Anna's Boys

…the impact of a second bullet felt like he had been punched in the stomach, and he fell backward… Just then he heard the roar of the jets and felt the intense heat as the planes unloaded the napalm on the trees.

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Johnny was having the dream again.  The same one he had over and over in his bunk. He and Allison are thirteen. They’re riding their bikes during a summer rain, not a downpour, but a strong, steady rain. Her long blond hair is wet and matted. Their cloths are soaked, and they are laughing, especially Allison, who loves riding in the rain. She spots a pool of water ahead and points it out to Johnny. The gesture is an invitation, not a warning. The puddle is large, at least ten feet long. They smile and race toward it, peddling faster as they approach. Just before impact they lift their feet from the pedals and stretch their legs out wide, allowing their momentum to carry them. They are side by side when they hit the water, and the splash from the wheels drenches both of them. Allison shrieks with delight.  

They pedal on to Lion’s Park, a peaceful, grassy area set along the Delaware River. There’s a gazebo there, and on Sunday evenings in the summertime, the local Lion’s Club hosts free concerts. People bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the music as they watch the pleasure boats go by. On most days, old men sit in the shade and talk for hours, enjoying the cool, river breeze. But now, on a rainy summer afternoon, the park is empty. 

Johnny and Allison stop by the gazebo, and take a seat on the park bench.  The gazebo overhang gives them some protection from the rain. They sit there for a while, laughing, catching their breath, and wiping water from their skin.   Neither of them speaks. When the laughter subsides, Allison slides closer to Johnny and rests her head on his shoulder. She smells fresh, like Ivory soap. They sit there without speaking, watching a single sail boat struggle against the current.  They smile at each other and share a kiss.  It is longer than usual, and Allison’s lips taste like peppermint from her chewing gum.  She lowers her head in shyness when their lips part. Still no one speaks.

He wonders what she’s thinking. She looks up and gently brushes a drop of water from Johnny’s cheek. At that moment he wishes they could sit on that bench forever. Then she giggles again, and, without warning, pushes him away. She runs to her bike, laughing, and Johnny races after her.  Their trips to the gazebo usually end with a race back to Allison’s house. This time, she has given herself a head start.

Johnny is pedaling hard behind her, trying to catch up when his dream is disturbed by a strong voice he recognizes. “Stay with me Francelli, you’re going to be fine,” he hears. “Open your eyes man,” the voice says.  “You’ve got to stay awake.” Johnny tries to open his eyes, but he can’t. He’s tired and wants to sleep. He wants to dream more, to see Allison again. Then another voice says, “Come on Francelli; we’re with you. Help is coming.” Johnny is trying to place the second voice.  It is strong and deep.  He struggles to open his eyes and sees a face he knows. “That’s it Johnny. Stay with us,” the face says. Johnny recognizes Sergeant Boyd. When the deeper voice says,  “You’re doing fine.” He recognizes Wallace.