Zac hung the phone up after Kari’s answering machine picked up again
for the hundredth time. She wouldn’t take his calls, she wouldn’t pick up the phone what so ever. Even when he left a message begging her forgiveness. Every time he goes to her house she doesn’t answer the door, even when he KNEW she was there. He was loosing hope. Obviously she wanted nothing to do with him as long as they both shall live.
Tuesday, school would be back in session, maybe then she’d give him the time of day. But knowing Kari, she’d embarrass him in front of ever student at Tulsa High. So talking to her at school was beginning to be out of the question. Zac was determined not to give up. He loved her so much. His hormones got the best of him. Yeah! He regrets it more then
anything. But He himself making that decision wasn’t going to bring Kari back any faster. He had to work for her love, just like he had been all along.
Just as he was about to dial her number again the phone rang. He quickly pushed the ‘Talk’ button.
“Kari?” He said almost too hopeful.
“Zaac? This i-s Abb-y. Is Tay-lor there?” She choked out. Her sobs were louder with every word.
“Abby? Is everything okay? Where are you?” Zac questioned.
“Ai-rport. N-o gett T-aylor!” She was now baling.
“Hold on I’ll go get him! Don’t hang up! I’ll be RIGHT back!” Zac ran down the stairs with the portable phone.
“TAYLOR!” He screamed.
“Zac hunny, what is it?” Diana said coming out of the kitchen at the sound of her sons loud screaming.
“Where’s Taylor?!” Zac ignored her question.
“Him and Isaac just walked out two seconds ago.” She said motioning to
the door.
Zac ran over and opened it taking off out onto the porch, just in time to see Taylor and Ike getting into the jeep.
“TAY!” Zac screamed and ran over to them.
“What is it?” Taylor asked.
“Abby’s on the phone, she’s crying and I can barely understand her!”
Taylor jumped out and flew over to where Zac was standing a few feet
away. He grabbed the phone and started talking.
“Abby? Baby! what’s wrong?” Taylor asked the still sobbing girl. He took off around the side of the house.
Abby barely got through the story. But she told him everything.
“So your just sitting at the airport? he asked.
“Yes.” She said now calming down a little.
“Listen, I’m going to call Southwest and get you on the next flight out of there, okay. Hold on tight, okay? I’ll have you out of there in a second and down here with me.”
Taylor took down the pay phone number where she was calling and
promised to call her back in ten minutes.
He walked into the house and into his dad’s office. Picking up a phone book he dialed the airline number and sorted everything out. Abby would be in Tulsa three hours later.

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

The night was still young as Katie turned into the Dalton’s driveway. Shewas so excited to see Abby, her stomach notted up so tight she thought she might throw up. She hadn’t seen or talked Abby in over a month.
Ab didn’t know she was stopping by so this was going to surprise her.
Katie got out of the car and made her way across the familiar lawn then up the steps to ring the doorbell.
Hannah open the door and was taken back to see Katie there.
“Hannah! Hi!” She said giving her a hug.
“Hey sweetie.” Hannah looked at her with sad eyes.
“What’s wrong? Is something wrong?” Katie eyed her suspiciously.
“Are you looking for Abby?” Hannah said leading Katie into the house.
“Yeah! Oh my gosh I can’t wait to see her. Where is she?” Katie beamed.
She looked around the doorways and rooms as if to see Abby appear at
any given moment. She saw the table half cleared of dishes from the big meal. Abby’s brother’s, Micah and Israel, sat in front of the TV watching football. They both looked up and gave her a wave. She smiled in response.
“That’s the problem..” Hannah looked down as she played with the zipper on her old navy sweater. “She’s not here.”
“What?” Katie looked at her confused. “Wasn’t she coming home for Thanksgiving?!”
“Yeah, she did. But you just missed her. She flew in last night, her and I fought it out this morning, then she left. I think she caught an earlier plane to Tulsa.” Hannah informed her.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Katie said. Her eyes now watering.
“Katie, I’m sorry. I tried to stop her.”
Katie just looked up at Hannah, nodded her head. She turned and walked out the door back to her car.
‘Did Abby forget I lived here or something?! She knew I was coming home for Thanksgiving.. Didn’t she? I thought I had told her that, where else would I be?’ Thoughts ran through Katie’s head as she drove home. She couldn’t believe Abby would come to Ohio and not stop in to see her. The
last month had been so busy for the both of them that no phone calls or anything took place. Katie didn’t know what to do.
If Abby really cared about her. She would go out of her way to see her.
Running off to Tulsa ever damn second and abandoning her best friends was un-called for. Katie would just wait until Abby came to her.

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

***Attention all passengers- We will be landing at Tulsa Municipal Airport in ten minutes. Please make sure your chairs and tray tables are in their up-right and locked positions. The current temperature in Tulsa, Oklahoma is 62 degrees. Thank you for flying Southwest Airlines. It was my pleasure to serve each and everyone of you tonight. Please drive safely. Thank you and Have a Happy Thanksgiving!***

The stewardess hung up the microphone and came down the isle to check seats and belts.
Abby let out a deep breath. She was finally here. The flight seemed like days. The only thing that was keeping her going, was knowing Taylor was on the other side waiting to grab her in his arms and never let go. She put her tray table up and set her backpack on her lap. The plane touched
ground moments later. She stood and grabbed her duffel bag from the
overhead compartment. Then made her way to the front exit of the small plane. The stewardess gave her a warm smile and said happy
Thanksgiving.
Abby’s eyes filled with tears even before she laid eyes on Taylor. His long blonde hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail. She ran towards him and kissed him. They stood there hugging till the terminal was completely empty.
“I’m never going to leave you again Taylor. Never.” She cried.
“I’m never going to let you. Come on, lets go home.”
The two of them walked through the busy airport hand in hand.

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

Zac jumped up off the couch at the sound of the front door opening. He
walked into the main foyer and at the sight of Abby gave her a warm hug.
The rest of the family followed.
Dinner was just about ready and the house was busting with excitement.
The smell could lead any hungry person in the direction of the kitchen.
Everybody had smiles on their faces. Just that, made Abby feel better.
They welcomed her in like their own and that made her feel so good.
“We’ll be ready to sit down in about fifteen!” Diana said still wiping her hands on her apron and heading back into the kitchen.
“Here let me take your coat.” Isaac said helping Abby take it off.
“Thanks Ike.” She gave him a warm smile.
Taylor grabbed her hand again and led her into the living room where the rest of the family were to begin with. They took a seat on the double couch. Taylor snuggled up next to her and closed his eyes. He breathed in her scent. Now, he was home. Wherever Abby was, was home.

The night took on a whole new meaning after the family all sat down at the huge dinner table. They said the blessing and everyone conversed into four different sets of conversation. At that moment Abby knew that this was her life. Her home, and her family. This was where she wanted to be. Her life was sitting right next to her. She looked over at him and stared while he laughed and occasionally took a bite of his food. He was perfect, and she couldn’t ask for more.

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

“Yeah. The New Years party starts around seven, I’ll try to call you about nine or so, okay?” Isaac reassured Nora.
“Okay. It still doesn’t help me missing you, Ike.” She sighed.
“I know. Just think, in another five days we’ll be back on campus and together.” He said almost at a whisper.
“Okay. That sounds good.” Nora said. A single tear ran down her cheek.
She miss Isaac so much. Being separated over the holidays the past week was driving her crazy. And now she still had a week to go.
Forrest ran into the room where she was talking and started playing.
“Forrest baby, please go downstairs with Mommy and Daddy. I’ll be down in a second, okay.” Nora said turning to face the small child.
“Why are you crying aunt Nora?” The little three year old asked.
Nora sat there for a minute. She heard Isaac stop breathing on the other end.
“I’ll be down in a minute. Run along.” She ignore his question.
“Okay.” Forrest said content with no answer. He stood back up and left the room.
“I’m sorry.” She apologized. More hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She choked out a sob.
“Nora, Don’t cry, please.” Isaac tried to soothe.
“I’m sorry Ike. I can’t stand being her right now. I don’t want to be here.”
Nora got quiet so the people downstairs wouldn’t hear her. The walls were paper thin in the condo her sister owned.
Nora turned towards the window that looked out over some mountains. It was so beautiful here. But she wanted to share the scenery with someone else. Not just herself. That is what she hated most about being here. She
couldn’t relax, even if she tried. It wasn’t her home.
“I would do anything right now to come be with you. You know that.” Ike said. “I will, If you want me too, Just say the words.” He offered. Nora held her breath for a minute.
“No, You have fun at your New Years party. Okay. Just make sure you call me.” She said with a half smile.
“Are you sure babe?”
“Yes. I’m sure.

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

“Hey Ike! Can I talk to you for a minute?” Taylor asked his brother when he saw him pass by the bedroom door.
“Yeah, In a sec. I need to piss real quick.” Isaac laughed and took off down the hall again to the bathroom. Moments later he came back and walked into Taylor’s room.
“So what’s up?” He took a seat at the edge of the bed.
Taylor lay spread out on the floor with his arms behind his head and legs crossed.
“I was just wondering if you would come to the mall with me. I need to
check something out.”
Isaac looked at him weird. “What do you need to check out?”
Taylor smiled. “Just come with me Ike. I’ll tell you when we get there. We just need to get out of this house without Abby or anyone else seeing us.”
“Okay. This better be good.” Ike said laughing. He paused for a minute then asked, “How are we ganna get out of here without being seen?”
At that moment he slapped himself for asking that question. He already knew by the look on Taylor’s face. Out the window and down the lightning rod. Just like every other times when they had just gotten back from touring and Mom and Dad wouldn’t let them out.
“Go grab your shoes. We’re out of here.” Taylor said jumping up and
putting on a shirt. He grabbed the key’s to the jeep along with his wallet and started taking the screen off the window. Isaac appeared seconds later, shoes in hand. He turned and locked the door to Taylor’s room.
“Did you see Abby anywhere?” He asked.
“Yeah, she’s sound asleep on the living room couch.” Isaac informed him.
“Perfect. Lets go.” Taylor started out the window, but stopped and looked at Isaac.
“What?” Ike asked.
“How much money do you have with you?”
“Huh? WHY?!” Isaac said feeling his back pocket as if to guard his money.
“Just! How much?” Taylor said aggravated.
“Enough.”
“Enough enough?” Taylor smiled.
“Enough enough.” Isaac confirmed with a scared look on his face.
“Great, lets go.”
The two of them crawled out the window, over the roof, and down the tall lightning rod. Once they hit the ground they sprinted to the jeep, hoped in and sped out before anyone noticed a vehicle was being taken.

Fifteen minutes later they pulled into Woodland Hill’s Mall. They searched the parking lot for a space and finally found one in the second row.
“Taylor, come one. Just tell me why we’re here!” Isaac wined, whether he would like to admit it or not.
“Your going to have to wait. You’ll know in a minute.” He assured.
Upon entering the Mall’s back entrance Taylor walked down a few stored then turned to the right. He stopped and looked over at Isaac. Isaac looked up. His eyes grew wide.
Taylor smiled. “So you’ll help me?” He looked at him hopeful.
Isaac didn’t have anything to say. He took a step towards Tay and gave
him a hug.
“Thanks Ike. I appreciate it.”
“NO problem. But I.. wow. So this is why you asked if I had money.” Isaac laughed.
“Yeah. And your ganna get everything I borrow back. I promise.” Taylor assured him.
“Are you sure about this?” Isaac asked grabbing both of Tay’s shoulders and looking him square in the eyes.
Taylor’s stomach had butterflies. Those butterflies that tell him it’s always the right choice, daring, but right. He sighed “Yeah, I’m sure about this.”
“Okay. What are we waiting for? Let’s do it.” Ike smiled.
The two boys walked into the store side by side. Taylor’s grin couldn’t have been bigger.