"Zac!" Peta called, waving an arm. "Over here."
Zac noticed and grinned, walking over.
"Why hello Peta. Long time no see."
"Like to join us?"
"Sure. Who's your friend?"
"Oh, this is my cousin Kelsey. Kel, this is Zac."
Kelsey stared at him.
"You weren't joking. You like, really do know Hanson." She said incredulously.
Peta rolled her eyes.
"I've been trying to convince her for years. But what can I say? Up until recently we never got along. So, how's Ike and Tay?"
"Oh, they're good."
"And the kids?"
Zac groaned.
"Increasing again. We just found out the other day that Babsie's pregnant again. I mean, we all knew it was coming, but it's beginning to get ridiculous."
"No kidding. Gee, how many kids do those two have right now?"
"Eight."
"Eight?" Kelsey repeated. "Don't those people like, believe in like, birth control?"
Zac laughed.
"What about Hope? How's she doing?" Peta asked.
"Hope is great."
"Who's Hope? Your girlfriend?" Kelsey asked with a slight sneer.
"No, my daughter."
"Oh."
And so the conversation continued. Then Kelsey had to go to the bathroom.
"So, what do you think?" Peta asked. "I mean, I know she's kinda rude and stuff, but she can be really nice when you get to know her. Believe me, I know."
Zac gave her a look.
"Yeah, she is a bit rude and has some major attitude there." Then he gave Peta a grin. "Should be a rather entertaining evening."
"You, you mean, you'll actually take her?"
"Yeah, sure, why not?"
"Well, great! Umm, but maybe we should have her make the first move. She won't like it if she thinks she's been set up. So, maybe we should turn the conversation to your motorbike."
"Sure, ok."
When Kelsey returned, Zac asked her if she had a drivers licence yet.
"No."
"Why not?"
"What I really want is like, a motorbike, but my 'rents think it's like, too dangerous and stuff so they're like, not letting me. Which is why I am like, so looking forward to moving out."
"A motorbike huh? I have a motorbike." Zac paused. "Well, actually I have seven."
"Seven?" Kelsey repeated. "Cool."
"He names 'em too." Peta giggled.
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that." Zac defended.
"What ya name 'em?" Kelsey asked.
"Don't encourage him." Peta interjected.
"Betsy, Betty, Elly, Sally, Nellie, Lizzie and Beth."
"And Beth." Kelsey giggled.
"Yes, I had to have one who's name didn't end in with 'ee', just so I could name her last and it would sound funny." Zac grinned.
"I love it! Hey, are you like, gonna be here this Friday?"