An Hour in the Darkness by Michael Bailey Page A

you don’t absolutely have the best night of your life I’ll never bother you again.”
    I drawled it out all in front of her. I fluttered my eyelashes to get the full effect. I was hoping I didn’t faint before I heard her answer. My lips were turning blue, I shouldn’t wonder.
    â€œOkay. I suppose I owe you that.”

10

    I was over the moon when old Ronnie agreed to go out with me like that. I felt tired after she’d gone, and dizzy, and when my chest started bleeding again I had to holler for the nurse. I was terribly weak and light-headed a lot back then. I had to lie back down on the pillow for a moment because black patches were gobbling up my eyesight.
    When they let me out later that day, I went back to my room in the Angel Gateway. I think I slept for about a million years. When I woke up old Jenny was sitting on the end of the bed, staring at me. She had the saddest expression on her face. I told her about Ronnie agreeing to go out with me, but she just sulked and pulled a face.
    â€œThat’s nice for you,” she said in a way that let you know she wasn’t overjoyed about the whole thing.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, old Jenny, my sweet? It doesn’t mean anything, really, you should know that. You’re the only girl in the world really for old Franklin. Jenny, please don’t look so sad. Jenny, you’re frightening me now.”
    â€œIt’s alright for you.”
    â€œI thought you’d be happy for me.”
    â€œI am,” she said, and then started crying all over the place until it just about broke your heart in pieces.
    I wanted to put my arm around her, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good.
    â€œI’m sure sorry you’re dead, and everything,” I said.
    Jenny started sniffing until it all but got on my nerves. I pulled a few goofy faces and Jenny looked at me with those big brown eyes that can just about kill you if you’re not careful. Then she smiled.
    â€œThat’s better,” I said.
    Boy, when old Jenny smiles at you like that it just about lights up the whole world. It’s like a million stars exploding in the night sky or something.
    â€œI’m pleased for you really,” she said, through damp sniffles.
    â€œI sure wish I were dead instead of you.”
    â€œDon’t you dare say that,” she said.
    â€œWhy, it’s true, isn’t it? I meant to ask God about it.”
    â€œI told you already. That was because of the bang on your head.”
    â€œI know, already. I’m not crazy, you know?”
    â€œListen to me before I get cross, okay? It wasn’t your fault that I got run over that day, okay? I should have damn well looked where I was going.”
    â€œLet’s not talk about that,” I said.
    â€œWe’ve got to talk about it, Franklin. You’ve got to start taking responsibility for your own life. Stop hiding in the shadows. Face up to the real world. You live in a fantasy world, for Chrissake.”
    Old Jenny started laying down the law, and everything, like only she could. She sure seemed to be in a foul mood for some reason. I didn’t know where to put my face or anything. Jenny can sure get worked up when she’s in a mood. I’m glad you weren’t there. I sure as hell wouldn’t have wanted you to have seen all that. I sure was spineless in the face of it too. And even now I’m kind of embarrassed when I think about the whole thing.
    When old Jenny had finished, she came and hugged me, and said that we wouldn’t mention it again. She said it was all water under the bridge. Jenny also said that if I didn’t simply have the best night of my life with Ronnie she’d probably never speak to me again.
    I met Ronnie near the Clock Tower. I didn’t think she’d show up, but she did. She looked beautiful and I knew I’d go anywhere with her. We sat holding hands for hours. We never held hands, okay? We were both a