She picked up the phone and dialed the number. She knew it by heart she'd called it so many times in the last year. Rarely did it ever ring through to a human. This time was no different.

"Hi, this is Seth leave a message after the tone. Thanks." There was silence and then the tone.

"Hey Seth, this is Abby again. Just calling to see how you are. Miss you; it's been a few months since we talked. Call me when you get a chance." She hung up the phone and wandered over to her closet. She began digging through boxes, sort of cleaning and sort of rummaging to see what she could find to entertain her on a boring Saturday evening. After a bit, she produced a pink hard cover journal. She hadn't seen it in a long time. Flopping down on the bed, she grabbed a pen from her nightstand and began her newest entry.

Dear Journal,

It seems like forever since the last time we talked. It has been almost 3 years since I wrote. I just found you in a box of stuff when I was cleaning out my closet. I'm really going through all my stuff as I need to consolidate for college this next year. So much has happened in the time I've been away from you; I don't even know where to begin. Well, like I said I'm graduating this year and I've been going over stuff about colleges and what not. Not exactly too thrilled about the idea, but mom and dad are bent on it. Seth is out at NYU majoring in photography with a minor in English. I don't really know why he chose NYU, but I guess he just wanted to get away from Newport and everything associated with it. He and Anna broke up when she left during their junior year. He was depressed for a while, but he's over it now I think. He and Summer dated for a bit after that, but now that they are at different schools they rarely hang out. She by the way is at cosmetology school in Newport. Ryan is as sweet as ever--and has found himself a girl. After Seth and Ryan's graduation, Anna returned from Pittsburgh to see how they were. That's when Anna realized how much she really had in common with Ryan. Their relationship started out slow, but they grew to find out how much they really cared for each other and are now engaged, living in a swanky condo fairly close by. Anna and I are pretty tight, she's a great girl and we hang out every so often. They haven't set a date for the wedding because of Ryan's busy schedule at the Newport Group. Yes, you heard me right. He's working there under mom now as of about 6 months ago. She defaulted to CEO when Grandpa Caleb died and she hired Ryan on right after that. Caleb's death was hard for her, but time heals all wounds. Dad couldn't have been happier at Caleb's funeral, but he didn't let that on to mom as she was sad. He's been off on business trips lately, engrossed in all his cases. He does however get the occasional surf in now and then. So, as you can see things are pretty different around here. A lot can change in that amount of time I guess; I'm looking forward to being done with school. Not really sure what I want to do though, like I said. I've applied to so many places but no matter, I guess we'll just see. It was nice talking to you again. Hope to again, soon.

Take Care, Love,

Abby Cohen

She closed the journal and brushed her hand across it remembering the moments a few years back when she had written in it. She took another sip of her soda and bit into another carrot. She rolled over onto her back on her bed, staring at the ceiling just remembering all the crazy and fun things.

"Abby, come on down for dinner!" Kiersten hollered up the stairs at her daughter.

What is mom doing home? She was at work now usually. At least until 7:30 and they never had a formal supper anymore. She swooshed her long brown hair into a high ponytail and headed downstairs. As she rounded the corner into the dining room she almost jumped out of her skin.

"Ahoy!" Seth jumped out in front of her.

"Seth! You scared the magambo out of me. What are you doing here?!" She was excited and confused.

"Well, I figured I'd visit for a day or so even though I'm going full time at NYU mostly through summer. I've gotten your messages; all 57 of them and yes, I did count." He laughed. She smiled and threw herself at him. He embraced her in a huge hug.

"How have you been?" She asked as they entered the dinning room. The whole family was there now. The table consisted of: Sandy, Kiersten, Ryan, Anna and now Seth. It was absolutely wonderful but it was so peculiar, especially for things lately.

"I've been great. NYU is awesome and New York is such a great place to photograph. There is never a dull moment. I've gotten so many nice shots. I'll have to show them to you. Tomorrow afternoon, work for you? I've gotta leave about six o'clock to catch my flight back but we should hang." He smiled at his sister. She'd changed since he'd seen her last, so different from that "freshman" who was his sister at Harbor.

"Man, it's been too long." Ryan remarked, looking at Seth and passing the salad bowl to Anna.

"I know. I've heard so much about what you've been up to. Mr. Big shot at Newport Group and engaged, which I have to say is surprising and a bit creepy since Anna and I dated for a while, but I'll get over it and I'm happy for you." He seemed genuine.

"That's so sweet, Seth. I can imagine it might be strange, but some things turn out that way." Anna squeezed Ryan's hand.

"Is there anyone new in your life, son?" Sandy interjected, sipping a red wine.

"You mean like a chica? No, unfortunately not. There's this cool girl, Michaela who's majoring in graphic design but we're really just friends. She's Goth, and I mean Goth. Think Evanescence times four."

"Well, you've got plenty of time." Kiersten added also sipping her wine.

"Abs, how's all that college application stuff going?" Anna asked.

"Ah--it's going. You know; crazy, just filling stuff out over and over again." She managed a half fake smile.

"Decided your first choice yet?" Ryan badgered.

"Seriously, I have no idea." She rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to get into this and spoil a nice family moment. She changed the subject. For one night, things were normal again at the Cohen household.