He chatted with an old friend while stealing a glance at the
group every few seconds. He instantly recognized the black dress and her hair
was straight - as he always liked it. The boy on the cusp of manhood stood
nearby talking to his grandmother. The silky gown was a mess as it hung open.
Somehow the square cap maintained its position with the tassel dancing with
every word and laugh
Everything moved in slow motion as his courage rose. Finally, he turned to join the group. His mouth hung open as he watched the father wrap an arm around her shoulders and smile. The words were easy to decipher as the father congratulated with "well, we did it." He didn't expect her to correct or even comment on the statement, but the smile seemed to validate it.
His footsteps halted as her eyes fell upon him and the smile was quickly gone. He froze, as he was suddenly an outsider as more eyes surveyed his body. Each stare felt like a bullet as they penetrated the once tough outer shell.
He tilted his head and slowly scratched it while wondering what to do next. He looked up just as the boy approached and hugged him. Nobody would ever understand the importance of that gesture. How could anybody understand saving a life with a simple hug?
His eyes scanned the crowd as they talked. He wanted to mark his place and reason for attending with a speech. He wanted to let everyone know his role. He knew that deep down they were aware, but he would never hear it.
He discussed the ceremony and the future with the boy before releasing him to other duties. Her hand on his arm was startling. He swallowed hard while meeting her smile. It was a smile that never lost its touch - he melted. There were more kind words from her and she quickly dismissed the conversation he had witnessed.
He commented on the dress and she acknowledged knowing it was his favorite along with the hair style. He was suddenly filled with exhuberance as the signs were nothing but positive. After all, why would she go to so much troulbe to be nice to him and adjust her appearance for his enjoyment? The future suddenly looked bright as he remembered their glory days.
The elation was gone as quickly as it arrived when another man approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried as the pain and sense of loss erupted inside. The cold water from the bathroom sink felt good as he examined the older version of himself in the mirror. He knew he had to be here for the boy. He promised himself a bottle of gin as a reward for surving the evening while drying his face.
Everything moved in slow motion as his courage rose. Finally, he turned to join the group. His mouth hung open as he watched the father wrap an arm around her shoulders and smile. The words were easy to decipher as the father congratulated with "well, we did it." He didn't expect her to correct or even comment on the statement, but the smile seemed to validate it.
His footsteps halted as her eyes fell upon him and the smile was quickly gone. He froze, as he was suddenly an outsider as more eyes surveyed his body. Each stare felt like a bullet as they penetrated the once tough outer shell.
He tilted his head and slowly scratched it while wondering what to do next. He looked up just as the boy approached and hugged him. Nobody would ever understand the importance of that gesture. How could anybody understand saving a life with a simple hug?
His eyes scanned the crowd as they talked. He wanted to mark his place and reason for attending with a speech. He wanted to let everyone know his role. He knew that deep down they were aware, but he would never hear it.
He discussed the ceremony and the future with the boy before releasing him to other duties. Her hand on his arm was startling. He swallowed hard while meeting her smile. It was a smile that never lost its touch - he melted. There were more kind words from her and she quickly dismissed the conversation he had witnessed.
He commented on the dress and she acknowledged knowing it was his favorite along with the hair style. He was suddenly filled with exhuberance as the signs were nothing but positive. After all, why would she go to so much troulbe to be nice to him and adjust her appearance for his enjoyment? The future suddenly looked bright as he remembered their glory days.
The elation was gone as quickly as it arrived when another man approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. He couldn't remember the last time he had cried as the pain and sense of loss erupted inside. The cold water from the bathroom sink felt good as he examined the older version of himself in the mirror. He knew he had to be here for the boy. He promised himself a bottle of gin as a reward for surving the evening while drying his face.
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