(Summer)

The ride to Kellerman's was much like it was the first time they had come; full of small talk and dread (for Frances, anyway. She was pretty sure that Lisa had

similar feelings), but Frances did her best to concentrate on the scenery. When that didn't work, she reached into her bag for her book. She could almost feel the

pride radiating from her father when he looked into the rear-view mirror and saw that she was reading not a causal book but a book that she bought in advance

for the fall semester. It wasn't that she was trying to gain his approval, but it was nice to know that he noticed. She'd meant what she told her mother. There

was no way she was going to enjoy this summer vacation. She planned to hole up in her cabin and read to her heart's content. The more ahead she could get for

the next semester the better.

If her parents didn't approve, then well… How could they not approve? How many girls went to Kellerman's for the summer and did school work? Whatever

happened this summer, she was determined not to have any fun at all.

Before she knew what was happening the car was heading down the long driveway to that led to the resort and she could hear Lisa groan. The two sisters

exchanged a knowing glance as their father went on and on about how glad he was to be there and how he was looking forward to seeing Max and Neil again.

That made one of them.

As soon as the car stopped, Frances pushed the handle and stepped outside, grateful to be out of the confines of what was probably the longest car ride ever.

"Oh, it's so hot." Midge commented.

"It's wonderful." Jake replied. "Oh that fresh summer air!"

A tall boy with dark hair approached Lisa and offered to help her with her bags. That's all it took for Lisa to gaze into his eyes. Frances was sure that within a few

days, Lisa and this boy would be inseparable. She couldn't help feeling a little jealous. She sighed deeply, trying to contain her emotions when she heard a

familiar voice.

"Baby?"

She whirled around to see Billy unloading their suitcases from the trunk. "Billy…"

He put the suitcases down and walked toward her. "Wow… Baby Houseman, I can't believe it."

"Frances." She corrected.

"Right, Frances. Sorry. Wow... it's just… You look so…"

Frances felt her face flush. "Thanks. You look good, too."

"How long has it been?"

"About a year." She said. Wow this conversation was getting more and more awkward by the minute and she was grateful when she heard Max's booming voice

and then that of her father. "I should probably-."

"Yeah. I'll just get these bags taken care of for you and…." his voice trailed away.

"Baby, come here." Her mother called to her. "Your dad's been trying to get your attention for five minutes!"

"Sorry Mom. I was just talking to Billy."

"I'll see you later, okay?"

"Sure. See ya."

She was barely aware of the way her mother gently pushed her over to her father, where she gave a forced smile to Max. There were so many things she wanted

to say to him; things that her father wouldn't approve of, about how he'd unfairly fired Johnny the summer before, but it wasn't worth the effort. Instead she

made polite small talk letting her father fill in the details. Of course being her father, he was much too generous with his praise and Frances knew that Lisa was

uncomfortable. A short break in the conversation provided the perfect out. "You know Dad, I'm kind of tired from the drive up, so I think I'm going to go lay

down in my cabin."

"I'll take you." Billy said a little too quickly.

"Thanks. Are you coming, Lisa?"

"No, I'm going to… go look around. Reacquaint myself with the resort.'

Frances smiled knowingly. "Want some company?"

"No, that's okay. I'll be fine."

"Of course you will." Frances replied, adding silently 'As soon as you find that handsome guy that you were talking to earlier.'

"Shall we?" Billy gestured to the pathway that led to the main house.

"Lead the way." Frances ordered. But as she followed him, the familiarity of the resort seemed to wrap itself around her and memories began to surface.

"Okay, well this is it." He announced, coming to a sudden stop.

Frances' heart was pounding. "A-are you sure? I mean-."

"I know it's not much to look at but it's a lot bigger than the other cabins and-."

But Frances wasn't listening. She was staring at the cabin in absolute horror. No, this couldn't be happening. It was like a bad dream; one based on wonderful

memories. "I-."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just-I… isn't there another cabin?"

"What's wrong with this one?"

"Nothing. It's just that…Isn't there another one?" She repeated.

"I'm afraid not. Max says the resort is completely sold out, can you believe it? I've never seen him so happy before. I-Frances, what is it?"

Frances turned around, brushing the tears from her eyes. God, why was she carrying on like this? Just because she'd been assigned to the same cabin where-

When she felt a hand on her shoulder she turned around. "Frances, what's wrong? You don't look so good. Should I get your father?"

"NO!" She yelled a little too quickly, thinking of the disaster that would cause. "I-I mean… no. I'm just really tired from the long car ride. I think I'll lie down for

a while."

"Okay, as long as that's all it is. Let me put these bags in your room and I'll leave you alone."

"Thanks."

"Get some rest. Max has a lot planned this summer."

"I bet."

When Billy was gone, Frances slowly opened the door of the cabin. Almost instantly she was hit with memories from all sides. And as she walked around the

cabin they seemed to consume her. One year ago, this was Johnny's room. And sometimes when they were alone, it was her room too. Everywhere she looked,

she saw him; felt him. She closed her eyes and she could feel his arms around her, teaching her things that she never knew existed, both on the dance floor and

late at night in his arms. She could hear The Drifters' "Some Kind of Wonderful" floating in her head, reminding her of the night that she'd come to his room to

apologize for the way her father treated him. That night, she became a woman as she gave Johnny Castle her heart and her soul.

Tears slid down her cheeks and she lay down on the bed, crying into the pillow. How was it possible to miss someone so much?