Author's Note: hello, all! This next one is a short, seasonal novel that bridges the gap between Us Against the World and Breaking Up the Flock. Summer of '97 is a considerably shorter and more Julie-centric story than the other two, so it kinda feels like the ginger-haired stepchild of the trilogy. But chronologically, it's a nice, snug fit; and I felt there would be a gaping hole in the series without it.
If you liked my other stories, and you like Julie/Adam, then Summer of '97 may just be a fun little ride for you. I hope it is, anyway!
-Matt
Chapter One: Going Home
"Yes – I know, Dad," Julie said over phone. "I know! Yes, I love you too. See you tomorrow!"
With a relieved sigh, Julie Gaffney placed her dorm phone back in its cradle on her desk. As much as she loved her father, his 'goodbyes' were conversations in their own right. Rising from her desk, she took in the sight of the freshman year dorm room that she had shared with Connie Moreau at Eden Hall Academy.
Connie's side still looked as though someone actually lived there; Julie's side looked all but abandoned. A moving company had already shipped most of Julie's belongings back home to Maine, leaving her with nothing besides her Boston Bruins comforter, some clothes, and a few miscellaneous items.
Drawing open her crimson Warrior curtain, she looked into her closet for something to do.
Her TV and her video tapes had all gone home, but her copy of The Alchemist remained – even if it had collected some serious dust; she had been meaning to read it for nearly a year, but schoolwork kept pushing the novel to the bottom of her seemingly endless to-do lists. With class and final exams out of the way, Julie supposed that now was as good an opportunity to read as she'd ever get.
Taking a deep breath, she blew the dust off the cover and made the short walk to her bed.
She hardly had gotten settled when the door burst open.
"Hey, Cat!" Connie called out. "Grab your blades and your pads – we've got roller hockey!"
Heh, I guess you can wait a little longer, Julie thought, settinng her book down and getting up.
After grabbing her gear, she followed her friend out into a picture-perfect June day. The lush trees, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the gentle warmth of the early summer sun enveloped Julie in a sensory cocoon that filled her with warmth as she skated with Connie to the school's athletic complex.
If the weather was this gorgeous back home, Julie figured that she might have to make The Alchemist wait yet another year.
As the girls reached the outdoor basketball courts, they noticed that all of their teammates were already there, ready to go. Although the group's commitment to its studies was questionable, it was obvious that they didn't mess around when there was a good time to be had.
"Hey, Cat Lady!" Greg Goldberg called out. "Think you can beat me?"
The husky goalie had lost his starting spot to Julie earlier that year, and the experience had lit a competitive fire in him that had been quite absent in years past.
But Julie wasn't intimidated.
"I sure can, Goldie. I'll even let you have Banksie – as long as I can have Fulton and Guy."
"No Guy," Connie snapped.
The brunette forward was still smarting over the soap opera that had been her relationship with Guy that year.
"Well maybe Guy doesn't want to play with you," Charlie Conway shot back.
He then turned to Connie's ex.
"Go ahead, man. Your pick."
"Fulton," Guy announced.
And with that, two of the Ducks' three best scorers were on the same team. No way would Charlie allow Adam to join Guy's team. It looked like Julie would have to make good on her bluster. She felt confident…for the most part.
But Adam's awfully good.
Looking him over, Julie felt her confidence melt away.
Not only was he supremely talented, he was magnetic.
Adam Banks was six feet and two inches of long, lean muscle, clear skin, and athletic perfection – topped off with sandy, curtained hair and a pair of sapphire eyes that could freeze magma with their beautiful intensity.
Sensing that he was being scrutinized, Adam looked over and caught Julie staring.
They both looked away in an instant.
"Adam," Charlie announced his pick.
Julie cursed her little exchange with Goldberg. Though this game would not count for anything official, Julie had as fierce a competitive streak as any of the Ducks. The only thing worse than losing was to look like a loud-mouthed fool in the process.
"Julie," Guy announced his pick.
So Goldie gets Banksie after all. Not a problem. Nope, not a problem at all. I've still got two of the best on my side.
Taking her place behind Guy, Julie let out a small sigh.
Still…Adam's awfully good.
The teams eventually took shape, with Guy, Fulton, Portman, Luis, Dwayne, and Julie on one side; and Charlie, Adam, Connie, Russ, Averman, and Goldberg on the other.
Pound for pound, Julie's team was the more talented one.
Still…Adam's awfully good.
With Ken officiating, the ball dropped, and play began.
Guy won the faceoff and passed ahead to Dwayne, whose proficiency at dribbling pucks was surpassed only by his ability to dribble a ball. It reminded Julie that with a ball, she was going to be in for a lot more rebounds than she would have been with a pavement puck.
Dwayne continued to dribble as he bore down on Goldberg, only to have the ball snatched away by Adam – who took off in Julie's direction.
Now in the moment, Julie's pre-game nervousness had evaporated.
Bring it.
Adam put on the brakes and fired – no, he faked. As Julie bit on the fake, Charlie took the ball and fired one past her.
The rest of the first-to-ten game continued in much the same fashion. Adam had only scored twice, but he had gotten six assists. As Julie observed Adam and his squad congratulate each other before shaking hands with their opponents, she realized the difference between a great player and a good player.
A good player could dominate a game. But a great player elevated the game of their teammates. That was Adam Banks' playing style in a nutshell. He was good enough to score almost at will, but he always facilitated more goals for his teammates than he ever took for himself.
"Better luck next time, Cat Lady," Goldberg chortled.
"Yeah, yeah."
Reaching the end of the line, Julie paused in front of Adam.
"Nice game, Julie."
"You scored twice on me."
"Yeah, and you saved six shots on me," he reminded her. "Take the compliment!"
Julie grinned softly at that. She had never been good at accepting compliments, though she loved hearing them.
"Thanks, Adam. And congratulations on yet another Nintendo-like performance."
He blushed, or was he just flushed from the game? Julie couldn't decide.
Before Adam could reply, he and Julie were summoned by Charlie for one final team picture for the year. As the Ducks assembled on the bleachers, Charlie's girlfriend, Linda Tompkins, got into position to capture the team's latest Kodak moment.
"Julie, Greg!" She called out. "Take off your pads, let the people see you!"
"But goalies always wear their pads for team photos," Goldberg protested.
"C'mon, Goldie," Connie teased. "Take it off!"
"Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!" The team chanted.
The Ducks let out a collective groan as Goldberg began a striptease with his pads.
"You people are so fickle," he huffed.
Julie, meanwhile, had removed her pads with considerably less fanfare.
"Everybody say 'shit'!" Portman instructed.
"Shi-it!" They beamed.
Linda rolled her eyes at the 'cheese' substitute, but took the picture.
As a general rule, for every decent, proper photo that a team poses for, there also has to be at least one 'chaos photo'. Linda did not even have to say "go" before a cacophony of screams, gaggles, and giggles went up as Ducks fell over each other in crazy poses.
Julie never cared for this custom, so she hung back. Unfortunately, the Bash Brothers' nearby roughhousing caused her to tumble to the side. She lost her balance, then, for a terrifying split second, thought she was going to do a reverse belly-flop onto the pavement.
That's when she felt a large pair of mitts catch and steady her.
"Easy, there," Adam said, cradling the back of her head with one hand, and holding her waist with the other.
Julie was shocked, but managed a weak "thanks" as Adam gently set her upright again.
Linda's camera flashed; and like a sudden, violent tempest, the chaos passed.
When that particular photo got developed, Julie and Adam would end up looking like a couple of weary parents standing back in resignation while their kids put each other in headlocks and gave noogies and fake moonings.
After a final exchange of goodbyes, the Ducks grabbed their pads and began the separate trips back to their dormitories for last-minute packing. As Julie moved to join Connie, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Spinning around, she managed to suppress a gasp when she locked into a pair of sapphire orbs.
"Uh…hey," Adam greeted her, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh, hello again. What's up?"
Before Adam could respond, Connie interjected.
"Heh, I'll just leave you guys to it, then."
And with that, the brunette forward took off on her blades in the direction of the dormitories. Adam shot Connie's back with a confused look.
"Ok…that was weird."
"Yeah, she's been weird," Julie chuckled. "You know, what with the Ducks going away for the summer and all. It's been hard for her."
"Oh, that makes sense."
The pause that followed could not have lasted more than a few seconds, but it seemed to languish for eternity as the quiet forward searched for the right words. While many of the girls at their school drew attention to themselves with fancy hairdos, and chic, expensive clothing, Julie Gaffney only needed a ponytail, a white T-shirt and a pair of little black gym shorts to reduce Adam Banks to a shy, awkward mess.
"So…you're going back to Maine, then?" He managed at last.
"Yep," she nodded. "I'll miss you guys, of course. But it'll be nice to see my family and my old friends again."
Another pause.
"Yeah…"
"Adam, are you ok?"
Now flustered, Adam's pace picked up rapidly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Never better, actually. Well, maybe I'm a little dehydrated…from the game, y'know? I probably should pound a Gatorade when I get back to my dorm…"
Focus, Banks, focus – you're not gonna chicken out again.
"But before I do that…I was thinking," He reached into a pocket in his khaki cargo shorts and retrieved a blue notepad, "When you're not too busy with family and friends, maybe we could email or IM each other over the summer?"
He tore a piece of paper out of the pad and extended it toward her. On it, scrawled in uncharacteristically neat handwriting, was his AOL screen name. He had considered adding his phone number as well, but decided against risking over the telephone the awkward pauses that Julie seemed to arouse in him.
She took the piece of paper and nodded.
"Sure, why not? I probably should give you my info too."
Before she could say anything else, he handed her his notepad, along with a mechanical pencil.
"Just out of curiosity," Julie began, writing down her info, "You don't have a Swiss Army knife in any of your pockets, do you?"
He looked at her with a start.
"How did you know that?"
Julie giggled.
"You just seem like the kinda guy who likes to be ready for anything. Not everyone walks around with a notepad, y'know. "
Finished, she returned his notepad, even including her phone number, complete with area code.
"Thanks," Adam placed the pad back in his pocket. "So I guess I'll talk to you over the summer, then," he declared with a shy, but triumphant smile.
"Sure thing," Julie nodded. "Have a nice summer, Adam."
She wasn't sure how to say goodbye. A handshake seemed oddly formal, and a high-five was just plain goofy. So she went with a quick hug.
"See you in September!"
After releasing him from the hug, Julie took off for the dorms on her rollerblades.
Adam stood, alone on the basketball court, in stunned silence.
"See you in September," he said softly.
"Over here, Dad!" Julie called to her father.
Steven Gaffney, standing in the crowded courtyard that separated the boys' and girls' dormitories, followed the sound of his daughter's voice. Standing at just under six feet, the 45-year old still had a thick head of brown hair that he allowed to gray at the temples for 'gravitas.'
Beneath his round, nickel-colored frames, his blue eyes lit up as he spotted Julie.
"There's my little girl!"
Before she could protest, Julie found herself swept off the ground and into her father's bear-like embrace. Rather appropriately, he was wearing one of his billowy UMaine polo shirts, the navy blue article helping to hide his paunch. Given his naturally slender frame, even a modest weight gain looked massive.
"It's nice to see you too, Dad," Julie offered, trying to pry herself away.
Eventually, he took the hint and set her back down.
"Come on," she beckoned him to follow. "I'll take you up to my room. There's not much left to grab, fortunately."
Steven got into step behind his daughter, who looked dressed for a jog, and followed her into the building. As they arrived at the stairway, Julie paused.
"You sure you can handle stairs?" She asked with a worried frown.
But Steven waved a dismissive hand.
"Of course I can, go on."
As a high school goalie, Steven Gaffney had possibly the fastest glove in all of New England. He had earned a full scholarship to Boston University, only to lose it the summer before his freshman year by shattering his knee in a motorcycle accident. Eventually, he had titanium put in the knee, but that presented more of a challenge in getting on airplanes than it did in going up stairs.
"Here we are," Julie announced, entering the nearly bare bedroom.
Steven frowned.
"It looks like I missed your roommate."
"Yeah, Connie and her parents left about twenty minutes ago."
"Oh well," Steven replied, grabbing a packed travel bag. "Hopefully I'll catch her on move-in day. Will I be meeting any boyfriends before we leave?"
"Dad!"
"Sorry, honey. Had to ask. You know, Dad Duty."
Julie grabbed another packed travel bag.
"No problem," she replied. "And I decline to answer. You know, Daughter's Prerogative."
"Heh, that's some education they're giving you here."
The father-daughter tandem began making their first trip back to the rental van. As they walked, Julie couldn't help but brood over her uncomfortable dating situation that her father had drawn attention to with his question.
She had no boyfriend, or even a potential one in her eyes. No doubt she was pretty – not too tall, not too short; a trim, athletic figure; naturally blonde hair; clear, fair skin that tanned surprisingly well; and a lovely pair of emerald eyes.
But Eden Hall was full of beautiful girls who didn't freak guys out by playing ice hockey. She had overheard the nasty 'butch' monicker applied to her on more than one occasion, and the few guys who seemed cool with her athleticism were her teammates and the Varsity goalie Scooter Vanderbilt.
And none of them had tripped over themselves to ask her out.
As they arrived at the van to load their cargo, Julie decided to change the subject.
"So how's Junior?"
"He's doing well," Steven nodded. "BU let out a couple weeks ago, so he's been home. He'll be going back though, for the summer conditioning program."
"And Mark?" Julie asked.
Steven cringed at the mention of his middle child.
"I'm gonna get him a summer job even if it kills me," he seethed.
Whereas Steven Gaffney, Jr – aka 'Junior' – was the model son, complete with full hockey scholarship to Boston University, his younger brother Mark was a constant thorn in their father's side. Having quit hockey after making varsity as a sophomore, Mark spent most of his time chasing girls and driving Steven up the wall. But Mark was their mother's favorite, so he got away with a lot.
"What about Mom?" Julie asked as they re-entered the dormitory.
"Good. She's grading state tests, which is why she couldn't be here, but she'll be done soon," Steven replied. "She'll be starting her novel back up soon."
"Heh, it's been what, twenty years now?"
"Twenty-five years," Steven corrected his daughter. "She's constantly improving as a writer, so she goes back and re-writes or eliminates her older chapters. At least that's what she says."
Karen Gaffney was the family matriarch. A high school English teacher and an aspiring novelist, the 45-year old had frequently been left to run the household alone – as Steven worked as a traveling business consultant. She also had an on-again/off-again novel project dating back to her days at the University of Maine, where she had met her future husband after he had lost his scholarship to BU.
After three intense years of working for McKinsey while based in New York, Steven returned to his hometown of Bangor, Maine with his new bride. He had established enough contacts to work independently as a consultant, and business usually was good for him – even if it left him feeling more like an uncle to his children than a father.
As Julie and Steven grabbed the last of her belongings, she took one last look around her freshman dorm. Steven noticed the wistful look in her eyes.
"You've really gotten attached to this place, haven't you?"
"Oh, no," Julie insisted, sensing sadness from her dad. "It's not like that. I'm looking forward to going back home. Honestly."
"It's possible to be both, sweetheart," he offered with a gentle smile. "I'm glad you like it here. I wouldn't want it any other way."
She let out a deep breath.
"We might as well hit the road."
"Sure," Steven agreed.
As they made their way back to the van, Steven tried to strike up conversation.
"I accept that I can't ask about boyfriends – but can I ask about regular friends?"
"Of course," Julie smiled. "They're amazing."
For the twenty minute drive to the airport hotel, Julie reminisced about her freshman exploits with the Ducks. She even gave a detailed account of the prank war with Varsity, a topic that she had always tiptoed around during her calls and emails home. Julie had broached the topic carefully, but when it became clear that she wasn't going to get into trouble over it, she made full disclosures. Steven was enjoying a rare conversation with his daughter too much to scold her over the pranks.
He actually admired her creativity both in procuring and in using a tank of liquid nitrogen.
My little girl could take Corporate America by the balls, he thought proudly.
And it was clear to him that the Mighty Ducks meant a great deal to his daughter; and based on the stories she told, they seemed to have her back. Steven only hoped that Julie's friends back home would make her feel welcome when she returned to Maine.