Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 44 - A Fast Summer

As several in the Abernathy family predicted, with everyone working or otherwise busy, the summer of 2005 went by very quickly. The end of August came sooner than anyone expected and before they knew it, the children were getting ready to go back to school. Even Matt, who wouldn't begin classes until the end of September, was getting ready to move, packing to go back to the dorms in anticipation of the fall term.

The day Matt chose to move became a topic of conversation on Friday evening, the week before Zack and Jessie started school.

"Why are you moving so early?" Susan asked when the subject came up. "Classes at UCLA won't begin for another three weeks."

"Yeah, I know; but I got permission to move back into the dorms early because I'm helping with Freshman Orientation this year. Besides, I got a transfer for my job at Starbucks to the store near campus. They've made me a part-time shift manager ... but they need me right after Labor Day to train the new workers before the term starts," Matt told her. "It won't be as many hours during the year as I've gotten here this summer, but I'm getting a raise with my new position so the pay is way better than the library. Besides, the management experience I'll be getting is great."

Susan frowned slightly. "You sound like you will be very busy, Matt, working as a shift manager and going to school."

"I will be," Matt told her. He studied his mother, taking in her slight frown. "Don't worry Mom. I'll still come home on weekends, once in a while."

"I wasn't worried," Susan tried to assure him.

But no one in the family was convinced.

"Mama, do we really start school on Tuesday?" Jessie asked.

"Yes, you do. You and Zack both do," Susan said. "This will be your last year of elementary school, Jessie."

"I know," Jessie said.

"Isn't that exciting?" Susan asked in a tone suggesting it should be.

Jessie shrugged. "I wish last year was my last year. I wish I was going to middle school this year."

"Because Bert is going to middle school?" Greg guessed.

"Uh huh," Jessie said. "It was fun being around him every day at camp this summer."

"And you know you will be again next year," Greg said.

"I know, Papa," Jessie said as she hung her head.

"This time is a blessing, Jessie. You and Bert have gotten to know one another very young. You and he both need this time to grow up, so you'll be ready when you are around one another every day," Greg said.

"You know though, even when you go to the same school, you won't necessarily see each other every day," Zack said.

"Why not?" Jessie asked.

"Because you'll be in different classes, like you are now," Zack said.

"Don't you and Kelly see each other every day?" Jessie asked.

"We usually have lunch together," Zack said. "But we don't spend all day together."

"That's still every day," Jessie said.

"It is, Zack," Matt said.

"So? Don't you see Ashley every day?" Zack asked.

"Not every day. We try, but some days it doesn't work out," Matt said. "That's why we want to get married."

"Getting married doesn't necessarily solve the problem of availability," Greg said.

"Don't you and Mom see one another every day?" Matt asked.