by Lynn Hubbard
“You’re a very good teacher.” Joanie said breaking the tranquility.
Eric laughed, and he was so close to her she could feel his chest moving. “Because you are a quick learner. I had to teach Chad how to drive.” He shuddered, and it was Joanie’s turn to laugh. Joanie drove around the circuit through the park, getting more confident each time. It began to snow and Joanie marveled at the beauty. This isn’t too bad! Joanie thought at first, but after a while, the roads became wet and slippery. Her knuckles turned white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
Sensing her nervousness. Eric directed her to pull into the visitor center which was deserted at this time of the year. By that time, the snow was coming down much harder.
“I can’t do this.” Joanie said apologetically.
Eric turned her to face him. “I think you did great, we can practice again another day when the weather is better.”
“Maybe in the spring?” Joanie asked hopefully remembering how bad the winters got in Ohio.
“We could move to Florida.” Eric suggested smiling. Joanie picked up on the “we” part and blushed.
“Well I guess we need to switch spots.” Joanie said reluctantly not wanting to get out of the warm car. Eric sensing her thoughts picked her up and set her down on his lap. She looked up at him in surprise. He stared at her intently, and his hand went to her face again. She was so pretty, he wanted to kiss her so badly, but he didn’t want to scare her away. He knew she didn’t have much if any experience and he wasn’t sure he would be able to stop once he got started. He lifted her up again and sat her on the cold seat next to the passenger door and chuckled when she yipped from the shock the vinyl seat was very cold.
He scooted over behind the steering wheel and adjusted the seat back for his leg length. He saw Joanie slide over quickly into the warm spot on the seat he just left. After fixing the mirrors, he turned on the lights and windshield wipers. Not that either of them helped that much since the snow was so thick. They needed to get out of the park since snow trucks would not be out to clear these roads. He switched the car into second gear for traction and headed back to the main road.
Chapter 9
The road was slick, it was getting close to dark and if the melted snow froze it would not be good. Joanie nervously wrapped her arms around Eric’s arm. She tried not to squeeze too hard, so it wouldn’t go numb. When she was little her dad, had spun out on the expressway in the middle of a snow storm with her in the backseat, so she had been terrified of driving in snow ever since. It took longer than she realized getting back to the highway and heading north.
“Florida’s sounding very good right now.” Joanie said. Even though the heat was on high it was still getting chilly in the car.
“I can turn around.” Eric offered, and he sounded very serious. He wanted to put his arm around her, but he didn’t want to chance losing control of the car. He was responsible for her safety. He could have kicked himself for not checking the forecast. The snow pelted into the windshield, and he was only guided by the tail lights in front of him.
“Sorry, I should have checked the weather first.” Eric apologized.
Joanie laughed. “I did check the weather last night, and it said ‘Fair Skies’. I don’t like storms, so I always try to keep track. Though most of the time the reports aren’t accurate. I‘m sure I could do better jut by guessing”
“I’m sure you could too!” Eric said proudly.
“Are we there yet?” Joanie asked jokingly. The sky was very dark, but the reflection from the moon on the falling snow covered the area in a soft glow.
“Nope were still about 15 miles out at this pace we should make it in an hour. It’s gotta let up soon!”
“Famous last words.” Joanie muttered and snuggling closer into Eric’s side (if that was possible) for warmth listening to his steady breathing and the rumble of the car she soon fell asleep. Eric felt her stillness and leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head. Luckily not too many people were on the road, so he chugged along slowly down the highway wishing he had decided to put the snow chains on his tires. About another mile, the cars in front of him slowed to a stop. Forced to stop, he strained to look ahead and was able to make out a large truck blocking the entire road in front of him. It had hit an icy patch on the bridge and jack knifed. The driver was out of the truck walking around and seemed to be okay. Eric put the car in park and put his arms around Joanie to keep her warm while they waited for the truck to be cleared away.
The engine cooled quickly while they waited and the heater started pouring out cold air. Eric sighed and turned off the car completely. The tow truck finally arrived, but it was quite obvious they were going to need more than one. The soft blue and red flashes from the cop cars danced on the blowing snow. A cop came by and taped on the window. Eric unraveled himself from Joanie and got out to talk to him.
“Officer.” He said nodding as he turned his back to the blizzard.
“We need to evacuate the road. We can’t move the rig ‘till this storm breaks. Where are you heading?” The officer shouted through the wind.
“Cincinnati.” Eric hollered back feeling his warm breath swept away.
The officer shook his head. “No way to get there tonight, if you turn around go back to the last exit there is a hotel. You can’t stay in your car. If your car gets stuck we can get a cruiser to take you down and dig it out tomorrow this storm is gonna last all night.”
He sighed, “I think I can get her turned around.” He said nodding to the police officer who fought his way to the next car in line.
Eric kept some blankets in the trunk as was suggested for all northerners in the winter. Since he was out of the car anyway, he quickly got them out and opened his door. Joanie had collapsed, taking up the entire front seat, and Eric paused hating to disturb her. He gently lifted up her head and shoulders and resettled her head on his lap covering her with the blankets in one swift move. Stretching she flipped over, so she was facing him still in sleep and pulled the covers closely around her by instinct.
Eric bit his lip as he tried to calm himself. He watched the car in front of him do a sluggish u-turn and Eric followed him out. The storm wasn’t quite as bad since he was going with the wind and he was able to make it to the hotel safely. This was GREAT Brad was going to kill him. Parking and locking the car behind him, he scurried in to make arrangements with the hotel clerk. There were already a lot of cars there, and he was hoping they had a room available. Finding out the rates Eric quickly counted the cash he had in his wallet, it would be enough but barely. Next to him a man in his twenties was desperate. His wife was pregnant; they didn’t have enough cash for a room since they weren’t expecting to need one. Eric paid the clerk for his room with two single beds (he figured Joanie would kill him if he chose the room with the queen size bed.) He saw the man slump towards the door in despair and called out to him.
“Hey, you guys can share my room.” Eric told him generously.
The man hesitated but walked over to him. “You’re traveling by yourself?” He asked suspiciously.
Eric shook his head no. “I’m with my -girlfriend.” He said thinking it was the simplest way to explain Joanie. That seemed to ease the man’s thoughts, and he looked hard at Eric.
“I don’t take handouts. We’ll pay half.” He said counting out the funds. Eric nodded in understanding and told him the room number.
He went back out to the car to wake Joanie. It was harder than he thought it would be, and he was worried about her. “Wake up.” He said shaking her gently and then a little rougher. Joanie growled at him. She valued her sleep. Forcing herself awake, she sat up with her teeth chattering.
“Are we home?” She asked looking around confused.
Eric shook his head, “No, the storm got too bad they closed the road. Um, we’re at a hotel.”
Joanie looked up at him wide eyed.
“We’re sharing a room with another couple.” He explained hastily.
Eric wrapped the blankets around her and reluctantly opened the door and pulled her out of the car. The wind was biting and ripped their breath away. Joanie gasped in shock from the cold and turned her face into Eric’s side trusting him to guide her to safety. They fought their way to the hotel room. The other couple was already there with a small suitcase. The man was sheltering his wife from the cold with his body. Joanie noticed Eric was doing the same thing with her and her heart flipped. He quickly unlocked the door, and they all were blown in. The wind howled into the room, and Eric forced the door shut and locked it tight.
The four of them stood in an awkward silence. The woman spoke first. “Thank you so much for sharing your room with us. This weather is awful! My name is Jessica, and this is my husband, Stanley Brewer. We’re on our way to Detroit. Stanley’s Dad got him a job at the Ford plant.” Jessica said proudly.
“I’m Joanie, and this is Eric. We’re from Cincinnati. We just came down for the day and got kinda stuck.” Joanie explained their lack of luggage.
Eric and Stanley nodded to each other and shook hands, then Eric went to turn on the in room heater to high. While Jessica and Stanley headed over to the bed by the bathroom. As Joanie watched, realization dawned on her that she and Eric would have to share a bed. A twin bed no less.
As is if reading her mind, Jessica turned to her. “Is that ok? I have to use the bathroom a lot.” She explained pointing to her pregnant belly.
“Oh! Yes, of course.” Joanie said brightly not wanting her to feel bad. She went over and sat on the other twin bed still wrapped in covers.
“I need to call my mom, so she won’t be worried.” Joanie said to Eric who was sitting in the small chair next to the small table. He was very close to her in the small room with two small beds. Eric chuckled at that. “I’m sure Brad will be more worried if we do call.”
Joanie rolled her eyes thinking about her stubborn brother and picked up the phone nearby. She dialed the number to the hospital and waited while her mom was paged.
She didn’t have to wait long.
“Hello?” Her mom answered hesitantly.
“Hi mom!” Joanie said forcing her voice to sound cheerful.
“Joanie, are you okay? Where are you? Brad has called several times from home looking for you.”
“I’m fine; Eric took me to a little town with no traffic, so I could practice easier. They ended up closing down the highway, so we are stuck here for the night. We met a very nice couple on their way to Detroit and are sharing a room with them since they are stuck too. Say hi guys.” Joanie said holding up the phone towards Jessica and Stanley. “Hello, Hi” they shouted back caught up in the moment.
“Well I am glad that you are safe. I will call Brad and let him know what’s going on. You and Eric be careful on the way back. I love you.” Her mom said the relief in her voice evident.
“I love you to Mom.” Joanie said missing her already as she set the phone down. She offered the phone to Eric, and he shook his head. It was kinda sad that nobody was worried about his well being.
Jessica went into the bathroom to freshen up for bed. They were all very tired. The cold and darkness was sapping the energy from them. Joanie went into the bathroom next. She cringed as she looked in the mirror she looked horrid. Her hair was wind swept, and her cheeks were bright pink from the cold. She combed her fingers through her hair to try and settle it down and splashed some lukewarm water on her face. When it got cold like this, it took forever for the water to turn warm, much less hot. Sighing she brushed her teeth with her finger and water.
When she finished in the bathroom, she returned to sit on the little bed. Jessica and Stanley were already curled up under the covers whispering to each other. “I can sleep on the floor.” Eric offered looking at her sincerely.
Joanie flashed him a beautiful smile and shook her head no. “I do not like cold weather and if I have to steal all of your body heat to keep warm I will.” Eric smiled at the threat and moved to the other side of the bed, the side closest to Stanley to give her some privacy. He bent down taking his boots, coat, sweat shirt and belt off leaving him in a white tee shirt and jeans and socks. He lifted the covers and slid in making sure he left half of the bed for her. Joanie blushed as he looked up at her realizing that she had been watching him undress. She quickly turned around and followed suit. She took off her shoes and jacket. Wishing she had worn pants today instead of the black skirt she pulled back the covers and scooted in as Eric turned out the final light.
They bumbled about in the dark trying to get settled into a position that wasn’t too provocative and that wouldn’t knock one of them off on the floor. In a twin bed, it ain’t easy. Joanie thought it would be safer to face Eric in sleep but found that every time he breathed it would tickle the loose hairs on top of her head. After about four breathes, she shifted again (accidentally digging her elbow into his chest to gain momentum to turn around) and faced away from him with her back towards him. She was on the edge of the bed, so she didn’t dare touch her body with his. “Night Eric.” She muttered as the blowing wind outside lulled her into a deep sleep.
She awoke the next morning from the sound of soft talking and the gentle light spilling in from the windows. She frowned and tried to fall back into her peaceful sleep. She felt movement behind her and eyes popped open. She and Eric were entwined all the way down to their feet. Her skirt had ridden up around her hips in the middle of the night, and Eric’s top leg was tangled around hers. She found herself cocooned in both his arms, using his bicep as a pillow for her head. She felt his steady breathing on her neck and lay still trying to think how she could get out of the situation without waking him. Jessica was already out of bed and showered. She watched as Jessica went over to peek out the window to check on the weather. The bright light bouncing off of the fresh snow shot in thru the window almost blinding her. She groaned pulling the covers up over head forgetting about whatever thoughts she had of getting out of that warm bed.
She was vaguely aware of more movement and whispering and then the coldness hit her again. Apparently Stanley had gone down to the office to check and see if the roads were open. Eric feeling the cold air popped awake. She could sense his awareness. “Joanie are you wake?” He asked moving slightly, so he could lean up and look at her face.
“No, I am not awake I am asleep, and it is way too cold and bright to go outside.” Joanie replied with her eyes tightly closed.
Jessica laughed from the other side of the room, and Joanie frowned as Eric untangled himself and went into the bathroom. He was back quicker than she would have thought and wondered vaguely if she fell back to sleep. He had showered, and Stanley was back, as well. Eric bent low over her so only she could hear him. “Good morning Joanie, the roads are open.”
Knowing she was out numbered one to one she rolled on her back and forced her eyes open. School. The horrible word swept past her brain, and she sat up straight. She didn’t want to go. Not today not ever. She sighed. Her little fairytale escapade was over she had to go home. She stretched and sleepily made her way to the bathroom pulling her skirt down as Stanley turned his head away and Eric did not.
She took a quick COLD shower cursing as Eric had used up all the lukewarm water during his shower. The early bird… she mumbled to herself towel drying her hair as best she could. She dressed and wished for a brush as she stepped out from the bathroom surprised to still see Jessica and Stanley still there since they had been ready to leave before she went in the shower. Eric seeing her surprised look spoke up smiling. “They are staying to protect your virtue.”
Joanie smiled at the couple and asked Eric to borrow his comb. He gave it up willingly and she went to hacking the rat nests out of her hair. Soon after they said goodbyes and she and Eric were back on the road. Eric had called Chad that morning and found out that school was delayed so she had just enough time to go home, change and walk to school. Perfect.
Kate jumped her in the hallway. “I talked to Brad last night, a
nd he told me what happened. Boy was he pissed!” Kate said laughing.
Joanie smiled she was so glad to see Kate; she had missed her. “Brad is an over reactor, nothing happened it was too dang cold to get naked anyway.” Joanie laughed at Kate’s shocked expression and she spent the next ten minutes filling her in on the details.
Chapter 10
The day flew by before she knew it Friday was here. She was kind of disappointed that she hadn’t seen Eric since Wednesday. She learned from Chad that he had a construction job, and they had been pretty busy lately. Sighing she watched the hands of the clock mounted on the wall in front of her. Only three minutes to go but it seemed like hours.
Then finally the bell rang. It’s ironic how the same sound that you dread in the morning you yearn for in the afternoon.
She hurried to her locker and thankfully laid down her load. Having no homework over the weekend, she hurried over to meet Kate at Jane’s locker. Sally was there also with an unexpected guest. Joanie covering her surprise quickly went to the group. Kate winked at her for support.
“Hi April are you coming too?” Joanie asked as nice as she could.
April smiled, but it looked more like a smirk. The gleam in her eye belittling her words. “Yes Jane’s mom invited me she works with my mom.”
Joanie looked to Jane who just shrugged helplessly as the group headed out. It was a short walk to Jane’s house. She lived surprisingly close to school. Too close Joanie thought. You could see the school grounds from her upstairs window. The girls stowed their bags in Jane’s room and headed into the kitchen for a snack. April kind of kept to herself as the friends chatted and made quite a mess out of the peanut butter and jelly. After the sandwiches, they headed into the living room and moved the coffee table against the wall to give them more room to sleep. Sprawling around the furniture the girls chatter was guarded. They were careful about what they talked about in front of April. ‘You guys want some hot chocolate?” Jane asked. There was a chorus of yeses.
