They
were like a cluster of fans in a stadium, that crowd was dense and packed and
considering that fact this was during a hot humid afternoon, it literally felt
like a sauna. But I guess it was worth it though, that way we all got to finally see
our new town heroes Larry Lasalle, after he had been awarded with the honor of
being granted a silver star, from his visit in the steaming jungle
of Guadalcanal. After all the good that man had done, helping Francis in table
tennis, me with dancing, now an honorable U.S. Marine star. He if anyone, he in the
whole wide world would have been the man who deserved it. To get ready for the event
in Larry’s honor I was helping around by preparing food kits for the service
men, since I was a Monument red cross volunteer. Frankly I did rush, after all I
did promised my really good friend, Francis, that I would meet up with him at
the time of Larry’s arrival. Just I was about to finish my last few
kits, one of the head volunteers behind me had said, “ Its fine Nicole, you did
a lot of work today. I can handle it from here.” I smiled delightfully and said
my thanks, “ Now go off to that “boy-friend” to yours.” She had said with
sarcasm. I turn around and playfully roll my eyes at her with a smirk, and
scurried off.
As I
squeeze myself through the narrow crevasse of the crowd, I peer over the crowd and I see
someone in the distance. Its Francis! He was moving his head through the crowd
as if he was looking for someone, which was probably me. In an instant I begin
to gesticulate my hand towards him in hopes
that he could see me. A few seconds later his face of wonder looking from one
place to another, had turned into a face of jubilance and delight, he found me.
Francis was looking straight at me as did I, smiling back. As I tried to push
through the dense crowd to reach Francis, all of a sudden I heard a sound. TOOT
TOOT!!! I could hear a piercing blast of a high pitched horn, then a thunderous
mighty chug of an engine, finally a snake hissing sound of steam. It was the
train, Larry had arrived! Through the crowd I could not see too much, but did
see a bleary figure of a man in a green- like uniform. Everyone
began to roar with praise and cheer. That was Larry all right. He then moved
into the middle of the crowd with everyone surrounding and embracing him and
welcoming him. He smiled back to then had moved his eyes among the crowd
looking at one person to the next until he was looking at me. He had a strong
sense of affection and fondness on his face while gazing upon me unlike anyways
else he looked at with tender smile. It my have looked strange through others
eyes, but never the less in respect, I bowed tilting me head as if a
proper ballet dancer would. In return he had tilted his head as well in return,
and a tingling feeling had swept through my body in which I had blushed a bit
towards him.
Larry’s attention diverts from me and then I see the Mayor walking up to him
and talking to him. I saw him mouth some words ( I cant hear to me. “I’ll never
leave you.” He said in response, which had made me feel so much better as we
continued to parade our way through the streets. After a while we had finally
reached our “surprise”, we were infront of the Wreck Center! Then Larry had
lead well over the commotion of the crowd), probably about how
honorable Larry was or something like that. After everyone had settled down
other officials had made speeches for him, and even though some were pretty
long and mind-numbing, Larry had still stood there modestly until it was his
turn to speak. Afterwards Larry had said his thanks to everyone and how he was
so happy he was home, we all were. I go to tilt me head to get to Francis but
as I do so he is only a foot away from me! The crowd must have moved me without
noticing. I cautiously extend my hand to his, and grasp it. He grasped back. At
the time, we were both just so happy that our biggest childhood hero had
finally returned home. Right then everything felt just so great, but I knew the
celebration would be even better! It lasted pretty long by the way, all the way
from the afternoon to the night, but I think I enjoyed myself during the
afternoon part more…
Anyways, the celebration had taken place in the City-Hall, and I must say
I had one great time! People were dancing, Mingling with one another, and just
enjoying themselves. It was a blissful sight. While they were inside Francis
and I were at the balcony, as I gazed in admiration the dresses of the city
officials wives. He teased to me about he would get me one of those dresses
someday. It made me smile. I had grasped his hand again squeezing it, then I
had gently leaned in towards him and had pressed my check against his. At that
time I felt so relaxed with Francis, so safe… Afterwards Larry,
Francis, and I (being as silly as we were at the time) had paraded
through the streets together with our hands on one another hips. However as we
traveled through the ominous shadowed streets I had no idea where Larry was
leading us to. No when I think of it I don’t think he ever told us.
It felt sort of weird now, and I felt a bit nervous. When Larry wasn’t looking
I slowly tilted my head towards Francis and faintly whispered for him to stay
close to me. “ I will never leave you” he whispered back, which had made me
felt so much better, as if I completely forgot what I was complaining about.
After a while we had finally reached our destination, Larry had lead us to the
Wreck Center! Ah the good old time we had their with the “Wreck Center gang”.
The tough of it made me softly giggle at the time…
Larry had escorted us and bowed leading us inside, saying that he had arranged
Henry Roussier the old retired janitor, to sweep and clean up the center or a
“special night”. As we entered and Larry turned on the light a waterfall of
memories were flowing through my head. We saw the table tennis table, Francis
and Larry would always play on, a table with cans of soda pop candy bars, which
Francis and I would love to eat, going back their felt so good. I felt like I was
at home, and boy did we have fun. I got to see Francs and Larry play some table
tennis, like old times, as I changed the records on the phonograph. After the
few people that were there left there was just us, Larry, Francis, and me.
Now after all of the things that I did begin to get bit tired and I
indented on telling Larry and Francis that ii would head back home. However
before I could say a word he had swept over against Francis and I and embraced
us saying, “My favorite champion and my favorite dancer,” I faintly smiled at
him, and then Larry had told me to go find Dancing in the Dark ( one of the
records) I was a bit puzzled on why he would want to get that particular song,
but I didn’t ask and I went off to go find it among the records. As I did, from
the corner of my eye I saw Larry put his arm around Francis telling him
something, but I couldn’t exactly hear what they were saying. After I had
placed the record on the spindle, turning back towards Larry and Francis, I had
glanced at them wonderingly in regards of what they had wanted to do
next.
Out
of nowhere Francis had told me he “had to go” saying that Larry and I needed on
last dance. IT sounded peculiar so I frowned suspiciously towards him. Thoughts
went through my head, but they were just thoughts… I had whispered directing
Francis to stay and watch. Strange enough Larry also agreed with Francis saying
things about he was tired and he wanted to leave. Something wasn’t right, a
faint electric like chill of uneasiness surged by body. I didn’t want Francis
to leave asking him to stay, yet he insisted on leaving. My heart
raced like a stampede, gradually beating faster and faster. As I saw Francis
leave the room my heart had completely been submerged in bath fear and intense
apprehension, and that was the last time I had seen Francis… Francis my friend…
The notes from the song eerily filled the room, “ Dancing in the Dark. Till the
tune ends…” It was just me and Larry… But it didn’t have to be. Francis could
have helped, and done something! Why just why! Oh why did Francis leave me…
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