* * *
Sunday afternoon, Sam dressed in running shorts and a T-shirt and drove to Lincoln Park, thinking that some physical activity would take his mind off Josie and the amazing dream he'd had. Soon his feet pounded the path and sweat covered his body; he stripped off his shirt and slung it over his shoulder. He slowed his pace to a jog as he entered a cool, shaded grove of oak trees and stopped dead in his tracks. In front of him sat Josie, Indian-style, a spiral notebook on her lap. She was wearing a lime green tank top and denim shorts; her feet were bare, her toenails painted pale pink. Sam was happier than he had a right to be to run into her.
"Josie," he called. "Hey."
She looked up and smiled at him. Encouraged, Sam approached her and sat down beside her.
Josie stared at his sweaty, bare chest. She licked her lips, then looked away, blushing.
Sam suddenly remembered his shirtless state. "Sorry," he murmured. "It was hot out in the sun�" He pulled his T-shirt over his head. "So�what are you up to?"
"Writing. A poem," she said shyly.
With a grin, Sam replied, "I should have known. So�may I?"
Josie hesitated, positive he'd realize that he was her poem's subject. Uncertainly, she handed him her notebook.
Sam took a deep breath as he noted the poem's title: Stormy Weather
A storm rages within me.
The wind howls,
Cries your name in my ear.
Thunder crashes,
Echoes the erratic beating of my heart.
Lightning flashes,
Jolts me with electric caresses.
Rain tickles my face
In a thousand tiny kisses,
Tormenting me.
Once I was calm, serene, placid.
Now I struggle
To tame this tempest within,
Knowing that each glance,
Each random touch,
Each utterance from your lips
Renders me powerless;
A happy victim of the storm within.
Sam was speechless, stirred by the honesty and passion of Josie's poem. "It's�incredible."
Josie shyly met his eyes, knowing she'd revealed far too much. "If you like it, you can keep it." It was Josie's way of telling him that the poem was for him.
"I'm honored," he said softly. Sam suppressed an urge to show her exactly how she'd affected him. "How about some ice cream? I passed a vendor not too far back."
"Okay," Josie said.
Sam stood and held out a hand to help her up. A wave of awareness overwhelmed him as she placed her hand in his. Reluctantly, he let go.
Josie placed her hand on his upper arm for balance as she stepped into her sandals, sending yet another jolt through his system.
They strolled down the path to the ice cream vendor, careful not to touch each other again. The air between them crackled with electricity.
"What'll you have?" the vendor asked Sam.
"Creamsicle."
"And for your lady?"
Josie blushed at his misconception.
Sam grinned at her. "Fudgesicle?"
She nodded. "I love chocolate."
Ice cream in hand, they wandered off the path.
Sam plopped down, leaning against the broad trunk of an elm tree. Josie sat next to him, her legs curled beneath her.
Sam's mouth went dry as Josie's pink tongue lapped at her ice cream.
Josie blushed at his intense gaze, thankful that, for once, she wasn't wearing her mini-cam. "I can't believe that school's almost out. Just four more days of class�"
Sam smiled broadly at the thought. "Four days," he repeated. "What are your plans for the summer?"
"Work, I guess," said Josie. At least that was the truth�if she still had a job next week. "I can't believe we got everything done for the prom in such a short time."
"You did a great job getting everything organized."
"I couldn't have done it alone�thanks for your help�especially when the rest of the prom committee baled�"
"It's been my pleasure," he said softly.
Their eyes met and locked.
"Mine, too," Josie whispered. "I know you're my teacher�but thanks for being my friend, too. I�" Josie laid her hand lightly on Sam's and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I'll always be your friend, Josie. I hope you know that." He did not relinquish her hand but threaded his fingers through hers.
Josie nodded, hoping he'd still be her friend once he knew the truth. She glanced at their hands, still joined, and jumped when she read the time on Sam's watch.
"Shoot!" she exclaimed, "I'm supposed to be at my parents house in five minutes for a picnic dinner."
Sam chuckled and said, "I think you're gonna be a little late. Where's your car parked?"
"At the apartment. I walked�"
Sam noticed the slightly frantic look in Josie's eyes, and knew he just had to help. "Look�my Jeep's parked pretty close. Why don't you let me drop you off? That way you'll only be a little late�"
"All right," agreed Josie.
They hurried through the park to Sam's Jeep for the short drive to Josie's apartment. Sam flicked on the radio. Meredith Brooks' sultry voice was singing�
Electricity
Eye to eye
Hey don't I know you
I can't speak
Stripped my senses
On the spot
I've never been defenseless
I can't even make sense of this
You speak and I don't hear a word
What would happen if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
Would you run away?
Would you stay?
Or would I melt into you?
Mouth to mouth
Lust to lust
Spontaneously combust
The room is spinning
Out of control
You act like you didn't notice
Brushed my hand
Forbidden fruit
Ring on my finger
You're such a moral, moral man
To throw it away no question
Will I pretend I'm innocent?
What would happen if we kissed?
Would your tongue slip past my lips?
Would you run away?
Would you stay?
Or would I melt into you?
Mouth to mouth
Lust to lust
Spontaneously combust
What would happen if we kissed?
I struggle with myself again
Quickly the walls are crumblin'
Don't know if I can turn away�
Abruptly, Sam flicked the radio off, unable to bear the seductive words of the song combined with Josie's proximity. He stole a sideways glance at her. She seemed as affected as he was.
Thankfully, he pulled up in front of Josie's apartment a half-minute later.
"Thanks for the company. It was nice running into you," he said quietly, meaning it.
Josie smiled. She opened up her notebook and carefully ripped out the poem. She folded it in quarters and handed it to Sam. Josie's fingers trembled as he reached for the paper and their fingertips brushed.
"Are you sure?" Sam asked, his eyes connecting with hers over their hands, barely touching.
"I want you to have it. After all, you are my biggest fan�or so you say." She wrinkled her nose impishly.
Sam laughed. "You better get going�"
"Thanks again," said Josie. Feeling bold without the watchful eye of her mini-cam, she leaned over and brushed his cheek with a feathery kiss. She jumped from the jeep, opened up the wrought iron gate, ran up the walk and into her apartment before Sam could see the blush she knew would come.
Almost in a daze, Sam raised his right hand to his cheek, which was still burning from her almost imperceptible kiss.
* * *
May 30, 1999
Josie considers me her friend�an honor I'm not sure I'm worthy of, considering my dreams of late. But I will be her friend, if that's the only way to keep her in my life.That poem. I know it's about us� Two days ago when we were caught in that thunderstorm. I had no idea her feelings were as tempestuous as mine. Josie is such an enigma. Shy, innocent for sure, but also surprisingly passionate. She reminds me of a butterfly: beautiful...delicate...mysterious.
Having her sitting next to me in my Jeep was torture. She was so close that I brushed her knee once when I shifted gears. And then, of all the songs to be playing, why did it have to be something so seductive? about forbidden fruit�'What would happen if we kissed?' I hope to God I find out someday.
And then she kissed me�so softly�on the cheek. A sweet gesture of pure friendship, yet it burned me. Other students have hugged me, bestowed similar kisses of gratitude on my cheek. Why did this kiss, barely even a kiss, inflame me so?
* * *