"Mom? I'm gonna wait for Oliver outside." Mackie said.
"Ok." Diana replied.
Mackie went outside. He noticed some red-headed woman and some guy talking to a kid around his age…
"Why is Oliver over there?" Mackie wondered.
He saw Oliver hand over something… an envelope. He couldn't see what the man did with the envelope, but he did see him give Oliver a paper bag. Oliver said something, stuffed the bag into his bag, and headed over to the Hansons.
"Who were you talking to?" Mackie asked.
Oliver jumped.
"Huh? Oh, hi Mackie."
"Hey Oliver. Who were you talking to?"
Oliver shrugged.
"They're your neighbors."
"What did they give you?"
Oliver looked startled.
"Oh, umm, nothing. So, are we gonna write songs or not?"
Mackie shrugged, a little puzzled at Oliver and they walked inside.
**********
A little later, Zoe, Mackie and Oliver decided to have a break. Diana had made up some food for them and Mackie offered to his other band members to go get it.
"Sure, thanks Mackie." Zoe replied.
Mackie headed into the kitchen.
"Hey Mom, where's the food?"
"On the counter."
"Thanks." Mackie paused. "Hey mom?"
"Yes Mackie?"
"Who lives in the house two down from Taylor and Rita's?"
Diana paused for a moment.
"Well, I don't really remember sweetie. We never really spoke with the family much, especially with travelling. But I believe Taylor used to date the daughter. Jade or something. Why?"
"Oh nothing. I just saw two people outside their house and wondered who they were. Thanks again for the food."
"You're welcome."