Chapter 1. Going Separate Ways (Summer 1963)
“We’ll have five hamburgers and three hot dogs—everything but onions—on the burgers, that is. Oh, yes, make one of those a cheeseburger. And, let’s see, how about eight malts—better make two of those shakes. What flavors do you have?”
Sandra groaned to herself as she mechanically threw the meat onto the griddle and splashed the milk and ice cream into the shake maker. At times like this, she wondered why she ever agreed to take this job at Snackies instead of spending a quiet summer doing the sewing she wanted to do for college. College—600 miles away—and Bob! But now there was no time for daydreaming.
When Sandra filled the order, she once again settled down in the empty air-conditioned burger joint. With her luck, no one else would be in for even a soda pop for a good hour. Then in sauntered Julie.
“Hi! Been busy?”
“Oh, no,” Sandra replied facetiously. “You should have been here ten minutes ago.”
Julie laughed. “Hey, how about some water? I’m famished!”
Sandra brought ice water to the short brunette who had already seated herself on a snack bar stool. “You’re our best customer—for water, that is! Been shopping?”
“Oh, I just picked up my bedspread and rug at Woolworth’s, since our plans for rooming together fell through.”
“Oh, Julie, don’t you think there’s any more hope? We’ve planned this for so long! Why should your Momma get cold feet at the last minute? She just wants her little girl—”
“Cut it out, Sandra—it’s hard being the youngest child, the last to leave home.”
Sandra grinned. “Okay, okay. So you’re an only child who’s the youngest, and I’m an only child who’s the oldest. Honestly, the way Daddy treats me sometimes you’d think I had been born in the Victorian age!”
“Well, at least, you’ve managed so far to get to be at Emorys’ every weekend for the youth socials. And you can’t complain about that!”
Sandra’s eyes sparkled. “Boy, we’ve sure had some great times over there on Saturday nights—and afternoons, too—haven’t we?”
Julie nodded. “It’s been a wonderful summer.” She stared into the empty glass. With Kurt Gaston and Bill Johnson around, Sandra and Julie hadn’t spent one Saturday night at home since that magic weekend last April at Beach City. Now her gaze shifted to Sandra. “What about Bob?”
Vivacious Sandra grew even more restless. “Oh, Julie, I don’t know! In a way, I can’t wait to get up north at Pacific Christian College with Bob—before it’s too late.”
“Too late for what?” Julie handed her the empty water glass.
“Julie—I’m falling in love with Kurt. I actually want to let him kiss me. And it’s not right! It’s not fair to Bob—he’s waited so long.”
“Kurt! But Bill asked you to go steady last—”
“Oh, I know. Julie, honey, I’m sorry. Bill has liked me secretly for a long time—e-even before your big quarrel after graduation. He told me never to tell you—it was only a little while after Beach City....”
Julie was silent.
“Julie? Julie, I did everything I could to discourage Bill. He belongs with you. Kurt is so sweet and gentle....” Sandra shook herself. “What am I saying? I belong with Bob!”
Julie smiled. “Don’t worry, dear. I don’t resent your—your magnetic attractiveness. Anyway, Allen wants to date me again—I don’t know why. After the suddenness of that episode at Beach City when he left me for blonde, beautiful Mindi, it’s hard to believe he wants me back. And can you blame me for acting like such a fool with the ‘marvelous’ Bill Johnson that same Saturday night?”
“Julie!” Sandra spoke with playful sternness. “You know good and well—no matter what happened in the past—Allen is in love with you. Always has been, always will be—and is now!”
Sandra fetched a glass for herself. “Say, aren’t you rather looking forward to staying here in the valley this fall? After all, it’s what, eight miles, from Macintoshes’ new house in Oak Grove to La Paloma College?”
“But Allen will be almost a hundred miles from La Paloma after school starts when he goes back to San Margo Academy for his senior year.” It was an attempted matter-of-fact reply.
“But there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to get away from La Paloma and, of course, he’ll be coming home now and then—”
“Sandra, I want to go to Pacific Christian College as badly as you do!”
Silently, Sandra set down her glass then leaned on the counter, her chin in her hands and her eyes fastened on Julie.
Julie stood up. “W-well, almost as badly as you do. See you!”
Sandra laughed as Julie’s well-rounded figure slipped out the door and into her car. She returned the bewitching grin before Julie put on her glasses and drove away. Then the long shining hair behind the steering wheel disappeared as Julie’s Rambler disappeared in traffic.
Sandra could see her reflection in Snackies’ window. My magnetic attractiveness? She giggled to herself. I’m a scrawny red-faced college freshman who most people mistake for age 13 or 14, with beady eyes peering from under coarse, slightly auburn, piled-on-top-of-the-head hair, which I seldom can manage. Turning from the window, she shrugged. If Bill wanted to go steady with me, and Kurt wants to kiss me, if Bob is in love with me, and Daddy thinks I’m Victorian—and Julie envies me—who cares?!
