Three Day Summer(38)

It looks like a war zone.

And then I immediately feel guilty for thinking that because I suddenly remember Mark, who is in a real war zone.

I start to compose a letter to him in my head.

Dear Mark,

The greatest concert in the world has come to our little town. Can you believe it? A few hours ago, I sat five inches away from Janis Joplin. Actually, scratch that. We had a conversation.

Now, I’m about to hear the Grateful Dead and the Who.

I met a boy. . . .

I look over at Michael, who is resolutely turned to the stage, despite the fact that night has fallen and it’s hard to discern much of anything down there. But the music plays on, the stars in the sky mirrored by the glowing tips of cigarettes and joints on the ground.

I take in his moonlit profile and wonder where this could possibly go. In a couple of days, he’ll be back on his way to Massachusetts.

Eventually, Michael feels my stare and turns to me. “Good view?” he cracks.

I smile at him. Actually, it is. We’ve both been acting weird since we left the lake, lost in our own thoughts. Just like that, I close the gap and take his hand. And why shouldn’t I? It’s a moment and I have to seize it, just like all the kids around me living out their lives without fear. No fear of cops, of parents, of judgment. What makes me so different?

We stay like that as Mountain stops and the bands change.

“The Grateful Dead are fantastic,” Michael says. “I think you’ll really dig them.”

I know a little about them, but not much, and Michael starts to explain how they are headquartered in San Francisco, sort of the mastheads of the whole hippie movement that really started there.

Before they take the stage, another announcement is made, this time advising anyone who is taking the green acid to get an airlift to the hospital.

“I think maybe I’ll just stay away from acid while I’m here,” Michael says.

“Good idea,” I say.

“Though . . . would I still have my own personal doctor by my side if I did?” his eyes narrow mischievously.

“Candy striper,” I say resolutely.

“Future doctor,” Michael counters just as firmly and I feel such a huge surge of affection for him at that moment that I reach over and almost kiss him.

“Michael!” We are both startled by the yell and turn around in unison, our noses almost bumping against one another because of how close our faces are.

A group of five people is walking toward us, and it’s only when I see the beautiful black one that I recognize them. They’re Michael’s friends, the ones from the tent yesterday. (Was that really yesterday? It seems like years ago.)

Immediately, I feel my hand being dropped, and I turn around to find Michael’s face etched with worry.

I’m turned away from her, so I don’t see the blonde as she comes barreling through, pushing me aside with an elbow before running into Michael’s arms.

“There you are,” she says, her voice muffled by his shoulder. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”





chapter 44


Michael


I hold on to Amanda tighter and longer than I should because I’m deathly afraid of what’s going to happen once I let go and we have to talk. Counterproductive, I know. Especially because once we finally pull apart, she gives me one of her genuine, dazzling smiles, clearly pleased with the embrace.

I can’t look Cora in the eye, so I observe the girl in front of me instead. She looks grimier than me; mud is streaked through her golden hair and on her clothes and body. A quick glance at the rest of my friends, and I can see they are in similar shape. Clearly, they didn’t go for a dip in the lake like we did.

At the thought of the lake, I can’t help but finally seek out Cora’s face. Her expression is impossible to read, but she stands as if carved from stone.

“We were so worried about you,” Amanda says. “We missed you.” I look back at her a moment too late, not before she has quickly followed my gaze to Cora. The smile disappears instantly.

“Who’s she?” she asks sharply.

“Hey, it’s the nurse, right?” Rob says as he walks over to Cora.

“Oh, right!” Evan joins in. “Thanks for taking care of him,” he says as he slaps a friendly hand on Cora’s shoulder.

Cora plasters on a smile and turns to them. “You’re welcome.”

“Where have you guys been?” Evan asks, and I feel Amanda’s grip on me get tighter, echoing the question with her fingernails.

“Here,” I say simply. “I’ve been looking for you guys too,” I lie.

“Miss A even left you a note on a paper plate by the food stands,” Evan says.

“Did you see it?” Catherine asks me, tilting her head. I can’t tell if she actually looks at me suspiciously or if that’s just my own projection.

I shake my head no. “I wish I had,” I lie again and the words feel like tumbleweeds in my mouth. What am I saying? I refuse to look at Cora.

“It’s okay,” Amanda says. “We found you now.”

I nod.

“Have you been eating?” she asks. “Did you get a sandwich from the helicopters?”

I nod again. “You?”

“Yes, we finally managed to get some. The food tents got an egg delivery this morning too and they made us omelets. I’m still pretty hungry but I’m holding out okay.” She makes a brave face at the same time that I realize those omelets were likely from Cora’s henhouse. “It’s just incredible here, isn’t it?”