Read Online One with the Wind by Jane Livingston - Free Book Online Page A

gulp.
                “Because the present haunts me,” she said and looked at the dark amber tea in her glass. “And the past taunts me.”
                Nick walked around the counter and took her hand. He guided her through the family living room and out to the front porch. They sat on the top step, sipping their tea, watching as families returned from the firework spectacle. Everyone looked happy and slightly dazzled.
I hope our fireworks don’t fizzle
.
                Nick’s parents pulled up in the driveway. His father got out of the car and said, “Shouldn’t you kids be off making out somewhere?”
                “We don’t do that dad, not until we’re married,” Nick joked.
                His father walked up the steps, messing Nick’s hair as he passed. “Girl’s gonna lose interest if you don’t.”
                “Don’t listen to either one of them,” said Mrs. Markovich to Josie. “A girl needs to keep her wits about her.” She rolled her eyes and looked off in the direction of Mr. Markovich. “I wish I took that advice years ago.”  She shook her head and looked down at Nick and Josie. “Do you two want to come inside? I made a pineapple upside down cake.”
                Nick and Josie shook their heads and stared into the distance. Josie rested her head on his shoulder and listened to the balalaika music playing from inside Nick’s house. “I wish my folks weren’t so boring. I don’t want to go home. I want to stay with you. I want wild dancing, vodka and pineapple upside down cake.”
                Nick checked his watch. “We have an hour before you need to be home. We can do some wild dancing right here.”
                “I think you should take me home now,” she said.
                “Why?”
                Josie stood and shook of her head. “What’s the point? It’s just an hour; it’ll be over soon.”
                Nick walked her to his car, but instead of taking her straight home, he drove the roads that wound around the Conemaugh River. “When I was eight, my brother and I were playing in the river when we saw a mountain lion on the other side. That thing scared the shit out of me. If it attacked, I wouldn’t be here now.” He turned to Josie. “We wouldn’t be here now. Things that are meant to be will be.”
                When they arrived at Josie’s home, Nick walked her to the door. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear. “See you tomorrow?”
                “Of course,” she said and kissed him.
                Josie’s house was dark and silent which is exactly how she wanted it. She curled up on her bed and cried until her pillow was soaked. She tried to calm herself down but nothing helped.  Soon she was going to lose her best friend and lover. Her mourning had already begun.

The Blizzard
                 Josie’s mother begged her not to go; the weather was calling for a snow storm. The roads were sure to be sleek on the mountain passes, but nothing would deter Josie from seeing Nick. He had been reclusive and distant from the day they both returned from college on their sophomore winter break.
                She and Nick decided to remain close and stay in contact, but the longer they spent apart, the worse Josie felt. She missed him intensely—his voice, his touch, the smell of his skin and the feeling of him inside her. Although she was passionate about college, she found it hard to focus. Her thoughts always wandered off to what Nick was doing and who he was with.
                Friends encouraged her to go to parties and meet other boys. There were tons of prospects—affluent, intelligent young men like her first boyfriend, David. Young men who could offer her a bright future, but she wasn’t interested. None of them, no matter how attractive or funny, could