Influenza: Viral Virulence by Steven Ohliger Read Free Book Online Page B

I really can’t stand,” she replied. “I think it’s some new-age rap music.” Lorie stretched out and lay on her back with her face toward the sky. “Just feel that warm sunshine!”
    He tilted his head up to the sky and, for the first time that day, relaxed. He felt the heat of the sun flow over his face. He closed his eyes, and he could hear the faint music of multiple radios in the distance and the murmur of other conversations floating on the breeze. It was a perfect summer afternoon. If he could only somehow put this day in a bottle and save it…
    “Sorry about the mess last night,” Lorie said solemnly.
    “Don’t be sorry,” Michael replied earnestly. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t do anything wrong. Did you have a chance to talk to Ted after the…incident?”
    “Only to tell him I wanted nothing to do with him anymore.” Then she continued with a note of sadness, “You know, I can’t seem to find a decent guy. I don’t think there are any out there. All the good ones have been taken…”
    Michael kept silent and let her continue.
    “…Every guy I get close to turns out to be some kind of jerk.”
    “Don’t worry. The perfect guy for you is out there somewhere. I believe there is someone out there for everyone. All you have to do is wait. It also seems to me that when you’re not looking for someone, that’s when the perfect person finds you.”
    “How about you?” Lorie said, turning to look at him. “Why haven’t you found the woman of your dreams?”
    “I don’t know. It seems that everyone I meet is just a temporary thing. I mean…” He hesitated, trying to form his thoughts. “I really like the girls I’ve dated, but it never progressed into anything beyond the ‘like’ part. I guess I wasn’t really into them as much as I should be. I couldn’t see anything permanent or even long-term with any of them. And the worst thing is when you’re with someone and inside you know it isn’t going to last. It makes you feel guilty, like you’re doing something wrong.”
    “So you admit that you’re a pig who dates girls for just one reason?” she asked. He could tell by her tone that she was joking with him again.
    Playing along, he answered, “Tell me something. If I admit I’m a pig, does that mean I’m not really one?”
    “Well,” she mused, “yes. Probably. Or maybe not.” She laughed and returned to her previous position, lying on the beach towel. Putting on her glasses to shield her eyes from the bright sun, Lorie sighed. “I suppose we both have our issues with the opposite sex.”
    He let his eyes linger on her more than he should have. It was a good thing he wasn’t interested in her, or he would have noticed her smooth, perfectly shaped, tanned legs. If he thought of her as more than just a good friend, he also would have seen the way she filled out her top nicely. Or he may have noticed the way the sun danced around her long, flowing, blond hair or the way her lips were perfectly curved. Yes, good thing he was just not interested in her.
    Michael tore his longing eyes away and looked over at a nearby group of students sunbathing. “I really need to get back to studying. I was just on my way back from the library after an unsuccessful attempt at studying for that stupid test on Monday.”
    “Are you still trying to study?” she said incredulously. “Come on, Michael. It’s just the beginning of the school year. Lie back and enjoy this day. We won’t have many more days like today. In a couple of months, we won’t be able to see the ground because it will be covered with a few feet of snow.”
    Apparently, no one wanted him to study for this test. Considering all the productive work that he had accomplished so far today, Michael gave in and lay down on his back beside her. Now, he was looking right up at the light blue sky. He watched some clouds wisp by. A few birds were flying back and forth from tree to tree. Butterflies danced