Cicada Song

by Bradford Combs

  Chapter 22

  “Thank you, Sammy,” Sara said as she left the shop.

  She opened the envelope and slid out the five-by-seven image of her and Ellis. They were a handsome couple, and she did a splendid job putting their costumes together, especially Ellis’. There wasn’t much time for that one. There was something else she noticed, though, something that almost pained her, and that was the candid smile creasing her face. She knew that, oftentimes, her smiles were forced or halfhearted. Stan could still make her smile, so could her mother, but she had only known Ellis for one day when this picture was taken, and there she was in full bloom. Another smile came now as she noticed a cicada perched on Ellis’ collar, knowing how much he hated the things. She suppressed the smile as quickly as it had come.

  “No,” she suddenly said to herself. “There’s nothing wrong with a friend making you smile!”

  There wasn’t any reason for her to feel guilty over being happy with Ellis Barnes. Being happy didn’t insinuate an affair, or even the desire to have one. She studied the image again, allowing herself the freedom to simply gaze, and caught herself admiring Ellis’ handsome features. She sighed and slid the picture back into the envelope.

  Realizing that she was hungry, she decided to head toward Percy’s to see what Stan was up to. He would likely be in need of a rescue from fawning townspeople.

  “Ms. Campbell!”

  Sara turned toward the little voice and smiled at the girl running toward her.

  “Are you going to school?” the girl asked.

  “Yes, Kelsey Lynn, I am,” Sara said with a smile, “right after lunch. Will you still be there?”

  Kelsey Lynn looked at her mother, who nodded.

  “Wonderful!” Sara said. “I’ll see you then, okay?”

  The little girl ran off, and Sara noted that Stan and her mother weren’t the only ones in Anderson who could make her smile.

  She had been looking forward to today, but Ellis’ leaving had put a funk on it. Today was Water Works, put together by the children of Anderson. Before school let out, the children were able to put in a request for what they wanted to do to celebrate Cicada Song. The largest vote went toward a water day, so the school staff got together and came up with Water Works, a day of water and fun.

  Sara was wearing a bathing suit beneath her shorts and t-shirt, but she wasn’t expecting to celebrate much. The school was having an all day water war involving water guns and water balloons; and, rumor had it, the fort they were building was epic. She planned on making an appearance but that was all. She wanted to spend the rest of the day with Jake.

  Stan’s piano could be heard as she approached Percy’s pub, and she recognized the song as Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, one of her favorites.

  “The normal, Ms. Sara?” Percy asked as she stepped through the door.

  “Yes, please. Thank you.”

  Percy winked and she waved back while making her way to an open table. Stan thanked the crowd between songs and joined her, as he often did.

  “Good afternoon,” he said with a long, drawn-out breath.

  “No fun water songs?”

  “Percy gave me a reprieve from theming the music today. So what’s going on with you?”

  “I helped Mom with the library then went to Sammy’s to get the Cicada Song photo of Ellis and me.”

  “How’d it turn out?”

  She pulled the photograph from its envelope and showed him.

  “Cicada on his collar,” he pointed out with a smirk.

  “I noticed. Did you get a picture taken?” she asked as she put the photograph away.

  “Sammy stopped in and snapped a picture of me playing.”

  “Didn’t get one with Leslie?” He shook his head somberly so Sara opted to change the subject. “Mom’s planning on putting a Cicada Song book together this year.”

  “Like the one your dad made for her?”

  “Yeah, she’s been looking forward to it. She’s thinking about mass-producing dad’s and making it the first of a tradition, raise some money for the library or school.”

  “Not a bad idea. I’d buy one,” Stan said. Then, after a pause, he asked, “So is Ellis gone, now?”

  Sara nodded and tried to hide her disappointment. “Annie said he left this morning.”

  “Are you alright?”

  Sara looked at Stan, who just stared back. Percy arrived just then and set a plate of chicken salad and an ice water on the table—Sara’s regular order—but when he left, Stan leaned in and spoke quietly.

  “I’m not blind, Sara. I know you were into him.”

  “Ellis was just a friend.”

  “He wasn’t,” Stan corrected. “He was a good guy, but it’s best that he’s gone. Jake needs you.”

  Sara wanted to argue, to make Stan butt out, but he was right. She did have feelings for Ellis, feelings that should have been reserved for Jake; so, instead of arguing, she told him about her taking Ellis to see Jake.

  “What?”

  “Last night. We were talking and he told me how he lost his daughter’s mother in a car accident. She was in a coma for three weeks before she died, so I thought maybe he’d understand.”

  “How did it go?”

  “He was compassionate and agreed that we shouldn’t pursue anything.”

  “I thought you already decided not to pursue anything?” Stan asked curiously.

  “We did, but we were still tempted.”

  “And he’s gone now?”

  “Yes.”

  Stan sat back, considering this. “I’m glad you told him about Jake. I wanted to tell him but chose not to out of respect for you. It’s not right to entice a guy like that without him knowing what he’s getting himself into.” Sara didn’t say anything and Stan noticed. “I didn’t mean anything by that, Sara. You know I want you to be happy, and I know it’s been a long time, but Jake…”

  “Needs me, I know.”

  Stan simply nodded. It always bothered Sara how Stan seemed to think he was the enforcer of her and Jake’s relationship, but he meant well—and he was right.

  “I think I might head up to the school,” she said, changing the subject. “Kelsey Lynn asked if I was going so I have to make an appearance.”

  Stan nodded as a slow smile crossed his face. Then he glanced at Percy, who was walking in their general direction with a mop in hand.

  “You know Sara,” he suddenly bellowed above the crowd, “spending time with those kids would sure be fun, but that gosh darn slave-driving boss of mine keeps me trapped here day in and day out. Why, if only I could get away for a couple hours. I could really go for a good water fight with those munchkins here on this fine day of Cicada Song, which only happens once every seventeen years.”

  “Shut up, Stan,” Percy said sternly as he passed by, but then he winked over his shoulder and said, “Be back by three.”

  Throwing his arms in the air with a victorious cheer, Stan pulled Sara from her seat and led her through the door. She could hear the townspeople laughing inside the pub and couldn’t help but laugh herself.

  Even with all his flaws, Stan was still one of the few people in Anderson who could still make her smile.