Zac sighed. Standing up from his warm spot on the front porch, he closed his book and reached for the door.
He hadn't really been involved in the whole book. He'd had other things on his mind. Things like Kristin, and what he was really sposed to do tonight. Why Isaac was being so nice to him all of a sudden, and when on earth he was going to be able to live at home again.
Opening the door and stepping inside, he tossed his book down on the end table and walked into the kitchen.
"Oh hey, glad you came in, I was just about to come get you."
Zac nodded.
"Need any help?"
"You can set the table if you want."
Tammy pointed to the cupboard full of plates before he could answer.
Shrugging, Zac walked over, grabbing a stack and then walked out to the table.
"Kristin called."
Zac peered around the wall, looking for some sign she was joking.
"I told her you were out reading and that I'd come get you, but she told me not to worry about it. She said she would either call you back tonight or tomorrow. That is of course if you didn't happen to call her first."
Zac shook his head.
"Your joking I know."
"Actually I'm not. She left her number here just incase you forgot it."
"I didn't forget."
"She didn't think you did either, she just said for safe keeping."
Zac nodded.
"Can I…um…use the phone maybe?"
Tammy smiled.
"After you're done with the table. It's partly your house too anyway."
Turning around he finished with the plates.
"So what are you doing tonight?"
"I don't know. I was thinking maybe just stay here I guess."
"Why aren't you going with your friends?"
"Oh. Well, I thought I'd stay here, I haven't really finished unpacking all my stuff really. My rooms kinda dirty."
Tammy smiled.
"Yeah, kinda dirty is an understatement."
"Kate might stop by later and pick up the guitars, she wants to take them over to Scott's. Maybe she said Tucker's, I don't remember."
Tammy looked up from slicing eggs.
"Why don't you and Kristin do something?"
Zac chuckled.
"Thanks for the…uh…ideas but no thanks. Me and Kristin are just friends, that's all. Don't listen to whatever Kate said. She…she just thinks that she's matchmaker that's all."
"Oh really. Mr. Heartbreaker."
"Heartbreaker? Yeah right, Kristin knows we're just friends."
"She didn't make it sound that way on the phone."
Zac frowned.
"That, and I've heard some pretty strong facts that convince me otherwise."
"Like what."
Zac was standing across the kitchen from Tammy, a shocked expression across his face.
"Someone told me that you two had a little goin' for you the other night, at that party you didn't know I knew about, and you were doing things no 15 year old should be doing. I know things kiddo, I was a teenager once too."
Zac sighed.
"Me and Kate and my friends, we just went out and got a bite…"
Tammy turned around to face him.
"Listen. There's a few things that I do and don't tolerate. Me being about as close to a teenager as I can get, I know that you being underaged probably chuggs a few beers, and I bet you do a few other things I don't really approve of, but if you live here, you can't lie to me. If I ask you about it, you better tell me the truth, unless you want to never go out again. A lot of what you do is your business, but I'll tell you this; You're my responsibility right now and if you don't do what I ask of you then I get in trouble for it. That's why I ask you to do what I ask whenever I ask, and I would hope you don't hide things from me. I'm not an ogre Zac, I listen, and you only get in trouble for what you really deserve. If your responsible with your life then there's nothing you can get in trouble for, don't drag me down though. If I ask you a question I want the truth, there's a good reason I ask some of this stuff."
Zac looked down at the checkered tiles on the floor.
"Do I make myself clear? If I know where you went don't stand there and lie to me."
Zac nodded.
"I don't need you getting in to any kind of trouble because you got carried away, or because you decided to lie to me. Isaac and I took you into our home as a favor to you, not so you could run wild."
"Sorry."
"Don't be sorry just be responsible. Be honest with me."
Nodding once more he sighed.
"Sorry I yelled at you."
"No…I deserved it."
"Look at me."
Looking up Zac chewed on the inside of his cheek.
"Be honest with me. Please."
Nodding a last time he turned and walked to his room.
Shutting the door quietly he flopped down on his bed.
"I've not been here a week and I already screwed up."
"Coming…"
Swinging it open he smiled.
"Hey Brent."
"Hey. You ready?"
Taylor frowned.
"See now…this is where I get apprehensive…I mean, I barely ever have fun at these things…You drag me along, and I almost got in a fight with Zac. I've been thinking maybe I should stay home."
"C'mon Tay, don't be like that."
Brent walked past him into the house.
"Don't be like that? Brent, man I almost got into serious trouble, while you were off in the back. I hardly call that overreacting okay."
"Listen, I was thinking too, and I decided I'd try and make it a little more fun for you, this party is sposed to be real good, a couple kegs, hot chicks, I promise tonight won't be boring."
"I don't even drink beer."
"You've never even tried it."
"Why should I? I don't really see any thrill in it."
"Try one beer, just one tonight. I bet you'll like it."
"Brent…"
"Don't knock it til you try it dude. Just one."
Taylor turned around, shaking his head.
"Why do I always fall for your crap?"
Brent smiled.
"Cause you're Taylor?"
Zac hadn't come out all night, and if he was asleep she didn't want to wake him.
Sighing, she lifted her hand to knock.
"What's the matter?"
She turned, startled as Isaac walked into the kitchen.
Shrugging she held up the phone.
"It's Kristin."
"Oh. He's in his room."
"I know where he's at Isaac…"
"Well what's keeping you?"
"I don't know if he's awake."
"Just knock."
"I kinda yelled at him earlier."
"It's not like it hasn't happened before. Just knock and get him up."
"But…"
"Just do it. I'm sure he's forgotten all about it."
Tammy sighed again, turning back to the door she raised her fist and knocked twice.
"What."
She frowned as she pushed the door open.
"The phones for you."
Zac was staring at the ceiling, as he stretched out one arm and waited for her to place the phone in it.
"Who is it."
"Kristin."
She set the phone down in his hand and then turned around and walked out, closing the door behind her.
"See now that wasn't so bad was it?"
"It was bad enough Isaac."
"Did he call you obscene names?"
"No..but.."
"Did he say things like he hopes you burn in hell?"
"No…but Isaac…"
"Well then. You're fine. He's forgotten it."
"Isaac just because he didn't say it doesn't mean he's not thinking it."
Isaac stopped to look at her.
"Tammy he's not thinking that about you. If he's thinking anything negative it would be about me."
"Isaac I'm trying to straighten him up, show him that there's more to life then being mad at everyone."
"I know you are, and he cares for you, why do you think he stayed home tonight. I'll bet it's not because he wanted to watch the news. He wants to please you."
"And then I go off an yell at him."
"You have to set boundaries, that's normal. He had them at our house."
"Yeah but…he didn't listen to them."
"He's listening to yours."
"That's why I don't want to make him hate me for this stuff Isaac. I really really want him around."
"I know. That's why I'm telling you to take it easy. He'll be okay, he'll understand that you had to do it. He knows you don't hate him Tam."
"I'm not so convinced. What if he starts sneaking out at night, and doing even worse things?"
"Don't worry about it."
She sighed.
Walking over to her Isaac hugged her.
Smiling he held her at arms length.
"At least, some good could come out of him sneaking out at night."
"Oh and what's that."
"We could have more 'us' time."
"Isaac!"
She playfully slapped him on the shoulder and walked into the living room.
"Is that all you think about!"
