Sally Boy (24 page)

Preferring to keep a low profile, Sal
purposely limited his exposure by only going out during daylight
hours, just in case someone from Wilson’s Unit might be seeking
payback. He wasn’t scared, but Sal didn’t want any surprises, and
was leery of any new faces in his neighborhood. Sometimes Sal would
go for days without eating or having any meaningful interaction
with another human being. He filled his idle time with trips to the
Bronx Zoo, comforted by the peace and serenity of sitting and
watching the animals. Finding it difficult to sleep through the
night because of his dreadful recurring nightmares, Sal often woke
sweating, shaking, and many times screaming. Occasionally, Sal
dreamt about the young soldier who died silently in his arms. Of
all his night terrors, that was the one that troubled Sal the most,
but he didn’t fully understand why.

As part of his daily routine, Sal would sit
in a corner booth of the Starlight Diner, drinking coffee and
reading the paper. He made it a point to always face the front door
and he felt relatively safe relaxing because there was no back
entrance, only an emergency fire exit door. The big front window
made it easy for him to watch the pretty girls walk by and to keep
tabs on people entering and leaving. Now and again, thoughts of
Angel ran through Sal’s mind and he couldn’t help but wonder if by
some stroke of luck, his friend actually survived his chest
wound.

One day, much like every other day, while
Sal sat alone drinking coffee, his attention was captured by the
sight of a young girl seated at a nearby table reading a book. The
afternoon sunlight shone through the window onto her honey blonde
hair, making it appear like spun gold. Possessing a perfect face,
like that of a goddess, her twinkling azure eyes were as
captivating as any star-filled evening sky. A tight, low-cut blouse
accented her tear-drop breasts and a short skirt revealed her long
shapely legs, crossed under the table.

Finding it difficult not to stare, Sal was
completely defenseless, because her angelic beauty called to him.
Overcome by the feeling that he had seen her somewhere before,
Sal’s inner voice feverishly debated whether or not he should
approach her. As she gazed up from her book, their eyes locked and
she smiled at him. At that moment, Sal’s apprehensions were
dissolved by a smile as glorious as any Mediterranean sunset.
Scooting out of the booth, Sal made his way over to her table and
politely asked, “How you doing?”

Looking up, she replied softly, “I’m fine.
How are you?”

“Would you mind if I joined you?” Sal
smiled.

“If you wish.” Trying to conceal her
excitement, she asked playfully, “Do you always approach women like
this?”

“What do you mean ‘like this’?”

“You wait for them to sit alone reading a
book and then you make your move on them.”

“No, no! I haven’t really...you seemed
like...you have a...I wasn’t making a move on you.”

“You’re very smooth,” she teased, smiling
affectionately.

Slowly, Sal started to get up.

“Where are you going? You’re never going to
get anywhere if you give up that easily.”

“Honestly, I’m not trying to get anywhere. I
just thought maybe we could talk.”

“That would be nice.”

Again, Sal sat down.

“What would you like to talk about? Oh, by
the way my name is Chrissy...Chrissy Brown.”

“I’m Salvatore Scalise. It’s nice to meet
you.” Sal shook Chrissy’s hand. It was soft and cool, very much to
his liking.

“So, do you work around here? Or do you go
to school?”

“Oh, nothing like that. I’m just kinda
getting used to being home.”

“Where have you been?”

“Vietnam.” Sal said, puzzled.

“Oh!” Chrissy sighed, softly.

“I guess you’re one of those protesters,
huh? Look, I’m sorry I bothered you.” Again, Sal started to get
up.

“No, that’s not it. Please don’t go.”

“Well, what’s wrong then?”

“My brother...my brother was killed over
there. I don’t understand why he had to die at such a young
age.”

“No one can understand what it’s all about,
unless they’ve been there. I wish I could explain it to you. But I
can’t. I’m sorry. Try and remember all the good things about him.
That way, he’ll always live in your heart. I know what it’s like to
lose a family member. Please accept my condolences.”

Chrissy smiled. “You’re very kind. I’ve
tried to put the whole war out of my mind. But it’s everywhere. Was
it rough for you over there?”

“You know, you look very familiar to me.”
Leaning forward, Sal studied her face. “I can’t quite put my finger
on it, but I feel as if I’ve seen you somewhere before. Does that
sound strange to you?”

“No, not really.”

“Why not?”

“I’m a little embarrassed to admit this.
People tell me I look like a young Grace Kelly,” Chrissy explained
coyly. “Personally, I don’t see it. I mean, after all, she’s one of
the most beautiful women in Hollywood.”

“I think you’re even more beautiful than
her.”

Chrissy’s face lit up. “That’s a very nice
compliment. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Your smile, it’s so
beautiful. I could look at your smile for a million years and never
get tired of it.”

Gently placing her hand on her heart Chrissy
said softly, “I don’t know what to say to that, Salvatore. No one’s
ever spoken to me like that before.”

“Why don’t you call me ‘Sal’?”

“All right, Sal”

“I was gonna go for a walk in the park.
Would you like to come with me?” Reaching across the table, Sal
gently took her hand.

“I’d love to...but I have a class.” Chrissy
said, torn.

“You’re a teacher?”

“No, I’m a student at Fordham. But I am
studying to become one.”

“That’s good, I was maybe thinking about
going back to school on that G.I. Bill.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. I could help you
find a school and pick a major.”

Sal laughed. “I can’t really see myself
picking a major. But thanks anyway. You better get to your class.
It was really nice meeting you, Chrissy.” Shaking her hand once
more, Sal got up from the table and promptly left the diner. Utter
disbelief came across Chrissy’s face as she tried to comprehend
what had just happened. Rising from her chair, she flew out of the
front door calling out, “Sal! Sal, wait.”

Sal stopped and turned toward the voice
calling him. “What’s up?”

“Why are you always running away from
me?”

“You said you had a class.”

“So where are you going now? If you don’t
mind my asking?”

“I already told you. I’m going for a
walk.”

“Where?”

“The Botanical Gardens.”

“Would you mind very much if I tagged
along?”

“Not at all.”

“Thank you.”

“What about your class?”

“I know this sounds terrible but I thought
you were just trying to...”

“To what?”

“...to get me into...” Chrissy whispered,
“...bed”

“Take it easy. I ain’t that easy. Besides,
we just met,” Sal smiled and a winked at her.

“I’m sorry, but it seems like that’s all any
guy wants to do these days. That’s probably why I don’t have a
boyfriend.”

“I guess it’s all that ‘free love’ I’m
always hearing about. I’ve only been back a couplea months. I don’t
really know that much about it.”

Appearing slightly chagrined, Chrissy took
Sal’s arm. “Are we still going?”

“Sure, why not?”

After hailing a cab, Sal opened the door for
Chrissy and they both got into the back seat. The ride to the park
was short but enjoyable. Sal paid the fare, helped Chrissy out of
the cab, and they proceeded into the park. Leisurely they strolled
toward the water making small talk. As they approached the duck
pond, Chrissy stopped and took Sal’s arm. “Sal, I’ve seen you at
the diner before.”

“Really.”

“Every time I saw you it was like you...you
seemed as if you had the weight of the world on your
shoulders.”

“Not the weight of the world. Just the
memories of a time and place I’d like to forget.”

Spotting a hotdog vendor in the distance,
Sal had an idea. “I’ll be right back.” Sal ran over to the cart and
bought some bread. As he trotted back, he could see Chrissy had
already moved near the water’s edge and a large group of waterfowl
were swimming toward her.

“Here, feed ’em.” Sal handed Chrissy some
bread. Tossing a piece of bread to the ducks, Sal professed, “I
like the ducks. They swim around. They eat the bread. They don’t
bother nobody. They got a pretty good life. You know?”

“I guess you’re right.” Chrissy laughed. “I
never really thought about it that much.”

“I never really knew how beautiful this
place was when I was a kid. I mean, I came here a lot.” Sal gazed
directly into Chrissy’s eyes. “But I never took the time to
appreciate how beautiful it is. You know what I’m saying?”

“I understand, Sal.” Clearly smitten,
Chrissy responded softly. “I try never to take anyone or anything
for granted. If you do, happiness could be staring you right in the
face, and you would never know it.”

After throwing their last pieces of bread to
the ducks, Sal teased. “Should we keep walking? Or do you got a
class you need to get to?”

Chrissy smiled. “I’d like to walk with
you.”

“Would you mind if I held your hand?” Sal
asked politely.

“Not at all,” Chrissy said sweetly.

The two walked around the pond holding hands
and laughing all the while. After circling the pond twice, Sal
suggested they take a seat on a bench. Tenderly, Sal reached out
and brushed away some hair that had fallen into Chrissy’s eyes. “I
can’t remember the last day I had that was this nice.”

“It’s not over, Sal? Is it?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Why?” Chrissy asked softly.

Looking up at the horizon, Sal pointed out,
“’Cause the sun is starting to set and the park is gonna close
soon.”

“Sal,” Chrissy smacked her lips. “I meant am
I going to see you again?”

“Do you wanna see me again?” Sal asked
confidently.

“Of course I do. Don’t you want to see me
again?”

“Definitely. Did you really think you were
gonna get rid’a me that easy?”

Beaming, Chrissy slowly leaned in close to
Sal and gently pressed her lips to his.

* * * * *

Standing in his bathroom before the mirror,
Sal nimbly twisted his black silk tie into a Windsor knot. Wearing
only a grey dress shirt and boxers, he eagerly anticipated meeting
his childhood friend, Anthony DiGregorio. Pretending to be asleep,
Chrissy lay naked in bed watching him get dressed.

“Hey sexy, where do you think you’re going
without saying ‘good-bye’?”

“I thought you was asleep. I was trying to
be quiet.”

“I was up. I like watching you get dressed.
Where are you going?”

“I gotta go see a friend from the old
neighborhood.”

“Is that the guy you called the other
day?”

“Yeah.”

“Does your friend have a name?” Chrissy
teased.

“Yeah, he’s got a name.”

“May I ask what it is?”

“His name is Anthony.”

“Anthony what?”

Sal laughed. “What are we playing twenty
questions here?”

“Of course not. I’m just curious.”

“His name is Anthony DiGregorio. I’ve known
him since we was kids. It was really good to talk to him again.
Growing up, Anthony and Mikey was like brothers to me.”

Chrissy smiled, “I’m really glad you’re
reconnecting with your old friends.”

“I am too,” Sal said happily.

“So are we still on for later?”

“Yeah sure, but...”

“But?”

“If I’m going back to work, then I’m not
gonna be around as much as I have been lately.”

“I know.” Chrissy said softly.

“What’s the matter, Chrissy?”

“I don’t know why you won’t let me talk to
my father. I know he can help you.”

“Baby, we talked about this already. I gotta
do this on my own. Understand?” Sal sat down on the bed next to her
and gently stroked Chrissy’s hair. “I love you. You know that,
right?”

“I love you, too. I just wish you would let
me help you.”

“That’s not the way I am. Chrissy, a man
can’t change what he is. You have a great family and a good
education. You deserve the world. How am I supposed to give you all
the things...”

“Love isn’t about things, Sal! It’s about
two people who want to share their lives together and raise a
family. When I look into your eyes, I see that little boy in the
picture over there. I see love. I know what’s in your heart, baby.
That’s why I love you so much.”

Glancing over at the picture, Sal gently
kissed her forehead. “That little boy doesn’t exist anymore.”

“Yes, Sal, he does. He’s lost. You just have
to find him again,” Chrissy whispered lovingly.

“Baby, I love you more than anything. But do
you really wanna spend the rest of your life with me, knowing the
things I’ve done?”

“Sal, you never talk about the things you
did in Vietnam.”

“We’ve been together, what, three
months?”

“Three and a half months, thank you very
much.” Chrissy smiled.

“You sleep here...maybe four nights a week,
right? You see the nightmares that wake me up. It don’t take much
imagination to put two and two together. Does it?”

“Sal, you’re not responsible for what you
did over there. You had no choice. You have to forgive
yourself.”

“Please, stop, huh? You don’t even know what
the hell you’re talking about.”

“Maybe so, but you have to fight for
anything worth having in this world. I do know that much. Sal, I
know someday you’ll be a great father to our children. We’ll have a
beautiful home, a nice dog, and a polite cat.”