Taylor and Abby stood out in the front lawn saying their good bye’s to the Hanson’s after loading their bags into Zac’s car.
“Mom, I’ll be back in a few weeks for Thanksgiving.” Taylor said with a reassuring hug to his mom for the fourth time in the past five minutes.
Diana’s eyes were tearing. She hated seeing her son leave again. But nothing could compare to the first time she said goodbye. She was definitely more of a wreck then, then she was now.
Zoe ran up to Tay and glued herself to his leg.
“Haha, Zoe?!” He said laughing.
All I could do was smile. She kept a firm hold on him.
“No Taytay! Stay!” The little four year old girl cried.
“Zoe, I’ll be back sooner then you know it.” Taylor said scooping up the small child. “But you have to promise me something before I go.”
“What Taytay? I’ll do any-ting! I can keep a promise! I can!” Zoe said sloppily wiping her nose with the sleeve of her tiny jacket.
“You gatta call me when I get back to college..” Taylor paused for a
minute and leaned in to whisper to the little girl. “..and you gatta be a big girl for mommy while I’m gone, and be good. okay? Can you do that for me?”
A huge smile spread across Zoe’s face. “I can promise that! I can!” She said returning the whisper.
“Good. Now give your brother a BIGGG hug!”
Zoe wrapped her little arms around Taylor’s neck and gave him a tight
squeeze. He lowered her to the ground and she made her way back over beside Diana.
“”Tay, we’re going to be late.” Zac said. I turned to see him leaning against his car.
“Oh, God.. your right.” I said looking at my watch. “You ready?” I asked looking at Taylor.
“Yep. Lets go.” He hugged Diana one last time then turned to Walker.
Taylor went to shake his Dad’s hand but Walker brought him into a hug instead. Everyone laughed.
Taylor walked around to the passenger side door and opened it for me to get in. Then he jumped into the back before the car lunged forward and we were off.
He turned and gave one last wave before we disappeared into the trees that lined the long drive.

**************

The airport was unusually busy for this time of year. We made our way
through the crowds toward the tenth terminal where we boarded the plane.
Zac dropped us off in the departure entrance and sped away for work after a quick good bye.
“Excuse me Miss?” I said stopping the stewardess walking through the
isle.
“Yes?” She turned around and answered in her fake friendly voice.
“Could I get a small blanket? It’s a little chilly next to this window.”
“Sure thing dear!” She said, reaching up into the overhead compartment.
She handed the dark blue cover and pillow to me.
“Thank you so much.” I said with a smile. She rushed away just as quickly as she came.
“Your so picky!” Taylor said laughing a minute later.
“Picky?! Is there something wrong with being a little cold?” I snickered.
“Abby, I was just kidding.” He said with a cute innocent smile.
“Oh stop it!” I smacked his chest.
“Hey, hey! Be gentle..”
“Haha, yeah right.”
Taylor leaned over and put his head down on the pillow I placed on my lap. I leaned against the small window and looked out over the passing scenery. As I ran my fingers through Taylor’s long hair I thought of how happy I was to actually be going home pretty soon. I finally might be able to face everyone in my family again. After being away for 3 months.
“Thank you.” I leaned down and whispered into Taylor’s ear.
“For what?” He asked turning his head up to face me.
“Everything..”
“Your Welcome.” He smiled and lifted his head to place a soft kiss on my lips.

**************

“Nora? Where are the measuring cups?” Isaac yelled from the small kitchen in Nora’s dorm suit.
It was Wednesday and Isaac had the day off classes. And Nora decided to skip just to be with him. The two girls she shared her dorm suit with were both busy with other things. They wouldn’t be home till late that night.
So that called for movie night. A weekly ritual Isaac and Nora had
adopted.
Isaac was busy making a small dinner for two in the kitchen as Nora sat on her sofa trying to get some last minute homework done. She laughed at his question.
“Ike, why don’t I just come in and show you!” She said annoyed.
“No.. Just tell me where it is from in there. I don’t want you to see what I’m making.” Came a muffled reply.
“Ugh! It’s in the second shelf in the cabinet to the left of the sink.” She said going back to what she was reading. The hustle and bustle was beyond distracting.
“Thank you! Now was that so hard?!” He laughed.
“Isaac I swear! If you burn down my kitchen..” She trailed off.
“YOU THINK I CAN’T COOK, DON’T YOU! Well your in for the surprise of your life sister.” Ike said peaking around the corner pointing a spatula at me.
“Haha! Ohgoodlord..” I had to admit. It did smell pretty good whatever it was. I couldn’t think of what he could be making with what little food I had in there. I couldn’t remember the last time I went shopping. Isaac and I eat out so much anymore.. I never needed to go get more food. I wasn’t here to finish up what all I had.

“Okay, Open your eyes” Isaac said slowly pulling his hands away from my face.
“Oh.. Isaac.” Nora said gasping. “Ohhh!!” She turned around and kissed him on the lips.
“Hmm. I should cook more often!” Ike smiled.
“Baby, It looks so wonderful!” Nora said, as she took a seat in the chair Isaac pulled out for her.
Two candles on either side of the table burned a dim light into the dark room.
“I hope you like fetachini Alfredo” He said taking his seat also.
Two huge plates of the scrumptious noodles filled the plates along with a small plate of garlic bread.
“Anything right now looks good! I’m starved! But this..” She paused for a moment. “..looks awesome!”
“Don’t judge a book but it’s cover!” Isaac laughed. “Now take a bite and tell me what you think!”
Nora swirled her fork in the huge mass and took it into her mouth.
“Who taught you to make Alfredo sauce?!”
“My Mom.” He said with a mouth full of food.
“Whoa! This is excellent!” She said leaning forward and wiping off a smear of sauce from his chin.
“I’m glad you like it.” He said looking at her.
The two sat there for a moment staring.
“I love you.” Isaac said crossing his fingers into hers over the table.
Nora just smiled.
He was taken back by her silence.

**************

“Hey!” Zac said leaning down and giving Kari a quick peck on the lips.
“Hi” She smiled. He took a seat across from her on the picnic table in the lunch yard.
“How’s your day going?” He asked opening his sack lunch.
“Hectic! I’ve had four tests so far today and it’s only 7th period. I don’t know how much more of this I can handle.” She said setting her notebook on the seat next to her and grabbing her juice box.
“Wow. How are you having that many tests on Thursday?” Zac said before taking a huge bite out of his mustard and bologna sandwich.
“Earth to moron, We don’t have school tomorrow.” Kari said bringing her hand up to knock on his head. He caught it before she could.
“Haha, Sorry miss priss.. I forgot.” Zac brought her hand down to the table and played with her thumb finger.
“How could you forget? I’ve been looking forward to Fall vacation ever since I found out!” She looked at him as if he had gone completely brain dead. “And quit that, it tickles!” Kari laughed pulling her hand away from his.
“So, what are you doing tonight?” Zac asked changing the subject.
“Well..” Kari said with an innocent smile spread across her face. “My parents are going to Oklahoma City for two nights. I was thinkin.. maybe you would like to come over?”
Zac’s eyes lit up, an evil smile crossed his lips. "I have to work after school till seven-thrity, So what time should I be there?”
“Oh, say about eight-thirty.” She said scooting closer to Zac with every word she spoke. Until their lips met.
The bell rang a second later.
“I’ll see YOU, my dear.. tonight.” Zac said with an evil grin. He collecting his stuff and headed off into the school doors.