ferf ziamond
Remembering Olsen
for
everyone who
knows someone who needs to do it all over again
CHAPTER ONE
Dim
lights, soft music, camera flashes, a rumble of reacquainted voices fill a
small, well-decorated catering hall.
A
faceless man in a blue suit walks past a banner across the back wall that
reads, WELCOME CLASS OF 1996. He
stops for a moment in front of the juke box. The lights on it flash. Standing
beside it is a man in a grey suit. His face is visible, but only for a moment.
The
man in the blue suit looks as if he is going to point at the man in the grey
suit. He doesn’t. His finger moves forward and points to the jukebox.
He
continues walking, shaking hands with other well dressed men. A woman stops him
with her hand on his chest. She stretches her legs in high heel shoes so her
lips can reach his ear, then she whispers. She laughs and the man continues to
walk.
He
stops at the bar where a young man and a young woman greet him. The bartender
hands the young man a drink. He sips it and then the bartender hands him
another. He passes the second drink to a waitress who places it on her tray
with a collection of others.
The
new drink sits on a napkin and makes a trip around the room passing happy
faces. Some guests move around as if reenacting memories from their past.
Others look on and laugh.
A
group of men stand together holding their drinks at their sides while belting
out lyrics to old favorite tunes.
The
glasses sit still on the tray when the waitress stops momentarily. A blurred
man and woman carry on a conversation over the music at a table as the waitress
puts their drinks down.
“That’s
something a family can never get over.” The woman has a serious look.
“Especially
his dad.” The man is equally somber.
The
woman acknowledges the waitress and speaks softly to her. “Thank you.”
“Yes,
thank you very much.” The man grins.
The
waitress smiles and collects some empty glasses off of the table.
The
woman bobs her head back and forth to see the man behind the waitress’ arm to
continue their conversation. The man follows her head back and forth.
“Do
you think his dad had any indication?” The woman picks up her glass. The man
shakes his head sadly.
The
rest of the glasses on the tray begin to move again as the waitress makes her
way to the next table.
Once
again, she places drinks down on a table. This one seats three men in mid
conversation.
“She
didn’t want you then. You think something changed in the last ten years?”
They
all laugh.
“Hey,
a lot about me has changed in the last
ten years.”
“Yea,
less hair, less money, and less reason to look at you now.”
They
all laugh again, including the waitress.
“There’s
more.”
“Yep,
more stomach, more naps, more.”
The
second man cuts him off. “All right, we get the idea.”
There
is more laughter. The waitress begins to step away with a big smile.
The
third man calls to her before she can get very far. “Thanks sweetheart. We’ll take another round on your way back.” He
slides a twenty dollar bill on her tray as she smiles and begins to make her
way around the room again.
As
a wet ring forms on the bill under a glass, the first mans voice is heard from
behind. “Keep em’ coming doll.”
The
waitress clears off some empty glasses at another table seating two women. A
third stands speaking with a man behind the two.
The
man excuses himself from the conversation and motions toward the waitress.
“Thanks. We’ll take another round on your way back.”
The
waitress nods and scribbles on her pad.
One
of the sitting women is in mid conversation. She acknowledges the waitress with
a smile and a nod. She continues speaking. “It was two weeks ago. Only a few
blocks from here. The guy I work with said she died instantly.”
“I
never trusted those little foreign cars.”
“Especially
when a large truck barrels into one.”
The
waitress walks away after putting her pad back in her pocket.
Idle
chit-chat is heard around the room as the tray’s trip comes to an end at a low
table in front of two small couches towards the corner of the room.
The
waitress puts the glass in front of Jessica Kasta, an attractive young woman
who sits speaking to friend Patty Madiel.
Jessica
doesn’t acknowledge the waitress. She picks up her fresh drink and sips through
the stirrer. Jessica is not the kind of person to go out of her way to have a
conversation with a regular person. She thinks of herself as upper class. She
doesn’t recall any memories that are not complimentary to herself.
Patty
gives the waitress a friendly nod and smile before she walks off with her tray
full of empty glasses.
Jessica’s
eyes motion across the room toward a blonde man in a tight dress shirt. “I
can’t believe how good Donny looks.”
The
man catches Jessica’s eye and then looks away abruptly.
“Maybe
I should have taken him up on his repeated offers back in high school.” She
slides her tongue across her teeth. “Right now he’s wishing I did.”
“Oh,
you think they all wish that.” Patty looks at her martini glass and her finger
where a mark is left from where a wedding ring once was. “He did get so much
cuter over the years. I wonder if he’s taken.”
“You
should find out, now that you’re a single woman again.”
Patty
appears bothered by the comment and tries to brush it off. “Please.”
“Speaking
of that, why haven’t we seen your Romeo with the wonderful Miranda Oleon?”
“Hopefully they got lost.” She holds up her
empty glass with an olive circling the bottom. “I gotta get another drink. Can
I get you something?”
“Sure.”
She takes a gulp. “I know I just started this one, but waiting for her to bring them can take all night.” Jessica
points toward the waitress who brought it while holding up her glass to get a
view from the bottom. “I’ll take a refill, and
while you’re up, see if that guy is still staring over here.”
A
stranger in a baseball cap with a dark beard and mustache sits in the opposite
corner at a high top table, drinking beer from a mug.
He
is the only one in the room not dressed for the occasion. He wears a loose
fitting flannel shirt with blue jeans and sneakers.
His
head turns slightly when the girls peek
over at him. He laughs to himself while putting his mug down after a sip. He
wipes his mouth with his sleeve.
“He
is.” Patty whispers softly as she stands up and walks toward the bar.
Jessica
sits alone while glancing around the room. She holds on to her glass firmly and
sips through her stirrer when two old classmates walk up to the table.
The
woman, a bit heavy and bubbly holds a plate with a piece of cake on it. The
man, a little flabby, balding, with a big smile holds a glass of soda with a
thick straw sticking out of it.
“Hi
Jessica. How have you been?” The woman shakes Jessica’s hand. They don’t make
eye contact.
“The
years seem to have agreed with you.” The man looks at the woman and smiles as
if they have an inside joke about Jessica.
“Oh,
hello. Thank you. It sure has been a long time.” Jessica pretends to be
searching her memory for their names.
“It’s
me,
“Oh
of course. You didn’t have to tell me. It was on the tip of my tongue. Hello
again Debra.”
“I’m
sorry. I meant
“Andy.”
“Yes,
Andy.” Jessica finally shakes his hand not having a clue as to who either one
of them are. Her mouth opens to begin a conversation as Patty returns to the
table.
“Here
ya go Jes. Tell me if it’s too strong. I’ll
take it back.” Patty steps back when noticing
“Thank
you Patty. You look wonderful.” Her smile suddenly fades to a frown. “Sorry
about you and Al.”
“Oh
please, don’t worry about it.” Patty hides her sadness and becomes up beat. “It
was bound to happen sooner or later.” She continues her poor acting and smiles
to Andy. “Hey Andy! It’s been so long.” She kisses Andy on the cheek.
“Great
seeing you. Both of you.” Andy waves as he and
Andy
nods agreeing.
Patty
watches them walk away.
Jessica
lifts her head from searching in her purse, places her lipstick container on
the table, picks up her glass, and looks to Patty. “How do you remember all of
these people? I couldn’t even remember their names back in school.” Jessica
puts the empty glass down, picks up the full one and wipes the bottom of it
with a napkin.
“It’s
not hard to do.” Patty looks down and mumbles. “You didn’t have a hard time
remembering Andy’s name ten years ago.”
Jessica
looks back at Patty after being distracted by a group of guys singing along
with the chorus of an eighties hit song. “Sorry, did you say something?” She
begins applying a fresh coat of lipstick.
“Yes.
How is it they know all about Al and me when it’s been less than two weeks?”
“That’s
high school gossip for ya.”
“Yea,
I thought that ended after high school.” Patty picks up her glass and looks
annoyed. “Is the drink too strong?”
Jessica
stops what she’s doing and leans forward to sip the drink through the stirrer.
“No. It’s perfect. Thanks.”
“Great.”
She looks around the room again. “And you know who, is still lurking through
the dark sunglasses.” Patty’s eyes stop to focus on the man at the high top
table.
He
gently nods his head to the music then picks up his mug once again.
“Who
the hell is he? Did he graduate with us? He looks psycho.” Jessica puts her
lipstick away and straightens herself up in her seat.
They
are both bothered by the man's presence.
Patty fiddles with a napkin. Jessica, a drink glass. “Well, we already seen
everyone we came to see. Right?”
“Yea,
I guess we should be leaving after this drink anyway.” Patty takes a sip of her
drink almost finishing it. “Do you want to go someplace else? Or home?” She
holds back a yawn.
“I
just feel like going home.” Jessica looks down and grabs her purse. “Unless you
want to do something?” She stands up.
The
man in the dark glasses stands up for the first time all night.
Patty
becomes a bit nervous. “Don’t look now, but it seems like our friend wants to
leave with us.”
“Should
we get one of the guys to walk us to the car?” Jessica fiddles with her car
keys at the edge of the table. She tries to be courageous.
“Good
thinking.” Patty looks back over at the man. “But, too late. Here he comes.”
The man puts his hand on the table and leans
to the side. “Pardon me ladies. Are you leaving?”
“I’m
afraid so. We have a lot to do tomorrow.” Jessica attempts to walk away as the
man grabs her arm.
Patty
looks to the men across the room. They continue singing and dancing. She looks
to the bartender. He is busy taking drink orders. She looks around for the
waitress, she is no where to be found.
The
strangers face gets closer to Jessica’s. Jessica is obviously shaken up. “Get
your filthy disgusting paws off of me before I call those guys over here to
take you outside.” She points to the group of men across the room drinking and
laughing. None of them notice the small scene. Jessica is not one to run from a
threatening stranger. She stands her ground believing no one can take what is
hers.
“Spoken
like a true bar chick.” The man begins to take his hat and glasses off.
Patty
stands frozen with fear.
“You’ll
never change Jes.” He laughs slightly.
Patty
looks somewhat relieved while still nervous.
Jessica
has a confused look. “How’d you know my name? And.” She watches as the stranger
takes off his mustache and beard.
Both
Patty and Jessica have an anxious look.
The
stranger holds his disguise to his side and laughs.
“Oh
my God!” Jessica recognizes the face.
The
stranger’s arms are out to his sides. He smiles very wide. “Remember me?”
“You
son of a bitch! You scared the hell out of us!” Patty is laughing. She hits the
stranger on his arm. “BRUCE DENZBAR!”
“Denzbar?
How have you been?” Jessica laughs with her hand on her chest waiting for her
heart to go back to normal beating.
Patty
waves to get the attention of the waitress who suddenly appears.
“We
thought we saw everyone. I guess we forgot about you.”
“Gee,
thanks.” He is sarcastic while leaning over to give them each a hug. Jessica
first. He holds one of Patty’s hands and takes a step back. “You’re looking
good Patty.” He has a lovable smirk. “Really good.”
“Thanks.”
Patty looks down in a shy manner.
“That
Al’s a lucky man.”
Jessica
appears jealous. “He sure is.”
Patty
makes a displeased face at the comment.
The
three of them sit back down as the waitress sets them up with another round.
Jessica
throws her car keys back down on the table.
CHAPTER TWO
Jessica’s keys rattle against her apartment
door as she realizes it was already unlocked. She enters a bit wobbly.
At the end of a long dark hallway is her
made bed covered with pillows.
“That’s what I need.” She rubs her neck and
places her keys and purse on the hallway table next to the front door. “Wait
for me right there bed.”
“Okay Jessica.” A voice calls from the
darkness.
Jessica stands still in the hallway stunned
and frozen. She whispers to herself. “An intruder? A burglar? How does he know
my name?”
The
intruder has a comforting tone. “Relax sweetheart. I’m not here to harm you. I
just want to talk.” His shadow is visible in the bedroom from the hallway. He
picks up an object.
Jessica
becomes nervous and curious at the same time. “Who, who are you?”
“Just
like the old days. You don’t know who I am.” He laughs as if she should
remember. “It feels so familiar. You used to hurt my feelings like that back
then too.”
Jessica
takes two steps closer to the bedroom door. The shadow flips the object in his
hand.
Jessica
tries to peek around the corner with her hand on the wall. Her natural belief
that no one can take what is hers coupled with the alcohol multiplies her level
of courageousness. Her fear is replaced by concern. “I’m really sorry if I did
that. Tell me who you are so I can see if I recall you.”
The
shadow sits down. “Please, have a seat with me.” The intruder appears sitting
on the bed holding open their high school year book. He is the same age as
Jessica but looks a lot younger. He is dressed in a grey suit. “Let me bring
you back to the ninth grade. Do you have time?”
Jessica
stands before the bedroom door ready to jump back if necessary. “I would really
like to get some rest. I was up all night.” She places her hand in front of her
mouth.
The
intruder smiles. He looks up at her trustfully. “I know.” He puts his attention
back to the book and turns a page. “That was some party.” He turns another
page. “Nice to see old friends.”
Jessica
walks in closer and takes in his good looks. She is surprised. “You were
there?”
“Would
it matter to you? You wouldn’t remember if you saw me anyway.”
Jessica
takes another step inward. The intruder makes some room for her to sit next to
him. She sits with interest. Her attraction to looks outweighs her fear.
“That’s
not true. I remembered lots of people there.” She becomes defensive while
looking at the open year book. “Ninth grade you say? What about it?”
The
intruder stands up and walks over to the chair in front of the desk, he sits
down and leans back. Jessica is startled by his sudden movement. She clenches
her fists and arms then sits still. The year book remains open on the bed.
“That’s
the team spirit.” He grins and reminisces. “Let’s see. Someone didn’t do their
math homework.” He gives her a shameful look while rubbing one of his pointer
fingers across the top of the other. “She was called by the teacher to answer
one of the questions.” He raises his eyebrows and sounds like a trial lawyer
for a moment. “Looking worried and afraid, that girl would have gotten her last
warning in that class and would have had to spend the summer in school.
Remembering yet?”
She
looks confused. “I didn’t spend any time in summer school.”
“Exactly.”
He points at her gently and smiles. “That’s because your good friend Bobby
Olsen handed you his homework assignment with all of the correct answers on
it.” He stares deep into her eyes. “You were saved from summer school.”
“I
don’t remember a friend by that name.” She curls her lip attempting to recall
the friend. “I do recall being helped out from time to time.” She places her
hand on her knee and becomes a bit defensive. “Does it make me a bad person for
not knowing exactly who did it, and when?”
“I
didn’t say it made you a bad person. Does it make you feel like a bad person?”
Jessica
hesitates. Her voice is unsure. “No, not really. I guess not.”
The
intruder becomes pleasant at first. “How about when the same kid who helped you
out of that jam asked if you wanted to sit with him at lunch?” His pleasantness
turns to sarcasm. “Do you remember that?”
Jessica
cringes. “I really don’t. What did I say to him?” She fears his answer.
“You
didn’t say anything.”
Jessica
becomes surprised. “No? Why not?”
“You
were not able to speak because you were laughing too hard.”
“I can’t
believe that.” She is bothered while attempting to look into his eyes. “Wait a
second. How do you know all of this about me?” She becomes challenging. “Why
would you remember such details of my life?”
The
room goes silent. A calm breeze shakes the curtains in the living room across
the hall.
He
looks right into her eyes and becomes somber. “Not just your life. I remember
the details because I am Bobby Olsen.” He speaks softly. “Those are the details
from my life also.”
Jessica’s
head sinks downward. First looking to the floor, then to the year book. She
slowly turns a page.
“You
won’t find it in there.”
“Find
what?”
The
page is turned where the face of Miranda Oleon is seen. Her quote is under her
picture.
THE
YEARS PASS BY SO FAST. THE FUN DOESN’T SEEM TO LAST.
WHERE WE GO FROM HERE WE MUST DECIDE ON OUR OWN. TRYING NOT TO END UP ALL ALONE.
“My
picture.”
“Why
not?”
“I
didn’t want to be part of the bad memories from that school.” He looks at
Miranda’s picture. “Miranda’s a good kid. I didn’t expect to see her so soon.”
Jessica
looks unsure. “Yea, she’s great.”
Bobby
makes a face as to say he knows she’s lying and she doesn’t even know Miranda.
He leans forward and takes her hand showing that he’s not as upset as he could
be. “After the embarrassment of that lunch incident, I tried to avoid you for
the rest of the school year. I sat behind you in that math class in complete
frustration.” Bobby lets go of her hand.
Jessica
wipes a tear before it reaches her chin.
“You
didn’t even know I was there except for once or twice when Patty would pass me
a note to pass to you. Those notes were the highlight of my school days.
Jessica
pulls his hand back into hers. She sobs. “I am so sorry.”
Bobby
tightens his grip. “I dreamt about you that whole summer. It was me who kept
you out of summer school. If not for that move, you may not have met
Jessica
lets go of his hand. She is surprised. “You remember
“How
could I forget him? He hogged you that entire summer.” Bobby stands up and
slowly makes his way to the bed to sit back down next to her. He tilts his head
back with a jealous grin. “Now we know you can remember certain people.” He
laughs slightly. “I can recall him driving you around in that Chevy Nova. He’s
the one that inspired me to start saving for a car.
“Did
you ever get one?”
Bobby
tilts his head to the side. He is stunned at her not recalling it. “Yea, I did.
You didn’t seem to care for it though.”
“Oh
c’mon.”
Bobby
looks at the clock.
Bobby
stops in the hallway and notices some pictures on the wall. There is one of
Jessica and Patty, next to it a picture of a man and a dog, and next to that,
two women wearing name tags MITZY and
The
picture appears to be taken in a department store behind a perfume counter.
There is another woman behind the two women whose face appears extra clear.
Bobby
stops to examine the woman’s face while Jessica continues to speak. She smiles.
“Such a quick visit? Will you come back so we can talk some more?” Normally
Jessica wouldn’t grace a stranger with so much attention. A vibe from Bobby
makes her feel as if he can teach her about her own deep feelings. She is
intrigued by his fondness of her and craves more.
Bobby
doesn’t expect a return invitation. “If you’d like.” He smiles and points to
the picture on the wall. “Who are these ladies?”
Jessica
looks at the picture. She points to the women one at a time. “That’s Mitzy, and
that’s
“You’re
funny. I saw that much.”
“I’m
just playing. They work at the counters across from mine at the department
store.”
Bobby
takes another look at the woman in the background. “Uh-huh, I see.”
“Are
you sure you can’t stay a little while?”
He
takes his eyes off of the picture and looks at another clock.
She
calls out loudly to him. “You’re right. I have to get some sleep, but if you’re
free tonight, stop by!”
“Thanks.
I’ll think about it.” He closes the front door behind him.
Jessica
picks up the year book. “What a nice guy, and he goes to church too.” She looks
back and forth around the room. “I know I have a bible around here somewhere.
Too bad I can’t find it. That would have been nice for him to see.” She makes
her way to the window and watches as he walks down the quiet street.
Her
hand makes a fist and attempts to knock on the glass. Her fist unclenches and
she brings her hand back deciding not to knock.
She
closes the curtains, walks to the bed, shuts the light, and closes the year
book. Her head hits the pillow.
The
bedroom shade is closed, a ray of sun light shines in from the living room
window. It puts a glare on the wood coffee table. Underneath is a pile of old
magazines and newspapers. A couple of books are also in view.
The
side of a book entitled THE CEMETERY FENCE is revealed above a thicker book
entitled THE HOLY BIBLE.
CHAPTER THREE
From the rear of the church the altar is in
view as loud organ music plays. THE HOLY BIBLE is seen from the side view in
the hand of an old timer one row up. The old timer turns around slightly and
smiles.
The backs of men in suits and women in
Sunday dresses are seen as the priest stands up and holds his arms and hands
up. He makes his way toward the microphone.
The organ music stops. The Priest speaks.
“In our reading from ISAIAH 37:18 20 when it says, It is true, O Lord, that the
Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have
thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but
only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now O Lord our God, deliver us
from his hand, so that kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are
God.” He looks around slowly.
“Is it telling us not to take precious
goods and throw them away?” He stops as the people are silent. “Is it telling
us that the former gods were hand made and of less value than the Lord?” His
hands are raised again welcoming. “In a way it may be giving a message of how
these Assyrian kings did not look after their followers as they should have.”
His hands are slowly placed to his side as
he takes in the group that stands before him. “Each reading has many meanings.
I bring up the throwing away of precious goods metaphor only to enlighten some
of the younger ones here today.” He smiles jokingly. “That’s not saying that
some of us older ones can’t use a lesson on taking good care of our precious
gifts.”
Small laughter is heard around the room.
The priest’s voice is heard finishing up his thoughts as the stained glass
windows are seen. The cross is visible above the altar. “Remember the young
ones. Remember to cherish your precious gifts. Teach the youngsters to help the
needy.”
A statue of Mother Mary is off to the side.
An altar boy stands in the back behind the altar.
The priest’s voice is heard again. “Now
let’s offer each other a sign of peace.”
The old timer turns around. He extends his
hand. “Peace be with you.” His Bible is visible.
CHAPTER
FOUR
The
Bible under Jessica’s coffee table is seen. The other books and papers come
into view. Her bedroom is seen from the living room.
Jessica
lifts her head from the pillow and notices the year book next to her. She
slowly rises and rubs her eyes. “Wow, what a night. I think I drank a little
too much.” She sits at the edge of the bed and yawns.
“Those
were some strange dreams about acting so cruel.” She stands up and walks to the
window. She looks out at the street. A Nova is parked down the block under a
tree.
She
turns around and notices the clock.
She
picks up the year book. “What a precious gift this turned out to be.” She
places it gently on the bed, walks to the desk, picks up the phone receiver,
and dials. “I hope he comes by again.”
The
sound of the phone ringing comes through her receiver. It stops and a female
voice is heard on the other end. Jessica acknowledges the voice and speaks
friendly. “Hi Patty. How are you feeling? Did you get any sleep?”
Patty stands on her deck outside her
apartment door. She has the phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
She is covered by a white robe with the ties dangling. “Hi Jes. Yea, I fell
asleep as soon as I got home and I just woke up a little while ago.” Patty
looks over at her bed where a body rolls over under the covers and a low grunt
is heard. She becomes distracted. “Um, how about you?”
Jessica
looks as if she is going to let Patty in on her little visitor story, she
becomes nervous and decides not to. She pauses for a moment before speaking.
“Uh, same here. I, uh, I’ve never felt so tired.”
Patty
holds the receiver between her shoulder and her cheek. She waves the robe tie
with her free hand. “I know. I guess we’re getting too old to do those high
school type things we used to.” She becomes concerned. “Is everything okay? You
don’t sound right.”
“I’m
fine.” Jessica clears her throat wanting to change the subject. “So, what’d you
think about that Denzbar stunt? Pretty strange huh?”
“Yea,
very strange.” She looks back at the bed.
“I
think he was coming on to me.”
Patty
puts her hand over the phone to block any outside noise. Her mouth opens wide
for a moment before speaking. “Really? Why do you say that?”
“Just
the way he kept looking at me and stuff. I can tell when a guy is interested.”
Patty
is taken aback and at the same time she wants to laugh. “Really?”
“Yea,
you should know that about me by now.” Jessica pauses briefly. “So what are you
doing today?”
Patty
becomes anxious while looking at the bed and then at the phone. “Uh, I’m not
sure.”
“Now
you don’t sound right. Is everything okay?”
“Fine.
Yes, everything’s good.”
“If
you say so.” There is disbelief in her voice as she quickly changes the
subject. “Well I’m just running out to get some groceries for the house. We can
talk later.”
“Yes.
That would be perfect. Talk to you later Jes.” Patty hangs up quickly and looks
over at the bed. A loud yawn comes from under the covers.
Patty
hurries over, puts her coffee down on the table and jumps into the bed. “Boy
are you loud in the morning. You could have given us up.” She pulls the covers
off of the man. It is Denzbar.
Patty
is not comfortable letting Jessica know about her new fling so soon after her
break up.
Denzbar
lifts his head up and pulls Patty closer to kiss her. “Jessica knows you like
her.”
He
has a sleepy and confused stare. “What?”
“She
just told me that she can tell when a guy is interested. And you were
interested.”
“Too
bad she can’t tell when she hurts a guy’s feelings.”
Patty
is slightly defensive while pushing Denzbar’s hair back. “Hey, she’s still my friend.”
“She’s
still my friend too.” He fixes the pillow behind his head. “My very shallow
friend.”
Patty
can’t help but laugh. “Everyone has their downfalls.” She looks away. “Mine was
Al.” She reaches over for her coffee.
Denzbar
cracks a smile. “He’s still my friend too.”
“You’re
funny.” She is sarcastic while taking a sip of coffee. “Jes isn’t that bad.”
“I
can’t agree totally. She doesn’t even seem to remember May nineteenth.”
Patty
is overcome with a horrified look. “I still can’t hear about that.” She covers
her ears. “Change the subject.”
“I
know. Sorry. Maybe she remembers, maybe she just blocks it out like us
sympathetic people try to do but can’t.”
Denzbar’s
mind wanders back to the past. He imagines a dark lake late at night. Complete
silence. Moon light shines on the calm water. Police lights flash. Two men
dressed in dark clothing walk away from the lake.
A man and a woman embrace crying. People
walk slowly by with their heads hung low. A set of car keys drops to the
ground.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jessica arrives back at her apartment after
shopping. Her car keys dangle from her fingers and fall to the hallway table.
Her hands are full of grocery bags. She rushes to the kitchen to put them down.
Once the bags are placed down safely, she
hurry’s to the bathroom. The groceries sit on the kitchen counter. The toilet
flushes. Jessica fixes her belt while walking out of the bathroom.
Bobby stands in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen with a big grin
on his face. He waits until Jessica is only a couple of steps from the doorway
before he speaks. “Did you want to hear about the tenth grade?”
She is startled and takes a step back. “I
have to get into the habit of locking that door.” She walks over and begins to
empty a grocery bag. She sounds relieved. “Well, I was hoping you would stop
by.” She turns towards him and smiles. “How was church?”
“Very refreshing. The priest had some very
interesting points of view.” He steps toward the kitchen counter. “The older
man in front of me seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.” Bobby goes through one
of the grocery bags. “How was your day? I see you took care of the shopping.”
He puts some items in the refrigerator.
“What a nightmare. I hate that supermarket.”
“As much as you hate banana nut cake?”
Bobby looks up while leaning in the refrigerator.
Jessica hands him a can of tomato juice to
put away. “How did you know that?” She hands Bobby the last two items to go in
the refrigerator and places the bag on the floor. She takes two glasses from
the dish drain. “Did I mention that back in school also?” She pours two
lemonades.
Bobby
stands up, closes the refrigerator door and sits at the kitchen table. Jessica
hands him a glass of lemonade and sits across from him.
“Thanks.”
He takes a sip. “Devon McGee’s sixteenth birthday. Do you remember her?”
“You
have to forgive me. I’m bad with names.”
“That’s
where I found out that you hated banana nut cake.” He takes another sip and
puts the glass down. “
“I
think I heard the name before.”
“You
gotta remember some names.” He appears to be in deep thought. “What about that
blonde haired kid that used to be the quarterback for the football team? He
used to lift weights in the gym basement? He.”
Jessica
cuts him off and loudly interrupts. “Andy Pennadill!” She is starry eyed. “I
could never forget him.”
Bobby
is bothered. “I rest my case. Andy was at that party. You didn’t seem to
remember him last night.”
She
has a confused stare. “Really? I can’t imagine why not.”
Bobby
is appalled at her. “Because he wasn’t dressed flashy and he was balding. He
had a gut. He lost that athletic physique.” Bobby stands up and looks down at
her. “You haven’t changed so much since the tenth grade. You have a long way to
go to become that better person.”
He
walks to the sink, puts his glass down and leans against the counter. “I
remember giving myself another shot with you. I asked you to go bowling and do
you know what you told me?”
Jessica
is afraid to look at him.
“I
should spend more time shopping for decent clothes and less time at the bowling
alley.” He is sad while recalling the moment. “Do you remember what you’re
friend Don asked me?”
Jessica
peeks upward and speaks softly. “What?”
“He
said, don’t you need balls to go bowling?” Bobby shakes his head. The memory
visibly hurts him. “All of your friends laughed as I stood there wanting to
cry. It felt like I was standing there for hours. All of you walked away as if
I was not human and unable to feel pain.”
Jessica
places her hand over her forehead to hide her eyes.
“That
feeling hung over me for most of that school year. Being put aside like that in
front of the girl I wanted more than anything was the worst part. And I still
wasn’t smart enough to give up.”
Jessica
looks down on the verge of tears. Bobby walks away from the sink with his hand
in his pant pocket.
CHAPTER SIX
Denzbar walks to his car parked four spots
from a convenience store door. He wears a light
leather jacket and black jeans. He puts his hand in his front pant pocket while
noticing a grubby man approaching. “Oh please tell me I have a quarter for this
bum.”
The man is close enough to touch him. He
has a brown bag in his hand and a lit cigarette hanging from his lip. “What’s
the matter Bruce? Don’t want anyone to think you know me?” His cigarette falls
out of his mouth from talking. He lets out a cough. He is bothered. “Dam!”
Denzbar puts the quarter back in his
pocket. “I don’t think I do know you. Can you give me a hint?”
“I may be down on my luck but I ain’t
stupid Bruce.” He coughs. “I know a bunch of you’s are still lingering around
from that senseless reunion the other night. And some of you’s reunited a
little more than others.”
Denzbar looks impatient. He puts his bag in
the opposite hand. “Sir. May I ask what you are getting at? Please?”
The bum lights another cigarette. “My wife!
The two of you hitting it off pretty well, huh?”
Denzbar has a look of fear and surprise.
“Al? Is that you?”
“The one and only!” Al extends his arms out
to the sides as to offer a look at what the years have done to him. Denzbar
takes a step back with his mouth hung open.
Al puts his arms
down and extends his hand to shake Denzbar’s. “It’s okay Bruce. You don’t know
the whole story.”
Denzbar is shaken up. “Have a seat in the
car.
Do you need a ride
or something?” Denzbar opens the driver side door and holds his hand out to let
Al know that the passenger door is unlocked. They both sit down inside.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you
and Patty.” Denzbar fixes his seat belt and rattles his keys. “She said Miranda
had something to do with it.” He starts up the car and checks the mirrors. Soft
music plays. He begins to pull out of the parking spot.
“She had everything to do with it. It
started with coffee and then things just got crazy.”
Denzbar pulls on to the main road. “Crazy
where you start talking to yourself and people outside notice it?” He takes his
eyes off the road for a moment. “That’s what she told me.”
Al looks disturbed. He puts his hand on the
radio knob to lower it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
At Jessica’s apartment Bobby holds
Jessica’s hand while they sit at the table across from each other. Her head
slowly rises. They laugh.
“Don’t
feel so bad. Tenth grade wasn’t all misery. There were a couple of happy
times.”
“I’m
just so sorry for the times that weren’t so happy.”
“You’ll
make up for that.” He lets go of her hand and smiles. “If not for the reunion
and me coming here to reminisce with you, I never would have thought of the
good things that I sorta didn’t pay much attention to back then.”
Jessica
has a comfortable look. “Really?”
Bobby
nods.
“Like
what?”
“Like
Bruce and the burger Kraffs. We’d sit there for hours some nights just watching
the stars, chewing, talking about the future or anything and everything that
came up.”
Jessica
nods and moves her mouth to show she wants to hear more.
“Just
some silly things that make you realize that you once had a friend.” He puts
his head half way down and mumbles. “Things that make you think twice about
your decisions.”
Jessica
stands up. “Let me get you some more lemonade.”
Bobby
also stands up. “No, no, that’s okay. I have to get going so you can get some
sleep before work in the morning.” Bobby makes his way toward the door. He
stops in the hallway and looks at the woman in the background of the picture
again.
Jessica
puts the glasses in the sink and follows him. Once he sees her coming, he
quickly looks away from the picture.
“When
should I expect you back?”
Bobby
holds the door open for one sentence. He speaks low. “Tomorrow night, if you
leave this unlocked.” he lets the door shut behind him.
Jessica
stands and stares at the door for a moment. She walks over to the bedroom
window. She clears some frost with her hand to watch Bobby walk down the
street.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Denzbar
and Al sit in Denzbar’s car. Al wipes the frost off of the windshield to watch
two young women cross the street. The guys sit under a sign at an all night
burger shop. KRAFF’S BURGERS.
Denzbar
pulls a hamburger out of a bag and offers one to Al. “Ready for another?”
Al
grabs the burger and grunts.
“Look,
if it’s that weird you don’t have to tell me what freaked you out so bad about
Miranda.” Denzbar holds a hamburger wrapper out of the window while hearing Al
chew.
“Thanks.
I’d really rather not go into the details right now.”
“And
I won’t see Patty tonight if you’d rather I didn’t.”
Al
chews as pieces of food fall on his lap. “No, no, don’t be silly. Talk to her.
Maybe you can fix it.”
“I
don’t know about fixing it. I can try, but I can’t promise anything.” Denzbar
drops the wrapper out of the window accidentally. “Dammit!” He quickly opens
the door and steps out before the wrapper can blow away.
Al
watches him while mumbling to himself. “Yea, sleep with my wife you rat. So how
was she? You’re a real great friend.”
Denzbar
sits back down and closes the door. “I hate to litter.” He tosses the Kraff’s
wrapper into the back seat. “Were you saying something?”
“I’m
glad we’re friends.”
There
is an awkward pause.
“Me
too. It’s probably better if I do the Patty talk tomorrow though.”
Al
continues to chew as he wipes the frost off of the windshield again.
CHAPTER NINE
At the department store, Jessica cleans off
the glass top of her jewelry counter with paper towels while speaking with
Mitzy and
“He sounds like a keeper. Besides, it seems
like you owe him something.” Mitzy is amazed by the story of Jessica being
visited by Bobby.
“And when he saw the picture of you two in
my apartment, he was pretty fixated on it.”
“Then he’s definitely a keeper.” Mitzy
giggles with three fingers over her lips.
“Yea,
you have to come back and tell us his rendition of the eleventh grade.”
Jessica
steps out from behind her counter and closer to
“What
are you expecting?”
Jessica
answers
“Going
over all of the events has sparked my memory a bit.”
The
ladies look intrigued as Jessica smiles.
“If
Bobby is the same guy I am thinking of, I think he might be the guy that did
something really big right before graduation. I just can’t remember what that
was.” Jessica leans on
Mitzy raises her eyebrows. “Maybe he got a
great job and made lots of money.” She closes her eyes and makes fists. She
smiles. “Or went to college and became a super athlete?”
Jessica
sounds doubtful. “No, I don’t think so. I probably would have remembered that.”
“Maybe
he did something for you.”
“I
did receive some of those things from time to time. Maybe he was one of the
one’s who sent them to me.” She scratches her head and squints. “I thought it
was something bigger than that though.” The phone behind Jessica’s counter
rings. Jessica turns her head. “That’s mine girls. I’ll be back.” She runs to
her counter.
“I
envy her situation. She is falling for this Bobby.” Mitzy speaks softly to
“She
reminds me of when we were her age.”
The
two of them lean on separate counters with there hands under their cheeks
holding their heads up gazing toward Jessica.
Jessica
picks up the phone behind the counter. “Hello?”
Patty
is on the other end. She sits behind a desk in an office cubicle. She speaks
with almost a whisper so not to let others on the floor hear. “Hi Jes. It’s me.
I’m at work. Can you talk a sec?”
“Sure.”
“You
got me worried the way our conversation ended yesterday.”
“I’m
sorry. Just something odd happened.” She looks down not wanting to give too
much information about her surprise visitor. “I’ve been talking to someone
lately and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to tell you about it yet.”
Patty
gets worried. “Is everything okay?”
“Yea.
Yea, fine, don’t worry, it’s silly. Maybe we can get together this week? I’d
like to run something by you.”
Patty
becomes curious. “Of course we can get together. Besides, Denzbar called me. He
wants the three of us to meet up for drinks this week. How does that sound?”
“That
would be perfect. I could get his input also. See if he can make it tomorrow
night.”
“It’s
a date. And maybe I can run something by you also.”
“Is
everything okay?”
“Sure,
I think so. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Sounds
good.” Jessica hangs up the phone. She looks over at
CHAPTER TEN
A pained man close to Mitzy and
He
takes a gulp of the rum. His arm trembles as he places the glass back down on
the table. He is angry. “It could be yesterday. It could be twenty years ago.”
He reaches for the glass again. His hand knocks the glass on to the floor.
“Dammit!” He looks at the bottle and laughs. “Ah, what the hell.”
He
picks up the bottle and gulps from it as he stumbles out of his chair. He walks
over to the small window and looks outside. He sees a bench in front of a tree
where a bird sits perched whistling above.
A
tear rolls down the mans cheek.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Patty sits on a chair with a cup of coffee
in front of her at her apartment. She is wearing the same clothes as she wore
at work. She looks upset. “So I come home for my lunch hour to hear you defend
him?”
Denzbar stands in the doorway facing the
deck. He wears a tee shirt and jeans. His leather jacket is on the bed. He
turns around. “The man has a decent gripe.” He takes a step closer. “He’s going
through some strange stuff here. I think you should listen to him.”
Patty pulls at her chin. “Then what happens
to us? Where do we put that night?”
Denzbar steps closer and hugs her. “You can
put it where you want to. I’m keeping it in my heart, where only I can feel it
again when I need to.”
Patty steps back and releases herself from
the hug. She looks at his face. “That is some pretty corny stuff. What’d ya
think? It was gonna give us another night?”
Denzbar also steps back. He shakes his head
and then laughs. “Worth a shot right?”
He hears Al’s voice in his head. “I’m glad
we’re friends.”
Denzbar’s laugh stops and he becomes
serious. “Nah. Al really made me feel something.”
Patty laughs. “You’re just as far out there
as him then.”
“There is more to this Miranda thing than
there appears to be. Al is a mess.”
“Oh, he’s a mess? That’s a good reason to
give him another shot.”
“Not that kind of a mess.”
“Was he drinking and smoking and dirty
looking?”
“Well, maybe that kind of a mess. Just a
little
though.”
He smirks and tilts his head. “Something is going on there.”
“I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention her
name anymore when you’re talking to me.”
“Done.”
“I must be out of my mind.”
“We all are.”
“You sleep with me and then want to help my
husband get me back.”
“It sounds weird when you say it like
that.”
“I am out of my mind.”
The trees outside Patty’s porch window sit
still. A bird can be seen fixing his nest.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A bird chirps from a tree above as Jessica
walks through the park on her way home from work. She takes in the fresh air
and the sounds of singing birds as the sun is setting.
Up ahead, the old timer from church chases
some items that fall from his grocery bag. Jessica hurries to help him. She
leans down to pick up a can of tomato juice. She hands it to him while looking
up.
“Thank you young lady. That was very nice of
you.” He balances his bag while putting the can back in. “Some youngsters would
walk the other way.” His big smile lights up his face. “Not you though. You
help the needy. And that is a precious gift.”
“I’m glad I could help.” Jessica secures the
bag and makes sure the old timer handles it so it won’t drop again. She pats
his back. They both chuckle.
Jessica continues in the direction she was
headed. They both wave goodbye.
“Peace be with you.”
Jessica mumbles to herself. “Not me though. I
help the needy.” She stops walking. “I help the needy? Since when?” She takes a
step forward and smiles as if she made a revelation. “Maybe I’m becoming that
better person.” She starts walking again.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Denzbar and Patty end a long tight hug in
front of Patty’s apartment. He looks at the four steps to the sidewalk and then
walks down them.
Patty smiles when he looks back up at her.
“I hope you’re right.”
“Trust me on this. I’m sure he’ll make
good.”
“We’re on for drinks tomorrow night right?”
Denzbar is walking backwards towards his
car. “You know it.” He takes two more steps. There’s no one I’d rather spend my
last night in town with.”
He gets in his car, starts it up and a puff
of smoke blows from the tail pipe.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Jessica comes out of her bathroom followed
by shower steam. She wears one towel around her body and dries her hair with
another. She wears fluffy slippers while walking and singing on her way towards
the bedroom.
She passes the living room and looks in.
Bobby sits comfortably on her sofa with the television on. “Good evening
beautiful.”
“Oh, you scared me.” She makes sure her towel
covers everything while smiling brightly. “This time I left the door open on
purpose. I was thinking about you on my walk home. How are you?”
Bobby
rests his glass of lemonade on the table next to him. “That’s sweet. This is
exactly what I used to dream about back in the old days. You coming out of the
shower, me being on your mind all day, and us spending the evening together, just talking.”
Jessica
is wide eyed. “That is so sweet.” She pulls the towel tighter and sits on the
arm of the couch. “I wish we began this relationship ten years earlier.”
“Are
you tired of traveling down memory lane yet?” Bobby sits up.
“No.
Not at all. I was hoping you could get some more off your chest.” She becomes
filled with hope. “Maybe your opening up may cure the old wounds and clear a
path to build something meaningful between us.”
Bobby
picks up the yearbook and plays with her. “Well, open your textbook to the
eleventh grade.” He puts his hands together and tilts his head back with the
year book on his lap. “I remember a girl who really grew up that summer. What a
knock out. The pretty face, long, luxurious hair, and a body that all of a
sudden brought it all together. You were dazzling. Those young beauty queen
features.”
He
smiles at her as she wipes a tear from her cheek. “And once again, I played the
fool. I sat in the back of study hall when you walked in. That year we had a
sort of mutual friend, Bruce. He let me join in your conversation for a word or
two. The relationship with
Jessica
returns Bobby’s helpless frown with an apologetic response. “To tell you the
truth, I only remember certain moments of that school year. Mostly parties,
sitting through the football games and doing my
hair with some of the girls. Those little classroom talks don’t really stick
out.”
“Those
little classroom talks were all that I had. Do you know what you said when it
came time to pair me up with someone in the school?” He gets choked up. “I’ll
tell you who you paired me up with. You said that me and the seventy year old,
angry lunch lady would make a nice
couple if I was only three inches taller.”
The
room becomes silent for a moment. Bobby hangs his head.
Jessica
looks down at him. “I can only say sorry so many times. You don’t know how
awful I feel. I really want to make it all up to you right now and forever. I
was immature. A child. I didn’t take the feelings of others into consideration.
I was caught up in looks, money and popularity. I was hurtful and there is no
excuse.” Her head falls into her hands as she cries.
Bobby
looks back up. “It took a long time to get over the sadness.”
“I
guess it wasn’t easy.”
“The
most difficult thing I ever did.”
“Why
couldn’t you have made me listen back then?”
“That
would have been impossible.”
“I
guess you’re right.”
“It’s
okay. I’m over it now. No need to get upset.” He holds the yearbook up.
Jessica
tries to smile. “I know you may not believe me, but I do think you’re coming
back to my memory.”
“Really?”
“All
I can place is you doing something big.” She has a burst of excitement. “I
think it was senior year. I don’t know what it was though. Can you help me with it?”
Bobby
stands up. He takes a step toward the door. “No skipping ahead. Twelfth grade
is tomorrow nights discussion.”
Jessica
stands also. “I’m looking forward to that. I know it will make it all better.”
She has a half smile in hopes that she sounded convincing. “By the way, I am
meeting with a couple of friends for drinks tomorrow night. Remember Denzbar?”
“I
remember him well. He was our mutual friend, Bruce.”
Jessica
has a surprised look. “Yea, that’s right.” She changes the subject. “And my
friend Patty that you saw me with at the party. You know her.”
“Sure
do.”
“If
you want to join us, you’re welcome to come. If you’re busy, we’ll understand.”
“That
is quite all right. I don’t think I can make it but I’d like you to give
something to Patty for me if you don’t mind.” He reaches into his pocket.
“Of
course. That wouldn’t be a problem.”
Bobby
hands her a sealed envelope. “Besides, I’d like to see my dad while I’m back in
town.”
Jessica
puts the envelope in her purse and smiles. She appears curious but doesn’t ask
what’s in the envelope. “That is so nice. Where does he live?”
“In
the same house still. Not too far from here.” He becomes visibly distraught.
“He’s not the same since mom left him. I want to lift his spirits if I can.”
“Aw,
your mom left him? That’s sad.”
“She
didn’t want to. She had to.”
“I’m
sorry.”
“It’s
okay.”
“Maybe
you can meet with Denzbar, Patty and me another time.”
“That
would be real nice. Maybe one day.” He starts to walk toward the front door.
Jessica
stands and speaks loudly from the other end of the hallway. “I shouldn’t be
home too late! I hope you wait for me.” She waits for a reaction. There is
none.
Bobby
stops to look at the picture once again.
“If
you like it that much, you should take it with you.”
Bobby
looks back at her. “What’s that?”
“The
photo of my co-workers.”
Bobby
continues to look at the photo. “Don’t be silly.” He looks at Jessica, and then
at the photo. “Do you know when it was taken though?”
Jessica
begins to walk towards him. “Turn it around. I usually write the date on the
backs of my photos. She takes the picture off the wall, opens the frame and looks
at the writing. “January sixth, only five weeks ago.”
Bobby
looks shocked. “Wow.” He takes the picture and looks closely at the woman in
the background once again.
“What’s
wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He hands the picture back. “That was a week before mom left dad. That’s all.”
Jessica
becomes uncomfortable while putting the photo back into the frame. “Oh, um,
sorry, let me just.”
He
cuts her off. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal. Enjoy the get
together tomorrow night.”
Jessica
looks at him and smiles. “I’m looking forward to seeing them, but I’m looking
forward to seeing you afterwards even
more.”
He
smiles back and walks out the front door. He stands outside the door staring at
it as if he is having second thoughts about something he did.
Inside
the apartment, Jessica grabs Bobby’s lemonade glass off of the table.
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
In
the dark basement the pained man reaches and grabs his glass of rum off of the
table next to him. A picture of a woman sits next to the bottle. Her face is
blurred.
He glides his fingers across the picture.
“It’s not fair. Wasn’t one enough? What did I do?” Tears move down his face. He
slams his glass on to the table.
Out his small window is a glowing street
light.
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