TUESDAY - JUNE 8, 1976

They pulled into the campground about 9:30 a.m., catching Dave as he was ready to leave the office. He stopped on the porch, then rushed forward when he saw Sarah, grabbing her in hug.

"Are you surprised to see me?" Sarah laughed. "Is Midgie here?"

"Great to see you! No, Midgie's at work till 2:00. She's going to be happy to see you!"

Dave looked over Sarah and saw Sam leaning on the car, with his arms crossed. He walked over and extended his hand, greeting Sam. "Good to see you, again, Sam."

Sam shook the hand, and nodded, "You too, Dave."

Sarah watched the exchange between the two. She could tell they were both making the effort to still be friends, and she appreciated it. She looked in the office window and was relieved to see no signs of Pete.

"Don't tell Midgie we're here. Especially if she's at the salon, it would be all over town. I'd rather not see my parents until tomorrow. I want to see you guy's first. Ok?" Sarah cautioned Dave.

"Hey, sounds good. I'll bring her down to the tent when she gets here." Dave looked at Sam, "You're staying at the tent tonight, right?"

"Yeah, we were planning to." Sam nodded in agreement. "I'd like to go there now and catch some sleep. We'll be there when you come by later."

Sarah looked around the tent and smiled. It had only been a week, but so much had happened in that week. She felt like a different person.

Sam came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Happy?"

He turned her around to face him and kissed her, a long slow kiss, reminding her of their first kiss. It had been awhile since they had shared a kiss like this, and they both had missed it. They took their time, drawing the heat from each other, leaving them breathless.

"My god, Sarah. We need to do that more often." Sam breathed against her hair.

"I agree." Sarah kissed his neck and down his chest, the hairs tickling her face. She inhaled the masculine musky scent of his cologne as she wrapped her arms around him, fitting into his body perfectly.

"How tired are you?" Sam ran his hands down her braid, tugging her backwards as he laid her down on the sleeping bag.

The reunion between Sarah and Midgie was loud and filled with giggles and uncontrolled laughter. The two girls, hugged and whispered.

Dave interrupted them, drawing back the door flap and looking out, exclaiming, "Hey! Look who else has showed up."

Pete stepped in, watching Sarah's face as he did. Sarah's heart skipped a beat, then she stepped forward to hug him. He smiled widely as he returned her hug. Then Sam stepped forward, holding out his hand and Pete accepted it, nodding. They all felt the tension in the air, and everyone broke into chatter to smooth it over.

Pete offered up a bucket of chicken and they all dug in, sitting in a circle on the tent floor. Dave passed around beers to everyone. Sarah sat between Sam and Midgie, leaning over frequently to whisper to her friend.

Soon the guys were deep into a conversation about baseball and the rivalry between the teams, and the girls were free to talk alone.

Midgie asked Sarah, "How have you been, really?" She lit a joint from the cigar box and passed it to Sarah.

"A lot better. This get away is working great for Sam and me. How did you get Pete to come today?"

Midgie lowered her voice to match Sarah's. "When I found out you were here, I called him and told him that he better get his act together, you wanted to see him."

"That's it? So, he's really doing ok?" Sarah said in relief.

"Yep, in fact, he went out on a date last night."

"No way! With who?"

"Becky Connelly, remember her from school? Tall, blond, gorgeous."

"Wow! Yeah, I remember her. She was gorgeous. I thought she moved away after graduation?"

"She's spending the summer here with her grandparents. She took a part time job at the hardware store, started last week. I guess she really fell for Pete."

"Oh my god! That's great!" Sarah laughed as she glanced over at Pete. At that moment he looked at her and their eyes locked. He smiled and winked, as if he knew what they were talking about, then joined back into the ongoing discussion with Sam and Dave.

The group sat for hours, talking and laughing. Sarah told Midgie all about the cities they'd been to and the stores she and Trish had shopped in. Midgie caught her up on all the gossip that she had missed in the last week.

Dave looked at his watch, yawning. "It's been a long day. And I promised Midgie a movie tonight." He winked at Midgie.

"That's right. We're taking the night off tonight." Midgie stood and pulled Dave up with her. "I might even let you buy me a pizza, afterwards."

Pete stood up also, explaining that he had to go pick up Becky when she got off work.

Within minutes, everyone was gone and it was quiet in the tent. Sam started rolling up Sarah's sleeping bag and tying it closed.

"Hey, don't we need that to sleep?" Sarah asked in surprise.

"Yeah, but we're not sleeping here." He carried the sleeping bag to the door, setting it down, and crossing over to pick up the small cooler of beer. "I have a tent in the car. If you can carry the lantern and sleeping bag, I'll carry the tent bag and cooler. Sound good?"

"Where are we going?" Sarah asked, curiously.

"I thought it would be nice to stay on the glass beach tonight." Sam laughed as Sarah barreled into him, jumping into his arms for a hug.

"Yes! Let's go!"

She led the way through the trees, holding the lantern, and they emerged onto the shore. She let out a sigh as she stopped and looked around. "It's perfect, Sam."

Sam set up the tent while Sarah gathered branches and started a fire. She spread the quilt in front of the fire, setting the cooler by the rolled sleeping bags.

Sam strolled over and chuckled as he saw the makeshift bed. He pulled her close and held her tightly, his cheek against the top of her head. "I am so glad I decided to stop in this little town. I never expected that my life would change that day, sweetheart."

He cupped her cheek and lifted her face to his. His eyes reflected the glow from the fire and Sarah felt herself being drawn into them, her body felt hollowed and full of flutters as Sam whispered against her lips. "I love you, Sarah. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Sam" Sarah felt his tongue slide into her mouth and their bodies took over. She felt the tingling where he touched her and Sam's shiver as her hands slid over him. Together they melted onto the blanket and into each other.

"Sam?" Sarah whispered. His face was shadowed, lit only by the glow from the fire. She saw his eyes sparkling as he looked down at her. She shifted up in his arms, her head lifting from where she had been listening to his heartbeat as it calmed to a normal pace.

"Do I get my surprise now?"

Sam laughed, his fingers finding her ticklish spot, causing her to squirm against him.

He rolled over on her and gave her a kiss. "Stay there, I'll be right back." He said as he went into the tent.

He came back seconds later and handed her the small box.

She looked at the round cardboard and paper badge that was on top the bow. A pair of silver wings was pinned on it. "This wasn't on it before."

She held it up to read and started laughing. 'MILE HIGH CLUB' was written on it with her name and the date, June 7, 1976.

"You're crazy! When did you make this?" She held it to her chest. "Should I wear it tomorrow when I introduce you to my parents?"

"God, no!" Sam panicked.

"I'm kidding! But, really, when did you make this?"

"I walked up to Dave's office while you were asleep this afternoon, and he gave me stuff to make it. The stewardesses gave me the wings. Dave thought it was pretty funny."

Sam laughed as he recalled his visit with Dave. "He's a pretty nice guy."

"Yeah, he is." Sarah looked at the box. "Can I open it now?"

At Sam's nod, she carefully unwrapped the paper, folding it neatly and sticking the bow on top. Then she opened the box and stared at the silver chain that hung from her fingers. She gasped when she saw the pendant that swung from it.

It was the blue glass heart. Fine silver filigree now encased the edges, curving into swirls around the top and the point at the bottom. She leaned over to kiss Sam.

"I can't believe it! Oh my god, Sam, it's beautiful."

"Turn it over." Sam said, softly.

Sarah turned it over, holding it in her palm. She leaned towards the campfire. The filigree swirls covered the back, and in the center, they formed the letter S.

"Sam, this is the best gift you could have ever gotten me. Thank you. I thought I had lost it."

Sam knelt in front of her and took the necklace, draping it over her head and laying it to rest between her breasts. His hand pressed against it. "That's the start of our story, Sweetheart, remember? I love you. I promise, I will always love you."

Sarah leaned forward to kiss him. "I'll wear it all the time. I love it. And I love you, Sam. Always."

They made love on the blanket, slow and filled with words and promises of their love, their long achingly intense climax bonded their vow to each other.

Afterwards they lay quietly and watched the fire dying down. The crickets and bullfrogs serenaded them, joined by the soft shoosh of the waves.

Sarah slid around in his arms and looked up, her fingers slid into his dimple as he smiled down at her.

"I'm glad we came here, this has been perfect." She whispered, happily.

"Yeah, it has." Sam traced her jaw with his fingertip. "What will your parents be like tomorrow?"

"I don't know. I guess we just have to be prepared for anything."

Sarah worried about it as much as Sam. She really had no idea how her parents would react when they met him. "Just remember, I love you and it makes no difference what they say."

Sarah curled into to him, rubbing his back, letting her hand drift down to trail over the curve of his bare butt. She felt her necklace against her breast as she moved.

"I love you, Sam. With all my heart, and there is nothing that will change that."

TUESDAY - JUNE 8, 1976

The sun burned high in the sky and the rising temperature of the tent brought Sam out of a deep sleep. He turned to see Sarah, sprawled on her stomach on top of the sleeping bag. His fingers slid down her wavy hair, tangling in the ends. He lifted them and smoothed the tangles, then let his fingertip rest in her dimple.

"What are you doing?" Sarah asked groggily.

"I love this dimple right above your ass." Sam leaned over and kissed it, tickling it with his tongue.

Sarah turned over, laughing as his tongue made circles on her belly. He worked his way, slowly, up to her neck.

"This is how I want to wake up every morning." He whispered against her neck.

He raised up on his hands and looked at her. "Good morning, beautiful."

"Good morning, Sam." Sarah placed her fingertip in her favorite dimple.

Sarah called her mom from Dave's office. She and Sam had agreed that it was best to call and say they were stopping in for the evening.

Jane Winston answered on the first ring, and Sarah knew she was in the kitchen. She could picture her mom sitting at the table with her coffee and cigarettes. And she wasn't surprised to hear Delly Newsome's voice in the background.

"Sarah! We were just talking about you." Jane's voice was happier than last time Sarah had talked to her.

"You and Delly are always talking about your kids." Sarah was pleased to hear her mom laugh.

"Yes, well, things are changing fast with you two." Jane said, wryly. "Pete's moving out today. And you won't be home until late summer, Delly and I are thinking of joining a bowling league."

"Really, Mom?" Sarah was surprised. "Wow! I think that's a great idea. When did you decide this?"

"Just this morning." Jane gave a raspy laugh. "We decided that if you kids were moving on, then we could too."

"You two are crazy. I love you, both!" Sarah was thrilled. This might not be such a bad thing if her parents met Sam. "How would you like some visitors this evening?"

"You're coming to see us tonight?"

"Of course I am! I want you and Dad to meet Sam." Sarah paused as she waited for her mom to answer.

She heard the chair scrape on the linoleum and knew her mom had gotten up and walked around the corner for privacy.

"We'd like that, Sarah. Don't be upset if your Dad is a little hard on Sam. Remember, you're still his little girl in his eyes. I'm sure he'll want to talk to Sam." Jane lowered her voice to a whisper. "Things are happening so fast. Pete has a new girlfriend."

"Yeah, I heard. I think it's great, mom." Sarah said, brightly. "I gotta go, mom. We'll be there about 5, okay?"

Sarah found Sam, sitting at the picnic table smoking a joint. She told him of her phone conversation with her mom, passing on the warning her mother gave her.

"My dad might not be so easy to win over. Mom said he will probably want to talk to you."

Sam looked up in alarm. "I've never had to deal with angry fathers before. What should I do?"

Sarah sat beside him and took the joint. She took a hit off it and passed it back to him.

"I've never seen my father lose his temper before. He's a really cool guy. Just be yourself, Sam. Talk to him, he loves baseball, you can talk about that. He will probably ask you questions about your music. I think it may take a little bit, but he'll come around."

Sarah got up and picked up the quilt from the table, "I see you got us ready for the beach?"

She saw Sam nod, still thinking about her father. "Let's go, then."

They spent the afternoon on the beach, relaxing on the quilt, and occasionally going in the water to cool off. The day was hot and the sun turned their skin a golden tan. Sarah suggested a walk to smoke a joint, and Sam readily agreed. He had been thinking about what Sarah's dad might say, and he wanted to get high. The buzz would smooth the edges of his nerves.

"Will he force you to stay home?" Sam asked Sarah as they passed the joint between them.

"No way! He's not like that. He knows I wouldn't listen, anyway. You have to understand, my parents have always, pretty much, trusted me to do the right thing. It's just that this has been the most extreme thing that I've ever done. They'll see that I'm happy. That should be enough to convince them."

"Mom! I'm home!" Sarah walked in through the back door, entering the kitchen. She held Sam's hand as she looked around, seeing the pack of ground meat and buns on the counter. She sniffed, delighted to smell beans, baking in the oven.

"Oh good! We're cooking out tonight." She leaned in and whispered. "It will be okay, just be cool."

Sam nodded then looked up as Jane entered the kitchen. He did a double take, looking from mother to daughter. The resemblance was astounding. Jane Winston was just a slightly older version of Sarah. Her honey colored hair was shorter, fluffed into curls that ended just above her shoulders, her eyes, tilted in the corners, matched Sarah's amber ones. He saw that Sarah got her petiteness from her mother.

Jane wore jean shorts and a bright pink tee shirt and her feet were bare, toenails painted a matching bright pink. Standing next to Sarah, she looked more like her older sister.

"Sarah!" Her mom gave her a hug, the stood back to look at her. "You've lost weight." Jane looked over at Sam, warily assessing him.

Sam extended his hand, "Hello, Mrs Winston. It's nice to meet you." Sarah smiled at the formality in his voice.

"So, you are Sam. I've heard a lot about you." Jane shook Sam's hand, then walked to the oven. She picked up the oven mitt and took out the baked beans, filling the air with the mouth watering smell of bacon and brown sugar.

"Sarah has told us all about your band." Jane looked over at Sarah. "We looked through your albums, we wanted to see what the band looked like."

Sarah interrupted her, "I don't have their album."

Jane cocked an eyebrow at her. "We noticed that."

Jane leaned back on the counter, her arms crossed, staring at Sarah, who had assumed the same pose as her.

Sam sensed it would be better to leave the two women alone.

"I think I'll go out back. You have a nice view of the lake here." He edged towards the door.

"Sam, there is a picnic table down at the edge of the backyard." Jane handed him a tablecloth and the basket of plates and utensils. "Would you please take this down and get it set up?"

Sarah took the lettuce from the counter to the sink, and started preparing a salad. She waited for her mom to talk. She found out she wouldn't have to wait long.

"Do you want to tell me what prompted you to run off with a band?" Jane asked as she pressed her palm down, flattening the ball of ground beef.

"I didn't run off with a band. Geez, you make it sound like I ran away with the circus!" Sarah sounded exasperated. "I met Sam here, at the beach. I didn't know he was in a band until he told me. Then I went to Cleveland to see him perform."

Sarah turned towards her mom, her eyes pleading. "Mom, I fell in love with him. I didn't want to be apart from him. I know it all happened so sudden. You think I acted impulsively, and maybe I did. But I don't regret it. Trust me on this, please."

"Sarah," Jane wiped her hands and reached for the always present pack of Pall Malls, lighting one as she poured two cups of coffee, handing one to Sarah. She sat at the table and Sarah sat across from her. "I know what young love is. I know how it can cause you to act so recklessly. That's what worries me. You still have a year of college and your future to think about."

"I am thinking about that. Sam and I agreed that I would finish college. I will see how we stand after that. His career is taking off, who knows what it will be like when I graduate. But, I will have my degree, I promise you that."

"I can see that you have an answer for everything, don't you?" Jane gave a short laugh. "Life doesn't always work according to plans, you know that."

"Your life didn't, do you regret it?" Sarah asked, softly.

"Never," Jane shook her head, "We had you, that was the way it was meant to be all along. My life wasn't like I planned it, but, no, I have never regretted it."

"Then let me see how my life goes."

Jane sighed, "You have always been so damned stubborn."

"Another trait I get from you!" Sarah laughed.

Sam spotted the picnic table at the edge of the yard and walked towards it. He looked over to see Pete walking his way from the adjoining yard. They met up at the table and exchanged awkward greetings, while they spread the tablecloth out.

"Have you met Sarah's dad, yet?" Pete concentrated on putting a clamp on the corner to hold down the tablecloth.

"No, not yet." Sam looked over at Pete. "Will I have any problems with him?"

Pete shrugged, "That's hard to say. He wasn't too happy when Sarah didn't come home after her trip to Cleveland. Her mom was pretty torn up about it too, she talked about it a lot with my mom."