Farewell Dance

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<“I wonder what he sees. I wonder how things must look to him since he came back. If this world looks different after you’ve passed on the other side. If it’s a a disappointment. And I wonder what he sees when he closes his eyes, what it is that haunts him so. What those secrets are that he’s so set on keeping to himself. I can’t imagine how lonely it must be for him. I suppose I know as much as anyone about living in the dark. But of course, there are many different kinds of darkness”

-Remember that time down on Charles Street? Oh lord, I thought my feet were going to fall off from all the dancing. And remember what you said to me that night? ‘Mar Blake, keep dancing like that and the sun will be too embarrassed to come up’. Can we believe we were ever that young? Oh. I sure miss you Jack. Who thought I would be without you for so long? But we were lucky, weren’t we? We had a lot of good years. A lot. Not like poor Wanda and Al. You were such a sweet husband, Jack. All a girl could ask for. That’s one thing about the women in the family. We always knew a good man when we saw one.

-Granny Blake…?

-It’s ok, Al. I know you’re there… you can come out now.

-You shouldn’t be out alone after dark. It’s not safe.

-It’s all dark to me, honey. Besides, I know my Guardian Angel is looking out for me. Now, tell Granny Blake what’s troubling you.

-What do you mean?

-I may be blind but I’m no fool. I can hear it in your voice. Now, out with it child.

-Something…something… happened to me. Something very strange, I don’t have the words to explain it, but everything’s different. I can feel the world, the city. Like it’s alive. I can feel your sadness. I followed it to you.

“He’s always so cryptic. Always has been. I keep hoping someday he’ll finally open up to me. Tell me all his secrets.”

-I’m afraid I’m losing myself. I don’t know what feelings are mine anymore. And now I’m afraid I’m starting to forget things about my real life. Things about… Wanda. There’s so much pain in this world. I never knew. How could any God ever allow this?

-Hush now! Don’t blaspheme. You of all people. You’re just feeling sorry for yourself. And that’s ok.

“Everyone needs someone to talk to once in a while. To listen to them. Even angels.”

-You lost the woman you loved. You died and came back and found that she’s married to someone else now. She’s moved on but that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten you. Wanda’s my grandchild. Believe me, I know.

-She’s the only thing I ever wanted in my life. The only thing that ever made sense. But I’m feeling less and less like the man who married her. Every day it fades away just a little bit more. It’s the only thing I have left and I’m losing it.

-Horse fethers!

-What?

-Horse fethers. Nonsense. For someone so bright, there’s sure a lot you don’t know about the heart. Listen, honey, did I ever tell you about me and Jack? I remember it like it was yesterday. I know everyone says that, but it’s really true. It was during the war. The day he walked into the dinner it was like a honey suckle breeze blew into my life. He was sweet and kind of shy and ever so polite. For the first month he just called me ‘Ma’am. Just a cap of coffee, Ma’am. Thank you kindly, Ma’am. You have the most beautiful eyes, Ma’am.’ Gentleman Jack. That’s what my sisters would call him whenever he came calling on me. Now, it didn’t take long to realize we were head over heels for each other. I was just a girl, but I knew. I knew this was the real thing. But things weren’t that simple. As much as I wanted to spend my life with this man, I always knew he was going to leave me. See, like most young men in those days, Jack was in service. A genuine Tuskegee airman, training at the base just outside of town. I remember the day he finally got his wings. It was the proudest moment of his life. There we was. My own knight in shinning armor. Ready to slay all the dragons of the world. But at the same time, my heart was breaking. I’m ashamed to admit it, but part of me wanted him to fail, so he would have to stay behind. I just wanted to hold him forever. The night before his squadron left, there was a big dance. I was proud and nervous and terrified all at once. I couldn’t bear the thought of letting him go. That night we danced so close it felt like we were one person. And then I started to cry. I told him I was a fool, too fool for him, knowing he was going to be taken from me. He just brushed my air off my face and kissed my tears and told me that I had nothing to worry about. He said there was no way he could die. He had to come back to marry me. We announced our engagement that very minute. When the boys left the next morning, I told him ‘Promise me you’ll be safe. Promise me you’ll come home.’ He promised and said no matter how many miles apart, we’d never be far from each other. ‘I’ll be watching you from the skies’ he said. So Jack flew off to war and every night I would pray that the good lord would bring him home to me. He would write me whenever he had the chance, and every letter reminded me why I loved him so. You see, whenever we were together I felt like we were the only tow people alive. But Jack never could forget the rest of the world. He wanted to make a difference. He was fighting to make a better life for everyone, to make a better world for the kids we would someday have. I read each letter a thousand times. To this day, I still have them all memorized. Well my prayers must have reached someone because my Jackie came home to me safe and sound. And the following spring, I married myself a hero. It was the happiest day of my life. But our life was really just beginning. Jack worked his way through law school. Became a lawyer. We moved up here to New York and started a family. What more could we ask for? Of course, Jack still had his crusades. He’d take cases no else would. Take on enemies that’d scare off anyone else. The mob. The unions. Even the government. It wasn’t in him to back down from a fight. That last night whenever I think about it. It’s like a movie running in slow motion. Jackie had been working late a lot. On what he wouldn’t say. But he promised to take me out that weekend, to make things up to me. It was like were kids again. ‘I’m sorry. You’ll have to give me a second…’ You see, it was starting to rain and Jackie told me to wait while he ran and fetched the car. It was just across the street, but he insisted anyway… Gentleman Jack… That was the last thing I ever saw. After that, I didn’t much care if I ever saw anything again.-I’m sorry. I didn’t know…-‘Into each life a little rain must fall’ It’s just that I never got to say goodbye. To look him in the eye one last time. But things did get better. I’ve had a lot of gifts in my life. My kids grew up and they gave me grandkids. And then Wanda grew up married you. Then after you were…gone… she married Terry and they gave me a beautiful little great granddaughter. I can’t complain. But I guess I do get lonesome sometimes. Never thought of remarrying though. The truth is, I didn’t think I was going to live this darn long. But most of all, I have faith. Faith that Jack and I will be together in the next world. Just like you and Wanda will be. You have to have patience, child. See, this life is just a flicker. A heartbeat. And forever’s a real long time. All this passes so quickly. It’s where you spend eternity that matters. What was it like, Al? When your first passed to the other side. I mean. IS it everything you thought it would be? I mean, a war hero like you, I bet they rolled out the red carpet.

-I… It… Let’s just say it wasn’t what I expected. I really can’t tell you anything more. I’m sorry.

-You ok, Al?

-Granny Blake, I want you to come with me. I’ve just had an idea. Please give me your hand.
-What's happening... I feel strange.
-Trust me.
-Where are we? We're somewhere else now, Aren't we?
-It's a special place. A kind of heavenly crossroads. It's called the Dead Zone.
-I don't much like the sound of that.
-Don't worry. I'll be right here. I promise.

"The next thing I know, I'm enveloped by the most incredible sensation, like being wrapped in electric velvet."

-I feel different...What didi you do to me?
-Walk forward... Toward the light. I'm sorry, I can't go with you. But I'll be right here.
-Towards the light? But I'm...Oh my God!

"It may sound silly, but it was several steps before I realized what happened."

-I can see! Oh, gracious! Look at me! Honey, how did you do this?
-Shhh. Just keep heading forward.
-Ok.

"Everything around me was buzzing with energy. Like chain lightning on a summer night"

-Oh, Al. It's wonderful...

"With each step, the feeling got stronger. A warm, sweet glow like floating in honey. I kept thinking it was all some beautiful dream, and that I was going to wake up any second. And then it happened. The miracle."

-Oh my God... It can't be... Oh, sweet heaven, it is...? Jack!!
-There's my girl! You know, you have the most beautiful eyes, Ma'am!
-Oh Jack, Is it really you?

"After all these years, to hold him again. To look in his eyes once more and hear him say 'I love you, Mary Blacke'. And we danced so close it felt like we were one person. I wanted to never let him go. He told me how much he missed me, how much I still meant to him. And that he'll wait for me. That we have an eternity to spend together. I don't know how much time passed... A minute... An hour... A year."

-I have to go. Live your life, Mary Blake. Make the most of the time you have. I'll be waiting for you. no matter what, we'll never be far apart. I'll be watching you from the skies. I love you Mary. I always have and always will.
-I love you too, Jack. I love you too. Oh Al! It was wonderful. How did you do it? An honest to goodness miracle! How can I ever thank you?
-Wait! Stop! Don't cross the threshold. I just wanted to do something for you. I... Oh my God! I didn't realize...you... you look just like Wanda!
-Come here, Al. I want to see what my Guardian Angel looks like.
-No, I can't.
-Hush. I may look 21 but I'm still your elder. Now, do as I say. Come on. Closer. Oh Al, you're beautiful. Thank you Al.

"As I kissed him, I took one step out of the doorway and then everything went dark again."

-Thank you. You just made an old woman very happy.
-I'm glad.
-Do you see what I mean now? It's the forever that counts. The world is full of men who will march into hell for a pretty girl, but it's the good ones who will open the gates of heaven for her. Terry's a fine man. He'll take a good care of Wanda. But he's not her soulmate. Not like you. I figure God must have something big planned for you if he brought you back, but you keep missing it because you can't see past Wanda. You have to let her go. For a while anyway. Let her live her life. You've got big things in store for you, Al Simmons. That much, I'm sure of. And you'll have an eternity to spend with Wanda. Just have a little faith.
-But that's just it...
-Shhhh. I know it's hard. True love always is. If It wasn't, everyone would do it.

"You know, love is a funny thing. It'll sweep you off your feet and spin you all around but sooner or later, something happens to bring you down to earth. And that's when the work starts. 'cause what's worth having is worth fighting for. Worth sacrificing for. That's what real love is. 'Gentleman' Jack Black taught me that. So what happens next? If you ask me, Al will find a way to say goodbye his Wanda, at least for now. But he'll always be watching out for her. Just like my Jackie. And then, he'll go off and find out what lies ahead for him. Find the answers he's been looking for. And then, when he finally finds his true path, no matter how long and hard the journey, in the end it will lead him back to her. And they'll be together again. If not in this world, then in the next. I may not know a lot of things, but I do know that."

-No matter what it takes...>