No Tomorrow, Part 30

9:00 a.m. – continued

Cooper glared at his older sister. “Yeah, so?”

“Anyone we know?” Jenna asked.

“Probably not,” Cooper muttered as he stalked back over to the bathroom to finish getting dressed. Three minutes later, though, he was once again glaring at his sisters, who were still sitting on his bed.

“What?” he asked in an aggravated growl.

“Come on, Coop,” Jenna cajoled. “Just tell us who she is.”

He sighed loudly and heavily. And, just as Abigail knew, he caved to his little sister. “Valentine. Her name’s Valentine. We met on the train and got to be friends.”

“Are you seeing her again tonight?” Again, it was Jenna who asked. Abigail looked like a cat licking the cream from her dainty paws.

He shrugged. “Maybe. We haven’t decided yet.” He turned his eyes to his older sister, who was casually wrapping her hair around her fingers. “Your turn.”

“Hmm? Oh. Yeah. Grant. He’s a few years older than me. We probably saw each other around in school, but, you know, he’s older than me. He just happened to be standing in line in front of me and we got to talking while waiting for everyone else to place their orders.”

“And are you going to see him tonight?” Jenna asked, turning her attention to her sister.

Abigail shrugged. “That depends on whether he calls or not. I gave him my number. It’s up to him.”

Jenna lifted her eyes to her brother, tears glimmering in the dark blue depths. “I’m so glad you two are home,” she said quietly. “It’s been quiet and lonely here without you. I’ve missed you both. Thanks for coming home for the last day.”

Abigail scooted over on the bed and put her arms around her sister. Cooper, after a moment, sat on Jenna’s other side and patted her shoulder awkwardly. Physical proximity and providing comfort weren’t his thing. All of his numerous ex-girlfriends could attest to that.

“I’m sorry we haven’t been around much for you,” Abigail whispered.

“Just…thanks for being here today,” Jenna sniffled, rubbing at her reddening nose with the back of her hand.

“Kids!” their father yelled. “Let’s get a move on!”

“I guess that’s our cue,” Abigail said.

Jenna laughed and wiped her eyes. She nodded and was the first to stand. Abigail and Cooper followed and the three of them hurried down the stairs.

“Coming,” Abigail called as the three of them thundered on down to join their parents. 

Evan and Callie smiled as they waited by the door. Evan wore a shirt that looked just like Cooper’s and they suspected he had just bought two of the same shirt, hoping Cooper would come home. Callie wore a long dark green skirt and white, airy blouse, her hair and makeup meticulously done.

“Ready to go?” Evan asked.

“Yeah, Dad,” Abigail said. “We don’t want to be late.”

She darted out the door and towards the cars: Evan’s, Callie’s, and her own. After a quick glance, she figured her father’s SUV would be perfect for the five of them and went to stand by the door.

“Good choice,” Evan said as he and the rest of the family joined her. “You’ll all get your own window.”

Abigail smiled sweetly and folded her hands in front of her. “That’s what I thought.”

“Hurry up and get in,” Callie said, opening up the passenger side door. “We have a wedding to get to. And how I wish it was for one of my kids.”

Abigail, Cooper, and Jenna glanced at each other as Jenna climbed into the backseat. Cooper shook his head and Abigail sighed.