FLASH FICTION : FIRST PLACE

Marilynn Russell

This article contains content that may upset some readers .

“ Two tickets to Cucamonga !” Libby joked .

“ Health card and ID , please ,” the wearied receptionist responded from behind the ticket wicket .

The old bus depot : what a place to distribute vaccinations ! Libby joined a slow-moving stream snaking through the foyer . It struck her that the others were also her age . All of us boomers had competed for these coveted appointments online , Libby mused . Her grandson would be proud of her digital mastery . “ Libby ! I thought I might run into a pal !” The voice came from a man about ten spaces back , but because of the serpentine line formation , he was now in proximity . Libby frowned . She then recognized the twinkle of 17-year-old eyes , once again calling her to adventure .

“ Marvin ! I haven ’ t seen you since the middle of Grade 12 ! How are you ?”

“ Not bad , considering the state of things . Managed to stay COVID-free .”

The line progressed ; their conversation interrupted . As Libby moved forward , memories overflowed — Marvin was going to Vancouver to set the music world on fire . Libby was going to Toronto to write . The two teens always shared their dreams on their walks home . Movement in the line caused them to meet again . “ Did you ever get to Vancouver ?” “ I did . Did you pen that novel ?” “ No , but I taught some life-changing books .” “ You ’ re a teacher , Libby ? Me too ! No record contract , but I taught some talented young musicians in my studio . Us two rebels became teachers ?! Wow ! It was a delightful career , wasn ’ t it , Legs !”

Libby ’ s smile crumbled . The line advanced . More memories . Marvin had moved out of his parents ’ home mid-way through Grade 12 . The boys in

Libby ’ s class started teasing her saying Marvin had told them that she was always over alone in his new place , staying there with her great legs in her mini skirt . The boys started calling her Legs . Humiliating . It wasn ’ t true and she felt betrayed — Marvin was responsible for all this leering male attention . She even avoided going to her prom . She attempted to confront Marvin , but he dodged her at school and , suddenly , he was no longer attending . Again , Libby and Marvin were beside each other . “ You just called me Legs . Why did you start that rumour about me going up to your place ? Everyone thought I was a tramp …. You were my friend !”

“ Next !”... the security guard ushered Libby to her vaccination . “ Ouch !”

Directed to the waiting area , Libby hoped Marvin would not sit beside her , but he sought her out .

“ Libby , I apologize ,” Marvin leaned over his chair ’ s arm — six feet and a million miles between him and Libby . “ I ’ m going to come clean . The last time I was in this depot , I was running away . My parents threw me out when they caught me with a boy . The fellows at school suspected I was gay and between being called a fairy and being beaten up , I bought myself time with a story . The story was that you were my girlfriend . The bullies eventually figured out that I was lying and , rather than face another pounding , I quit school and left town .”

Silence . Marvin continued , “ Vancouver was tough — I waited tables , cleaned motels , busked on streets . I completed university and met Keith , the love of my life .” Marvin ’ s voice cracked , “ I buried Keith in 1987 — AIDS .

“ Music , my students and my friends got me through . We organized ,

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