Chapter 44

One of the nice things about not having anything to do for the summer was that Josh got to sleep in in the mornings. He was sawing logs pretty good, not thinking about the chance to sleep in, but taking advantage of it the following Monday morning. His dreams, predictably, were of Amy -- not even a naked Amy, playing volleyball, the vision at the Frosty Freeze, or even the meaty-tasting kiss they'd shared late Saturday night, but of Amy, bent over Mr. Sloat, trying to breathe life into his lungs.

It had been a heck of a first date, under any circumstances.

It had been tough to see Danny drive off in the car with the two girls, but when Danny had brought his car back Sunday morning, he reported that when he got out to the club, both Dr. Brege and Harry Masterfield had talked to the girl's parents. "Everybody's real pleased," Danny said. "The girl's folks want to meet you some time, but I don't think we're going to get any static about going out with them again. It was kind of funny," he went on, "Watching both of them trying to keep from getting caught with Big Mac on their breath."

With that vision in mind, Sunday afternoon went a little bit better, although it was a short jump to visualizing Amy and Marsha playing volleyball. The afternoon was broken up by several people calling or dropping by mostly to offer congratulations to Josh, and that made things go a little better, too.

The afternoon was waning, and Josh had managed to build up a little interest in a Cubs game on TV when he heard the beeping of a horn outside. "Looks like it's for you," his father said.

Josh went outside, to discover the Appliance Center pickup parked at the curb, with Danny and the girls in the cab. "Get your swimsuit and get your car," Danny called. "We're gonna go to the city beach. Meet you back here in a few minutes."

Suddenly, Josh was in motion at the speed of sound. He had his swimsuit on and was heading down the stairs and out to his car, when he discovered Amy on the front porch, talking with his father and mother. "We just don't know how to thank you and Josh for what you did," Sarah was saying. "We've known Ed and Jill for a long time, and we're just glad you came along when you did."

"Have you heard how he was doing?" Amy asked.

"Bud went down to Camden earlier," Walt replied. "He says they think he's going to make it."

"That is good news," Amy said, and went on. "Josh, why don't we get in your car and go down to Danny's house? It could take them a few minutes."

"Have a good time," Sarah said. "Try not to be too late."