Slow Dance in Purgatory

Johnny instantly retreated; with a flash of energy he stood several yards back, once again observing.

Gus and Shad were able to coax Maggie to her feet, her slight body wedged between them, her arms along their shoulders, and their arms around her waist. She leaned heavily into Shad, and Johnny felt a stab of jealousy so intense it made him catch his breath and clutch his chest. What he wouldn’t give to walk from these walls, out into the early morning air, his arm around the girl he loved.

Somehow, Maggie communicated the whereabouts of her possessions, because Shad released her and ran ahead to the girls’ locker room. Gus remained by her side, walking slowly, his thin arm around her shoulders as they neared the exit doors. Johnny followed at a distance.

As they pushed through, Gus glanced back and for a moment his eyes met Johnny’s. His lips thinned and his brows lifted. Shock flickered across his tired face. “He sees me,” Johnny thought before the door swooshed closed, and Maggie and Gus became part of the black that was beyond.





16


“I ALMOST LOST MY MIND”

Pat Boone - 1958





“Something terrible has happened to her, Gus!”

“She didn’t look physically hurt, Miss Honeycutt. No blood, no bruises, and her clothing wasn’t torn or mussed. She was asleep…just lying in the hallway, fast asleep.”

“She’s positively catatonic, Gus! She isn’t talking, isn’t making eye contact…something is wrong! Who falls asleep on the floor in their party dress? I don’t smell alcohol. Could it be drugs?”

“Oh, no, Miss Honeycutt. Miss Margaret isn’t into any of that. Something is wrong, but it isn’t that.”

“Then what, Gus? I can’t help her if I don’t know what has happened.” Irene was understandably distraught. She had awoken at an ungodly hour, one of the plagues of old age, and discovered that Maggie had never come home the night before. She hadn’t known where to look, and Maggie had the car, so she had called Gus, seeking his help, and he, in turn, woke Shad. Shad had been the one to suggest they start looking at the school. Gus told Irene they would check and get right back to her. When they had seen Irene’s car parked all alone in the big front parking lot, they had immediately commenced their search.

Gus was silent. He worked the brim of his hat around and around, chewing something over in his mind before he fed it to his old friend. He sighed, knowing it just wasn’t in him to keep secrets. She was going to think he was a crazy old man.

“It didn’t take us a long time to find her,” Gus started to recount the event for Irene. “She looked like an abandoned doll, all dressed up and tossed aside. When I first saw her,” his voice dropped to a whisper, “I thought she was dead.”

Irene gasped and held her hand to her trembling lips.

Gus winced sympathetically. “I’m so sorry, Miss Irene. I’m just trying to help you understand what I saw.”

Irene nodded, urging him to continue.

“It scared me to death, and I cried out to Jesus and ran to her. I think Shad thought the same thing, ‘cause he held back, probably afraid to see the truth. When I got to her, I saw that she had been crying – probably for a long time. But from what I could see she wasn’t injured or harmed. I told Shad, ‘She’s sleeping, Shad, just sleeping.’ I thought that poor boy was gonna break down right there. He’s had too much sadness in his young life. He sure don’t need anymore.” Gus put his hat on his head and took it off again.

“I kept patting her cheeks and shaking her, trying to wake her up. She was sleeping so deeply. I said to her over and over, “Miss Margaret, tell old Gus what’s wrong. Wake up, child.” She didn’t even stir. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to wake her up. I thought I could probably carry her, but it was a long way to the truck, and I needed her to wake up so I could make sure she was okay.” Gus paused then, just for a moment, and with a deep breath he waded back in.

“All of a sudden, she kind of sat up, almost like somebody was helpin’ her. It was the strangest thing. She just kind of eased up, eyes still closed. Then she said something, and it was loud and clear. I know I didn’t misunderstand.” Gus stopped short and looked at Irene.

“What? Did she tell you what had happened?” Irene’s eyes were wide, her hands clenched in her lap.

“No. She just said one word. She said….Johnny.”

“Johnny? What’s that supposed to mean, Gus? Who’s John…” Irene’s voice faded off as she realized who Johnny was. “Gus! That’s crazy.”

“Shad and I both heard her say it. It scared the boy. He was shaking like a leaf. That reminds me…” Gus scratched his head, as if realizing something for the first time. “Shad was giving Miss Margaret a hard time about something the other day, saying something about going steady or some such nonsense. Asking if that’s how they did it in the ‘50s.”

“Did what?” Irene was completely bewildered.