Between (First Two Chapters Only)

Chapter 1:2

I woke from the nightmare and reached across the pillow to my nightstand to answer my cell phone. "Hello."

"I have to tell you about the awesome dream I had last night!" my cousin Emma exclaimed.

Unwilling to open my eyes completely, I squinted at the clock. It was 7:00 am on the first Saturday of summer vacation. "Why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

She ignored my grouchiness and continued, "I was in a beautiful garden filled with pink roses, white carnations, and purple violets. I was wearing a white satin gown with a long lace train that flowed behind me as I walked up the gazebo steps toward . . . ," she paused, "this man. I don't know who he was. The sunlight was so bright that I couldn't see his face."

"Well," I interrupted, "I dreamed you were crushed by a monster truck tire. I still can't believe your skipping our annual Polar Bear Plunge to go to a stupid monster truck rally with your boyfriend."

Emma Gray is not only my cousin but also my best friend. During the first weekend of summer vacation, our families have always gone camping at Halfway Dam to celebrate my little brother Jimmy's birthday. The lake is ice cold even in June. We have a contest, which we call the Polar Bear Plunge, to see who can stay in the water the longest. Jimmy usually wins. This year Jimmy will be six, and it will be the first summer that Emma won't be there. Naturally, I was disappointed.

"We're in the cheap seats," Emma explained. "The worst thing that could happen to me is that I'll get a nose bleed from the high altitude. Besides, I got Jimmy a remote controlled truck. HE," she said, emphasizing the pronoun, "will forgive me for missing his birthday party."

"I wouldn't be caught dead at a monster truck rally. I'm having doubts about Mickey's taste in entertainment. Next, he'll want you to go to a stock car race. You should break up with him." I didn't mean it. I actually believed Mickey was the perfect match for Emma, but I was mad about being ditched for a redneck sporting event.

"Mickey's friend, Bryan," she clarified, "bought the tickets weeks ago. He invited Mickey. Mickey won't go without me, so Bryan is taking Cindy, his latest cheerleader. So . . . ?" she asked, changing the subject, "What do you think about my dream?"

"So now you're having a garden wedding," I teased. "I thought you wanted a church ceremony."

She sighed. "Mickey hasn't even told me that he loves me yet."

"He will," I assured her.

"Do you think the mystery man in my dream is Mickey?"

"Maybe. Do you want to marry Mickey someday?"

"Maybe. All I know is that I was so happy in my dream I just had to tell you about it."

"All I know is that my bridesmaid's dress better be purple," I insisted. "I look awful in pink."

She laughed.

"Seriously, Emma," I began. 

I considered telling her more about my dream, but then decided not to taint her happiness with my trepidation. "Please be careful tonight. I don't trust Bryan. He's trouble."

In photos, Bryan resembled an angel with his curly blonde hair and baby blue eyes, but he was a daredevil, a total adrenaline junkie. Emma disliked double dating with him, because he always drove too fast.

"Don't worry about me. You're the one who's going to catch pneumonia. I'll be fine."

But would she? I wondered. After we said our goodbyes, my mind replayed the horrible nightmare. The sheer terror on Emma's face as the giant tire hurtled toward her was etched in my memory. I contemplated calling Emma back and warning her that I sensed something awful was going to happen, but I soon came to the conclusion that possibly my apprehension was just childish jealousy. I didn't want Emma to go out with Mickey tonight, or tomorrow, or . . . ever. I liked my life the way it was before Emma had a boyfriend.

Our mothers are twin sisters, so even though our families live two hours apart, Emma and I used to spend the entire summer, every major holiday, and most weekends together. Lately Emma spent most of her time with Mickey, and I felt left out because I didn't have a boyfriend yet.

I told everyone I wasn't ready for a serious relationship, but truthfully, there wasn't a single male soul that ever caught my interest. Some of the guys at school were cute, and some were nice. Some were smart, and some were funny. But no one came even remotely close to being Mr. Right, and I wasn't going to settle for second best.

Knocking on my bedroom door disrupted my introspection.

"Emily, may I come in?" my mom asked.

"Sure," I answered.

"Who called?" Mom inquired as she entered my room.

"Emma," I replied. "She is still forsaking our family traditions to watch a monster truck rally with her boyfriend."

Mom sat on the edge of my bed. "Feeling abandoned?"

"Yeah, for some reason, I thought that when Emma had a boyfriend, I would have one too, and we would double date and still do everything together just like you and Aunt Evelyn."

"Actually, Lyn and Greg dated for two years before I met your dad."

Two years! In two years I would be nineteen and finishing my freshman year in college. I couldn't wait two years until I met the right guy. The romantic in me was secretly hoping to attend the senior prom next year with someone special.

"Two years?" I groaned.

Mom grinned. "I survived. I used that time to figure out who I was and what I wanted to do with my life. So when I met your dad, I knew that he was the man for me."

"And you've been madly in love ever since."

"Most of the time. Right now your dad wants us all to get up and have breakfast together before we head to the campground. Get ready. I'm going to wake up the birthday boy."