A sweet blast from the past

At a Fourth of July parade, Jenny is stunned to see Nick again—but she's even more surprised by the fireworks that spark between them

- Karen Kinser

Mom!" shouted Josh. “I need help with my bike.”

He adjusted his George Washington costume while Jenny filled his basket with candy. They were lined up at the local bank behind a group of whinnying horses as they finalized preparations for the Fourth of July parade. Both 9-year-old Josh and his dog Duke could hardly contain their jubilant excitement.

"Aren't you a good boy," said a deep voice behind them. “May I pet him?” Jenny turned to see a handsome man with unforgettable, piercing blue eyes. She knew those eyes. “Nick? Is it really you?”

“Jenny Wilcox?” Nick asked. “I thought you'd gotten married and moved away!”

Jenny’s heart skipped a beat as she remembered their undying friendship forged in eighth grade.

“I thought the same!” They hugged awkwardly and Jenny introduced Josh to Nick.

Just then, the noon whistle blew and Sage Valley’s Fourth of July parade commenced. Led by proud veterans, the parade participants followed, and Josh tossed candy to kids along the route, whic wound around blocks of flag-bedecked homes.

"Remember when we were in the parade on that tandem bike?” Nick asked.

“We were a big hit.”

“Boy, we had fun playing tag until fireflies lit up the night, vying for the most grass stains. And remember hiding dimes in the hopes of surprising others— back when we thought a dime was a big deal because you could buy a candy bar?”