I heard the doorbell ring downstairs and flew down to the front door to welcome my oldest brother to the house. I always got along incredibly well with Ike, but I would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn’t get along with the oldest Hanson sibling. He was so kind and supportive that sometimes it was a little jarring.
“Hey Zoe!” he exclaimed as he wrapped me in a warm, sincere hug. Isaac hugs were the best. He was never the first to pull away and always made you feel safe, no matter what was going on around you. “How’s summer so far?”
“It’s barely started but so far…pretty boring. I babysat for Zac and I’ve hung out with Mackie but other than that…same old, same old, I suppose,” I explained while giving Nikki a quick side hug. They had just dropped the boys and the baby over at Zac’s house for the evening. I didn’t mention that I had spent some of my time reading my brothers’ emails and lurking on a fan website in the evenings.
“Well you should be thankful for some downtime. Time to relax, and read…focus on new projects.”
I smirked at my brother. I remembered so many family arguments (most of which I had overheard) where Taylor or Zac would blame Ike for being a pessimist. But to me, he was always incredibly positive. Sometimes to a fault. I sometimes wondered if it was to cover up his own worries and fears. If any brother was a pessimist, it was dear Mac, who would, if left to his own devices with a few beers in his system, complain for hours about the band’s success and strange cult-like following.
“She’s done enough relaxing already, it’s time for some excitement!” I heard from the stairs, and turned to see Mackie, as though I had conjured him with my thoughts.
We made our way to the dining room table, where Mom had already set out water glasses for everyone. Isaac ventured into the kitchen to give her a kiss on the cheek while Nikki snaked her arm through mine.
“Isaac told me you want to go with Mac to California this summer. I think that’s a great idea. I’ll work on Diana.”
“Oh…gosh, thanks Nikki, but it’s really not a big deal if I can’t go. I don’t want to make it a big argument or anything.”
“I know, I know, but I want you to have fun. You’re sixteen. Your brothers had been all over the world by the time they were sixteen.”
She had a point.
“And if you need some money to do something fun while you’re out there, we can let you babysit and…you know…actually pay you.”
“Nikki, seriously, it’s not a big deal. I just wanted to spend some time with my brother. It’s not like…some huge rebellion or anything.”
I appreciated her support, and wondered why she was being so adamant about it. I made a note to ask her later, out of earshot of my parents. Before she could say anything else, Ike and Mom emerged from the kitchen with a few serving dishes heaped with more food than the six of us could ever dream of eating.
“Could you grab plates for everyone, Zoe?” Mom asked as she arranged all the food on the dining room table.
“Sure thing,” I responded, smirking at my mom for always making dinners when any of my siblings came over an event. I grabbed some plates and handed them over, Mom scooping generous portions onto the first plate and shoving it back into my hands.
“Mom, I can serve myself! I probably won’t even eat that much anyway,” I said quietly, not trying to draw attention to myself. Mom didn’t even respond, but pushed me towards my seat as she started on the next plate. I plopped myself down in my customary chair, and began picking at my food while the rest of my family was served.
“How has being home been, Mac?” Isaac started, never shy about getting a conversation going. There was never a silent moment when it came to my brothers, but especially when Isaac took the lead. I looked over at him across my still steaming chicken and potatoes. He was in a crisp button down shirt and black slacks, holding his knife and fork in a dignified matter. He was so…grown up, even when compared to Mackenzie, who was in jeans and a t-shirt and slumped over his food
“It’s been pretty good so far. I’m just trying to see everyone.”
“Want to come back to the studio tomorrow? We’ll have some downtime if you want to record any demos.”
“You sure, man?” Mac was incredulous, and rightly so. While Ike fostered Mac’s musical career, Taylor and Zac often didn’t give it the time of day. I had heard all about it from my closest brother throughout the years. I hated how upset he could get, and I couldn’t begin to count the times I would talk him down from a bout of anger. He hid behind his silly, laughing facade – making jokes about being the fourth Hanson brother and using it to pick up girls, but I knew how much he hated it.
“Yeah, why not? Just bring whatever you need. I can probably twist Tay or Zac’s arm to do a drum track or two.”
“Um…uh, yeah that would be great. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
Mac couldn’t hide the smile on his face. As much as he prided himself on being the outcast of the family, he loved to be included. I flashed a grin in his direction, and right on cue, he looked up at me and returned it.
“Oh that will be lovely, Mackie!” Mom exclaimed from the head of the table. “You’ll have to let us listen when you’re all done.”
“Yeah I will, totally.”
“Wonderful.”
“This is great. I know downtime is good too, but now this trip will have been at least a little productive.”
“Seeing your family is plenty productive,” a booming voice from the other side of the table made us all jump. My father was a man of few words, but he always let us know when he had something to say.
“Right…I know, Dad. Sorry.”
“So…” Isaac continued, never allowing the flow of conversation to lag too long, “When are you heading back to California?”
Mac quickly glanced over at me, as if to tell me to get ready. His eyes screamed let me and Ike do the talking, and I was completely fine with that arrangement. I knew if I opened my loud mouth, I would probably only hurt my cause.
“Well I’m not on any sort of tight schedule but I was thinking this weekend.”
“You drove here all by yourself, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a long drive, but I don’t mind making it. I love driving. Being alone is kind of boring though, I have to admit.”
I snuck a glance up at Mom, who was still cutting small bites of chicken and eating them slowly.
“Yeah, I can imagine. I would hate that. I have to have someone to talk to,” Ike said, looking lovingly at Nikki, who smiled at him. “You should bring Zoe along on the way back.” I couldn’t believe how casually it slipped out of his mouth, as though the thought just came to him as he was putting his final bite of food into his mouth. I swung my gaze over to Mom, who looked up and zeroed in on Isaac.
“Oh that’s a great idea,” Nikki chimed in, “When I was sixteen I went to New York with my girlfriends from school and it was amazing. It was just…the coolest experience.”
So that explained her excitement over the prospect of me going. I often wondered if any of my brother’s wives missed their previous life, before being tied down to musician husbands and a tribe of children.
“Well I’ve travelled before…” I began but stopped quickly when Mac nudged me under the table, reminding me of the plan.
“Yeah and you could let her drive a little if you get tired. It would be safer,” Isaac said, emphasizing the last word ever so slightly.
“It would be great to have someone on the drive with me, definitely. I get super bored. Wanna come Zo-bug?”
“I know this isn’t the first time you boys have talked about this. I raised all of you, you can’t pull a fast one on me,” Mom said from the head of the table.
“Mom, come on…” Mac started, interrupted by Isaac’s hand, signalling him to stop talking.
“I just think it would be good for both of them, Mom. I was just making a suggestion. Zoe is out of school and Mac needs a driving companion. I know you don’t like to be left at home by yourself, but Nikki and I will be around, and we’ll bring the kids over as much as you want.”
Mom heaved a heavy sigh.
“Fine. You can go.”
She immediately started clearing plates as I exchanged a triumphant look with Mac, before realizing I had barely even touched my dinner.