4. Bailey
B double E double R – U - N

Something happened when he put that cowboy hat on, the way his black hair clung to his face and the hat hung just to the side a little and his smirk as he looked over at me. He was downright handsome, but I couldn't think like that, he was at least 4? years older than me. He looked older than Johnny, so maybe even more than that.
He followed me back downstairs into the kitchen where we helped Ma with the rest of lunch. I was surprised he jumped right in to help her as I set the table and got drinks ready.
"Where do you want me to sit this, Mrs. Seward?" He asked carrying over the huge meatloaf.
"Right there, dear." She smiled.
Pa and John came in a few minutes later, neither one of them looked too happy- but they didn't look angry either.
"Alright, everyone sit. Time to eat." Ma said patting John and Zack on the shoulder. Pa sat at the head of the table, Ma sat to the right and John to her side. Then me on Pa's left, Zack on my other side.
It was quiet, the boys were hungry - but if I had to take an 18 hour trip I would be starved too. I found myself lost in my own world again, playing with the last green bean on my plate for God knows how long.
"So, tell us John... Just what's life been like in Los Angeles?" Pa said leaning back in his chair.
"Uh, it's alright. We got our first Gold Record." He smiled. "Tours... I am finally coming out ahead in the world of money."
"Finally not sleeping on my mom's couch." Zacky laughed lightly.
"We're going on a worldwide tour - we're going to places like Japan, Spain, Canada, Mexico... We're going everywhere! It starts in the Spring - we'll be gone 6 months."
"That's a long time- don't you think?" Ma said taking a sip of her tea.
"I'm not leaving anything or anyone behind to miss me." Johnny sneered.
"John." Ma scolded. "What about you Zack, are you excited - how does your family feel?"
"Uh... Well... they support whatever I want to do... they're happy... As long as I call every so often to prove I'm still alive... You know?" He tried to joke. His face grew red as he realized no one even cracked a smile.
"So what kind of music do you guys make again?" Pa asked squinting his eyes. "Isn't that bullshit rap is it?"
"No Pa." Johnny sighed. "It's Hard Rock."
"Hard Rock, huh?" Pa said with a slow nod. He didn't care what Johnny did, it wasn't our way of life - he was never going to be accepting of it.
"Well, if everyone's finished put your plates in the sink go outside or something... No sense being cooped up in this house." Ma said quickly. "I have a lot of cleaning I need done and it won't get done with you guys in here."
"What time did you wanna start cooking for tomorrow? What time do we have to go get everyone?" I asked as I got up.
"We'll start cooking tomorrow... Everyone should be arriving shortly - the only people we have to pick up are Aunt Janet and Uncle Dan."
"And that's when?" I asked.
"They won't arrive til 3."
"Don't be late." Johnny sneered.
"Hey, I didn't know I was picking you up - idiot." I snapped back.
"Hey- out. I have a lot of cleaning to do and unless you wanna help - out!" Ma said waving a towel at us.
The boys up and outed the front door - hesitantly I followed.
"Hey, where are you two going?" I asked.
"I'm going into town for beer." Johnny said getting in dad's jeep.
"Oh no, you ain't leaving me you ass." I said quickly.
"There isn't a back seat in dad's jeep - I'll only be a little."
"Fine." I sighed.
"I'll stay back, I’ve been in a moving vehicle a little too long." Zack said quietly. "Maybe you can show me around some more - or help clean..."
"You sure?" Johnny asked as he started up the jeep.
"Yeah man."
Before he could say anything else- Johnny was gone. Typical Johnny - always running from his problems.
"So..." Zack started as he turned to me. I mean, he wasn't really my type... I grew up on a farm - a man in a cap and wranglers with muddy boots was my thing... riding around on a four-wheeler, drinking beer and smoking cigarettes... that was my thing... not this - tattooed rock star that ended up here.
"Let's go clean." I sighed. "Unless you wanna go see the horses."
"Let's clean."
I was a little disappointed he chose cleaning over meeting the horses, but I could understand. He didn't look like the horse riding type.
I doubt he had ever even ridden before.
"Oh, new recruits for cleaning... here - dust." Mom said. "And Zack, you don't have to clean... but here is a duster just in case you get bored."
I laughed as she handed him a fluffy pink duster, he looked at it like he had no idea what it was before flailing it around in front of his face for a second - then turning to look at me, who was trying their hardest not to laugh, before smirking and following me into the living room.

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