"THE SEND OFF" Part 2

Everyone notices the faint smile etched on Charlie's face. But this is not surprising. What is surprising is the fact that this is the first time in years that Charlie has not had his bourbon for three consecutive days. Charlie was dressed immaculately. He had purchased the blue tweed sports-coat at Penny’s just last month-- but not for this occasion. A few of his friends mention how nice he looks in it. The "ALL Sports Banquet "Charlie was scheduled to "MC," the original reason for the new jacket, has been completely forgotten since the events of these last few days. Nonetheless, the powder-blue silk tie that Anne had personally selected is now knotted in a flawless double- Windsor.

Several of his co-workers remark that Charlie looks maybe ten years younger than his forty-five years. But this happens often. Charlie had always liked to display his rippled physique and would often “rag” his buddies with his taunt that he would never "go to seed" as so many of them had done. There is no hint of gray in his thick and wavy black hair as it glistens in the sunlight flooding the room. Every strand is numbered and meticulously groomed. Charlie’s lips that only days before had cursed the paper-boy, Donny Faust, for being late with his "Herald-Standard," are now fixed in that faint smile. We all agree that no one could dispute how composed and nice Charlie seems. His fingers, though yellowed by twenty years of Camels, now clutch a new morocco leather Bible. This was his mother’s request that he hold the bible. But due to the nature of the occasion, it seems as natural to see him clutching it as it previously had been to see a cigarette in his hand.

Anne, as always, is standing beside him. She too is trying to smile. But her smile is different --enigmatic-- almost like the Mona Lisa's. Actually, those of us who really know Charlie and Anne are thinking more about her smile than Charlie's. We mentally debate if the smile is one of relief, or joy, or as most of us think, just because it is what is expected. The whole patch-town knows Anne has had precious little to smile about these last few years. Charlie's nightly clowning at the bars, his notorious escapades with numbers of the “ladies,” and his hateful treatment of Anne are all well-known in our small coal-mining village. But all that is over now. As we stare at both Charlie's and Anne's smiles, we know this is for certain.

The spacious room fills quickly and every seat is soon taken. A half-hour before the ceremony begins there is only standing room and not much of that. Finally the ceremony begins. A hush falls as the main speaker walks to the lectern. The room fills with chuckles as he tells a few stories about Charlie and offers several expected clich’es. The speaker, witty but dignified, is articulate and definitely prepared. He seems genuinely moved as he recounts Charlie's accomplishments. Anne, who has taken her seat, smiles with the rest of us at the accolades. A heavy set lady sitting near the front is heard by many of us when she loudly whispers to a friend that it is strange that both of Charlie’s daughters are out of town and did not make it for this occasion.

Charlie, still smiling that faint smile, remains motionless through the formalities. The speech, most of which is exaggeration, is expected, but not really true. In fact, Katie Braxton, Anne's best friend, jokes to her husband, "I wasn't sure for a while that the fellow up there was Charlie." Regardless of the exaggeration, the words are appropriate for the occasion. Everyone agrees the speaker did an excellent job in extoling the guest of honor. As the speech finally nears the end, the chauffeur standing outside is given a signal. As he turns the key, the new shining black Cadillac starts immediately. Then, as the final words of the speaker trail away, everyone stands in unison. Every eye is on Charlie as he is escorted to the plush limousine---still smiling that silly smile. The parade begins with Charlie in the new Cadillac leading the procession and the rest of us just following along. Anne is thinking as they near the new estate that just one week ago it would never have entered anyone's mind--especially Charlie's—that he would be the focus of all this attention. It would have been unthinkable-- a joke-- to imagine that he would soon reside in this exclusive neighborhood. But they have arrived.

The Cadillac slows and then stops in front of the estate. Nobody says so but most are impressed with the elegance and beauty of Charlie’s new surroundings. Surrounded by a sturdy and ornate fence, the manicured grass resembles a peaceful, green-colored sea. In fact, the entire vista seems to express a place of quiet restfulness. Charlie enters and takes possession of his estate. The Cadillac pulls away. Everyone hugs Anne and says goodbye to her and each other and then leave. Most of them are still thinking about Charlie's smile. Anne also leaves but she has no smile. We do notice that her eyes are filled with tears. The waiting attendants begin and waves from the piles of green-ocean surge over his empty house. But Charlie isn't there and Charlie has stopped smiling.

Click here for Part 1 https://steemit.com/religion/@willsplace/the-send-off-part-1