age Tay," Ike said, breaking up the potential fight between his two younger brothers.
"Oh my God! She can see us!" Taylor turned off the lights and hit the deck.
"What do you care? You don't even know her." Zac was baffled by his brother's behavior. After all, girls had cooties.
"Yeah, but I want to. She's pretty," Taylor responded, his voice cracking on the word 'pretty.'
"So tomorrow go over and introduce yourself," advised Ike, turning on the light and climbing up onto the top bunk.
"Yeah. Maybe the god of puberty will have pity on you and your voice won't crack," said Zac, bursting out with laughter.
"Ha ha! Very funny!"
Taylor chucked a pillow at his younger brother, and the pillow fight resumed.
~~
I closed the notebook and my eyes. My thoughts drifted to Amanda. That seemed to be happening a lot lately. Well, at least more than usual. And if I concentrate real hard, I can smell the faint scent of her perfume. I sighed. She had totally captured my heart.
I looked out the window of The Plaza at good ol' New York, the city that never sleeps.
(FLASHBACK)
"Why do you always refer to New York as 'The City,' as if it's the only one?"
She smiled, eyes sparkling. "Because it is."
(END FLASHBACK)
And now that I think about it, AJ was right. Of all the places I've been, nothing is like New York. Sardi's, Broadway, The Met, The Lincoln Center, Rockafeller Center, Carnagie Hall, so much culture in one place. It truly is THE city.
I felt a stab of guilt. I hadn't told AJ that I was going to be in town. Then again, with her connections and sources, she probably knew about the benefit concert tonight at The Garden before I did.
It's been a month since I received her story. We've talked on the phone just about every night since. But she's here and I'm in Tulsa. Our relationship is lost in the limbo of time zones between us. She calls it purgatory; I call it hell.
A knock on the door interupts my thoughts of self-pity. "Zac! Ya ready? We gotta go to the sound check," shouts Ike from the other side of the door.
It's now when I realize I was foolish for not contacting AJ. Ike had Rebecca and Kaitlyn. Taylor had Laura and Maddy. And I had the realization of what a complete idiot I was for not taking advantage of Amanda and I sharing the same location. Oh well. Maybe after the concert. I grabbed my room key and coat, and headed off to the sound check.
"Nervous Zac?"
"Huh?"
"Are you nervous or something?" asked Ike.
"No."
"Then what's with the jitters? Haven't seen you this way in YEARS."
"I don't know. I just . . . I feel like someone's watching me," I explained, nervously scanning the dark stadium.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay? You look a little pale. Like you've just seen a ghost or something," observed my eldest brother.
No, no ghost," I told him. 'Just Amanda Jean,' I said to myself. Well, I didn't know for sure it was her. I couldn't make out the face, the house lights were down. It was just the outline of a familiar shape, Amanda's shape.
When our sound check was done, instead of following my brothers I hopped off the stage into the house. I walked towards the shape. "Amanda. Amanda Jean," I called out.
The shape turned around. "Zac? How did you recognize me in the dark?" Yup. It was Amanda.
"I don't know. I just did. How did you get back here?"
"You mean past security? Well, I may be a part of the press, but I have my connections." Even though it was as dark as night, I knew she was smiling. I just knew. And out there was a security guard whom Amanda cashed in a favor to.
"Look, AJ, I'm sorry I didn't call you . . . . "
"Zac, you don't have to apologize. When I heard about the concert and you didn't call, I figured there was a reason for it. But I had to see you. Just didn't count on you seeing me. You're not mad, are you?" she asked hopefully.
"No, not mad. Just surprised really."
"Why? I told you Zac, I'm always there. It's just easier now than it was before."
I laughed. "Yeah, those poor security guards out there. What did you do? Tie 'em up and gag 'em?"
"No need. Me and Elvis, we go way back."
I raised an eyebrow. "Elvis?"
"Yeah. He's working the main entrance. I just walked up and said, 'hey Elvis! I gotta talk to Zac Hanson,' and he let me in."
"Now why would he do that?"
"Because when 'People' interviewed Matt Damon last month I snuck his daughter into the photo shoot," she said matter-of-factly.
I pretended to be disgusted. "You reporters! Have you no shame?! No ethics?!"
"Of course I don't," said AJ, playing along. "If I did I wouldn't be standing here. Actually, he's my next-door neighbor. Besides, we're just scratching each other's back."
"Oh? Is that what you call it?"
"Mmm-hmm. Jealous?"
"Exceptionally."
"Well, I think we can rectify that." AJ slid a piece of paper into the front pocket of my jeans. "That's my address. Be there tomorrow at ten o'clock," she instructed. Gently, she brushed her lips against mine. Then she turned around and left.
"What is it with you and ice skating?" I asked Amanda as we left Saxs Fifth Avenue.
"Oh come on! It's fun. Besides, it's an unwritten rule that if you're in New York in the winter, you HAVE to skate at Rockafeller Center," she explained. "Please?" This little beg was followed by puppy-dog eyes.
"Okay. But afterwards, I really gotta talk to you."
"Fine. Afterwards. Right now, I don't want any serious talk. Just you, me, and lots of fun." She grabbed my hand, and led the way to the rink.
"You know, it never ceases to amaze me how large this rink looks on TV as opposed to its actual size," I said, lacing up the skates I had rented.
"Yeah. It'll seem even smaller once they cram about thirty of us or so on it. Come on," AJ said, pulling me to my feet. "It's almost our turn on the ice."
Hand-in-hand, we skated around the rink, laughing and trying to keep each other from falling. It was perfect. I stopped skating and faced her. "I love you, Amanda Jean." I then delivered a gentle kiss to her lips.
"I love you too." She returned my kiss, and then resumed skating. She sighed. "I just wish you didn't have to leave tonight."
"Well actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm not."
Amanda Jean perked up. "You're not? You're staying a few extra days? Till when?"
"Till whenever I feel like leaving."
"I. . . I don't understand."
"I'm moving here."
AJ stopped skating. "You're WHAT?"
"I'm moving here." I let out a deep breath. "I talked it over last night with Tay and Ike. Everything's settled, or at least in the process of being settled."
"I. . . I don't. . . why?"
A small chuckle escaped my lips. "What do you mean why? Because I wanna be with you, and because you're here. Why else?"
Amanda shook her head is disbelief. "What about the band? The business? Your family?"
"What about them? The band? Well, I guess we're finally taking a break. There's more to life than music, and the new album's been out for over a year. We did the tour. Ike's got Rebecca and Kaitlyn. Taylor's got Laura and Maddy. And I KNOW they wanna give Maddy a little brother or sister. The business? We have no intentions of closing down or anything. Ike, Mr. Negotiations, is working on getting a studio here in New York. That's where I'll do the mixing. No big deal. And family? You're my family too, Amanda Jean."
Her eyes filled with tears, and a few spilled over. "I. . . I. . . oh my. I don't know what to say. I never. . . . only in my . . . . I wasn't expecting this at all." She sniffed.
"I've given this a lot of thought. I can't expect you to just up and quit your job and relocate to Tulsa. And I would never ask you to do that either. But, I CAN relocate. Mixing can be done anywhere. And as far as the band goes, it works out in favor of Ike and Tay as well. Amanda Jean, I just want to be with you." I cupped her face in my hand and kissed her lips, which were salty with tears.
"Nothing would make me happier than to have you here in New York with me." She let out a small laugh. "Look at me," she said, wiping her eyes. "You turn me into the biggest sap, Zac Hanson."
"Just doing my job. And speaking of job, I've got one for you. Do you think you could help me find an apartment?"
"Oh! Well is just so happens, I know of someone looking for a roommate."
"Anyone I know?" I teased.
Amanda took my hands and placed them over her heart, smiling "I don't belive this. I think I'm in shock. My heart's racing," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Well, believe it. See? I told you, sometimes dreams do come true." I leaned in and kissed her, while the rest of New York skated by.
Umm, one. THANK YOU AMANDA!! Once again, mere words cannot explain how much you seriously kick ass! (Also, this is my ode to the majestic wonder that is you. heehee)
Two. This story goes out to Laurie. When I was writing "Think of Laura," she wanted to read more of Zac at an older age. Well, here you go! An entire story dedicated to him.
Three. Thank you for reading my story and flooding my inbox with e-mail. (Especially LuCy and Tori. Thanks guys!) Writing isn't easy, but knowing you enjoy my stories makes it all worthwhile.
Four. Thanks to Bob Guza. Who? Bob Guza, head writer at "General Hospital." I started writing this story before I went home for winter break. Continuing it was difficult because I had no way of getting feedback on my work. I was without e-mail and internet access for a month. It was torture. But everyday I'd watch "General Hospital." Bob took the mess that damn Richard Cullitan left him and turned it all around. He inspired me to write more of my story, and add a few twists. (Even though you probably saw them coming a mile away because I'm a foreshadowing fool.) So, as I wrote and wrote, something happened. All of a sudden, the original title, and ironically it was "Something," didn't fit anymore. So I decided to change it. Easier said than done. I racked my brain. Nothing. Since "Think of Laura" was originally a song title, I decided to go that route. I went through all my tapes and CDs. Nothing. Not even my man Elton could pull me through. I became desperate. So I shuffled through the nine 33 records and the six 45s I have. Upon going through the 45s, I discovered one. The song was called "Lady of My Heart." Who sings it? Jack Wagner. While many of you probably know him as Dr. Peter Burns on "Melrose Place" and possibly from his little stints on "Santa Barbra" and "Sunset Beach" (does anyone even watch that show?), he will ALWAYS be Frisco Jones to me from none other than. . . "General Hospital." Sick? Quite possibly I am. But remember, my exposure to this soap dates back to conception. GH fans out there may recognize this song.
Frisco sang it to Felicia when they got married, the first time. Oh, and by the way, I'm making my plea now. FRISCO, PLEASE COME BACK! FELICIA IS LOST WITHOUT YOU! Anyway, the bonus prize to this whole situation was that the words to the song fit the relationship. (They're below in case you're interested, or looking for a Jack Wagner fix.)
"Lady of My Heart"
by David Foster, Jay Graydon, Glen Ballard (1984)
Performed by Jack Wagner
There's a quiet time
When everyone goes home
And I'm left standing here
On the stage alone
When shadows paint the scene
Where spotlights used to fall
And now it's like a dream
Did it happen after all
Then I see you there
In silent silhouette
The glow of your cigarette
Is like a shooting star
Lady of my heart
Tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark
And I need you with me
Lady please reveal
If what you are is real
Can I touch, can I feel
Just an image of you
I've listened to the cheers
I guess I've heard my share
But I was never sure
Was it you out there
Now I understand
You've always been the one
Who stood out from the crowd
You're my inspiration
So take me by the hand
Before the moment's gone
I'll dance you into the dark
And dream you into my life
Lady of my heart
Tell me who you are
You've waited in the dark
And I need you with me tonight
Lady please reveal
If what you are is real, yeah
Can I touch what I feel
Are you just a fantasy
You're the lady of my heart
I know you are
This is story was not written by me (darn), I'm just hosting it. If
you want to send feeback to the author send it to: Karen
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