| suspended ages |
| *5* |
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| After a rigerous workout at the hands of his little sister... (who knew she was so sadistic?!) Zac called his mother. "Hello?" "Hey Aunt Betty, this is Zac. Is my Mom there?" "Why hello dear, I hope nothing's wrong." "No, no. I just need to speak with her." "Oh alright then, I'll go and get her dear. Hang on just a moment." A few moments of silence left him humming a gentle tune. He was puzzled why he wasn't more nervous. He assumed it was most likely because he now had the security of his family to see him through. As always. "Zac? Is something wrong?!" "No Ma, nothings wrong- I... well I just needed to talk to you about something... or rather should I say, someone." "Really? Is this about that girl at school? What was her name again?" "Melody. Melody Thompson." "Oh! That's right! How sweet is that?" "Ma... I know you find the irony of her name really funny and all... but could we have a conversation here? I need a little encouragement. If I wanted to be teased, I'd have called Taylor." "I'm sorry dear. But you're right. I do find her name ironic. Maybe that's just a sign that she really is meant for you." "Ma... first irony, now mystisism?" "No, no. you're right dear. I'm sorry. Now what's the trouble dear?" Now began his quest for that security he craved from his family. He would never admit it, but he was frightened of a future filled with loneliness. So he feared his infatuation with this girl was meerly only that. He knew he couldn't really be in love with someone he didn't even know... could he? But after spending so much time thinking of her, could it lead to love if he pursued her? But most importantly... would she love him as well? There was nothing he wanted more in the world. The first semester, of that year he'd taught a single class at the college. Having Bridget as his assistant, made it the most rewarding teaching experience he'd ever had. She'd renewed his faith in his abilities and restored his love for teaching. He was left without a doubt that she would be a great teacher herself. He'd decided to keep her on as his assistant until she graduated, then was determined to help her get the job she wanted, where she wanted. It was the least he could do he thought. This spring break would be her first real chunk of time away from him. He was sure she needed it now that she'd been tutoring some of his old students in his stead while he himself geared up for a promo tour to support the album he and his brothers had just finished up. It was he himself that demanded she take some time off. When he'd brought up the subject in the first place she'd only laughed at him, asking why she would need time away from something she loved so much. He only smiled and insisted anyway, knowing something about needing time for a break was best, even if she did love it so. He'd been around the block before, he was older and wiser. He knew how life really worked. He cherished her innocence and exhuberance in her youthful love of life. He hadn't the heart to tell her what life is really like. No, he wasn't man enough. Or maybe he was just hoping that she could sustain the illusion of the perfect life long enough for it to become a reality. He certainly hadn't been able to. He was pondering just such as he went aobut his bussiness. Shopping for the little things he would need on the road during the promo tour. He could have had Bridget do it, or Mrs. Gonzales, after all, that was what he payed them for. It was just something he enjoyed doing now that he was afforded the chance to do so. Most people in the area treated him like any other average Joe on the street. It had taken years to get to that point, and yes, sometimes he was still stopped by fans. But it was nothing like the days of his youth. Shopping- like school- was something he'd grown to love. He ducked into a music store to have some cds delivered. Stocking up on obscure cds and new releases to while away the hours spent traveling from mini gig, to appearance, and so on. It was different for him. Ike and Tay both had wives and kids in tow half the time. Their families filled up a lot of their time. But for Zac, keeping himself amused in the wee hours was a chore to him. During the day it was easier. There was always a child or two to lend a hand with. Everybody loved Uncle Zac. No, it was the quiet nights that taunted him. When all were settled in and snuggling up to loved ones, even if it were only a teddy, it was more then he had. Feeling rather gloomy now, he decided a triple sundae would fill that hole some. Even if it was only the chocolate that would make him feel better, at least it would give him soemthing to do while he waited for his priscription to be refilled at the pharmacy. Now there was an essential. Motion sickness during promo tours was always such a bitch for him. He wandered to the back of the store, sifting through his wallet for that ellusive little blue slip of paper with the scribble on it that would help him get through his travels a bit easier. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going, having made the same trek a billion times before for many a year in the past. He ran into something, quickly he looked up. No, he ran into someone. And it wasn't just anyone, it was the one person he had on his mind day and night. The one person that held not only his heart, but his hope of the future. He was speechless, standing there like a giant ogre with his mouth agape for he couldn't believe that he'd accidently knocked her to the floor.She looked up at him as she turned to sit up, her eyes catching his breath. Then she grined and giggled. It snaped him from his stupor like lightning. Feeling dazed, he automaticly reached his hand out to help her. She put her hand in his and his eyes jumped to the union. It burned his flesh, and he was sure he was just branded as hers. From somewhere his voice floated into his ears, he could hear himself appologizing. He thought he sounded like an idiot. While all the while, his thoughts were racing. Every dream he'd had, every turn of poetry phrased from his mouth she'd inspired came tumbling and smashing against the barrior of his sanity. He watched as she rose to her feet, brushing herself off. He wanted to be her hands then. Then he heard his voice again, though his mind wasn't registering that his mouth was moving. "I'm so sorry! I was just going to treat myself to an icecream sundae. How about I buy one for you to? It's the least I can do for being such a clutzy clod." Where did that come from? Was he really saying that? Was she smiling and ...what's that? Did she? ...Did she just agree? Did she say yes!? His thoughts were frozen. Instinct was the only thing guiding him now. He just hoped it was fuel enough to see him through what was surely just another of his fantasies. They moved toward the counter as he took her bags. He lumbered behind her, lost in his own little world, still in disbelief that she was really there, and that she was willing to spend time with him. She was actually going to make a conversation with him part of her day. He felt tongue tied now that he had the oppurtunity to talk with her, get to know her. He thought he'd grown out of that when he left puberty behind. He took a stool beside her and decided he was just going to have to wing it. Maybe a miracle would occur and his famed rapier wit would fall from the sky and once more inhabit his brain... yeah. And maybe monkeys would fly out of his butt... He kicked himself mentaly. Here he was. A man of over thirty years old that had been a preformer since the age of six. He'd met presidents and crowned heads of many a country. Preformed before millions of people, sometimes a sea of thousands at once. Yet here he was finding it hard to capture words to trip from his tongue before one beauty... all be it his perfection of awesome beauty, but still, it just didn't seem fair. Then he turned to her, and she smiled up at him. He was instantly turned to goo. His only thoughts were a wish that she'd just suck him up with a straw. He was so totally hers now. How could he deni it? Media be damned. This was the woman he wanted. This was the woman he was going to have. Now if he could just get the stupid grin off his face that he knew he was sporting. |
| thanx for read'n Z-ya! |