006

Sadly enough for June, 1989 held other farewells in store for her: once summer was over, Adrianna would be leaving town to study Computer Science at the University of Arizona. ARIZONA. She might as well be moving to South America as far as June was concerned. However, long-distance relationships wasn’t Adrianna’s cup of tea, and as hard as she and Paul struggled to keep it going, in the end it was to no avail. Distance took the best of them, and they finally split up. June was there for her through the whole process, but was secretly thankful that she’d made the right choice by staying in Kalamazoo, or hers and Michael’s relationship could have shared the same luck.

So classes at university started and both June and Michael made themselves busy by making new acquaintances and friends, studying hard, partying not more than necessary and trying to find time to spend with each other whenever all the other activities allowed. Most times they tried to steal some together time by studying at their favorite café, but it was just their physical presence, not their actual selves that they shared company with. Sometimes they were so tired they didn’t even have the energy to sneak out and make love. When and if they finally did, they were also too tired to try new things, so they resorted to the routine that was satisfying for both. It was good anyway, they’d have time to try other things during the holidays.

Nevertheless, when the time came for planning what to do during the winter holidays, June wanted nothing but to go away from her hometown, she felt claustrophobic. She’d given up moving to another city, but she couldn’t give up traveling, and Italy seemed like the perfect place to get started, even when her Italian was still absolutely basic. And she wanted to take Michael with her, but Michael had already planned ahead: he and his friends from college would go to the Niagara Falls area to follow different hiking trails.

“Um…I’ve been thinking about telling you about this for a while, but always something else came up and I forgot. I postponed it for too long…I’m sorry, June. I should have told you in advance about my plans”. He spoke apologetically and honestly, not even himself knew how it had happened that all of a sudden he found himself making plans without June in them.

June remained silent as she tried to figure out her reaction to Michael’s words. At the same time, was surprised too. First because of Michael’s announcement, but even more because she felt a sort of relief, and far from feeling alone or lonely, she felt free.

“S’alright, it’s going to be good to miss each other for a few days, don’t you think?”, she spoke seductively as she nuzzled his neck.

Michael smiled softly, in a way, it reminded him of the thing he loved most about June: she was always able to look on the bright side of things. He responded with a soft kiss.

Due to the nature of Michael’s holidays, he was out of the grid and unreachable by phone the greatest portion of time and meanwhile, June was too busy enjoying the wonderful experience and the excitement of going out of the country for the first time in her life, speaking a different language, tasting every kind of pasta, ice-cream or any delicious bite that came her way. On her way back she planned to make a stop in New York to visit her brother who was just back from his own holidays. All that John had let her know recently was that the band, and specially Jon, were going through a delicate conjuncture, so brother and sister hadn’t seen each other for a few months.

The first night they stayed up telling each other about their adventures, catching up and restoring their bond.

“I dunno, John. I don’t know what to think, I thought I would be counting the minutes to see him again, but it didn’t happen. On the contrary, it felt good to be away from him for a while”, she confessed as she sat cross-legged on the rug next to the sofa.

“That’s natural, kid, you’ve been stuck to each other for what…year and a half already? This is good, you’ll see. You’re too young to be thinking too much about things. Just take each day and night at a time”, he paused to make sure his next words came out right, “I sometimes even envy you guys, you’re great together, one can tell you love each other”.

June meditated for a few seconds. Maybe John was right, she and Michael were so lucky. What else could she hope for? Michael was the one, no doubt about it, she shouldn’t be looking for the hair on the egg. A moment after she already felt at ease again, and the subject seemed sufficiently discussed.

“Look at you tough motorbike boy”, June teased her brother resuming his recapitulation of his motorbike trip with Jon and some other friends, and pulled the uneven strands of hair that reached his shoulders. The tips of his light brown hair had turned gold blonde after being exposed to the bright sunshine of the southern states. He was also sporting an enviable tan.

“Yeah, don’t get used to it, though, I’ll lose them next week”, he did the scissors gesture with his index and middle finger, then resumed his story in a closing manner. “It was good…in so many levels. Jon is as good as new and full of energy and ideas. By the look of things, next year’s gonna keep us busy”. John couldn’t hide his excitement. After all the uncertainty of the past couple of months, the future was finally beginning to take shape.

“You know, there’s a party at Jon’s new place tomo-“, he glanced at the dawn colors in the sky through the window of the living room and corrected himself, “well…today actually, and jet lag’s not an excuse not to come”, he pinched his sister’s cheeks “I’ve missed you sooo much little bitch”. June giggled in response. No matter how old and mature they may get, she cherished the fact that through her brother she’d always keep in touch with the little girl inside of her.

“You bet, I’ll be stuck to your sorry ass until I leave on Monday, you’re not getting me off your back, not for a minute”, she waggled her finger at John with a mock warning tone. John yawned and scratched his eyes. “Hm…crazy rock n’ roll party…you sure you want your little sister there?” she asked biting her tongue.

John chuckled lazily. “Nah, don’t get too excited, they’re taking things easier these days”, he heard his own solemn words and realized that he was too happy to be with his sister again not to tease her with a white grin: “Just promise you won’t act like a CB”.

June let out a throaty laugh and was followed at once by John’s own burst of laughter, both voices echoed around the empty, quiet apartment. After recovering she straightened her face and held her right hand next to her ear in the Girl Scout’s gesture. “Promise”, but she couldn’t contain another hard laughter to escape her throat.

…

After John left the house, June helped her mother clean the breakfast dishes and, taking advantage of her parents engaging in conversation regarding the recent political news, she quickly padded to her room and closed the door. She was thinking about catching up with overloaded e-mail box she had neglected these past few days between receiving her parents and brother at home and giving her book the final revision. It took no more than opening three e-mails for June to realize that her mind wasn’t fully in it, but rather in some other event that would take place the following day. Instead, she dialed her friend Diane’s number.

In their close bond there was no room for introductions or greetings. “I need your help! Can you go shopping with me tomorrow morning? Mom and dad leave this afternoon so…we can have brunch and start from there”.

“Whoa…whoa…what’s going on? And if you don’t want to tell me then you should start by not sounding so excited or doing something completely out of character like ‘going shopping’”

June laughed softly, she felt exposed, so she tried to take importance from the matter. “It’s just a party at John’s house, but um…”, she cringed when she realized she was about to lie to one of her best friends. As much as she tried, she couldn’t help it, “…I’ve already packed all my party dresses”.

Diane laughed. “You’re such a bad liar. Now tell me, you’ve already been acting weird for the past weeks and trying, with poor success, to conceal it from me. This is it, I feel offended and underestimated, so make it up to me by telling me what the fuck you’re up to?”, she spoke sternly with mock offense, then sighed deeply. “Shall we start by you telling me who the guy is?”

“You bitch”, June shook her head and bit her lower lip, “OK, you got it…there is someone” she stated solemnly and immediately added: “Please don’t ask anything else. Besides, I’m leaving in two weeks, remember? I’m just having fun…just bare with me?”. June held a pleading smile even when she knew her friend couldn’t see it.

“Fair enough…for now. But don’t dare think you’re setting a foot on that plane without telling me everything. Be warned.”

“Promise, my General. So. Tomorrow…be ready at 9. I’ll come pick you up”.

June hung up, but there was another phone call she needed to make before giving the e-mail box another try.