“Oh?” Zoe asked, sitting down.
“First of all, Mackie’s engaged.”
“Really?” Sarah asked delightedly, her eyes shining. “To Sandy?”
“Yeah. You know her?”
“I spoke to her once on the phone,” she admitted. “I like her. When is it?”
“After they’ve graduated. That’s all they know.”
“Great!”
“What’s the other news? The record label news?” Zoe inquired.
“Well, Mackie has decided to leave the band altogether and,” Zac quickly continued before Zoe could cut in. “I am not going to become a permanent member of this group. So the choices are this. You can either continue Indecision – with a drummer or without – or you can disband Indecision all together. But I do want a decision before the end of the tour.”
“So we’re going to be in decision about Indecision?” Sarah giggled.
“How could he?” Zoe exploded. “He can’t just leave!”
“He can, and he has,” Zac answered simply.
“And where are we going to get another drummer from? We don’t know anyone!”
“Did you ever get out and try to meet anyone?” Zac asked rhetorically. “You could always hold auditions.”
Zoe gave him such a fierce look that he never even considered making the suggestion again.
“Oh, knock it off Zoe,” Sarah cut in, a mixture of annoyance and unhappiness. “You know you’ve been waiting for an excuse to go solo. Just admit it. You’ve always thought I was a thorn in your side, and, and...”
Sarah couldn’t talk any more. She just turned and plonked into her bunk on the tour bus, shutting the curtain angrily. Zac and Zoe looked at each other.
“Sarah is not the only one who suspects you of wanting to go solo,” Zac said quietly. “Are we right?”
Zoe was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“Well, you’ll be eighteen next year, so you’ll no longer be in my custody. I think we can arrange something there.”
“What about you? And Sarah?”
“Well, I’ve been offered a job in LA that I’ve been considering. I’ll talk to Sarah and find out what she wants to do,” Zac gave Zoe a long look, and then a smile. “You know, you’re the biggest pain in the neck to work with little sister, but all up I think I’ve enjoyed the experience.”
Zoe laughed.