Subj: Twylyght Tyme Conclusion
Date: 9/17/00 3:00:03 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Kallie
Time: December 4, 1969
"Twilight Time"
The soft rapping on door quickly brought Willie Applegarth out his unintentional
catnap. "Come on in son." He said still feeling a little sleepy. But he had
no time for sleep he had things to do.
Willie looked at the old man fondly and suddenly felt reluctant to leave. He would miss his new best friend terribly. "Ya know I could stay a little longer and help out 'til ya find a replacement for Tyrone and me. I'm feelin' kinda bad about leavin' ya so short handed."
Willie knew that while he was still using the crutches he wouldn't really be of much help, but still he felt the need to make the offer. Part of him longed to stay, but the thought of meeting Roxanne made his heart beat a little faster. For the first time in very long time he was excited about the future and looked forward to pursuing it.
Putting his hand on Willie's shoulder, the old man looked deeply into his eyes and spoke. "Don't worry a lick about us my boy. We'll do just fine." Then he took a breath, lifted his brow and continued more seriously. "Life is full of opportunities my son. Now I don't know if this Roxanne is the one you're meant to be with. Elsie wasn't allowed to say, they've got some funny rules in the spirit world about that kind of thing. But let me tell you son, it is the opportunities you miss that will hurt you the most in the end. So take some advice from a crazy old man and if your lucky enough to find the one you're meant to be with cherish every moment and never take anything for granted, because no matter how long you have with her it will never be enough."
Then the old man smiled and picked up a box wrapped up like a Christmas present. "I want you to have a little something to remember me by. It is just a little train set and enough track to put around a Christmas tree."
Leaning on his crutches Willie felt overwhelmed by the old man's kindness and he had had to fight to keep the moisture from forming in his eyes. "Thanks, for all that ya done for me. Hey if ya ever need any repair work done. Just call ole Willie Loomis and I'll be happy to come back and do it for ya."
"That's very kind of you son. But first you must heal. I'll walk with you to the van." Carrying the present the old man opened the door for Willie as he negotiated the way with his crutches.
"Hey, maybe I can come back and visit ya sometime?" Willie asked hopefully.
"That sounds wonderful my boy, but I must warn you I'll be taking a journey of my own real soon. So I might not be here."
Outside it had stopped snowing. Nurse Porter was warming the van's engine up, but looked in a hurry to get underway.
Willie watched as the exhaust turned into little clouds in the chilly air. "Where will you be going?"
Opening the van's door for his friend and placing the package on the seat, he laughed and replied mysteriously, "Somewhere that I've never been before." Then the old man gave Willie a hug.
Although usually Willie didn't go in for this kind of thing, it felt comforting, warm and safe and Willie was overwhelmed with a feeling of happiness. The tears which he had successfully fought back before were now threatening to brim over. His voice cracked as he blurted out, "I'm gonna miss ya." Then he quickly climbed in the van trying to wipe the hot wet trails away before they were spotted.
"Let's get this show on the road," Nurse Porter declared gruffly as she took off the emergency brake and the van lurched forward.
Willie watched out the fogged up window and waved as Willie Applegarth became farther and farther away and then finally vanished. Hugging the present on his lap like treasure he had the oddest feeling that he would never see him again.
"Well we did it my love, Mr. Loomis is on his way." The old man declared raising his cup of hot chocolate up to the ancient radio in a triumphant toast. The radio answered back with a burst of static and the air filled with the feel of electricity.
Willie Applegarth took a sip then set it down gently on the arm of the chair. "All this match making wears a body out, if you don't mind I think I'll catch a few winks." He told his beloved spirit in the radio.
He laid his head back and closed his eyes trying to drift off to that comforting world of dreams. For a moment he felt a slight pain radiating down his arm, and in his chest. But it didn't last long and the pain was replaced by a tremendous feeling of peace. He didn't realize that his hand had let go of the cup sending it crashing down, hot liquid and marshmallows splattering all over the carpet below. At the moment of impact, the radio started to flicker with light and for the first time in many years began to play,
Heavenly shades of night are
falling,
It's twilight time.
Willie began to feel lighter and he opened his eyes watching in wonder at the
radio's glow.
Out of the mist your voice is calling,
It's twilight time.
The light from the radio began to increase in intensity as it bathed the room
in its ethereal illumination. Willie reached out hand toward the light in eager
anticipation. "Elise!"
When purple-colored curtains mark the end of day,
I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time.
From the brightest point of light she suddenly appeared walking towards him
with her arms outstretched, her hair and gown blowing carefree as if caught
in the wind. In that moment he forgot that he was an old man, his young heart
took over and he rushed into her waiting arms. Overcome with joy he lifted her
up and spun around in a circle until they both collapsed on the floor with laughter.
And as he had dreamed of doing for many years now, he kissed her and thought
surely this must be heaven.
Deepening shadows gather splendor as day is done,
Fingers of night will soon surrender the setting sun.
As he caressed her face he noticed that his hand appeared young again. As if
reading his thoughts Elsie replied, "Its true, you are just as devastatingly
handsome as ever, look." She pointed to his place where his mortal shell still
remained, slumped over in the chair. Willie Applegarth laughed with glee, "Nurse
Porter is going to kill me for making that mess on the carpet."
Elsie smiled and said, "Its time to go."
Willie offered his arm to her,
and with a look of complete joy on their faces they began to walk into the light
together, singing their favorite song as they gazed into each other's eyes and
were enveloped by the light, on their way to a better world,
I count the moments darling till you're here with me,
Together at last at twilight time.
When the Applegarth's passed into the next world the light suddenly disappeared.
And the radio stopped playing, to be silent forever more.
Kallie >^,,^<