Chapter 11
I slept so peacefully, i had been afraid to go to sleep for fear of nightmares or laying there wide awake all night. But for some reason i drifted off to sleep almost immediately. I awoke around eight a.m. I was very deliberate in how i dressed and styled my hair. I dressed kind of conservatively, jeans and an Addidas t-shirt and tennis shoes. I pulled my hair back in a pony tail. I wore very little make up. As I stood there looking in the mirror, I realized just how much this was the real me. Not the girl in the picture on my dresser, dressed in a seductive cocktail dress, hair piled high up on my head, and lots of make up on, wrapped up in the arms of Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. I remembered that night. It was just a little over a year ago. Shortly before the Hansons were to come into my life. I had been invited to the party by a studio musician that had worked on Aerosmith's latest album. He was older than me and he had had no idea i was way under age for him.
I remembered how i use to date any man as long as he didn't ask for sex, I just basically wanted to party. To be apart of the 'in' crowd. Steven Tyler had rescued me that night from the muscian. The guy had gotten drunk and high from snorting Cocaine. He had me trapped in a bedroom and was trying to force himself on me. Luckily, Steven had been in the bathroom of that bedroom. He came out and got the guy off of me, and dragged me out of there. Down in the kitchen, he had calmed me down, and talked to me. Come to find out he had a daughter about my age who modeled. He told me i needed to get my act straightened out, and hang out with kids my own age, before something really bad had happened to me.
He was so kind and helpful, he really cared about what happened to me. He told me i kind of reminded him of Liv, his daughter, who also had a mind of her own. And was use to being on her own and doing her own thing. He told me it was ok to be like that but not to the extent that it would hurt myself or those around me. He was right i knew it, but it was hard to change over night. I didn't know then that in a few short weeks, the Hansons would help me to become who I truly was and who I was going to be. A descent human being who could love those around me and be able to show it.
The media had alot of photographers there at the party for publicity shots. Steven wanted a reminder of the night. So he had a photographer take a few shots of us posing together. My favorite had been this one, us holding each other looking into each others eyes with friendship. Ever since then, when Steven was in L.A. he calls and we try to get together. Our friendship still endures to this day.
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Gary was already at the Pier when i had gotten there promptly at ten. Gary ran to me and picked me up and hugged me to him. He kept going on about how much he had missed me and had been so lonely and lost without me. Just looking at him, i realized i didn't really know Gary. I never really had. I had gravitated to Gary because I needed somebody, and I responded to what I thought was his kindness, and love for me. I could see now that I had made a terrible mistake with Gary. But i also knew that it would take me a while to get over him. I had used him as a crutch for the past two and a half years. It was going to be hard to stand on my own. No not totally on my own I did have Mom and Jason and the Hansons, in my corner.
"Look Gary it's really good to see you. But this isn't a reunion. I came because I want to tell you that it's over between us. I'd like to remain friends with you but i don't want to be with you anymore. Nor do I want to live with you at UCLA, and I don't want to marry you now or ever." Words were just rushing out of my mouth. I hadn't meant to be so insensitive, and had wanted to be more tactful. But it was too late. It was out before i knew it.
Gary's faced changed immediately. It became dark and sinister. His pupils became huge. "What do you mean 'it's over'! Just who do you think you are to be dumping me of all people. It's another guy isn't it. It's that Ike Hanson, fag isn't it!" He was literally raging now. He had grabbed my upper arms with his hands and was squeezing my arms so hard i thought he'd rip them off.
"No, Gary it isn't Isaac. " "I just know i don't care for you like i should if i was in love with you.' "Please, Gary let me go!" I had begun to cry, now, the pain was aweful.
"If it isn't that Ike then its Taylor. I always new you liked that surfer look!" By now his face was red, and he no longer resembled the man i once thought i had loved.
By now my fear was turning to anger. "As for your information both Isaac and Taylor are more men than you'll ever be. They do not explode when i show my intelligence, they like me the way i really am, not for what i can do for them, or give them. And they would never ever cheat on me like you have Gary!" I shot back at him.
"Is this what it's all about just because I laid a few other girls, while I was waiting for you to stop being such a prude." He was beggining to smile at me. But an evil smile. "God's sake Bailey what did you expect me to do hunh? Wait forever for you to spread your legs for me. Geez, I had to propose to you before you'd sleep with me. Wasn't that enough!"
"You mean you only proposed to me so i'd sleep with you?" I asked shocked. "Of, course Bailey, it was the only way you'd give into me" he answered.
At this point I was absolutely furious, and I doubled up my fist and hit him in the face. I drew blood from my ring hitting his jaw. I had never hit anybody in my life, but the sight of this jerk was enraging me.
"You Bitch!", "How dare you hit me, after all i've done for you and time i invested in you!". It came from nowhere, he hit me with his fist so hard, i was thrown back by the force, and landed on my back. People had begun to gather and gawk. But Gary wasn't done yet. He was blinded by his rage. He kept pounding me with his fist, they'd hit my face, head, chest. I couldn't move he had me pinned. He suddenly got up and started kicking me. In the ribs, stomach and in the back.
When I thought I could take no more, he was suddenly off of me. I looked up through bloody hair and swelling eyes to see Walker and Jason restraining Gary. Out of nowhere they had come to my rescue. Suddenly Diana and Isaac appeared in front of me. They were talking to me but i couldn't hear anything except the roaring in my ears. I tried to sit up but the nausea hit me and I fainted.
Chapter 12
I could hear whispering voices around me, but i couldn't break through the fog. I tried to move but pain shot through my chest and head, and I groaned out loud. Somebody had grabbed my right hand and was holding it, and talking to me, "Bailey try not to move, it just makes the pain worse." It sounded like Isaac, but i couldn't be sure, the fog was getting thicker now.
After 48 hours in a coma, I woke up. I was in a white room with several tubes running from me into beeping and flashing machines. My head felt like it was disconnected from my body. And my body didn't feel like it belonged to me. I didn't feel much pain, as I laid there trying to remember how i got there and why. Just as i was going to yell for help, Mom walked into the room. "Bailey, Thank God! You're awake!" "Let me get the doctor!" and she was gone. A few seconds later she was back with a man in a white lab coat.
"Well, it's good to see you awake, Bailey, I'm Dr. James, I'm the trauma doctor whose been looking after you." He stuck his hand out and held mine. He had kind eyes and a gentle touch. He went through and checked me from head to toe. He informed me and Mom that it looked like I would recover just fine, that I had made it through the worse part. "Mom what day is it?" I asked. "It's Tuesday, hon. You've been in a coma for two days now. We were so afraid you'd left us. I couldn't bear losing you like your father." Mom said through tears. I just looked at her, this woman standing here crying and talking about my Dad was my Mother. I never knew she knew how to cry, this was a new side to my mother i had never seen. I'd never seen her cry when Dad had died.
"How did I get here? What happened to me?" I was still frightened from waking up in a strange room plus seeing Mom cry was scaring me even more.
"Sweetie, don't you remember anything?" she asked. Dr. James, "It may take her alittle while to recall the attack, but it will eventually come back to her. I see no permanent damage, neurologically, she just needs time to heal the trauma to her face and torso.
"I remember being on the Pier with........Gary! Its slowlly coming to me. We.... We were argueing, about, us breaking up and how he treated me. And I got mad and hit him. And........All I remember is pain, severe pain everywhere and then everything going black." I was beginning to remember it now.
"That's right honey, Gary exploded and beat you up. If Walker and Jason hadn't of showed up and stop him he probably would of killed you. Do you remember Walker and Jason and Diana and Isaac being there?" she asked me. "I barely do, it all just seems like a bad dream!" i answered.
Dr. James explained, "You had a concussion, and was putting pressure on your brain, thats why you had the coma. Your face is badly bruised, you've got two black eyes, and a few gashes on your face, but it doesn't look like they'll scar your face. Your kidneys are bruised but they're functioning more and more each day. And you've got two broken ribs on your right side. And another one on the left side. You also have deep bruises in your abdomen. No permanent or serious damage has been done. You just need time to recover."
"Can I see, please?" I looked at Dr. James. He hesitated a minute and then handed me a mirror. The face that looked back at me I didn't recognize. My face was swollen and purple, and my eyes were severely bloodshot and swollen quite a bit. There were a few superficial cuts on my cheecks but not very deep, Thank God!. "Is this me?" i wondered out loud. "It's alright, Bailey, the doctor said you'll have no scaring." Mom reiterated.
"Where is Isaac and the rest?" i needed to know. "Bailey, they had to go, they had press and concerts to do . They're headed to London to work on the new video, I WCTU. But they really wanted to stay with you. But they knew you'd understand their obligations." she explained to me. And I did they had to do what they were obligated to do. And I wanted them to go on and have lots of fun while they're doing it. "Mom can you call them? I want, no, I need to talk to them, all of them. Please Mom, Please!" i pleaded to her.
"Let me see what I can do honey, they may be in the middle of something, but i'll do what I can, Bailey," and she left the room to go use the phone.
"Well, Bailey, how do you feel, knowing what happened and that you're going to be OK?" Dr. James asked me. "Well, im very, very thankful to God. For sending my friends and brother to my rescue. I know i'll recover physically, but otherwise it's going to take some time. And Dr. James, thank you too. Im sure that if you hadn't of been here to take care of me I might not be here." I told him.
"Bailey, it wasn't just me you know. Diana and Walker Hanson took turns with their two oldest sons, Taylor and Isaac and sat with you. They talked to you, willing you to come back to them. You have some pretty special friends. You're very lucky to have them. Taylor and Isaac both were very stubborn and stayed nearly around the clock, before they had to leave. And when they left, you could tell it was one of the hardest things they'd ever done. They all love you so much. I wish all my patients had people like that in their lives, it'd make my job so much easier. Now, I have a surprise for you!' he informed me.
He said something to the nurse sitting out side of my door at her desk. And in a few minutes nurses and volunteers were wheeling in flowers, goodwill baskets, and presents, and plants. Dr. James stood over in the corner with a huge grin on his face. There were roses upon roses, long stem, in vases, in boxes, and every color of the rainbow. The cards said they were from Mercury and Polygram records execs, and associates, Steve Greenburg, Chris Sabec, Tamara Davis, Steve Lironi, The Dust Brothers, and Steven Tyler. But the biggest spray of lavendar roses was from Isaac and Taylor, and another spray of spring wild flowers were from The Hanson Family. There were several telegrams from friends at school and the riding club. "Dr. James, I can't believe this! This is so unbelievable. I never knew people really cared. This is a wonderful surprise, thank you for letting me have these in here. This is exactly what I needed. "
"It was worth it just to see you smile and see your eyes light up, especially when you read the card from Taylor and Isaac!" and with that he said he'd check on me later before he went home for the day.
Mom came back in and stopped in her tracks when she saw the room, filled from wall to wall with flowers, plants, balloons and cards and telegrams. "What happened in here did a nursery explode in here!" she smiled at me. "Well, the boys are in the middle of an interview, but as soon as they're done, Walker and everybody will head back to the hotel, and call you, Ok?" "Oh that's great, I can hardly wait!" i replied.
"Mom, what about Gary?" "Honey, he's been arrested and being held without bail. There were enough witnesses around that saw him beat you, that he's plead guilty already. He has a sentencing hearing in two weeks. His lawyer had asked for psychiatric evaluation and possible treatment for his anger." "I think they should of let Jason beat the crap out him!" Mom was angry.
"Mom, just let it go, if Gary gets the help he needs thats enough for me. All i feel for him is pity. I hate what he did to me and i'll probably never forgive him for it. But he does need help." I told her. "I never would of thought you'd be able to have such compassion for some one. I admit Bailey i haven't been a very good mother to you or Jason. But you and your father were both so emotional, loving and caring. I guess all these years living by yourself practically with only Consuelo around, you lost alot of that, or so I thought until we met the Hansons." "I want to give this to you Bailey. This was something your father gave me when we first fell in love. It belongs to you now, you are definitely your father's child." And with that she took out of her briefcase a heart locket. It was very old looking and very delicate and feminine. "This was your grandmother's locket, your father's mother. She died when your father was just a teenager." "Go ahead open it." In side was inscribed "To my loving wife, Tiffany. Always, Robert," was on one side and on the other side it said, " To my beautiful little girl, Bailey, Always, Daddy".
"Mom, its so beautiful, but when did Daddy have this engraved?" I asked her. "The day you were born, he wanted us to give it to you on your wedding day. But i think it's more important to give it to you now. And if you want to wear it on your wedding day like I did im sure it would make your father very happy." "Oh, Mom, thank you, thank you!" We sat together side by side on my bed with her arm around me. It was the first time in a very, very long time, that i had actually felt loved by her.
Chapter 13
The nurse came in and was gently shaking me awake. "Bailey, you have a telephone call, it's an overseas call. I transferred it in here. Here's the reciever. Call me if you need anything." And then she left.
"Hello?" I greeted. "Bailey, darling how are you? It's Di, we heard you're going to be just fine. We're so glad, that God had answered our prayers!" Diana was crying, her voice was cracking. "Di, Hi! Yes they tell me im going to be just fine, I should be out of here by the weekend." "It's so good to hear your voice Diana, is everybody there?" "Yes we're all here!" It sounded like a half dozen people were on theline. "Oh, Hi everybody, and thanks so very, very much for the flowers and cards. I love them." "We're glad you like them, Bail", Walker said. "Bailey, its me, Jess, i miss you and love you and i'm so happy you're going to be alright." Jess was on the line. "Thanks Jess, me too."
"Look Bailey, we're going to go down to dinner. We'll leave the boys here and you can talk a little longer. We'll call again later in the week and check on you. We love you, take care!" Diana was saying. "Diana and Walker I just want to say 'thank you' for being there for me and saving me. I'll never forget it. By the way how did you know where I was at?" I asked.
"Consuelo, had called us after she couldn't get a hold of your mother, she was worried about you. So she asked us to go check on you. And by the time we'd gotten there, Gary had already done alot of damage. We were horrified at the scene. It was a good thing Jason was with us at the time." Walker informed me. "Well take care Bailey, and we'll check back with you before the end of the week."
"Bye, Walker, Diana , Jess, Avery and Mackie, talk to you all later! Love ya!" I said goodbye to them.
"Hey, Bailey, its me Zac, just wanted you to know that we've been thinking alot about you and we really didn't want to leave you but had to continue on. We sure do miss you, lots!" "Thanks, Zac, that means alot to me. And I understand completely about you having to leave and get the shooting done for the new video. Are you having fun making this one?" I asked him. "It's alright, its just a little dark compared to the first two. There was one scene where Tay was suppose to kiss a girl, but Dad wouldn't allow it, you know because of the fans. Tay was actually relieved. You should of seen his face when the director told him the initial script. I've never seen Tay so red before!" Zac was laughing now. "Zac, Shut up!" it was Taylor. "Taylor, hi, you were quiet didn't know you were there" I said. "Yeah, I just wanted Zac to get in his two cents worth. Didn't know he was going to blab like that though." Tay's voice sounded on edge. "Well, EXCUUSE ME," Zac responded. "Listen Bailey im going to go eat. Im starved. Talk to you next time. And take care. Love ya, babe!'" Love you too, Zac, bye!'
"Taylor you and Isaac still there?" "Yeah, we're here Bailey." It was Isaaac. "Isaac, thank you for coming to rescue me on the Pier. And thanks to both of you for what you did for me at the hospital. Sitting with me and talking to me, willing me to come back to you. It says alot about how you two feel about me. Thanks, I love you both." I told them. "Bail, you're one of our very best friends. You were there for us when we first moved to L.A. and we'd be lost without you being around. You know, I think you're the only girl who really understands us, especially Ike and me." Taylor was being so candid. "That's right, Bailey, when i was sitting there holding your hand and talking to you, i just knew you were'nt really gone. I still felt your presence there, I just knew you'd pull through. But it was very difficult to leave you. We wanted to stay and see this through with you." Ike told me. "You're making me cry, guys! Im going to be fine. Gary pleaded guilty, and hopefully they will get him some help." I told them. "Bailey, don't cry!" they said. "Besides, I think the cops should of let Jason beat the crap out of him!" Taylor said. "Yeah, I agree with that Tay!" Isaac commented. "That's exactly what Mom said" I said laughing. "See great minds think alike!" Taylor said. "Listen guys I wish I could talk longer, but im all of a sudden just exhausted. Call me soon. And everybody take care. Love lots! Bye!" "Bye Bailey, and take care we'll talk to you soon." Ike said. "Yeah, Bailey, take care, love you too. Bye!" Taylor hung up. I fell right to sleep. I was so content in having finally talked to them all.
Chapter 14
I was discharged on Saturday afternoon. I had heard from the Hansons on Friday evening. Their schedules weren't going to have them back in the states for any period of time until October. I was happy that Zac would be home for his birthday and share it with his family and friends in Tulsa.
As Mom pulled into our driveway, I saw a huge for sale sign on the front lawn. "Mom, what in the world is there a 'for sale' sign doing in our yard?" I asked. "Well, Bailey, we'll talk about this when you get settled in." End of this discussion right now I could see by the look on her face.
Later, after what seemed an indeterminable amount of babying me from Consuelo, I was settled on the living room sofa watching MTV and waiting for mother to come by so I could catch her and get the 411 on the 'for sale' sign. I guess I fell asleep, for Mom was trying to wake me up. "Bailey, its supper time. You need to eat to keep your strength up."
"I'll eat supper only if you tell me what's going on around here?" I told her. "Well, I have decided to put the house up for sale, due to the fact that I've been promoted to Assistant Vice President of European Productions. I'll be moving to London in two weeks. And you Bailey will be moving to Tulsa, i've leased a house on the same street as Walker's just a couple of blocks from them. Walker and Diana will be overseeing your finances and care. And when their not home Walker's brother and his family live two streets away in another direction and they will help you with whatever you need. Now, there is no room for discussion here. This is the way its going to be." she was emphatic about this, I knew there was no room for discussion. Besides i just didn't have the strength, physically, or emotionally for a battle with Mom.
"I just have one question mom." "Yes, Bailey what is it?" she asked. "What about UCLA, I want to go to college and it's kind of late to apply to any colleges in Tulsa." I told her. "That's all takened care of, I've talked to the President of Tulsa University, and you have been accepted into the Nursing Program, and you're schedule has already been made out based upon your schedule at UCLA. You've also been assigned an Academic Counselor, Trena White, M.S. R.N., she also heads up the Clinical Department of the Nursing Program. I've talked to her and she sounds like a very nice woman and she is very excited to be having you as a student. She said she was very impressed with your academic records."
I didn't know what to say. It seemed my life had been planned out for me already. Moving to Oklahoma, I would have laughed my head off if she had told me this a year ago. But now it doesn't seem so bad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
I arrived in Tulsa two days before classes were scheduled to begin. I was still pretty sore in my ribs, and the bruises were fading, and now a yellowish black color. Makeup hid them pretty well. Robert Hanson met me at the airport and drove me to my new home. Tulsa was a large city, but had that small town atmosphere. The scenery was green and the sky a bright blue, and the air was fresh and clean. You could take a deep breath and not end up coughing your head off from the smog. The Hansons lived in West Tulsa, a suburb area where the houses had a couple of acres each, and the landscape was rolling hills, valleys and creeks. Robert showed me where they lived in a large rock bottom and brown wood house. There was a large tree in the side yard that had a treehouse in it. This was where Taylor had falled out of the treehouse and broken his arm. He kept the cast and was keeping it in a drawer of his dresser.
My house was two blocks down. It was a two story country style home with a huge front porch. And in the back yard was an above ground pool. Thank you Mom!, at least I could get in some exercise. Robert gave me the keys to the house, and brought in my bags. Mom had the house furnished, and my personal stuff had already been moved here and put up in my room. Out of the kitchen came Consuelo, she had came out early to unpack and set the house up for me.
"Miss Bailey, you made it! I bet you're tired you go straight on up to your room and get some rest. Ill unpack for you." Consuelo was already taking care of me. I hugged her to me and told her i loved her. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I know what she was thinking, I was able to tell her and other people that i loved that i did indeed love them. You could tell she was very happy.
Robert told me he'd pick me up tomorrow and we'd go shopping for a new car. I decided to sell my Corvette, I thought it might be a bit much for Tulsa. I told him I'd be ready to go when he got here. My first night in Tulsa was very relaxing, I used the hot tub which was located by the pool and soaked away some of my stiffness and soreness, and I slept like a baby.
Robert picked me up and we went shopping for a new vehicle. Robert just assumed i'd want another Corvette, but i wasn't really interested. We were passing a JEEP dealer when I asked him to stop. I ended up buying a Champagne colored Jeep Cherokee. I thought it would be perfect for when the Hansons were home we could all pile in it and go. Robert was surprised I had actually made a practicle purchase, plus i got a few thousand takened off the sticker price due to some minor faults i found in the vehicle. And got those repairs for free. They would be delivering the car to my house later in the evening when the repairs had been completed.
Robert was just as nice as his brother Walker, they were alot alike in personality, but Robert was more serious looking than his brother, but just as laid back. I was going to enjoy having Robert around to go to when I needed something. I was on an allowance, more than what I needed for Oklahoma, but I wasn't about to tell anyone that. But for big things or emergencies came up I had to get Walker or Robert to take care of it.
The next day I started classes at Tulsa University, the campus was small compared to UCLA. But it was quaint. Most of my classmates are older than me, and my co-nursing students were mainly all adults who were married with children or older. But everybody was very nice, and I slowly settled in, made friends, and learned how to get around Tulsa.
Chapter 15
The weeks passed and I had fit into the Tulsa culture quite well. I'd made a small circle of friends. One in particular Sherril, she was a native Tulsan, a daughter of an oil company exec. She was a free spirit, she dressed like somebody from the late 60's. But she was intelligent and funny and dependable. And didn't like people to hurt other people. She was an archeology student. Spending alot of my free time with her got me hooked on archelogy too. I found it so fascinating to find and study ancient cultures. I started going to her archeology study group too. I admit i've been lonely and missed the Hansons, even though they call regularly, its not the same as having them here.
I dated some in the beginning, but then I met Michael in the archeology group. He was part Jamaican and French. Handsome, 6 ft., thin, but muscular, beautiful black hair shoulder length, with a rattail. He reminded me kind of of Taylor. Only he was so much more. But I knew better to rush into anything and was keeping a distance between us. I wasn't about to get involved with out really knowing anybody ever again.
October was soon here. Zac's birthday was coming up on the 22nd. The Hansons' would be home about ten days then they were off again to do mini concerts and press stints across the U.S. I was getting excited about seeming them. Robert gave me a spare key to their house and the security codes. I wanted to open the house, clean it and stock the refrigerator, so they could relax as soon as they got in. With all this accomplished I waited for their arrival the next day. Robert and I both picked them up, Robert had their van and I had my Jeep. At the airport I had expected a mob, just like everywhere else that they go. But there wasn't apparantly here in Tulsa, everybody just accepted them for who they are.
When they got off the plane, we got into a group hug. It was so great to finally see them and feel their touch. Mackie had grown so much, and talked nonstop. He asked me to carrry him out to get the luggage. Taylor, Isaac, and Zac and Jess, rode with me. Avery and Mac rode with Walker, Diana and Robert. Diana was huge her stomach had grown so much. She was now seven months pregnant. But she absolutely glowed. They were all happy to be back home and be able to just unwind and relax. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- It was kind of awkward at first to be around them. They were all growing up and changing little by little. Zac was calming down some, but he was still very serious about his music, even more so now. Isaac was quiet and becoming more introverted, and he used to be very outgoing and talkative. And Taylor, well something was going on with him but i just couldn't put my finger on it at this time. They were having to be together so much, I was beginning to think that maybe it was too much for them. They all seemed kind of on edge the first few days. We use to have a teasing relationship, and when I started teasing them about the books that were out on them, and about the stuff on the internet, like what they wear to bed, color of their toothbrushes, and the crushes they had on Jennifer Anniston, Cindy Crawford; Isaac would kind of laugh it off, but no real bantering there. And Zac just joked with me a little then he'd change the subject. But Taylor would make remarks like how much the girls wanted him, and how he was becoming more popular than the others. This wasn't the Hanson brothers that I knew. Something was definitely brewing under the surface.
At Zac's birthday party the whole family was there. They guys seemed a little more relaxed and didn't looked quite as tense. The party was a blast, Diana and Taylor put Zac's face into the cake, and soon ensued a food fight. But it soon turned ugly. Zac exploded at one point at Taylor for hitting him too hard, and they started wrestling alot rougher than usual. Avery unfortunately didn't realize it and she wanted in on the fun. The guys ended up knocking her down and she hurt her head and started crying. That's when Walker stepped in. All three of them with their father went to the boys' room, and in about an hour they came back out. Apparantly things had been settled for now. The rest of the day continued to be filled with fun. I gave Zac a hydraulic paintball airgun. I had also bought the whole family one each. The next day I was going to introduce them to paintball, my new favorite pass time.
The guys fell in love with the game. There were nine of us on the Hanson team. myself, Zac, Isaac, and Taylor, Walker, Ashley Brighton (a friend of Taylor's), Robert, Peter and Bobby (friends of Isaac's and Zac's). We went up against a group of guys who had been in the Army for about three years. To say the least we 'kicked ass'!
That night Isaac and I went out to dinner together. I knew he was wanting to talk. We went over to Boomerang's and sat in a booth. "It seems like years since we've been home. I didn't realize how much I miss home." I knew he had been homesick, he had voiced this many a time on the phone.
"Isaac, is this still fun for you? You know that if it isn't it's just going to cause problems in the long run." I told him. "Yeah, that's just it Bailey, I love it, all of it, it's just that we've been pushing so hard, I guess it's just catching up to us."
"Well I hope this short break will help with all of the tension." I tried to reassure him. And then he really started letting things out. "Taylor and Zac have been such buts, lately. Taylor talks nonstop during interviews, interrupting Zac and me and not letting us hardly answer questions. Plus everytime we meet fans after concerts and stuff he flirts like crazy. It's like he's feeding off of all of this craziness. He misses up during concerts, and then tries to blame it on me or Zac. And he's always complaining to me about how Zac embarrasses him.", Isaac was just going ninty miles an hour, unburdening hisself.
"Wow, Isaac, it sounds like you three, your Dad, and Chris need to sit down together and work things out now, before things get really out of hand. Im sure Taylor's just doing things like a teenage rebellion thing." I told him. "But, I never did anything like this." he replied. "Yeah, but Isaac you guys weren't in the spotlight at his age. He doesn't know how to handle this. He probably doesn't even see what his behavior is. Just get everybody together and talk, work things out. And anytime you need somebody to talk to you call me ok?" "Yeah, I will, you know just talking to you seems to make things better!" he told me. "Well I'm glad, you were there for me when I needed you, and I'll never forget it. And I'll always be there for you." I smiled at him.
He seemed to visually relax and the strain around his eyes were gone. We talked about how I liked Tulsa, school, friends, girls and dating. I told him about my interest in archeology and how I was going to apply for a position on a trip to Guatemala on a dig on the Aztec an Mayan civilization. Isaac was happy for me and wished me luck on getting the position.
Before I knew it their time was up and they had to head out. Diana was staying home for a while. She was tiring easily, and had appointments to keep. So her and the little ones would be home until Thanksgiving. It was going to be great to have her so close. I looked forward to spending time with her and the little ones. At the airport we all said our 'goodbyes'. Taylor and Zac were unusually quiet. I knew all of them had had a family meeting and had worked somethings out. As I hugged Zac he told me he was going to miss me and that I had made his birthday extra special. And then Taylor came up to me and hugged me and then he leaned down and stared into my eyes just for a few seconds. And there I saw a young boy struggling with something deep down. He kissed me then on the forehead and just held me with all his might. And then they were gone. I wouldn't be able to help Taylor with whatever was going on. I just hoped that the guys would pull together and rely on each other and stay focused.