Olivia let out a scream of excitement. Her mother ran into the game room, a look of concern on her face. "What happened? Are you okay?" Olivia gave her mother puppy-dog eyes and stood.
"Mom, Hanson is coming to Texas. Can I go, please?" She smiled her cutest smile at her mother, even though she already knew the answer to the question.
"You'll have to ask your father." Olivia's mom patted her on the shoulder and looked at the computer screen. "When are they coming?"
"September 30. Here's the bad part: it's in Dallas." Just then, Olivia heard the front door open. Her father was home, and she dreaded asking him. "Can you ask dad for me? He listens to you more than me." Olivia's mother laughed and nodded.
"I'll see if I can butter him up a bit." She kissed Olivia on the cheek and went downstairs. Olivia could hear them talking faintly, her heart pounding in her chest. A few moments later, she heard them walking up the stairs together. "We'll need more information. How much are tickets, what venue is it at, what time? We'll have to see if we're working or not." Olivia smiled and hugged her parents. Her father finally spoke.
"We're not making any promises, so don't get your hopes up." He smiled weakly and went into his bedroom, his wife following behind him. Olivia hummed faintly and went into her room. She heard the phone ring in the distance and turned on her Hanson c.d. She didn't realize she had dozed off until she was woken up an hour later by her mother.
"Aunt Bridget has offered to pay for the ticket to the concert. Your father and I will drive you to Dallas, but we'll have to leave early in the morning if we want to make it there in time." Olivia jumped out of bed and hugged her mother tightly, smiling wide. "They'll hold the ticket for you at Will Call. You pick it up before the show. You might want to give your Aunt a call and thank her." Olivia's mother smiled and handed her the phone. Olivia took the phone, still grinning.
Tour had flown by. They were on their way to Dallas, the last stop on their Albertane Tour. As the Hanson family drove down the winding highway in their van, 15 year old Taylor Hanson stared out the window, daydreaming. He watched the traffic as his parents passed each car, his eyes meeting momentarily on a pretty girl wearing headphones. He watched her quickly turn her head away as their vehicle fell behind. Taylor smiled to himself and pulled out his notebook from his backpack. He had just started writing some lyrics when he heard his younger brother grunt behind him.
"Mom, I have to pee!" Zac Hanson, the youngest in the band, but not of the Hanson children, was dancing in his seat. "Really bad!" Taylor laughed and turned to his oldest brother, Isaac. They shared a smile.
Diana Hanson turned in her seat. "Why didn't you go 20 minutes ago when we stopped for gas?"
"I didn't have to go then!"
"Maybe gulping down that 44 ounce Dr Pepper wasn't such a good idea, Zac." Taylor said, laughter in his voice. Diana gave Taylor a severe look that made him cringe. He looked out the window again, thinking to himself. The van pulled into a truck stop, Zac running out as fast as his little legs would carry him. "Dad, I need to stretch my legs. I'm going to step outside for a minute." Taylor opened his door and slid out, stretching his arms as he looked up into the sky. It was a beautiful day, although it was a little warm for September. Taylor took his polaroid camera out of his backpack and snapped a picture. He took pictures at every stop, documenting his first tour. The photo slid out and he watched it develop slowly. Taylor saw Zac walking towards the van, a look of pure relief upon his face. He blushed when he saw Taylor grinning and hopped inside.
Walker Hanson whistled for Taylor to get back in the van. "Come on, son. We're on a time crunch!"
Taylor put his camera in his backpack and slid the photo inside his notebook as he jumped in the van, ready to take on the world.
Taylor could hear the crowd chanting. His heart was pounding in his chest, sweat dripping down his forehead. He had never been this nervous before. 'What is WRONG with me?' he thought. Taylor wiped his forehead on his sleeve and chugged a bottle of water. He joined his brothers behind the curtain as the lights dimmed. The screaming grew louder, almost deafening. The curtain went up and he and his brothers made their ways onto the stage. Taylor sat at his piano, Zac on the drums, and Isaac with his guitar. He took a deep breath and started playing, the lights blinding him. His heartbeat began to slow as he got more comfortable. The screaming was drowned out by the instruments as he scanned the audience.
Taylor's throat hurt by the end of the show. He had never been so exhausted, yet so exhilarated. He peered out the curtains and stiffened. There was a solitary girl sitting way in the back, talking to the security guard. It looked like she was crying. Taylor turned to his brothers. "There's a girl crying. I'm going to go see what's going on." Taylor hurried away before Isaac or Zac could protest. He made his way quickly to where the girl was. For a moment, he held his breath as he thought to himself. 'Is that her, the girl with the headphones?' He walked up to her and placed his shaky hand on her shoulder. She jumped, a startled look on her face. "Hey, are you okay?" The girl looked into his eyes. At that moment, Taylor knew it was her. He sat next to her.
"I'm so sorry. It's nothing, really." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Taylor looked at the security guard questioningly.
"She wouldn't leave. I was about to escort her out before you came down." At this comment, the girl began sobbing harder. Taylor turned to the girl again.
"Why are you crying?"
"I-I lost something. I wanted to stay after the show to look for it, but this gentleman" she said through gritted teeth "won't let me." The security guard glared at her. Taylor stood up and spoke.
"It's okay, man. Let her look." He turned back to the girl. "If you want, I'll help you look for it. What did you lose?"
"A stone. My mom bought me a ring, and the stone fell out of it. She'll kill me if she sees I lost it. This ring means a lot to me." The girl cried harder.
Taylor held out his hand. "Come on, we'll find it. What does it look like?"
The girl took Taylor's hand and stood. She saw Isaac and Zac making their way towards them. She blushed when they arrived. "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause such a scene."
"What's up?" Isaac asked Taylor. Zac nodded.
"She lost a ring. I'm helping her find it."
This time Zac spoke. "Well, what does it look like? I'll help, too." This made the girl smile.
"You boys are sweet. It's actually the stone that goes in the ring. It's black with a silver ankh etched in the middle." Zac looked confused.
"An ankh is an egyptian symbol. It sort of looks like a cross with a circle on the top." Taylor explained. Zac nodded in understanding. "Well, let's get crackin'." All four of them started crawling on their hands and knees. Isaac was crawling in circles. Zac was giggling. Taylor was examining every particle on the floor as if his life depended on it. Within 10 minutes, he was jumping up, waving his hand in the air. "I FOUND IT!!" The girl came running over to Taylor, looking excited. "This is it, right?'
"Oh my goodness, you found it! You have no idea...thank you so much! Oh, I could kiss you! Thank you, all three of you. You guys are so sweet." Zac smiled triumphantly, as if he was the one that found the stone. Isaac patted Taylor on the shoulder.
"Good job, Tay." Isaac sighed.
Taylor handed the girl the stone. "I never got your name."
"Oh, my name? Sorry, it's Olivia." She smiled sweetly. Taylor held out his hand. She shook it.
"Nice to meet you. Are you from here?" Isaac asked.
"Oh, no. I live in Austin. My parents drove me here. Oh, they're never going to believe I got to meet Hanson. I wish they allowed me to bring my camera." Taylor grinned and held up his finger to motion he would be right back. Isaac and Zac shrugged and waited. Taylor returned with his polaroid, grinning wider.
"Want some proof?" Zac laughed, Isaac smiling. "Hey, excuse me!" Taylor motioned to the security guard. "Is there a way you could take our picture really fast?" The guard rolled his eyes and took the camera. They all squeezed together, putting on their best smiles.
"Okay, ready?" On the count of three, the guard snapped the picture and handed the camera back to Taylor. They all huddled to watch the picture develop.
"Do you think you could take one more, man?" Taylor asked. Olivia looked surprised. "I would like one to keep. I'm documenting our entire tour." The guard took another picture and stomped off.
Isaac took the second picture and waved it, in the hopes of making it develop faster. "Hey, this one came out really good. Check it out, Tay." They all took turns looking at it.
Zac rolled his eyes. "I look retarded."
"That's because you are retarded, Zac." Taylor and Isaac laughed. Zac tried to look intimidating, but failed. Olivia smiled.
"Oh, don't let them get to you, Zac. I have 4 siblings, so I know how it goes." This seemed to cheer up Zac a little bit. "Thank you guys so much for the help."
"You're welcome," the three Hanson boys said in unison. Isaac and Zac shook Olivia's hand again and wandered back towards the stage. Taylor lagged behind.
"I can't believe you found it, Taylor. I really appreciate it. You're so sweet." Olivia blushed. Taylor blushed, too.
"No problem. All of my jewelry has sentimental value. Besides, I wanted to help." Taylor grabbed a small note pad from his pocket and fumbled for a pen. "Here, maybe you can return the favor." He handed Olivia the notebook, hesitating. "Umm..."
"Oh, do you want my autograph?" Olivia laughed. Taylor smiled, shaking his head.
"No, I'd rather have your phone number." They both blushed again.
"Oh. Sure. I'll give you my e-mail, too. You know, just in case you remember me."
"I think today was pretty memorable." Taylor looked back towards his brothers, who were tapping their feet impatiently. "Thanks. I gotta go. It was really nice meeting you. Until we meet again..." and Taylor kissed Olivia's hand.
"Bye" she whispered as Taylor walked away. Her heart fluttered in her chest, wondering if she'd ever hear from him again.
Olivia sat on the edge of her bed, Hanson c.d. blaring at top volume. She thought she heard a knock at her bedroom door, so she turned the volume down. A few minutes later, it was confirmed: someone had indeed knocked. She opened the door and saw her mother standing there, eyes bloodshot. Olivia's father came up a few minutes later. Her mother was the one that spoke.
"We just got back from the doctor's office. I'm afraid it wasn't good news."
Diana Hanson stood by the phone, a look of sadness on her face. She turned to the door when she heard it open, watching her three oldest sons come inside from rollerblading. She walked over to Taylor and patted his shoulder. "Tay, honey, you might want to listen to the answering machine." Taylor walked slowly to the machine, a look of concern on his face as he hit the play button.
"Taylor, it's Olivia. *sniff* I really need to t-talk to you. Can you c-call me, please? I'll pay for the long distance. I just...I really need you right now." There was silence.
"Was she...crying?" Isaac asked.
Taylor shrugged, then looked at his mother. "Can I call her?"
"Of course. Come on guys, let's let him talk privately." Everyone left the room. Taylor hesitated, then dialed Olivia's number.
Olivia ran to the phone when she heard it ring. Her eyes were still burning from crying all day. She sniffled when she picked up. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's Tay. I got your message. Are you alright?"
"Oh, Taylor! My mom got home a few hours ago and gave me some bad news." Olivia sniffed again.
"What's up?"
"She has cancer!" This made Olivia cry again. Just thinking of that c-word made her heart ache. "I don't know what to do. I can't lose her. She means everything to me!"
"Oh, Olivia. I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
"Just...talk to me. I really just need comfort right now. I wish I had a shoulder to cry on, but a voice on the phone will do, I suppose."
"I wish I could be there for you. I know how important it is having someone to talk to face-to-face. Especially after hearing bad news, you know?"
"Yeah..." Olivia had stopped crying and sniffled. "I can't believe that it's only been a few months since we met, but I feel like I can tell you everything. I feel like I've known you for years."
"Me, too. I got excited when I heard you called, until I heard the message. My heart is breaking for you."
"You always know what to say, even in the most difficult times. You're a man of many talents."
Taylor laughed a little. "Do I need to hop on a plane and come see you?"
"Ha...ha."
"I'm serious. If you need me, I'll be there. Just say the word."
"You really are the sweetest man alive, aren't you?"
"Only to people I care about."
Olivia blushed. "Thank you."
"I mean it. Do you need me to come to Texas?"
"No. You don't have to do that for me. I really just needed to talk to you, that's all."
"Okay. I just want you to know, you can call me at any time, day or night. I can tell my mom and I'm sure she'll understand. Unless you don't want me to say anything to the gang."
"Oh, you can tell them, I don't mind. Your mom was really nice to me last time I called."
"Yeah, she's an amazing woman. Your mom was nice to me, too, when I accidentally called her line instead of yours. I was expecting her to yell at me, but she was very sweet."
Olivia's eyes welled up with tears again. "I'm going to miss her."
"Hey, don't talk like that! People survive cancer every day. Your mom seems like a tough lady. I have faith that she'll get through it."
"I wish I could say the same thing." Olivia's conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey, can you hold on a minute? Someone's at my door." Olivia walked to her bedroom door and opened it. Her mom stood there, smiling weakly.
"Is this a good time to talk?"
"Yes. Let me just finish up my phone conversation really quick." A few minutes later, Olivia hung up the phone and patted the bed, motioning for her mother to sit next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better, but I've also been worse. I just want you to know that we're going to nip this in the bud. Together, as a family, we'll be okay. We just need to take care of each other. Can you do that for me?"
"Oh, mommy!" Olivia lurched forward and embraced her mother, rocking back and forth. "Please promise me we'll get through this. I need you in my life."
"We're going to be just fine," her mother said. "I promise."
"Hey, Tay. How's Olivia doing?" Isaac came walking into the living room, guitar in hand.
"She's taking it really hard. Poor thing. I just wish there was something I could do. Anything."
"You should try singing one of her favorite songs. Oh, I know!" Isaac jumped up and down excitedly. "Let's make her a video!"
Taylor grinned. "What kind of video?"
"Just us being goofy. Maybe sing a song for her. Something to make her smile. Maybe say something for her mom, as well."
"Ike, you're a genius."
"I know." Isaac smiled his crooked smile. "Let me go find Zac and see if he's up for it."
"Olivia, you have a package from Hanson!" Olivia's mother stood at the bottom of the stairs, package in hand. A few minutes later, Olivia came running down the steps as fast as she could, a grin on her face.
"Oooh, I wasn't expecting anything from them! I wonder what it is." She tore open the packaging and stared at a black video tape. Olivia and her mother shared a look, then popped the tape in the VCR. They smiled when they saw the three Hanson boys standing in their garage. The video was about 45 minutes long, but it was the best video ever created, in Olivia's mind. Olivia's mother smiled and wiped away a tear.
"I truly understand why you adore these boys, Olivia. Please tell them I said thank you." And with that, she went upstairs and locked herself in her bedroom. Olivia sat there, staring at the t.v. It was paused on Zac making one of his many goofy faces. Olivia smiled, rewound the tape, and popped it out of the VCR. She put it in its sleeve and carried it upstairs, locking it in her jewelry box. She grabbed the phone and dialed Hanson's number.
The three Hanson boys were practicing in their garage when the phone rang in the distance. They ran to the phone, wrestling over who gets to answer it. Zachary won the battle. "Hellooooooooooooooo? Oh, hi Olivia." Zac emphasized her name, glancing at Taylor with a smile. "Oooh you liked the video? Yeah, it was my idea!" Taylor smacked the phone out of Zac's hand and caught it, midair.
"Don't listen to him. So, what's up?"
"My mom cried when she saw the video. They were tears of joy, by the way. She wanted me to thank you guys." Olivia curled her fingers through the phone cord, lying on her back, staring at the giant Hanson poster on her ceiling. She realized she had called long distance, so she cut her conversation short and re-watched the video. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
"Mom, Hanson is coming to Texas. Can I go, please?" She smiled her cutest smile at her mother, even though she already knew the answer to the question.
"You'll have to ask your father." Olivia's mom patted her on the shoulder and looked at the computer screen. "When are they coming?"
"September 30. Here's the bad part: it's in Dallas." Just then, Olivia heard the front door open. Her father was home, and she dreaded asking him. "Can you ask dad for me? He listens to you more than me." Olivia's mother laughed and nodded.
"I'll see if I can butter him up a bit." She kissed Olivia on the cheek and went downstairs. Olivia could hear them talking faintly, her heart pounding in her chest. A few moments later, she heard them walking up the stairs together. "We'll need more information. How much are tickets, what venue is it at, what time? We'll have to see if we're working or not." Olivia smiled and hugged her parents. Her father finally spoke.
"We're not making any promises, so don't get your hopes up." He smiled weakly and went into his bedroom, his wife following behind him. Olivia hummed faintly and went into her room. She heard the phone ring in the distance and turned on her Hanson c.d. She didn't realize she had dozed off until she was woken up an hour later by her mother.
"Aunt Bridget has offered to pay for the ticket to the concert. Your father and I will drive you to Dallas, but we'll have to leave early in the morning if we want to make it there in time." Olivia jumped out of bed and hugged her mother tightly, smiling wide. "They'll hold the ticket for you at Will Call. You pick it up before the show. You might want to give your Aunt a call and thank her." Olivia's mother smiled and handed her the phone. Olivia took the phone, still grinning.
Tour had flown by. They were on their way to Dallas, the last stop on their Albertane Tour. As the Hanson family drove down the winding highway in their van, 15 year old Taylor Hanson stared out the window, daydreaming. He watched the traffic as his parents passed each car, his eyes meeting momentarily on a pretty girl wearing headphones. He watched her quickly turn her head away as their vehicle fell behind. Taylor smiled to himself and pulled out his notebook from his backpack. He had just started writing some lyrics when he heard his younger brother grunt behind him.
"Mom, I have to pee!" Zac Hanson, the youngest in the band, but not of the Hanson children, was dancing in his seat. "Really bad!" Taylor laughed and turned to his oldest brother, Isaac. They shared a smile.
Diana Hanson turned in her seat. "Why didn't you go 20 minutes ago when we stopped for gas?"
"I didn't have to go then!"
"Maybe gulping down that 44 ounce Dr Pepper wasn't such a good idea, Zac." Taylor said, laughter in his voice. Diana gave Taylor a severe look that made him cringe. He looked out the window again, thinking to himself. The van pulled into a truck stop, Zac running out as fast as his little legs would carry him. "Dad, I need to stretch my legs. I'm going to step outside for a minute." Taylor opened his door and slid out, stretching his arms as he looked up into the sky. It was a beautiful day, although it was a little warm for September. Taylor took his polaroid camera out of his backpack and snapped a picture. He took pictures at every stop, documenting his first tour. The photo slid out and he watched it develop slowly. Taylor saw Zac walking towards the van, a look of pure relief upon his face. He blushed when he saw Taylor grinning and hopped inside.
Walker Hanson whistled for Taylor to get back in the van. "Come on, son. We're on a time crunch!"
Taylor put his camera in his backpack and slid the photo inside his notebook as he jumped in the van, ready to take on the world.
Taylor could hear the crowd chanting. His heart was pounding in his chest, sweat dripping down his forehead. He had never been this nervous before. 'What is WRONG with me?' he thought. Taylor wiped his forehead on his sleeve and chugged a bottle of water. He joined his brothers behind the curtain as the lights dimmed. The screaming grew louder, almost deafening. The curtain went up and he and his brothers made their ways onto the stage. Taylor sat at his piano, Zac on the drums, and Isaac with his guitar. He took a deep breath and started playing, the lights blinding him. His heartbeat began to slow as he got more comfortable. The screaming was drowned out by the instruments as he scanned the audience.
Taylor's throat hurt by the end of the show. He had never been so exhausted, yet so exhilarated. He peered out the curtains and stiffened. There was a solitary girl sitting way in the back, talking to the security guard. It looked like she was crying. Taylor turned to his brothers. "There's a girl crying. I'm going to go see what's going on." Taylor hurried away before Isaac or Zac could protest. He made his way quickly to where the girl was. For a moment, he held his breath as he thought to himself. 'Is that her, the girl with the headphones?' He walked up to her and placed his shaky hand on her shoulder. She jumped, a startled look on her face. "Hey, are you okay?" The girl looked into his eyes. At that moment, Taylor knew it was her. He sat next to her.
"I'm so sorry. It's nothing, really." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Taylor looked at the security guard questioningly.
"She wouldn't leave. I was about to escort her out before you came down." At this comment, the girl began sobbing harder. Taylor turned to the girl again.
"Why are you crying?"
"I-I lost something. I wanted to stay after the show to look for it, but this gentleman" she said through gritted teeth "won't let me." The security guard glared at her. Taylor stood up and spoke.
"It's okay, man. Let her look." He turned back to the girl. "If you want, I'll help you look for it. What did you lose?"
"A stone. My mom bought me a ring, and the stone fell out of it. She'll kill me if she sees I lost it. This ring means a lot to me." The girl cried harder.
Taylor held out his hand. "Come on, we'll find it. What does it look like?"
The girl took Taylor's hand and stood. She saw Isaac and Zac making their way towards them. She blushed when they arrived. "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause such a scene."
"What's up?" Isaac asked Taylor. Zac nodded.
"She lost a ring. I'm helping her find it."
This time Zac spoke. "Well, what does it look like? I'll help, too." This made the girl smile.
"You boys are sweet. It's actually the stone that goes in the ring. It's black with a silver ankh etched in the middle." Zac looked confused.
"An ankh is an egyptian symbol. It sort of looks like a cross with a circle on the top." Taylor explained. Zac nodded in understanding. "Well, let's get crackin'." All four of them started crawling on their hands and knees. Isaac was crawling in circles. Zac was giggling. Taylor was examining every particle on the floor as if his life depended on it. Within 10 minutes, he was jumping up, waving his hand in the air. "I FOUND IT!!" The girl came running over to Taylor, looking excited. "This is it, right?'
"Oh my goodness, you found it! You have no idea...thank you so much! Oh, I could kiss you! Thank you, all three of you. You guys are so sweet." Zac smiled triumphantly, as if he was the one that found the stone. Isaac patted Taylor on the shoulder.
"Good job, Tay." Isaac sighed.
Taylor handed the girl the stone. "I never got your name."
"Oh, my name? Sorry, it's Olivia." She smiled sweetly. Taylor held out his hand. She shook it.
"Nice to meet you. Are you from here?" Isaac asked.
"Oh, no. I live in Austin. My parents drove me here. Oh, they're never going to believe I got to meet Hanson. I wish they allowed me to bring my camera." Taylor grinned and held up his finger to motion he would be right back. Isaac and Zac shrugged and waited. Taylor returned with his polaroid, grinning wider.
"Want some proof?" Zac laughed, Isaac smiling. "Hey, excuse me!" Taylor motioned to the security guard. "Is there a way you could take our picture really fast?" The guard rolled his eyes and took the camera. They all squeezed together, putting on their best smiles.
"Okay, ready?" On the count of three, the guard snapped the picture and handed the camera back to Taylor. They all huddled to watch the picture develop.
"Do you think you could take one more, man?" Taylor asked. Olivia looked surprised. "I would like one to keep. I'm documenting our entire tour." The guard took another picture and stomped off.
Isaac took the second picture and waved it, in the hopes of making it develop faster. "Hey, this one came out really good. Check it out, Tay." They all took turns looking at it.
Zac rolled his eyes. "I look retarded."
"That's because you are retarded, Zac." Taylor and Isaac laughed. Zac tried to look intimidating, but failed. Olivia smiled.
"Oh, don't let them get to you, Zac. I have 4 siblings, so I know how it goes." This seemed to cheer up Zac a little bit. "Thank you guys so much for the help."
"You're welcome," the three Hanson boys said in unison. Isaac and Zac shook Olivia's hand again and wandered back towards the stage. Taylor lagged behind.
"I can't believe you found it, Taylor. I really appreciate it. You're so sweet." Olivia blushed. Taylor blushed, too.
"No problem. All of my jewelry has sentimental value. Besides, I wanted to help." Taylor grabbed a small note pad from his pocket and fumbled for a pen. "Here, maybe you can return the favor." He handed Olivia the notebook, hesitating. "Umm..."
"Oh, do you want my autograph?" Olivia laughed. Taylor smiled, shaking his head.
"No, I'd rather have your phone number." They both blushed again.
"Oh. Sure. I'll give you my e-mail, too. You know, just in case you remember me."
"I think today was pretty memorable." Taylor looked back towards his brothers, who were tapping their feet impatiently. "Thanks. I gotta go. It was really nice meeting you. Until we meet again..." and Taylor kissed Olivia's hand.
"Bye" she whispered as Taylor walked away. Her heart fluttered in her chest, wondering if she'd ever hear from him again.
Olivia sat on the edge of her bed, Hanson c.d. blaring at top volume. She thought she heard a knock at her bedroom door, so she turned the volume down. A few minutes later, it was confirmed: someone had indeed knocked. She opened the door and saw her mother standing there, eyes bloodshot. Olivia's father came up a few minutes later. Her mother was the one that spoke.
"We just got back from the doctor's office. I'm afraid it wasn't good news."
Diana Hanson stood by the phone, a look of sadness on her face. She turned to the door when she heard it open, watching her three oldest sons come inside from rollerblading. She walked over to Taylor and patted his shoulder. "Tay, honey, you might want to listen to the answering machine." Taylor walked slowly to the machine, a look of concern on his face as he hit the play button.
"Taylor, it's Olivia. *sniff* I really need to t-talk to you. Can you c-call me, please? I'll pay for the long distance. I just...I really need you right now." There was silence.
"Was she...crying?" Isaac asked.
Taylor shrugged, then looked at his mother. "Can I call her?"
"Of course. Come on guys, let's let him talk privately." Everyone left the room. Taylor hesitated, then dialed Olivia's number.
Olivia ran to the phone when she heard it ring. Her eyes were still burning from crying all day. She sniffled when she picked up. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's Tay. I got your message. Are you alright?"
"Oh, Taylor! My mom got home a few hours ago and gave me some bad news." Olivia sniffed again.
"What's up?"
"She has cancer!" This made Olivia cry again. Just thinking of that c-word made her heart ache. "I don't know what to do. I can't lose her. She means everything to me!"
"Oh, Olivia. I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"
"Just...talk to me. I really just need comfort right now. I wish I had a shoulder to cry on, but a voice on the phone will do, I suppose."
"I wish I could be there for you. I know how important it is having someone to talk to face-to-face. Especially after hearing bad news, you know?"
"Yeah..." Olivia had stopped crying and sniffled. "I can't believe that it's only been a few months since we met, but I feel like I can tell you everything. I feel like I've known you for years."
"Me, too. I got excited when I heard you called, until I heard the message. My heart is breaking for you."
"You always know what to say, even in the most difficult times. You're a man of many talents."
Taylor laughed a little. "Do I need to hop on a plane and come see you?"
"Ha...ha."
"I'm serious. If you need me, I'll be there. Just say the word."
"You really are the sweetest man alive, aren't you?"
"Only to people I care about."
Olivia blushed. "Thank you."
"I mean it. Do you need me to come to Texas?"
"No. You don't have to do that for me. I really just needed to talk to you, that's all."
"Okay. I just want you to know, you can call me at any time, day or night. I can tell my mom and I'm sure she'll understand. Unless you don't want me to say anything to the gang."
"Oh, you can tell them, I don't mind. Your mom was really nice to me last time I called."
"Yeah, she's an amazing woman. Your mom was nice to me, too, when I accidentally called her line instead of yours. I was expecting her to yell at me, but she was very sweet."
Olivia's eyes welled up with tears again. "I'm going to miss her."
"Hey, don't talk like that! People survive cancer every day. Your mom seems like a tough lady. I have faith that she'll get through it."
"I wish I could say the same thing." Olivia's conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey, can you hold on a minute? Someone's at my door." Olivia walked to her bedroom door and opened it. Her mom stood there, smiling weakly.
"Is this a good time to talk?"
"Yes. Let me just finish up my phone conversation really quick." A few minutes later, Olivia hung up the phone and patted the bed, motioning for her mother to sit next to her. "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better, but I've also been worse. I just want you to know that we're going to nip this in the bud. Together, as a family, we'll be okay. We just need to take care of each other. Can you do that for me?"
"Oh, mommy!" Olivia lurched forward and embraced her mother, rocking back and forth. "Please promise me we'll get through this. I need you in my life."
"We're going to be just fine," her mother said. "I promise."
"Hey, Tay. How's Olivia doing?" Isaac came walking into the living room, guitar in hand.
"She's taking it really hard. Poor thing. I just wish there was something I could do. Anything."
"You should try singing one of her favorite songs. Oh, I know!" Isaac jumped up and down excitedly. "Let's make her a video!"
Taylor grinned. "What kind of video?"
"Just us being goofy. Maybe sing a song for her. Something to make her smile. Maybe say something for her mom, as well."
"Ike, you're a genius."
"I know." Isaac smiled his crooked smile. "Let me go find Zac and see if he's up for it."
"Olivia, you have a package from Hanson!" Olivia's mother stood at the bottom of the stairs, package in hand. A few minutes later, Olivia came running down the steps as fast as she could, a grin on her face.
"Oooh, I wasn't expecting anything from them! I wonder what it is." She tore open the packaging and stared at a black video tape. Olivia and her mother shared a look, then popped the tape in the VCR. They smiled when they saw the three Hanson boys standing in their garage. The video was about 45 minutes long, but it was the best video ever created, in Olivia's mind. Olivia's mother smiled and wiped away a tear.
"I truly understand why you adore these boys, Olivia. Please tell them I said thank you." And with that, she went upstairs and locked herself in her bedroom. Olivia sat there, staring at the t.v. It was paused on Zac making one of his many goofy faces. Olivia smiled, rewound the tape, and popped it out of the VCR. She put it in its sleeve and carried it upstairs, locking it in her jewelry box. She grabbed the phone and dialed Hanson's number.
The three Hanson boys were practicing in their garage when the phone rang in the distance. They ran to the phone, wrestling over who gets to answer it. Zachary won the battle. "Hellooooooooooooooo? Oh, hi Olivia." Zac emphasized her name, glancing at Taylor with a smile. "Oooh you liked the video? Yeah, it was my idea!" Taylor smacked the phone out of Zac's hand and caught it, midair.
"Don't listen to him. So, what's up?"
"My mom cried when she saw the video. They were tears of joy, by the way. She wanted me to thank you guys." Olivia curled her fingers through the phone cord, lying on her back, staring at the giant Hanson poster on her ceiling. She realized she had called long distance, so she cut her conversation short and re-watched the video. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.