“How’d you manage to get it recorded so fast?”
“Well,” Zoe admitted smugly, “you and Sarah did accuse me of waiting for an excuse to go solo. I’d been working on my music so much that when I finally got into the studio... well...”
“Don’t worry Zac,” Kelsey teased. “So her debut solo album only took a few months, so did Hanson’s. Now... her second album on the other hand...”
Zoe laughed.
“And now, my next dilemma: video clips. Actually, I think it’s gonna be pretty weird not having other people to bounce ideas off.”
There was a contemplating silence.
“Don’t hate me for suggesting this,” Avie spoke up, looking up from her script, “but why don’t you get a team of dancers together?”
Zoe looked pained, and Avie put a hand as if to silence whatever she was going to say.
“You don’t have to dance if you don’t want to, of course. But – if you get along with them – it would give you people to bounce ideas off. And some different company on the road for that matter too – if you want them to appear on stage that is. I don’t know. It’s an idea.”
Zoe hesitated.
“It all depends on what you want to do,” Zac told her. “Why don’t you take a few days to relax and do nothing – if you even know what that means.”
Zoe rolled her eyes.
“Of course I do.”
“Really? I’m shocked,” Zac grinned. “Anyway, it’s a big decision, but you aren’t going to be bound to it next time. I think the trick is, should you take up Avie’s suggestion, is hiring people you’re going to get along with.”
Sarah snorted from her place at the table. Hope laughed at Sarah. Zoe looked indignant, but it didn’t make the amused expression on Sarah’s face disappear. Kelsey gave both Sarah and Hope a look and probably would have said something, if Kitty hadn’t taken the opportunity to splatter her food. Kelsey blinked and then gave Zac a hard look.
“There’s a reason for bibs,” she said darkly.
“Yeah, there is. And don’t glare at me. It’s not my fault you’re not wearing one too.”
“Y’know, I’ve been thinking,” Sarah said. “I don’t think it should be called the Hanson family curse. Because y’know, some people try for years, and years, and years to have children. But they can’t. I think we should call it the Hanson family blessing.”
Kelsey stared at her and a smile grew on Zac’s face.
“Maybe you’re right Sarah,” he said. “If it weren’t for the Hanson family cu- blessing, Hope may not be here and Cassie...”
Kelsey bit her lip as he trailed off. Zac never mentioned Cassie.
“It’s a two-edged sword,” Avie grinned, breaking the awkward silence. “Kinda like, good luck is bad luck and bad luck is good luck. Now, moving right along, Sarah, Hope, would you two like to come down to the studio with me today?”
“Yay!” Hope yelled. “Can I Dad? Can I? Can I?”
“Sure,” Zac grinned.
“I’ll go to,” Sarah said.
“You don’t have any schoolwork do you?” asked Kelsey.
“Nothing that can’t wait a few hours.”
“Ok.”
“Great. Get dressed right after breakfast. We leave in an hour,” Avie informed them.