A Lonely Sky

by Linda Schmalz

  Julia rushed to her side. “Are you feeling better, Mrs. McTeel?”

  “Oh good heavens, ” Polly replied. “Did Barnabas call Sam? I told him not to worry you young ones.”

  “Actually, we ran into the doctor on our way in.” Sam said. “Julia’s come to say goodbye, Polly. Her holiday is up, I’m afraid.” His insides hurt at the thought.

  Polly huffed. “I don’t like goodbyes, never did. Change of subject!”

  Sam laughed. “And I’ll be leaving for Australia in about a week, Polly, for the movie.”

  “Ah, yes,” Polly answered, but her attention remained on Julia.

  Julia stroked Polly’s hand. “Sam and I are going to stay in touch and he’s going to visit me in Chicago. I thought you’d be happy to know that.” She glanced at Sam who winked and nodded. This would be good news to Polly’s ears.

  Polly dropped Julia’s hands and her voice turned harsh. “Why are you going to Chicago? You need to go back to David!”

  Julia answered before Sam could interject. “David? Your friend’s son in the Falklands?”

  “Yes, David!” Polly frowned and crossed her arms across her chest. “It’s all well and good that you found a friend here, but now it’s time to go back to David!”

  Sam hurried to the couch. He knew Julia didn’t understand what happened, but he’d explain later. He needed to help Polly. He knelt and held her hands.

  “Polly, Julia is my girlfriend. David has Angela, remember?”

  Polly glanced suspiciously at Julia again and then at Sam. She sighed as if weary beyond words. “David’s in the Falkland’s you know.”

  “That’s right. With Angela. He’ll write you again soon, I’m sure.” Sam tucked Polly’s blanket snugly around her. “Julia and I have to leave now. I’ll be back from the airport as soon as I can.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. McTeel, for everything.” Julia said.

  Mrs. McTeel stared at her blankly. Julia’s eyes turned helplessly to Sam. He took her hand and drew her to her feet. “We should go.”

  Julia bent and kissed Polly on the cheek. Polly smiled faintly and looked away.

  Sam turned to Julia. “Barnabas loaded your things in the car.”

  He led her into the hall where Julia said goodbye to Barnabas and Sylvie.

  As they walked to the car, Julia asked the question he dreaded. “Sam, what going on with Mrs. McTeel?”

  Sam paused before opening her car door. He rarely talked about Polly’s condition. Talking made it real and this was one reality too difficult to face. “Senile dementia. She digresses in steps. This morning was another, I guess. I should have told you earlier, but she’s been doing so well. I wanted you to meet the Polly I knew.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sam,” Julia said. “I had no idea.”

  Sam slid behind the wheel as Julia entered through her door and discovered the roses Barnabas placed there at Sam’s request.

  “Sam!” She brought the bouquet to her to face and inhaled deeply. “They’re beautiful!”

  “So are you, Julia,” Sam said. “I’m going to miss the hell out of you.”

  Julia reached over and kissed him. He held her as long as possible, reluctant to let her go.

  “I’ll miss you, Sam,” Julia said. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “Promise you’ll call? Even if you do turn into a big movie star?”

  “Of course, I will.” Sam stroked her cheek, and swallowed hard. “I’ll need you to keep my ego in check.”

  Julia laughed and wiped away a tear. “To the airport then, I guess.” Her smile faded.

  His heart grew heavy, but he started the car. “To the airport.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Julia’s alarm clock shattered her peaceful summer slumber. She rose, and turned off the offending appliance. Six a.m. One hour to be up and ready for work. Julia groaned and wondered, how, in the course of only forty-eight hours, her life had changed from romantic picnics and medieval castles to working eight-hour shifts in a nursing home.

  A brusque knock on her door confirmed the reality. “Julia? You up?”

  “Yeah, Dad. Thanks.”

  “Get going, girlie! You don’t want to be late for your first day!”

  She threw off her sheet and swung her legs to the edge of the bed, not entirely eager to begin a new job so soon. A couple days to recover from jet lag and to reflect on her time with Sam would have been nice, but to her dismay, her father found her a summer job.

  “Working in a nursing home will be good training for your career,” Bert Steele said not ten minutes after she walked in from her trip. “Lucky for you, I just happen to know the director of Willowbrook. She’s the wife of one of my working buddies.”

  Too tired and too jet-lagged, Julia agreed, ate a quick dinner, and headed to bed. She slept through most of the next day. When up and about, she fended off her father’s questions about the trip by begging fatigue. There would be time later for lies.

  Julia quickly showered, dressed, threw on a bit of make-up and drew her hair into a ponytail. A half hour later, she walked downstairs for breakfast. As she passed the hallway phone, she noticed a written message for her. Call John.

  Guilt flooded her. Not once while in London had she phoned him, much less thought about him other than the one time at Polly’s or when Sam asked about him. She’d have to tell him their relationship was over, but not now.

  After she poured herself a bowl of cereal, Julia dialed Kim. Kim’s mother answered, and roused Kim out of bed.

  “So, everything is okay at home?” Kim stifled a yawn. “Your dad doesn’t suspect a thing?”

  “I didn’t think we could pull this off.” Julia whispered, unsure of her father’s whereabouts. “But we did. Thanks again for picking me up from the airport.”

  “I can’t believe you fell asleep on the car ride home. I wanted to hear all about your time in London!”

  “I know, I know.” Julia glanced at the kitchen clock. “I don’t have time now, though. I have to work, believe it or not.”

  “Work? Where?”

  “Willowbrook Nursing Home. The seven to three shift.”

  “What? You just got home.”

  Julia poured the milk in her cereal. “Look, I have to go. I’ll explain everything later. Can you meet me at Buck’s around three-thirty?”

  “Excellent!” Kim said. “Should I tell John? He’s been dying to see you.”

  Julia nearly dropped the milk. “No. If you see him, tell him I’ll call.”

  “Okay.” Kim giggled. “I take it this means things went well with you and Sam?”

  Julia smiled, remembering. “Yes, Kim. Things went very well.”

  Later that afternoon, Julia opened the heavy, glass door to Buck’s, a local burger joint and after-school hangout. The smell of grease and French fries greeted her like a long lost friend. Nothing would taste better than American fast food especially after a week and a half of English cuisine.

  Julia found Kim in a corner booth. She hurried over and all but fell into her seat. “God, I’m exhausted.”

  “Don’t bother ordering,” Kim said. “ I ordered for us. Cheeseburger, french fries and a Coke, right?”

  Julia threw her plastic garment bag on the seat next to her. “Thanks. I’m starving. I barely got a lunch break.”

  “Yeah, what’s up with that? You already have a job?”

  “Yes, no thanks to my dad.” Julia leaned back against the red, vinyl seat. “I’m learning the basics. Bed-making, bathing, bedpans.” She nodded towards the garment bag. “My uniform is in there.”

  A blonde, gum-cracking waitress arrived and plunked their orders on the table and walked away.

  “Well, I guess it beats being a burger joint waitress,” Kim said.

  “All I know is I wasn’t ready to face reality so quickly. I haven’t had time to breath!”

  “Forget breathing and tell me about London.” Kim took a bite of her burger.

  As they ate, Julia talked about Mrs. McTeel,
her illness, and the many landmarks she toured. She told of Spencer’s party and meeting Deirdre. Midway through the retelling, Kim interrupted.

  “What was Sam like? You barely told me anything about him when you called from London.”

  Julia felt the room grow warm. She paused, not sure how much she wanted to divulge. This news would be a bombshell to Kim.

  Kim’s rolled her eyes. “Come on, Jules. Don’t make me wait. Did you guys make out?”

  Julia smiled, her cheeks flushing hotter by the moment. “Yes.”

  “Cool!” Kim reached for another fry. “Is he a good kisser?”

  “The best.” Julia’s skin tingled as she remembered Sam’s lips against her body.

  Kim stared at her; a fry stopped midway to her mouth. “Why on earth are you red?” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You’re being way too quiet about this, Jules. What are you holding back? Did more happen?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m in love with Sam.”

  Kim’s eyes grew wide. “After a week and a half?”

  Julia laughed. “Oh come on, Kim. You fall in love with guys who pass your locker.”

  “That’s lust.”

  Julia saw her opening. “Well, my relationship with Sam includes that…” She arched an eyebrow and paused, hoping Kim understood her meaning.

  Kim dropped her fry and sat back against the booth, but her smile faded. “What are you saying?”

  Julia looked around the small room. She lowered her voice to nearly a whisper. “Sam and I made love.”

  Kim’s face fell ashen and her mouth dropped open. Julia immediately regretted sharing the information. They had pledged that if either one of them lost their virginity, they’d tell the other. But Kim didn’t seem excited or happy for her. In fact, she seemed shocked and not in a good way.

  Kim shook her head, as if disappointed. “You had sex with Sam? Did you use something?”

  Julia stared at her fries, hurt by Kim’s reaction. Being with Sam had been the most wondrous event of her life, and yet Kim’s response at her news seemed so clinical rather than joyous.

  “Yes. Sam used condoms.” She paused and glanced away. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”

  “I’m just shocked.” Kim sat with her hands in her lap. “You barely know Sam, Julia. You’ve known John forever and never went past second base -”

  “I love Sam.”

  “You love John.”

  “I thought I did, but I didn’t realize what love was until I met Sam.” Julia sighed. “I wish you would be happy for me.”

  Kim forced a smile. “It’s just so unlike you to have a one-night stand.”

  “It’s not a one night stand!” Julia tried to keep her voice calm, but her ire rose at her friend’s insinuations. “We spent a lot of time together. And at the end, he won the mini-series role and had to leave for Australia.”

  “And you fell for that?” Kim rolled her eyes. Julia wanted to smack her. Why was Kim reading so much negative into this?

  “Sam promised to call. And as soon as he can, and when money permits, he’s going to come see me.”

  Kim shook her head. “Oh Jules.”

  “Don’t ‘Oh Jules’ me! You’re the one who pushed me on him in the first place!”

  “Yes, so you could see England, not to sleep with him! I’m mean, he’s handsome and all, but I never expected-” Kim seemed frustrated with her. “-well, I’m just worried Sam handed you a line, that’s all.”

  Julia clenched her jaw. “He’s sincere, Kim. Geez! Can’t you just be happy for me?”

  “Sorry. It’s just not like you to do something like that.”

  “It wasn’t like me to go off to England, either. You told me to take chances, right?”

  “Yeah, but wow, Jules. You really took that to heart.”

  Neither spoke for several moments as they both ate their food and avoided looking at the other. Julia sat stunned at Kim’s reaction.

  Kim finally spoke, her shock from Julia’s news seemingly having waned. “Okay, then, so what was it like?”

  Julia looked away. Her parade had been rained on and the thrill of sharing her experience was long gone. “Nice.”

  “Nice?” Kim frowned. “Sorry, Jules, but Disney and daisies are nice. Where did you do it?”

  She didn’t want to tell more. Kim didn’t deserve intimate details after her reaction, yet Julia desperately needed someone to talk to.

  She took a sip of her drink. “Just so you know, it wasn’t like I got to London and jumped in bed. We were friends first and then more.”

  “Did it hurt?”

  “A bit, but it got easier and then became wonderful, the way the romance novels write it, except so much better because it really happened.”

  Kim still didn’t crack a smile or ask anything else. Fed up with her friend’s reaction to her momentous news, Julia changed the subject.

  “How are things between you and Chris?”

  Kim sat forward. “Great, actually. Not that my news compares to yours, but we’ve been seeing each other since we got home. We’ve gone to a movie and stuff.” She looked away. “We thought we’d be double-dating with you and John when you got home.”

  Julia cringed. Kim’s words reminded her of the phone call she still needed to make. “I’m breaking up with John.”

  Kim seemed to choose her words carefully. “Are you sure you want to do that? Maybe you want to make sure that Sam calls.”

  “He’ll call.” Julia set her jaw. Could her best friend annoy her any more?

  “John’s going to be crushed. He’s loved you since kindergarten.”

  “I know.” Julia wished Kim could understand what it felt like to love Sam. “I thought I loved John but now I know I don’t.”

  Kim took a deep breath. “Maybe I’m wise beyond my years here, and don’t get mad again, but are you sure you’re not just confusing sex with love? Not that I’m one to give any advice on the matter.”

  Julia smiled as realization dawned. Kim couldn’t understand what she felt for Sam because Kim never experienced love like this! The relationship she and Sam had wasn’t just some silly high school crush. Julia had moved on, and Kim’s lack of empathy stemmed from her inexperience. She’d have to forgive Kim for her concern. It stemmed from naivety.

  “I thought of that.”

  “And?”

  “I loved Sam before we even did anything. Sam and I connect on many different levels.”

  “Does he love you?”

  Julia paused. Thinking back, she realized Sam talked about his feelings for her, but never actually said ‘I love you.’ But she knew he did. After everything he promised, he had to. And she believed in him. “Yes, Kim, he does.”

  Kim smiled. “Then I’m happy for you and I really hope it works out. When do you plan to tell John?”

  “Tonight.” Julia glanced at her watch. “We should get going. I guess I should call him and get it over with.”

  Kim rose from the booth. “I don’t envy you. You’re going to break the poor guy’s heart.”

  “You’re not helping.” Julia grabbed her bag and slid from the booth.

  “Would ice cream?”

  Julia smiled. “It’s worth a try.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Julia turned the corner onto Clinton Avenue. Having parted ways with Kim a few blocks earlier, she walked the rest of the way home alone. The hot mid-western summer sun beat down mercilessly in the late afternoon sky, and Julia looked forward to the cool blast of air conditioning that would greet her as she entered her home. She pondered whipping up a cottage cheese salad for dinner, but then laughed, knowing her father would call it “woman food” and ask her to broil him a steak instead.

  Dinner would be difficult, for her father would ask her questions about her job, which she officially hated after one day. And he’d ask about her trip, which she’d have to lie about. Then, she’d have to call John. Perhaps the evening might end on a happier note with a call from Sa
m? She wondered if he called while she was at work and thanked her lucky stars that her father worked during the day.

  As she neared home, Julia stopped short. Someone sat on the cement steps of the red brick bungalow. John saw her, stood up and waved.

  Julia inhaled sharply. Oh why hadn’t he waited for her call? She wasn’t prepared to see him yet, but there he was, bounding down the steps to greet her.

  “You’re finally back!” The brown-haired, stocky, young man ran up, kissed her lips and enveloped her in his arms. She hugged him gently back, the scent of his Stetson cologne causing her to feel slightly ill in the heat. She pulled away.

  “Hi.” She drew a hand across her damp forehead. “I’m kind of grungy from the heat.”

  “You look great to me!” John beamed. “I wanted to see you the day you got back, but your dad said you had jet lag and were sleeping.”

  “Yeah,” Julia stared at the ground. “I should have called.”

  “That’s okay,” John smiled. “Let’s go in the house and cool off. You can tell me about the trip! Do you have pictures?”

  Julia walked alongside as her mind raced. She was so not prepared to see him let alone tell him about her “trip”. They ascended the porch steps. Julia unlocked the front door and let them in.

  “Julia?” John’s voice shattered her inner thoughts.

  “What?”

  “I asked if you had pictures from the trip.”

  The pictures would be the last things he’d want to see. “Yeah, but they’re not developed yet. It’ll be a while before I get them.”

  “Okay, great.” John talked on as Julia threw her keys and uniform bag on the hallway steps. “I was thinking we could go to a movie or something Friday night. Oh, and there’s a fair coming to Maywood Park and I was thinking we’d do that. Got any lemonade?”

  As they progressed into the kitchen, Julia eyed the answering machine by the hall phone. No messages. She hid her disappointment.

  “So, your dad got you a job right away, huh?” John helped himself to the lemonade pitcher in the refrigerator and poured them both a glass. “Well, that’s cool actually, ‘cause now we’re working almost the same hours. I’ve been working the construction site with my dad from about six in the morning to two-thirty.”