Chapter 11

“Are you going tonight? asked Annie. “You know Joannie, from payroll? We’re going together. We could meet you there.”

“That would be great,” said Julie. I’d love to have some company.”

They were talking about the company picnic. It was scheduled for the evening of the Fourth of July. Solomon Chrysler had staked out an area along the Charles River near the Band Shell for the Boston Pops outdoor symphony. Julie was excited to be going. It would be the first time for her.

She called Marc and gushed about it.

“I’m psyched! Can you believe that I’ve never been to the Boston Pops?”

“No”, said Marc, “I’ve gone many times. I love it. My parents are big supporters of the Symphony.”

“The only thing my parents support is the liquor store.”

“Julie, everybody has problems. You just can’t see them. You’re not alone.”

“I feel alone, though, Marc. I mean, I’m not unhappy at work, but I just don’t have anyone close enough to share things with. I really miss you.”

“I miss you, too. But I can’t say I miss all those tire-kickers.”

“Hey, watch it! Those ‘tire-kickers’ have been pretty good to me.”

“I know. I saw the story in the Globe. Congratulations! But I think they should have given you a public relations award for that speech,” said Marc, laughing.

“Thank you. It wasn’t bad…if I do say so myself. It sure changed things around here for the better. But I still miss you. Hey, why don’t you come to the picnic?”

“I can’t, Julie. I’ve already made plans. Look, there’s someone I want you to meet. Let’s go up to Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester next week. What do you say?”

“Okay, call me. I’ll see you then.”

•

The Fourth of July was a near perfect night for the Pops. A luminous, full moon shone through the leaves of the tall oaks and maples on the Esplanade and the air was balmy. Along the river’s edge, a gentle breeze rustled through the willows.

It seemed that everyone had paired off, camped out in folding chairs and on blankets. Annie had asked sheepishly if Julie minded her “sitting with Mike”, one of the mechanics, and Julie noted, with some interest, that Joannie DeAngelo from the payroll department was sitting next to Pete Soldano.

Julie didn’t mind at all. She was sitting on a long bench with some other employees, absorbed in the wonderful music…soft at times, and then rising and booming in crescendo.

No wonder Marc loves the Pops…

There was a tap on her shoulder. She turned and looked up. To her shock, it was Dan O’Hara.

“Julie, could I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uh, sure”, she said, “Have a seat.”

“Maybe we could walk a little?”

He seemed nervous. Was he going to fire her? Then, in a flash, she understood. He wants to apologize… in private.

“Sure, that would be nice.”

They started walking down the path to the left that ran along the river, away from the large crowd at the Band Shell. A couple, holding hands, approached them, heading in the opposite direction, toward the music. They smiled and passed.

Julie was quiet…waiting.

“I just wanted to say that I was wrong, Julie…wrong about you.”

What am I supposed to say to that?

“Will you forgive me? I was a jerk.”

Now, that’s better…

“Of course I forgive you.”

“By the way, that was great,” he said.

“What was?” asked Julie, puzzled.

“The way you spoke up for everybody at Solomon Chrysler in your interview with the Globe. I know we didn’t make it easy for you at the dealership. I was probably the worst of all.”

“Probably?”

They burst out laughing, the tentative mood changed completely.

The boats glided by on the river, and the crowd thinned and disappeared as they strolled along, talking. Engrossed, they had walked quite a distance from the Band Shell when they found themselves standing before a darkened boathouse. There was a rack of narrow racing sculls to the left of it and a dock behind it.

Dan cocked his head toward the boathouse, smiling.

“We’d have a great view of the fireworks from that dock.”

“We sure would,” said Julie.

He took her hand and - giggling like kids - they ducked and ran around to the left rear of the boathouse. There was a chain-link fence dipping down into the water.

“I’m game if you are,” said Julie.

Dan kicked off his loafers, rolled up his pant legs and stepped into the water. Holding the bottom of her white sundress and sandals in her left hand, Julie followed him in, hanging on to the chain-link with her right.

“Oh shit! It’s all mucky!” she said.

“Did you just say ‘shit’?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am…Goody No-Shoes?”

They broke-up with laughter again, and made their way around the fence. As Dan grabbed Julie’s hand to help her up the riverbank, he put his forefinger to his lips.

“Sh-h-h…”

Snickering quietly, they ran barefoot along the riverbank past the neatly racked racing boats toward the dock. Dan climbed up first and pulled Julie up behind him. To their delight, there were folding beach chairs amidst some boxes and canvas on the wide deck, just a few steps above them. Dan ran up and got two of them.

They sat, hearts still pounding from their escapade, looking down the moonlit river to where the boats were gathered near the Band Shell. After a while, they began to relax, chatting comfortably and listening to the beautiful music drifting toward them.

Dan rose, smiling, and executed a deep, theatrical bow in front of Julie.

“May I have this dance, Miss Scarlet?”

“Why, yes, of course, Mr. Butler.”

Laughing, Julie went into his arms.

And everything changed.

They danced slowly, her head on his shoulder, her arms around his neck, their bodies pressed together, fitting perfectly. Wordlessly, they searched each other’s eyes. Dan kissed her, softly…hungrily. The thin straps of her sundress fell from her shoulders. His hand slipped into the top, caressing her breast.

Julie’s mind was buzzing. She was swirling in a maelstrom, incapable of coherent thought. Dan’s touch created an exquisite sensation pulsing deep inside her body that obliterated everything else. His leg slid between hers and she moved urgently against it.

Then he was leading her up the stairs. He grabbed the canvas there and spread it on the darkened deck. In the next moment, they were standing entwined again, Julie’s back against the deck railing.

Dan’s big hands were up under her dress, pulling her close. Her head was thrown back and he was kissing her neck. Julie moaned unconsciously, lost in new and wonderful world…but her daze betrayed her innocence.

Dan pulled himself back, unused to the situation.

“Don’t stop,” said Julie in a rush of breath. She bent forward, pushing her dress and panties to the floor, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she stepped out of them.

Suddenly, the dark night sky was filled with crackling explosions and a dazzling display of colors. Julie stood, bathed in the golden light, looking up at the sky in awe.

Dan was in awe, too…but he was looking straight ahead.

* * * * *