"Good game," Zac said on the way out of the poolroom.
"Yep," Kelsey agreed, then she noticed someone lounging on the lounge. "Zoe! You're here!"
"Hey guys," she greeted cheerfully.
"Hi Zoe. Have a good trip?" Zac asked.
"I did."
Zoe had just finished her tour and was dropping in on the way back to Tulsa for a long and well-deserved break. The three chatted about different things, and were still talking about touring and Zac's show, and Kelsey's bar when Avie and Hope came home from the studio. Hope's role in Rocky Road had become a regular one, and she was now in every episode.
"Hey Dad," Hope said. "I was - Auntie Zoe?"
"Yeah, it's me."
Hope bounded over and gave her a hug, and when they pulled apart, Avie gave Zoe a hug too.
"How was the studio?" Zoe asked.
"Good," Avie replied. "The jokes are getting cornier, but otherwise, good."
"Dad! This guy came up to me at the studio, he wants to do a ballroom dancing movie," Hope said excitedly. "He knows I do ballroom dancing and asked if I would be in it… please? He gave his card."
Zac took the card and inspected it, then gave a curious glance to Avie.
"He's a respected producer in the industry. I haven't heard of him myself, but Tom has."
"Hmm… I'll check this out okay Hope?"
"Okay."
"Say Zac, have you seen your ex-girlfriend recently?" Zoe asked.
"I have a lot of them."
"Molly, what's-her-name. From the Amazons."
"Ahh… yes, I did hear," Zac said with a wry smile. "And I am not the least bit surprised."
"What?" Avie asked.
"Oh, she got breast cancer, in her… right breast and it had to be removed. I don't know all the details, but I do know that Molly wasn't interested in having reconstruction surgery, nor would she let them remove her left breast."
"That would look a little lopsided," Kelsey commented.
"It does," Zoe chuckled.
"She probably says she's a real Amazon now - they used to destroy their right breasts so they could use their weapons to more effect," Zac added with amused malice. "But I think she's more interested in starting trouble. It only happened… a couple of weeks ago and there is so much media talking about her right now. I'm surprised you two haven't heard already."
"I tell you what though," Zoe said, breaking the silence that followed. "Molly and her stylist are having so much fun. She is shameless about flaunting that fact that she only has one breast now."
"Well, I think that's just gross," Avie declared.
"Like I said, she wants to start trouble," Zac grinned. "They're going to be going on and on about this for months to come. Good decision, bad decision, blah, blah, blah. I'm going to enjoy watching. I just hope there's enough popcorn."