Goodnight, Brian

by Steven Manchester

  Before long, she and the boys stepped up to the final platform’s worn boards. Thousands, maybe even millions, have come before us and survived, she realized. It was no consolation. Her mind raced, and she recalled her mom and Richard’s dad speak of those who rode the coaster with reverence and respect. She swallowed hard and took another step forward. She wanted that respect.

  As they stood before the tracks, the car fired down the home stretch and screeched to a sudden stop. Everyone’s faces were white. The passengers climbed out on unsure legs and Abby swallowed hard again. It was time to get aboard. Richard went first and though she followed, she felt like crying. “Good luck,” she joked.

  “Same to you,” he replied, and then pulled the safety bar across their laps.

  A kind-looking, old gentleman wearing a soft hat and chewing on a cigar approached. As he bent to tug on the safety bar, Abby’s frightened eyes searched for his help. He winked once and offered a grin that said everything was going to be fine. He walked slowly and with purpose to his podium. With one last look at the cars, he pushed a button that caused the train to belch out a steam of air. He then pulled on a long handle and the cars began to coast forward. White knuckles threatened to crush the safety bar. There was time for a brief prayer and then the hyperventilating began.

  Through a short patch of forest, the cars rounded the first bend. A huge, steel chain grabbed the front car and jerked it violently into control. There was a brief, merciful pause, and then the cars began to ascend slowly toward heaven, the chain clicking off each final moment of life. The sky was blue, spotted with a few marshmallow clouds. Abby’s body felt numb. Her mind rushed from primitive panic all the way to surreal acceptance. Perhaps shock had already set in. She gave one quick look toward Richard, her riding companion, and fake smiles were exchanged. At the top, the cars paused briefly again. This time it felt cruel.

  Abby held her breath. Like a nightmare come true, the car plummeted down the notorious first hill and straight toward the earth. The fall lasted no more than a moment and no less than a lifetime. The hill was longer than expected and lasted well beyond the screams of those who chose to exhale. On empty lungs, they hit bottom and were catapulted back up to an invisible turn. Abby thought they were going right off the track and struggled to roll herself into the fetal position. The bar would not allow it. The turn was just another sick joke from the ride’s sadistic designer.

  Gravity took over. While the wood boards swayed and moaned from the weight of the cars and their uncontrolled momentum, premature questions of life and death were considered. The train of cars then rolled home where the old man was waiting to apply the shrieking brake.

  On rubbery knees, they climbed out. Abby was breathing again and smiling to be a survivor. Yes! She screamed in her head. She’d conquered the giant, they all did, and so much more than that. The entire experience was exhilarating, filled with equal amounts of fear and excitement.

  Richard turned to Abby, and grinned. “Go again?”

  She nodded. “Oh yeah!”

  They went four more times.

  It was dusk, almost six o’clock, when Lincoln Park lit up with neon. It’s already time to go, Abby realized.

  As they waited for Mr. Giles to pick them up, Abby grabbed Richard’s arm. “Let’s go see the ballroom before your dad gets here.” She smiled wide. “Please?”

  He followed her.

  Every time the ballroom door opened, the magical sounds of Big Band music leaked out. Abby watched the dancing couples hold each other close and looked at Richard. I hope we’ll dance this same way one day when we’re grown.

  Richard smiled at her before punching her in the arm, and making her chase him all the way back to the awaiting station wagon.

  A Christmas Wish

  In this heartwarming holiday story, Steven Manchester, author of the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months and The Rockin’ Chair, takes us into the world of three of his characters from his novel Goodnight, Brian. Steph is on a search for truth in her heart as she faces the prospect of real love for the first time. Brian is out to enjoy his favorite season in a way that doctors never thought he could. And at the center of it all is their grandmother, affectionately known as Mama, a woman of remarkable commitment and charity who knows something very important about making Christmas wishes come true.

  This brief, beautiful tale captures the promise of the holidays and the longing we all have for the magic of the season.

  A Note from the Author

  Goodnight Brian has always been a very special project for me. Although the novel is inspired by a true story, it is fiction. As such, I spent months developing the characters, coaxing them to tell the story for themselves. And in the end, I grew to care deeply for each one of them—even those who were cut down during the editing process (namely, Stephanie).

  By the final draft of Goodnight Brian, there was some significant material lost to the editing floor. Fortunately, my publisher—Lou Aronica—allowed me to share this once-lost material in an emotional novelette—A Christmas Wish—that provided closure for both Stephanie and me.

  The brief Christmas Wish excerpt I’ve chosen is the opening scene between Steph and her Italian grandmother, Mama. As they prepare for the holiday season, Mama inspires Stephanie to make a wish that she promises will come true.

  An excerpt from A Christmas Wish

  Mama’s cottage shimmered in a festive glow, a mix of colored lights and lots of tinsel. The last of the raviolis were long gone and Nat King Cole had just finished singing “O Come All Ye Faithful” when the family grabbed their coats, said their goodbyes and headed out the door.

  Mama stopped Joan. “Let Brian stay the night. Your Uncle Sal’s offered to drive us into Little Italy to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow. We’ve been talking about it for weeks and he’s excited.”

  Joan smiled. “That sounds great, Ma. At least you won’t have to take the train in this year.”

  “True,” the old lady said, grinning, “but knowing your Uncle Sal, it’ll cost me twice as much in gas money.”

  Joan laughed.

  Mama laughed right along with her, never letting on about the excruciating pain that throbbed in her legs.

  “Okay,” Joan said, pulling Brian in for a long hug. “Just call me when you get sick of him and I’ll be by to get him,” she teased.

  Brian picked up on the joke and squeezed his mother tight.

  “Then you’ll never see him again,” Mama said, stealing him away for herself.

  Just then, Mama’s granddaughter Steph stepped into the kitchen; she was holding her jacket, not wearing it. Sensing that something was wrong, Mama quickly bid farewell to Joan and turned to Steph. “How ’bout you stay a while and help me clean up?” She shook her head and lifted her curled, arthritic hands. “These hands aren’t good for anything anymore.”

  With a suspicious grin, Steph threw her coat over the kitchen chair and rolled up her sleeves. “What first?” she asked.

  “Why don’t you start with the dishes while I put Brian to bed,” Mama said. “We have a big day tomorrow and he needs his beauty sleep.”

  Without complaint, Brian hugged his cousin and said, “Nigh nigh.” Mama then escorted him off to the bathroom to make him brush his teeth.

  Since the doctors had predicted—sixteen years before—that Brian would never walk or talk or develop normally, the vast majority of Mama’s time and effort, her life’s purpose, was spent in the relentless pursuit of instilling independence in her grandson and ensuring that his doctors were wrong. Yet there were times when one of her other grandchildren needed her undivided attention. This was definitely one of those times.

  *

  Steph had no sooner finished washing the first pan when she felt the family matriarch standing beside her at the sink.

  “You sure you can’t tag along with me and Brian on our Christmas stroll tomorrow?” Mama asked.

  “I wish I could, Mama. I do. But this has been a tough semester and I
have a pile of schoolwork that…”

  “Say no more,” the old woman interrupted. “School comes first!”

  While they talked about college life and grades, Steph watched as her clever grandmother’s hands put out three times the amount of work that she could. After drying the last plate and putting it away in the cupboard, Mama slung the dishcloth over her shoulder, peered into her granddaughter’s eyes and asked, “So what do you want for Christmas this year?”

  On appearance, this was a simple enough question—but they both knew that it was so much more. In reality, it was an opportunity for Steph to open up and bare her soul.

  Without ever asking them, Steph’s legs carried her to Mama’s kitchen table where she sat down and prepared for her confession. Again, her insightful grandmother was right there beside her. “The courage to be true to myself,” Steph finally answered, “…once and for all.” Months before, she had let her grandmother know that she was gay. And although Mama had never even blinked at the testimony, Steph was still having a difficult time with it.

  Mama smiled and placed her hand on Steph’s hands—where it stayed. “Well, that might just be the best Christmas gift you ever receive.”

  “If I ever do receive it,” Steph said.

  Mama squeezed her granddaughter’s hands with surprising strength. “Sweetheart, that’s a gift that only you can give to yourself. We’ve talked about this. You’re perfect…exactly the way God made you.” She smiled. “Have you been a good girl this year?” she teased.

  Steph snickered. “I wish it were that easy, Mama.”

  “Being easy or difficult shouldn’t even factor in. Your cousin Brian should have taught you that by now.” Mama searched Steph’s eyes. “And why wouldn’t it be easy?”

  Steph shook her head, while her eyes filled. “Because…”

  “Because it’s about having faith,” Mama interrupted, “and taking that first step when you can’t see anything in front of you to step on, right?”

  Steph nodded, trying desperately to internalize the wise woman’s words.

  “When you kids were young, I taught each one of you how to make a Christmas wish come true. Do you remember?”

  “I do,” Steph said, smiling at the beloved memory. “You said that all we had to do was close our eyes, picture the wish that we want to come true, and then open our eyes to seal it with a wink.”

  “That’s right!” Mama said. “You remember.” She studied her granddaughter’s eyes. “Well then, what are you waiting for?”

  Steph began to laugh until she realized that her grandmother was serious. With a nod, she closed her eyes, painted some very vivid pictures in her mind, and then opened her eyes—to seal the wish with a wink.

  Mama smiled wide and returned the wink. “It’s sealed then! Now all you have to do is wait for your Christmas wish to come true.”

  Steph took a deep breath, surprised that she believed the tiny woman as much today as she did when she was a little girl.

  “So could you really picture it?” Mama asked, grinning.

  Steph nodded. Her mind immediately returned to that fateful night where the wish had begun, and she shared each glorious detail with her grandmother.

  Just in Time

  Eunice Giles and Bill Stryker find love in the winter of their lives. According to Eunice, “Love can happen at any time in life—young or old—and the trick is to cherish it by living each of its moments to the fullest. One brief moment in love is worth more than a decade wandering aimlessly in solitude.” Set in the world of Steven Manchester’s novel Pressed Pennies, this is the story of a moment of love that is worth so much more than either Eunice or Bill can imagine.

  A Note from the Author

  Eunice Giles and Bill Stryker find love in the winter of their lives. According to Eunice, “Love can happen at any time in life—young or old—and the trick is to cherish it by living each of its moments to the fullest. One brief moment in love is worth more than a decade wandering aimlessly in solitude.” Taken from the pages of Pressed Pennies, Eunice and Bill spend their brief time together proving just that.

  The brief excerpt I’ve selected depicts Eunice and Bill’s magical descent into a deep and intense love. In the twilight of their lives, they exchange vows before family and friends. The night is perfect—well, almost.

  An excerpt from Just in Time

  As winter melted into the spring of their golden years, Bill and Eunice’s each and every moment were spent discovering a young and budding love. They found a laid back nightclub where they danced away every Saturday. They took long rides, stopped to watch children play Little League, and walked miles of rocky east coast beaches. Together, they captured a hundred sunsets, several jars of fireflies and the love of a lifetime over several cozy campfires. And through it all, they devoured gallons of black raspberry ice cream. Their relationship was comfortable, easy—eternal.

  On a wrinkled old beach blanket, he finally asked for her hand.

  She gave it. “Together forever?” she asked.

  “Together forever!” he confirmed. “So what do you say about a summer wedding?”

  As if she didn’t hear the question, Eunice asked, “How did you know, Bill? I mean…really know?”

  “How did I really know…what?” he asked, his arm wrapped around her.

  “How did you know I was the love of your life?”

  Bill sat up straight and gazed into her eyes. “That’s an easy one,” he said, grinning. “You like black raspberry ice cream.”

  “That’s it?”

  Bill chuckled, and then took her other hand into his. “Since the moment I met you, I’ve honestly felt like my life has just begun.” His eyes glassed over with emotion. “…and I’ve forgotten about everyone and everything else around me.”

  “Good answer,” she said.

  “Honest answer,” he said, and threw his arms around her again. “My love, you have the spontaneity, faith and innocence of a child.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “You really believe the world is good; therefore, it is. You create her own experience, your own reality and as far as I’m concerned anyone caught inside it is blessed.”

  She hugged him tight. “I’m the one who’s blessed,” she whispered.

  He shook his head and kissed her again. “Your grace, happiness and peace have rubbed off on me and I’ve finally learned that all the best things in life are possible.”

  She melted into his embrace.

  “In your world,” he concluded, “a man could actually drown in a state of utter joy…and I’m more than happy to go under.” He searched her eyes. “More than anything, you’ve taught me that love, true love, can still exist.”

  After a long hug, she looked up at him. “Let’s just go away and get hitched,” she said. “I mean, it’s not like our parents will ever complain.”

  “Not a chance,” he snickered. “I want to show off my beautiful bride to everyone.”

  ~~~

  It was the most beautiful experience when Bill Stryker and Eunice Giles exchanged vows in the presence of family—except for Bill’s two daughters—and close friends. During the simple ceremony, Eunice’s proclamation of love for her new husband silenced the crowd.

  And then it was Bill’s turn. He looked straight into Eunice’s eyes and vowed, “I love you, Eunice. I mean…I really, really love you.” He grabbed both her hands into his. “And you’ll never hear words more honest or important than those coming from my lips.” He half-shrugged. “The rest is no more than white noise that fills the space around us.”

  The entire room sighed.

  “Time stands still whenever I’m near you, my love,” Bill went on. “But when I check my watch, I realize that the world has completed countless rotations without me ever feeling the movement beneath my feet. I walk on air around you. And you magnify all the goodness in me, making me a better man than I’d ever dreamed possible. That’s always been your greatest gift to me. Like a magnet, you draw out the very best
in me, Eunice…and I’m so grateful to realize it.” He kissed her hand. “You came into my life just in time. Thank you for that.”

  “Just in time,” Eunice repeated, and wiped her eyes over Bill’s sincere proclamation of love.

  Before the pastor could even pronounce them man and wife, the older couple’s passionate kiss told the world that they’d finally become one.

  For the best man’s toast, Eunice’s son, Jim, recited his heartfelt gift:

  “Crossroads of Love

  “Two roads began at separate points

  in a time called long ago

  To wonder then where they would lead

  was a fate for God to know.

  “Each guided children down their paths

  of goodness, hope and love

  with nothing but the light that shone

  from heaven up above.

  “The obstacles, the bumps and turns

  which stood in both their ways

  were merely just a set of tests

  that led to better days.

  “The rains would pass, the winds subside

  and with their labor done,

  two roads would stop and take the time

  to watch the setting sun.

  “But God had other plans in mind:

  their trips had just begun.

  Two roads began at separate points,

  but now those roads are one.”

  After a sweet kiss, Eunice and her new husband shared their first dance as man and wife. A circle formed around them, loved ones swaying back and forth. As the final note faded into the distance, Bill and Eunice continued to dance for a few moments more—lost together in the silence.

  Applause rang out, prompting them to kiss again.

  During one of the night’s many love ballads, Eunice danced with her grandson, Richard.