(Complete) When Tim Burke meets Julie at a party, she isn't impressed. When they see each other again, Julie decides to give him a chance. As Julie faces burdens and sorrow in her own life, Tim and his family provide the support and love she needs...
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They crowded into Tim's car for the trip to Maine. Julie sat in the back with the love birds, because she was much smaller than Bernie. The more time she spent with Tim's friend, she liked him. He was from the south and was very charming. What he lacked in looks, he made up for in charisma.
She sat behind Bernie which she was glad of because at least she could see Tim's profile. Kate sat in the middle and spent most of the drive attached to Artie's lips. Julie tried not to complain because whenever Kate straightened herself the girls thighs were flush against eachothers. She loved her best friend but would prefer to be thigh to thigh with Tim.
Trying to ignore the couple, she called to the front seat. "So Bern, why don't you have a girl?"
"Because Tim got to you first."
Tim laughed, but Julie saw that his jaw tightened. "I wish I had a friend for you, but my friend's lips are attached to the guy next to her. Do you think they'll need to be surgically removed?"
Tim laughed and Kate yelled to her. "Hey, be nice!"
When they went through the toll booth in Maine. Tim passed the ticket back to her so she could track the miles. She smiled, because it was an oddly intimate gesture. They passed the landmarks Tim pointed out on her first trip to Maine.
It was Sunday, so Tim's family were at the lake. She hoped she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. His parents knew about her brother. She needed to tell Kate but didn't want to rehash it. She kept her worries in the back of her mind, so the anxiety didn't consume her.
As they drove up to the cabin, Kate said, "It's so small!"
Julie said, "I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen."
The minute she stepped out of the car, Nick accosted her. She hugged the boy. She had missed him. Tim was busy making introductions to his parents, as Nick dragged her down to the lake to feel how warm the water was. She noticed some differences. The biggest was the motorboat by the dock. Tim had told her they had another boat that hadn't been put in the water yet, but she didn't know it was a boat like that.
Nick saw her looking at it. "Do you want to go for a ride? Tim can drive. You can ski."
Julie shook her head. "I don't think I'll ever ski."
Nick shrugged. "Mum doesn't either."
The rest had made their way down to the water. Mrs. Burke held out her arms, as she greeted Julie. She went into the older woman's embrace. She held her longer than she might have. Her hug was followed by a quick one from Dr. Burke. He was so kind and so not like her own father. Neither of his sons were gay, but if either was he would be accepting. Clare stood back from the crowd a little.
Julie approached her. "Hi Clare."
"Hi Julie. I see Nicky still thinks you came to see him."
Julie whispered and winked. "I did. Don't tell Tim."
