End of an Era

“I’m sure you’ll survive, I don’t think I will. But I’m sure everything will go great.”

Keryn smiled at Kayla. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”

“If you think you’re doing the right thing. I know you’re doing the right thing.”

Kayla unravelled a strawberry lolly pop and put it in her mouth. “Now, we’re gonna miss the plane. That would be deadly.”

“That Charlie guy handling our house could also be deadly. How on earth did he talk you into this?” Keryn dragged her bags along behind her as they walked towards the luggage department.

“He said I needed it. I don’t really know how he came to that conclusion. We’ve know each other for only a few days. But, I believe it. I trust him.”

Keryn threw the last of her candy in bin and walked through the gates. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

“You’re really worried for her, aren’t you Zac?” Taylor asked.

“Well, aren’t you? Heck Taylor.”

“I don’t mean it like that, Zac. Of course I’m worried about the poor girl. But, I can’t help thinking that you have more than concern on your mind.” Zac shuffled and looked up at Taylor.

“Tay-”

“Zac?” Zac was interrupted by Margo’s distraught looking mother standing in front of him.

Zac gulped and looked up at her. “Yes?”

“Zac, she wants to see you.” Margo’s mothers eyes were full of worry and concern.

“Okay, thank you.” Zac took off down the hall and towards her room.

“Margs?” He opened the door and slowly walked towards the bed. She looked terrible. The bags under her eyes had grown into puffy, red messes and she was clutching onto her stomach like nothing else.

“Zac, you came.” She groaned in his direction.

“Margs, I’m glad you’re okay. I’m really glad.”

“I’m not okay. She looked down at her stomach and wept. He’s gone Zac.”

Zac’s eyes grew stingy. He had a feeling as he paced the hallway that something would be missing when he came in the room. He didn’t know what to say to her. A lump grew in his throat and he sat in silence.

“Zac, it’s all my fault,” She let out a cry.

“No, of course it’s not. Don’t think about who’s fault it is. Just close your eyes and say good bye to your baby. That’s what he would’ve wanted.”

Margo moistened her lips and closed her eyes. “Thank you Zac.”

Zac smiled slightly and looked at her on the bed. She looked so fragile. He couldn’t believe it had happened. This is the last thing in the world he wanted for her.

He reached out and clutched her hand, holding it tightly.

“No, thank you.”

Keryn turned around to see the entire plane looking their way. She removed her headphones and looked at Kayla. “What?”

“They axed ‘Hey Hey it’s Saturday’ in Australia!” She wailed.

“Wow...” Keryn pondered. “Where are the famous people going to go?”

“I remember seeing Taylor, Ike and Zac on that show.” Kayla reminisced. “That was the first time I ever saw them I think.”

Keryn uncomfortably shuffled in her seat. “Kayles, what are you reading?”

“Just some magazine... Oh, sorry, did I open my big mouth?”

“No, it’s okay... I have to get over it sooner or later.”

Keryn sighed and put her earphones back on. Sooner or later

He couldn’t believe Margo’s baby had died. He couldn’t grasp the fact that someone he knew had miscarried. It really put his life into perspective. He thought that his problems were so serious. So damning that he couldn’t live another day. And then he heard of tragic stories like this.

It had been a few hours since Zac went into the room with her. And he was still in there.

Taylor shuffled in his chair and picked up a magazine. Hey Hey it’s Saturday, finished?

Taylor heard a noise and looked up. Margo and Zac were standing there. “Mom, I wanna go home.” Margo was still clutching her stomach. She moaned and looked at Taylor.

“Hey.” Her face was so sad. She looked so helpless.

“Sorry,” Taylor whispered at her. She sadly smiled at him and asked her mom if she could go home again.

Taylor noticed Zac holding Margo’s hand. Zac noticed him staring and warned him to look away.

“Margo, I’m sure you won’t be able to go home just yet.”

Margo sighed. “The doctor said I wasn’t far into the pregnancy. Ask him, but I think I’ll be okay.”

Margo’s mother went off to find the doctor as they all sat down in silence.

“Taylor, I’m sorry,” Margo began to cry again. “I’m sorry about everything. I’ve always been so mean to everyone. I’m so sorry.”

“That’s okay Margo. Think nothing of it.” Taylor smiled lightly.

“Are you sure you’re okay to go home?” Zac said with a look of concern.

“Zac, I just want to go to bed.”

“Okay then,” Zac said soothingly. “We’ll get you to bed.”

Taylor pulled into the drive way. Zac had gone home with Margo and promised he’d be home by dinner time.

Taylor opened the front door and walked down the hall, trying to find Isaac.

“Ike?” He called through the house. “Ike, are you home?”

“Yeah, in here.” His brothers voice was strained and crackling.

“Ike, what’s the matter?”

“Kayla’s gone to Australia.”

Taylor’s eyes grew unnaturally wide. “She’s what?!”

“She’s gone to Australia. She went with Keryn.”

“Keryn went to Australia?” Taylor gasped.

“We should just face facts, brother. They’ve dumped us.”

Taylor flopped his body down onto the couch and stared at the blank television in disbelief.

“You know, I didn’t think Keryn would do it. Not in a million years.”

“Well, they did. And they’ve gone. Left no contact numbers. Nothing.”

“I’m sure Keryn’s only doing what she thinks is best.” Taylor sighed. Still mesmerised with the blank screen.

Isaac looked as his brother, in shock. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Life’s so precious, you know? One day you can be coasting along, pretending that tiny little things can be really life-changing. But, you know what? They aren’t. It’s when the big things happen that we turn around and realise how precious the world is.”

Isaac sighed and looked at the television. “I still think it will take me a while to get over this. But, you’re right, you know.”

“Margo lost the baby.” Taylor said, as if on cue.

Isaac’s face dropped. “Oh, that’s too bad.”

“Yeah,” Taylor sighed again. “She’s really down about it. So is Zac.”

“Zac?”

“Oh, our little brother has suffered a major change of heart over the past few hours.”

Isaac let a smile escape. “Trust Zac...”

“Tell me about it.”

“Before I lodge into some great depression, I think we better plan something for tonight.”

“I’m in.” Taylor still had his eyes fixed on the blank television. “How about a movie?”

“Sure... Sounds great.”

“Okay, well, let’s go to the video store.”

“Let’s.” The two boys got up and walked out of the house.

“Same with me. I can’t wait till we get to the hotel and start making some plans.”

Kayla was familiarising herself with the streets as Keryn deliriously stared out the window. The last few months had been big for everyone. The evening always made her think about things. Ponder on what life was. The way she and Taylor had made dramatic changes over the years. The way Isaac, Zac and the rest of the family had grown up around her.

Keryn sighed as the cab came to a stop outside their hotel. The hustle and bustle outside reminded her of the time they went back to the hotel after Hanson had done a concert in California.

Keryn jumped out of the car and made sure Kayla was still awake. “Come on, I don’t want to have to pay for a sleeping you who happened to drive all around the place tonight in the back of a taxi.”

Kayla woke up and removed her luggage from the boot. They both paid the man with all the money they had and walked up the front steps and into the hotel.

They went up to their rooms and dumped their stuff, deciding to take a walk in the twilight of the evening.

“Kayla, can you believe that we’re actually back here? Away from the hustle of the city?”

“No, it’s absolutely amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave here again.”

Keryn smiled and turned around the corner. “You know where we’re walking, don’t you?” Kayla smiled and nodded. “I thought we were going to wait until tomorrow.”

“You know, you can go back to the hotel. But I am not going to spend another night without seeing them.”

Keryn smiled and followed Kayla down the street. They were walking faster and faster as they got towards the house.

Margo opened her eyes and smiled. “Yes Zac, thank you for everything. You’re a great friend.”

Zac got up from the bed and looked down at her. “You’re a great friend too.”

“Why say it like that?” Margo asked.

“I think you know Margs.”

Margo kept her eyes on Zac. She felt so bad for the way she always treated him, when he did nothing to ever hurt her.

Zac leant over and kissed her gently on the lips. “That’s what I mean, Margs. I like you a lot.”

Margo smiled and rubbed her hand across her stomach. “Thank you Zac. Thank you for everything.”

Zac bent over and kissed her again and turned and walked out of the room. On his way home he realised he had changed over the past year. He realised he was in love with his enemy. It still came as a little shock to him. But he was growing up, and that’s what life is all about. Zac smiled and followed his shadow down the road.

“I hate it when people do that.”

“Come in!” Taylor yelled at the top of his voice. He didn’t even care if a fan with a big sign walked into his living room. Nothing would get him off this couch.

Giggling and then two sets of clanking heels echoed from the front of the house.

“Shit, fans.” Taylor said, hoping his mother wasn’t home to find out he’d let just anyone in the house.

“I’m your greatest fan!” Kayla giggled as she jumped into the living room doorway, blocking the light from the kitchen.

“No -- I’m their greatest fan!” Keryn laughed as she bumped into Kayla, looking for Taylor’s reaction.

“I don’t believe it,” Taylor stood up and walked towards them. “What the?”

Isaac just stared up towards them. “Believe it, baby.” Keryn put her hand up to Taylor’s chest and pushed him out of the way. “How are you Ike. I haven’t seen you for ages.”

“The other day,” he muttered, still in shock.

Keryn took Taylor’s place on the couch and looked at Kayla, who was still standing in the doorway with Taylor, who was still kind of staring towards Keryn.

“Come on,” Keryn laughed. “Come and sit down! Let’s watch the movie.”

Kayla wiggled in between Keryn and Ike as Taylor shuffled his feet along the carpet. Keryn pressed play and looked at Taylor, the reflection coming through his hair as he stood in front of the television.

“Did you get my message?” He whispered.

“Yes,” Keryn smiled at him, gently kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“So, are we...?” Keryn looked at Kayla and Isaac, who were still trying to grasp the fact that they were sitting next to each other.

“I think we need time. But, I’m sure this friendship of ours will work out.” Keryn smiled and Taylor clutched her hand.

“Does this mean?”

“Yes, Tulsa is my university option.” Keryn read his mind.

“You’re going to ORU?” Isaac asked, overhearing the conversation.

“Eventually, yes. I will.”

“Excellent... we’re all together again.”

“This is just a holiday, Ike.” Kayla warned him.

“Shhhh...” He smiled at her, holding her hand. “Let me live the moment.”

“Uh... Okay then,” He stated as he slowly recognised them.

Taylor stirred and looked towards the light, squinting his eyes, as Ike rolled over and threw his hands on Keryn. “Ow,” She said, throwing them to the other side.

Zac chuckled and fumbled through the CD collection. “The best things in life are free...” Zac wailed at the top of his voice, taking a leap onto the couch and watched his brothers and friends all wake up.

Keryn smiled and looked at her friends. She waved at Kayla who seemed to be living the moment as well. Everything had changed. Everything was better now than it ever was.