“Goddamned sensory deprivation chamber!” Yelled Isaac as he dropped the rather heavy object on his big toe. One of the neighbors who was working in her garden looked at him rather oddly. He smiled charmingly at her and waved. She again looked at him oddly and went back to working. He had unceremoniously dropped the thing out of the van’s trunk. Gathering his strength, he dragged the chamber through the driveway and the backyard, and into the shed. He stashed it behind the lawn mower and sigh with satisfaction. Absentmindedly glancing at his watch, the realization that he was late picking up Abigail and Christian finally hit him. With a growl of frustration, he started sprinting to the van. Once again the neighbor woman looked at him oddly. I really don’t like that woman. He thought to himself as he threw the van in reverse.

Abigail tapped her foot impatiently on the dry December ground. Where the hell was Isaac? Sighing, she walked back into the waiting room where she could see the outside, but not feel its bitterness. Christian was napping contentedly, having dozed off the second his check-up and shot were finished. She sat down gingerly, trying not to wake the slumbering baby. Just then a silver van roared to a halt in front of the doors and Isaac catapulted himself out of the driver’s seat. He threw open the door and spotting her, hurried over. “Hey, Hun, I’m so sorry, it’s just I was getting something for Avery-” “Shh, it’s ok, just help me get Christian into the car, ok?” She cut him off and he nodded and took the baby from her. Gently, he placed little Christian into the car seat and Abby put the diaper bag next to him. They climbed into their seats in the front and began the leisurely ride home. “So, what did you get for Ave?” She asked while fiddling with the radio. “It’s this thing, a sensory deprivation chamber. I don’t know, it looked pretty cool. She better like it. I was accosted by some freakish elf trying to get it.” She laughed. “Really?” He nodded in despair. “See, I told you you’re still sexy.” He cried out in mock horror. “You didn’t see that kid, Abby!” She laughed again as they turned into the driveway. The neighbor lady looked at them oddly as Abby climbed out and got Christian. “What’s her problem?” She whispered to Isaac. He just shrugged, smiling. After Isaac unlocked the door, Abby walked to the nursery and placed the slumbering Christian into his crib for a nap. Walking back toward the kitchen, she spotted Isaac leaning against the counter, drinking a can of Pepsi. The glint of the light on his face made him look extremely sexy and, smiling mischievously, she made her way over to him. He smiled at her as she wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her head against his back. “You know,” She whispered throatily to him and slid her hand down to his waist to fiddle with his belt buckle. “We don’t have to get the kids from school for a while yet.” He almost choked on his soda and then turned around to face her. She grinned up at him, and he, growling like a bear, scooped her up and placed her bottom on the counter. A few minutes later, all worries of the day were forgotten.

“I love you,” Said Zac to Stacy for what seemed like the millionth time. And she always replied with the same thing. “I know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?” He sighed. “Yeah. Bye.” He waited for her click and then hung up himself. Sighing in frustration, he buried his face in between his palms. I always, always say I love her. She has never once said it back. They had been together for two years now. And neither he nor she was seeing anyone else. So, why...? I guess she just doesn’t love me like I love her. Well, she was three years older than him, maybe he wasn’t good enough for her. What was the point of staying in a relationship where one partner didn’t care? Well, maybe it wasn’t that she didn’t care... she just wasn’t good at expressing it? God, Zac, he told himself, you’re just kidding yourself. “Hey, Zackie. What are you pouting about?” Jessica wondered aloud as she jogged toward the cordless phone. She reached it and flipped it on, not really caring what his answer was. She distractedly pushed in some numbers and then waited. After flopping on the couch beside him, she suddenly stiffened. “Oh. Hi, Timmy.” She paused and he watched her face red. “Umm, Carmen was exaggerating a little.” She giggled nervously. She listened for a second and then, “Yeah. Sort of. Yeah, ok, later.” She paused again and then she let out a shriek. He looked at her in alarm until she continued speaking. “Ah! Yeah, I know, Bree. I can’t believe it, he likes me?! God! This so can not be happening. What, tonight? Okay, let me check with Zac.” She covered the phone. “Zac, is it cool if I sleep at Bree’s tonight?” He shrugged and muttered what appeared to be an affirmative answer. Jessica uncovered the phone and told Breanna she would be there shortly. Breanna replied something and then Jessica clicked off the phone. She grinned at Zac before excitedly jumping up and going to her room for clothes.

“Oh, God! Oh, God, Abby!” Isaac moaned and then it was over. His knees were quite weak and he leaned against the counter and her warm body. She grinned at him with her dark eyes. He kissed her lips, which were nearly bruised from his passion. “Don’t tell me you’re tired already?” Abby whispered huskily. The suprise in his eyes was evident but he quickly shook his head. Isaac was not one to turn down a beautiful lady. Towards the end of Abby’s pregnancy and indeed the months it had been since little Christian was born, Abby had not wanted to share herself with him. It seemed that more and more she had been tired or just not in the mood. If the streak of celibacy was over, he was more than happy to oblige.

Isaac was relieved to see that there weren’t that many students blocking his way when he arrived to pick up Avery. He remembered her saying something about the other three grades having the day off, but he wasn’t quite sure if that was today. Shrugging and not really minding either way, he steered over to where he saw her leaning against a tree, talking to two girls. He smiled at her through the window and she quickly hugged the first girl goodbye and climbed into the car. She sighed dramatically and leaned back into her seat. Deciding not to ask what was wrong, on the chance that he might not want to know, he concentrated on driving. She sighed again dramatically and glanced at him evilly, willing him to ask her what was wrong. When he didn’t, she gave up and decided to be mad at him instead. “Isaac?” She asked a few minutes later. “Hmm?” He replied to her pleasently. “Umm, nothing.”

“Abby,” Avery popped into the kitchen later while she was busily tossing the salad. “Yeah?” Abby smiled at her. “Could I... I mean, can we talk?” Abby blew the hair off her forehead. “Sure, sweetie, what’s up?” Needing to keep her hands busy, Avery took the salad utensils from Abby and started to mix the salad. “Would you... If I was... a... a...” Abby stopped Avery’s figiting hands. “What is it?” She demanded, softly. Avery’s eyes welled up. “I, well today, in the cafeteria bathroom, me and Alyssa were just talking, right?” Abby nodded encouragingly, and already having a soft spot for the quiet, intelligent Alyssa, waited for Avery to continue. “Well, we... she kissed me Abby!” Abby was quiet for a second, not sure what she should say to the obviously confused girl. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” She said firmly. “Would you still love me, if I... if I liked it?” Avery whispered in an ashamed hesitant voice. Wrapping her arms around her trembling counterpart, she said honestly, “Avery, honey, there is nothing you could ever do that would make me stop loving you. Whatever you feel, whoever you like, I’m always here for you.” No matter what she said, the girl continued crying. Seeking to make her feel better, Abby confessed, “When I was around your age, I did things like this with my girlfriends too.” Avery sniffled lightly. “Really?” Abby nodded. “See, it’s not weird.” Avery smiled at her and they went back to fixing dinner.

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