The Parade

Maddie Rivers opened her purse to pay the taxicab driver. She grabbed her glasses from the oversized bag in an effort to read the meter. It was no use; the numbers were too small. She sighed, fumbling with her arthritic hands to retrieve her wallet.

“That’ll be nineteen dollars and twenty-five cents,” said the driver. Watching the elderly woman struggle in the rearview mirror, he added, “Lady - sure you gonna be okay? The parade don’t start for another two hours.”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. It’s such a nice day and I have my morning snack. To be honest, I rather enjoy getting here ahead of the crowds,” Maddie answered matter-of-factly.

With some difficulty, she managed to open her wallet and handed the driver a twenty-dollar bill. “You can keep the change.”

The driver smiled, trying not to laugh. The old biddy probably thinks this a generous tip! He rolled his eyes, amused. Like maybe in another century!

He got out of the cab and retrieved her folding chair from the trunk. He then walked around to open the passenger door and offered his hand to help the elderly woman out of the car.

“I’ll set the chair up for you… where do you want it?”

“Thank you, that’s very kind. Please, put it by the great oak tree. Over there,” she said, pointing to the centuries-old tree atop a small hill. “Just in front, so I have a good view as the parade marchers go by. Oh, and please put this bag with my chair, but not on the ground, if you would. It has a croissant and a thermos with my tea in it. I wouldn’t want to give the ants my breakfast! There’s a good fellow.”

The taxi driver jogged up the hill and set up her chair, hanging the snack bag on the armrest. He then hurried down to assist the old woman who was having trouble navigating her way up the gentle slope. He offered his arm to steady her, which she gladly took.

“My, this hill seems to get larger every year,” she joked, breathing hard as they reached her chair. She sat down and put her hand on her chest, as if to still her heart. “Might be a good day for a nap. I feel like we’ve just climbed a small mountain.”

The driver smiled again, this time at her joke.

She’s all right, this granny. Gotta be about eighty - give or take. Takes a lot of guts at her age to come here on her own. We should all be so lucky.

“You know, I’m still a bit worried about leavin’ you here by your lonesome,” the taxi driver said. “Anyone comin’ here to meet you?”

“Oh, young fellow. Don’t worry about me! I’ve been coming here since you were just a little seed in your mother’s belly. I never miss the Veterans Day parade. I love the marching bands and all the different groups. It’s so festive, you know? That’s what most people come to enjoy. The merrymaking! It’s like one big party walking down Main Street!”

Maddie lowered her voice and added, “I’ll tell you a little secret. I wouldn’t be here if it was just the bands and such. Too much trouble to make this trip at my age. Not like when I was a youngster, watching the parade on my Uncle Billy’s shoulders. It’s not easy getting old, let me tell you. But I’m drawn here. I have to show my appreciation for the veterans. The other groups are fun to see…icing on the cake. But the veterans, they need to see us here. And as long as I have a breath in this relic of a body, I’m a-coming for the vets.”

“You remind me of my mamma. Gotta strong will. She’s gone now, but sure as the sun rises in the mornin’, she taught me to respect them that went off to war and fought for our freedom. She’d a-been sittin’ here right next to you on a day like today. No doubt about it.”

“Well, she sounds like my kind of woman, your mother. No wonder you have such good manners!”

The driver sighed. “My pappy died in the Vietnam War. I guess he would’ve marched . . . if he lived,” he said quietly. He looked to the sky and took a deep breath. Then he exhaled slowly. “I don’t remember him much. Just from a few pictures and stories mamma told to me. Look, here’s a picture of my pappy, holding me as a baby.”

He took out an old, creased photo from his wallet. His hand was shaking as he held the picture for her to see. Maddie looked at the photo of a young man in uniform, delicately holding a tiny newborn. The man was grinning from ear to ear. You could tell from the photograph that the man treasured the small infant.

“I ain’t showed that picture to no one in years. It’s always in my pocket, though. I don’t go nowhere without it.”

He carefully placed the photo back in his wallet, unsure as to why he felt the need to show it to this elderly woman he just met.

Maddie was quiet. After a brief pause, she said, “I lost three in my family. Different wars. My father in World War II, and my husband in the Vietnam War, like your pappy. I also lost my son, Jack. He was in Iraq during Desert Storm. I come here every year - to watch them march.”

The cabbie wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. That old age talkin’? Nah, I musta just heard her wrong.

“Oh…um. Yeah, well. Listen, ma’am. I gotta pick up another fare now, but then I’m quittin’ for the day. You mind if I come back here to check on you in a bit? I’d feel much better knowin’ that you’re okay, seein’ as I’m the one leavin’ you here.”

“I would enjoy that. We can even watch the parade together,” Maddie said. “But, before you go, you must tell me your name. I feel like we’re friends now, and I don’t know what to call you. My name’s Madeline Rivers. Please, call me Maddie-er, it’s shorter, less formal. All my friends do…I mean, did.”

“Nice to meet you, Maddie. I’m Jerome. I really oughta run, but I’ll be able to find you by this old tree later, even if it gets crowded.”

With that, Jerome disappeared down the hill. Maddie could hear the engine of his taxicab fade as he drove off.

“Oh, what a pleasant young man. He reminds me of my Jack. I do hope he returns,” Maddie muttered, as she sat in her chair. She poured herself a cup of tea. “It would do him a world of good to see the parade. I’m sure of it!”

***

Before long, the spectators began to trickle in, vying for prime viewing spots before the start of the parade. The band members were warming up in the distance. The trumpets and violins made themselves known, as musical notes floated through the air.

It’s a glorious day, Maddie thought, sipping the last of her tea. A good parade puts everyone in such a grand mood.

Soon, the sidewalks were filled with hordes of people lining both sides of the roadway. The crowd was at least seven deep, for as far down Main Street as she could see. With the crowds, came the buzz of anticipation, which reached a crescendo as the start time neared.

All the groups would be lined up by the church, Maddie knew, ready to march to the roar of the crowd. And she had the perfect vantage point to watch - sitting up on the hill, and under the old oak. The same spot she had occupied for the decades of parades she had witnessed.

At precisely ten o’clock, a collective cheer was heard as the procession began. It didn’t take long before Maddie spotted the first vehicle leading the parade – a white, 1966 Cadillac Deville convertible. The mayor’s car. A classic. It was tradition for the mayor to open the festivities. And Mayor Reginold Wentworth always rode in the oldest, fanciest, or sportiest car. A different car every year, but always a show-stopper.

As the convertible slowly traveled down Main Street, she could see Mayor Wentworth sitting on the back of the car. As he passed the crowds, the mayor waved and smiled at all his presumed admirers.

Showboating! Like a wannabe king. Maddie scowled. “Idiot!” she said under her breath, glad that no one could hear her over the roar of the crowd. She sighed at the thought of how this spoiled idiot of a child grew into an even bigger idiot of a mayor.

Then she shrugged. Money…that’s how! Well, I still changed your diapers, Mr. high and mighty Mayor!

Next, Maddie could hear the Rosewood High School Band playing. She couldn’t see them yet, but she smiled at the sound of the marching band. They get better every year! Lightyears better than when I played the clarinet!

As they approached her spot along the road, she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Oh good. I was hoping to miss Mayor Wentworth-less. Timed it perfectly!”

The elderly lady turned and laughed. “Oh Jerome, you did come back! And you are quite the rabble-rouser! Mayor Wentworth-less! Hahaha. Anyway, never mind him. The important thing is that you are here. That’s the Rosewood band in front of us now. You know, I played in it many, many years ago. Aren’t they wonderful? Much better than back in my day.”

Maddie sat enthralled. Jerome, leaning on the massive tree trunk, stayed by her side. The two of them watching as the different groups paraded by their spot on the hill. The old woman waved as the marchers passed by, clapping if they performed. There were different bands, scout troops, gymnasts, and baton twirlers. Even a few clowns, to the delight of the children watching.

As the parade began to wind down, and the crowd started to thin out, several groups of veterans marched down the street. They wore their full-dress uniforms, looking straight ahead and walking in synchrony along the parade route. Every once in a while, a veteran would look towards the spectators and give a head nod or wink if they recognized someone. A few people clapped as they passed. Probably family members, as most of the others had gone, the fun part of the parade having ended.

Maddie smiled and looked at Jerome. “Now, this is what brought us here…what the parade is really all about.”

Jerome looked at Maddie. Her face was radiating pure delight! It was infectious. Smiling, he could feel the warmth emanating from her. He shook his head.

It’s crazy. I can’t put my finger on it. There’s something very special about the old goat.

Following the marching soldiers, two yellow school buses slowly made their way down the street. Skinny arms hanging out the open windows were visible, in front of well-worn faces. Maddie stood up and waved a handkerchief as the buses passed. She wanted to make sure these veterans saw her and knew that she was still there for them. Even if the majority of the crowd had dispersed.

Maddie looked at Jerome, “The buses are for the veterans too feeble – either old or wounded – to walk. I like that they are still included in the parade,” she said. “But it’s a shame so many spectators left. These veterans deserve to see us cheering them, not walking away.”

After the buses passed, Maddie sat back down. She and Jerome were alone on the little hill now. No more adoring crowds. The sidewalks were mostly empty. People going to their cars, in a rush to get home.

Jerome offered his hand to Maddie. “Here. I’ll drive you home now. The parade’s over.”

“No,” she said a bit too sharply. “We can’t leave yet. You haven’t seen them.”

“But …it’s finished,” Jerome started to say.

He looked at Maddie. Her eyes sparkled brightly. Like the sun, rising over a placid ocean, diamonds dancing on the surface. She was seated again, staring intently down the road in the direction of the church, which marked the beginning of the parade route. Smiling broadly…at nothing.

He followed her gaze. Slowly, in the far corner his eyes, he could barely make out another small group marching. Or rather shuffling along. They seemed to be helping each other make it one step at a time.

He rubbed his eyes and looked again. The group was still marching toward their spot on the hill. He looked over at Maddie, who’s focus was transfixed on the group.

It’s gotta be a dream. It ain’t real.

Jerome shrugged. Well, whatever it is, I ain’t in no hurry. I’ll let it play out for the old lady’s sake. Probably just some bums, hoping to find something dropped on the parade route.

Jerome sat down on the grass next to Maddie.

There they sat, silently on the hill, just an old woman and a younger taxicab driver. The last two spectators, waiting for the end of the parade. As the straggler group got closer, Jerome could tell that there were about ten of them, all quite bedraggled. Torn and tattered clothes - no fine dress uniforms for them.

Bums, he thought again.

But they still looked military, moving in formation, as much as they could manage to dovetail.

“Why isn’t anyone helping these guys?” Jerome asked Maddie. “Everyone’s gone already. Even the parade marshals.”

“They are here just for us,” Maddie answered softly.

As the group made their way to the spot directly in front of the oak tree, Jerome gasped. The guy in the middle – he’d recognize him anywhere. He’d seen his picture hundreds of times, if not thousands. He put his hand on his back pocket, to make sure he still had his wallet.

Stunned, Jerome looked at Maddie; she was blowing kisses to three men, her tears falling freely. His own eyes began to well-up.

It couldn’t be. But somehow, he knew it was.

He wanted make sense of it - to run to the one man he knew, yet didn’t remember. His brain urged him move, but his muscles wouldn’t obey. He sat frozen to the spot on the grass. The man he recognized, smiled and waved to him. Then he crossed both hands over his heart, a demonstration of love, before moving on with the group.

In an instant, they were gone.

Jerome wiped away a tear, turning his head so the old woman wouldn’t see. He took a deep breath.

Only when they were out of sight, could Jerome move.

“What ... was… that?” he whispered, not trusting his own voice.

Maddie took a deep breath. “That is what we came for. To see them.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I, but they come every year - after everyone else leaves. It’s like their legacy comes alive, just for a moment. I see my father, husband and son walking together down the street. Sometimes just the three of them, and sometimes there are a few others, like today.”

Dumbfounded, Jerome had no words.

“We can go now,” Maddie said. “I’m quite worn out. I need to get home.”

Jerome helped her up. Without speaking, he took her things in one hand, offering her his other arm as the two made their way down the hill.

As they walked to his car, Jerome knew he would never miss another Veterans Day Parade. He would honor all the soldiers until he was no longer able. Like this lovely, strange, old lady. And he would stay long after the end. Just in case his pappy was marching very slowly down Main Street.