"Rhiannon rings like a bell thru the night and wouldn't you love to love her? She rules her life like a bird in flight and who will be her lover? -- Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon"

As Nick walked into his house, he was greeted by his baby brother jumping on him. "Whoa there, Aaron!" he laughed. "Calm down."

"I'm just glad to see ya!"

"Aaron, you just saw me, like, ten minutes ago."

"Yeah, but before that I hadn't seen you for a year!"

Nick looked sadly at his brother. He felt bad for not being able to be there for him. He loved Aaron dearly and wished he could be around more to play with him and just hang around him. "I know, bud. I'll be home longer this time."

"I know! Mommy told me. Now I'll be able to whip your butt at Mario Cart!"

"In your dreams, pal!" Nick chuckled.

"Nickolas!" called his mother from the kitchen.

"Go set up the Nintendo and I'll be up in a minute." Aaron ran upstairs and began to plot a strategy to beat his brother. Nick strode into the kitchen and plopped himself down at the table. "I have a feelin' that kid's gonna wear me out before tonight," he sighed.

"He misses you, Nick. We all do." His mom had decided to let his dad or his uncle accompany him on tours ever since he hit the age of fifteen. She realized that he needed a male figure around more than a nagging mother, but it still hurt her to know he was out on the road without her.

"I know, mom. I'm just glad we have a year off. Well, we don't exactly have it off considering we have to work on the new album, but at least we won't be touring."

His mom could barely stand the suspense any longer. "So, how was Sara?"

"Oh, she was fine," he said, a small smirk appeared on his face. "I yelled up into her window and woke her up! She was too ecstatic to even care that I disturbed her beauty sleep." 'Not that she needs it,' he thought.

"Good. I've been worried about her lately. Her parents are gone again." She rolled her eyes.

"Yea, I know. I invited her over for dinner. Hope you don't mind."

"Of course not! I've always liked her," she said in a certain tone. It was the tone that most guys dreaded hearing from their mothers. It was that 'you should hook up with her' tone. She noticed Nick blushing a bit. "I just think a girl like that deserves better. Those people are constantly leaving her alone. I've noticed that her appearance has changed within the past months. I'm worried she isn't taking very good care of herself. I don't think this year has been the best for her. Don't ask me why, just call it a motherly instinct."

"Well, I can't comment about that since I haven't seen her for so long, but she's definitely changed. Now that you mention it, she is a little skinny, but she's always been tiny. I wouldn't worry about it."

"I'm just glad you're home. You guys will be able to hang out again, like old times. I think she's in need of her best friend, just like you are." She stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be back. I've got to go to the store for supper."

Nick sat there, thinking about everything...mostly about Sara. He had missed her so much while he'd been away. He had phoned her a couple of times while he was gone, but she had never been home. There was definitely a lot of catching up to do tonight. He had made the decision to head over to her house once they had finished with dinner. They would be assured privacy over there and the freedom to talk about anything.