Dance of the Fireflies

rising up to the stars

A cloud of dust and barking dogs followed the beige mini-van up the short drive toward the old house.

Sharon turned to her husband and said, “Look, John, the yard is full of fireflies.”

“I see them. It’s almost as if they knew we were coming all the way here from California and put on a special show for us. “

Sharon said to her elderly father, Reese, in the back seat, “Dad, just look at all the fireflies!”

“Oh, yes, I see them! We caught some and put them in a fruit jar last night, but mom made us turn them loose before we went to bed.”

“Now, dad, you know that’s just an old memory. You haven’t caught fireflies and put them in a jar for 60 years.”

The old man smiled, consumed by the sights, smells and sounds of his youth. There before him was the house he’d grown up in, the oak tree he used to climb, and the woods where he and his friends had gone on so many adventures. Clicking crickets and oxygen-rich country air energized and refreshed the octogenarian’s long-dulled senses.

“Y’all get out and come on in here!” came a friendly voice from the porch. “How was the drive?”

“Very, very long, Brad,” said Sharon to her brother as she got out and gave him a hug.

“It’s good to see you again, John,” said Brad, shaking his brother-in-law’s hand.

“It’s good to see you, too.”

John opened the rear door of the van and helped the old man out. “Watch your step, now.”

Brad hugged his frail father and helped him up the steps. “I think the ol’ house is still about like it was when you lived here, dad.”

The old man looked about and said, “I believe you painted it, didn’t you?”

“Well, dad,  I did. Quite a few times, actually.”

Soon the family sat around a big dining table where they drank iced tea, ate homemade vegetable-beef soup with cornbread muffins and talked about all the latest news. The eldest of them all tried his best to listen and respond to  the questions directed his way, but was very tired, and kept nodding off.

Sharon said, “Brad, I think dad is worn out from the trip. Is there a bed ready for him upstairs?”

"There sure is.” he told her.

Sharon helped her father up the stairs to a familiar old bedroom, gave him his medications, and helped him into bed. The low rumble of voices downstairs didn’t disturb him in the least, and he felt good to be back in the bedroom he’d known so well as a child. Decades melted away, and he floated off into a dreamland of youthful memories. He thought of how the next day was the fourth of July, and there’d be firecrackers.

***

“Dang, Reese, where’d you get ‘em?” asked Billy.

“I found a nickel by the mailbox and bought ‘em in town yesterday!”

“Put one in that tin can!”

Bang!

Billy squealed, “Ahheee!" and cried, "Just look at that! It blowed that can up and rolled it out like a pie crust! Pop another one, Reese!”

“Okay, I’ll put one in that knothole, right over on the sweet gum tree,” mumbled the old man as he lay in bed, smiling.

***

The smell of coffee brewing drifted upstairs and found Reese’s nose. Rising up, he put his khaki pants and brown slippers on and went downstairs. Birds sang and chirped outside the open dining room window and a warm rising sun flooded the space with brilliant yellow light. Silent as a ghost, the old man entered and sat down at the large wooden table.

Sharon quickly served her father a cup of coffee and asked, “How did you sleep last night, Dad? Did we keep you up with our loud talking?”

“No, sweetheart.  I slept better than I think I’ve slept in years. This Arkansas air is making me feel young again.”

“Well, don’t get too young and frisky on us. I don’t want you trying to wander off again. You won’t do that, now, will you?”

Reese smiled slightly and replied, “Oh, I don’t reckon I need to go anywhere.”

“Be sure you don’t. Are you ready for some real country eggs and homemade sausage?”

 “Oh, yes,” he answered, so Sharon made him a fantastic country breakfast that tasted like his mother had made it.

***

“You’d better leave some of them biscuits for your father, young man!”

“But me and Billy’s goin’ fishin’ and we won’t get nothin’ to eat all danged day!”

“Oh, alright, then. Take that leftover cornbread and a jug of well water. I don’t want y’all havin’ to drink out of that muddy creek.”

“Yes ma’am.”

***

“You don’t have to talk to me like I’m your mom, dad--I’m your daughter." said Sharon. Looking at his cup, she added, "Why, you don’t need a refill. Your cup is still nearly full!”

After breakfast, Reese sat on the porch swing and enjoyed the beautiful summer morning. Everything he saw--every familiar rock,  tree, and hill sticking up in the distance made him smile. Cars soon began arriving in the yard and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren  poured out. Most spoke and shook his frail hand or kissed his cheek, while others passed by, seemingly oblivious to him entirely. There were a few whose names he knew, and even remembered how old they were. Whether his eroding memory could place them or not, he loved them very much. His day was near its end, but theirs was just beginning.

After a huge lunch at a crowded, noisy table, Reese returned to the porch swing and continued his happy reminiscing. Brad stuck his head around the corner and said, “It’s getting hot out here on the porch, Dad. Come around back where it’s shady. We’re all eating watermelon--don’t you want some?”

Reese loved watermelon, so he lifted his skinny frame off the swing and stood up. Feeling suddenly light-headed, he grabbed a porch beam and steadied himself. Confused, he continued walking toward the sound of voices.

***

“C’mon Reese--over here!” cried Billy. “Everybody’s waiting for us at the swimmin’ hole!”

“I’m comin’--wait up!”replied Reese, and he followed Billy through the woods.

The sound of voices and splashing water could be heard just ahead. The swimming hole was right there. All Reese had to do was climb down the steep bank. It would be no problem for a young, agile boy.

Someone gently kissed his forehead and said, “Honey, wake up. You’re sleeping.”

Rising up from his crumpled position beside the stream, Reese looked at the one who'd kissed him and cried, “Jenny! I thought you were….”

“No, honey, I’ve never left your side.”

“B-but, there was a funeral.”

“Oh, that? Cancer can’t keep us apart, my darling. Look--the fireflies are coming out.”

Reese and his wife sat beside the stream with their bare feet resting in the cool water. Holding each other close, they watched the fireflies dance and rise up through the trees until they mingled with the heavens above.

Author's Note

One of my old ones.

Reviews

[Marie]

Tears fall, Sam! Such a v-e-r-y beautiful story with a v-e-r-y beautiful ending, and my tears fall because though Reese and Jenny are reunited again, together, never to be separated again. Poignant too, hand on heart, because Alzheimer's or Dementia stole Reese's golden years and in a separate twist happy for him as he returned to the years of his childhood and his little friends. A captivating, gripping, warm, loving, tender write superbly penned, dear Sam. Gratitude for sharing it. I simply loved reading it! WONDROUS write, my dear friend...

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you so much. I was inspired to write it after hearing on the news about an old fellow who wandered off and met a sad end. I thought that perhaps his story shouldn't be as sad as it appeared, and that it was really just a short walk to the door of paradise.

[Marie]

You captured all of that superbly within the write, Sam. I actually thought it was a true story that you had added a little to! Your poetic pen is powerful! No doubt about that, dear Sam...

[Maurice]

A very touching story. Excellent ending.

[Miss Coral]

This was really sweet- I loved the family feel to it, and the reliving of memories all throughout it. Great tone, and a perfect ending.

Excellent write, as usual. :)

-Coral-

[Doreen]

Very sweet and tender. I like this story - the way the memories come back for him mixed with present day. The ending is lovely and heartwarming.

[Constance-Outspoken]

I remember this one fondly. It was a favorite of mine. :) The imagery is wonderful. This is one of those pieces that shows us just how beautiful you are inside, my friend.

[Nautili]

Nice work. Your story-telling skills are apparent on this one. Past and present intermingling in Reese's mind probably helped him through some very rough spots. Loved the scene where he reunites with his deceased wife, and how the fireflies begin and end the story.

[Lee]

Well, friend, you've just touched my emotions and I mean the good ones. You know I enjoy stories like this. You've done a very good job in showing how memories are a good thing. You end it with perfection, pal. I got a rush of chills reading the final para. Nice work and thank you, Sam. Keep smilin'...Lee

[Stacey Watts]

What an amazing story. I think this was a very beautiful one. This was very well written. I think you are quite a storyteller. Your words always take you on a journey everytime you read. Excellent work.

[Tina Kline]

A very well written story but very sad yet with a happy ending. He met up with his Jenny again, probably young again and so was she. I liked this before and I liked it this second time around. It just gets better.