Chapter 12: Found Out

Taylor and Jewel sang a long with Lit's "My Own Worst Enemy"
Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk?
I didn't mean to call you that
I can't remember what you
Or what you threw at me
Please tell me why
My car is in the front yard
And I'm
Sleeping with my clothes on
I came in through the window last night
And you're gone
Gone
It's no surprise to me
I am my own worst enemy
Cause every now and then
I kick the living **** outta me
The smoke alarm is going off and there's a cigarette….

After the song they burst out laughing.

"What's the latest news in music Paul?"
"Well there's Mariah Carey's new single, Heartbreaker, and it has stormed up the charts"
"I've had a few calls in for some old stuff, Paul"
"Like what Dave?"
"Some kids wanting to hear Hanson cause Taylor went missing about a week ago"

Taylor held his breath waiting for Jewel to ask him about the "missing" part. She didn't say a word. She just had her eyes on the road, humming a song. Then she began to sing:

I thought this would solve all my problems
That going away was the key to life
Even though
I didn't know where they were
I still have to go
And I'm still searching
Still searching
For the love I never knew
And every night that I was alone
The loneliness inside grew
I never saw them again
My family
My friends
I never turned my back on them
And I need them yet again
And I'm still searching
Still searching
For the love I never knew
And every night that I was alone
The loneliness inside grew


Taylor looked up. Jewel nodded. "I went looking for my father after my mother was divorced. I did the same thing you're doing now. And let me tell you, Ohio is a long way from Kansas" she said. Taylor sighed and the van became quiet except for the radio playing N'sync's new song and a Britney Spears dance mix. 

Alanis sighed deeply. How was she ever going to make this up to the Hansons? They thought that Taylor leaving was all her fault. They didn't understand. "Alanis…" came a whisper.

"Sam?!?" Alanis said twisting around in the swing. But no one was there, and she knew her family was out for the day.
"Alanis…" it said again.
"Sam? Where are you Sam?" Alanis sprang from the swing leaving it rocking gently.
"Who the heck is Sam?" a voice came from behind Alanis. Alanis turned around. There stood a girl with dark hair, brown eyes and deep tan skin.
"Angel!" Alanis cried rushing forward to her friend. "Yo, Alanis, calm down!" Angel said with a grin spread across her face.