They had advertised the dance for at least a month. Then again, the Halloween Haunt Dance at St. John’s Dance Hall was an annual event never to be missed. Having a dance hall move in above the mortuary caused quite a rumbling of public discontent; you should have heard the comments from the ol’ boys sitting in Lloyd’s barbershop and the disapproving clucks from the aunties of the town. But every year, without fail, the Halloween Haunt attracted even those early naysayers. This year it was a fundraiser to support our brave men and women in uniform and even the grumpiest of the town’s elders were in full support.
Uniforms just made her think of James. This year would not be the same without him, but in his last letter he’d made her promise she’d attend the Halloween Haunt. The dance a year ago had taken place a few days before he shipped out and it had been a magical night - as they danced until dawn they nearly forgot the pain of his approaching departure. He wanted to know she was living her life. She secretly hoped he had leave and was planning on surprising her there.
After making sure every hair was in place Tess started her short walk to the dance hall. While passing over the hand full of blocks there she continued the mantra she had been thinking all day. “Even if he’s not there, I will enjoy myself. Even if he’s not there, I will have fun. Even if he’s not there, I will enjoy myself”. It set her pace that made the journey, on this chilly October night, slip by. Before she knew it she was in a small crowd with other party goers being drawn in by the band playing “In the Mood”; each of them being swept along up the carpeted stairs and swept up in their shared excitement.
As the evening wore on she danced a few dances with friends and well meaning strangers. The band was keeping it lively and fun. For the first time since he left, Tess felt capable of taking James’ advice in all his letters - “have fun for me, Ace”. As she realized this, the band started in on another halloween song “Swinging at the Seance”, church bells chimed midnight, and contrary to her assumption that those chimes would lead to the close of the evening, the dance floor suddenly seemed packed to the brim of dancing couples. While contemplating making her departure soon she heard an all too familiar quiet cough from behind her. Turning she saw him. It was James. In his best dress uniform looking as wonderful as ever. Before she could come out of her stunned silence he led her onto the dance floor.
They danced every dance together until just before dawn. Tess would have sworn she was floating above the dance floor while in James’ arms. If they spoke any words to each other Tess could not remember them later - all she could relate was the sublime experience of being near him again. It was hauntingly beautiful. As their dancing brought them ever closer to morning Tess grew slowly aware of a growing sense of melancholy. About half the dancers had left by this time and many more were disappearing. All too soon James was being called away by some of his fellows in uniform. He gently kissed her forehead as he had done so many times before and disappeared into a crowd of other uniforms. Only then did Tess realize how tired she was.
The walk home was graciously short. However, as she passed the newsstand, she couldn’t help but notice the cover story on the morning edition that had just been delivered. It was the grainy but unmistakable picture of her James that caught her eye, but it was the headline that made her blood freeze: “Local Hero Gave His All on Front Lines in France”.
THE END
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