Christmas Vacation in Riverdale

“That Boy John”

Listen to Chapter 7, “Christmas Vacation in Riverdale”

The Christmas spirit permeated the air the day Sandra packed and said goodbye to Bob. “I sure wish you were going back to Riverdale with me, honey.”

“Well, princess, I do, too. But, well, we need the money. We both have debts to pay off. Now you be good while you’re home! And, merry Christmas, sweetheart!”

Sandra returned his kiss and got onto the plane. As the silver machine soared through the clouds, she knew this vacation would be the real test of her love for Bob—when she would be around Kurt once more.

“Oh, Julie, long time no see!” Sandra spoke into the telephone. “Let’s get together and have a nice long talk—you must tell me all about you and Bill—  Wait a minute! Daddy just brought the car home—I’ll be right over!”

Sandra found one gay girl sitting by the tree and an admiring Bill looking on as she opened his gift. Unnoticed, Sandra stood by the door as Bill and Julie shared a sweet Christmas kiss. There was no need to even ask about Allen anymore!

“Sandra! Come on in,” called Julie. “Hey, how about tonight?”

“Kurt would sure like to see you,” Bill winked.

“We-l-l—” Sandra blushed slightly.

“Come on, I’ll call him and tell him you’re here.” Julie rose to her feet and grabbed the phone. Sandra started to protest—but didn’t.

Soon Kurt and Sandra and Bill and Julie were on their way to the church to pick up a couple of carol books. But their caroling trip got no farther. By the time they had agreed on what carols to use, what parts each would sing, and so on, the hands of the chapel clock had almost reached ten.

“So long!” Bill called as Kurt pulled out from Julie’s driveway. Then he turned to Julie.

“Well, sweetheart, I’ll see you New Year’s Eve.” Bill kissed her lips gently.

“A-hem!” Sandra teasingly cleared her throat loudly.

Julie sighed softly as Bill’s car, too, disappeared into the darkness. “Have fun tonight, Sandra?”

“Huh?” Sandra started from her daydreaming. “Oh, yeah, I guess so. I, uh, see you and Bill are, uh—”

“Oh, Sandra,” Julie drooled, “it’s really neat now! Nothing will ever keep Bill and me apart again!”

Sandra beamed. “I know. I’m really in love with Bob. Last summer—” She laughed and shook her head. “Kurt is just a boy. It was just a summer fling. You know, Julie, tonight was really boring with Kurt. I mean, I like Kurt; but I love Bob. I’m sure of it now.”

“I’m happy for you,” Julie reflected, “almost as happy as I am with Bill!” Julie remembered Sandra’s many past dilemmas with romance. Every fellow had literally swept Sandra off her feet, but somehow never seemed to quite fill the place in Sandra’s heart. This time, Julie was sure Bob would fill that place.

“Mrs. Julie Johnson,” Sandra teased. “Well, I’ll see you spring vacation—if I can tear myself away from Bob for five days!”

“Okay, Mrs. Sandra Miller,” Julie returned. “Be sure to write!”

Julie and Sandra waved goodbye as long as they could see each other. Then, once again, the two girls went their separate ways.

After Christmas, Julie could come home from La Paloma College much more often. Bill had already become the most popular senior boy at Riverdale High, and all the girls were dying to date him. They couldn’t understand how he could go steady with a girl he didn’t see every day. But Bill had grown very fond of Julie and knew that she had something very special. Someday he would find out just how special she would be to him.

< Julie Goes to College | Bill’s Senior Prom >