Standard FF disclaimers.
May 25, 2012
Thank you Margaret for your inspiration and encouragement to tell Albert's story.
This is for you girl.
Stand Tall
Xoxoxox
Waterfront Stadium stood tall and proud, it was opening night for the Trenton Thunder. Over head the sky was blue and bright. Not a cloud to be seen. Though there had been rain off and on for weeks, the weather had decided to cooperate for the big night. Everything gleamed, it was fresh and new, and exciting. The Stadium was filled to capacity. The year long anticipation of the new stadium and their own local team had filled the city with pride. And no matter who won the game tonight, it was a big event for the happy citizens of Trenton.
On a rare outing, young Albert Kloughn held tight to his fathers hand. He had never seen a place as big as this. He had never seen so many people in one place. He was excited and terrified all at the same time. The noise was deafening. The roar of the crowds echoed down the concourse and vibrated through his little body. People bumped into him as they walked by, and Albert reached up and held onto his dad with both hands. It was a new experience for him and Albert had to remind himself to breathe.
Before the game started, Albert and his dad walked around the concourse, to grab food and snacks before they got settled into their seats. They passed many vendors selling everything from pretzels and pickles to refillable mugs and plastic thunder bolts. But it was a booth overflowing with official Trenton Thunder team merchandise that caught Albert's eye. He was looking at the jersey with the team logo. It was white with dark blue pin stripes and 'Thunder' boldly written across the chest. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. In the eyes of a sheltered 9 year old boy, it was the ultimate. It practically oozed 'cool'. He wished with all his heart that he could have something that great, but he knew that his mother would never allow it. She hated all things to do with sports. And he knew he would never be allowed to wear it. He knew that she wanted Albert to always be properly presented wherever he went.
Without a word, his dad slowed down and stopped. He saw what his son was looking at, he knew what it would mean. This was an 'illegal' outing as it was. His wife would never have approved, so he told her they were going to the zoo. It would be an educational opportunity to see some of the newly arrived animals, he explained. Even to this idea, she was reluctant to agree. But he persisted. Albert's dad knew what would have to happen soon. He wanted his son to have at least one good memory of him, so he stopped and grabbed an oversized jersey for Albert. It would be way too big, but that only meant that he could wear it longer. And the longer he wore it, the longer he could remember today. Today and the fun time they had had together.
It was a 'Kodak moment' unfolding in front of her. Mona watched as this cute dad helped his son slip the jersey over his head. The big shirt came down to his knees, but the look in the kids eyes reflected such pride and excitement. He looked up at his dad, his face openly showing how much he loved him, and how much this moment meant to him. It would have made a touching ad. For Mona it was another one of those moments that brought a mixed bag of emotions. She knew she would never have any moments like this with a family of her own. It hurt, more than anything she could imagine. She loved children, and she ached deep inside, as she realized that her chance of having any of her own had just been ripped away. She had always planned on getting married and having children. Last year when she became engaged, she bought a house with a large family in mind. Her life seemed to be right on track. And then the accident changed everything.
She closed her eyes and sighed. Taking this job at the stadium had been an attempt to start a new life. One away from the memories of Norman. And she thought it again, "if only he hadn't gone on that last assignment, he would still be here with me." She shook her head, trying to move her mind far from the thoughts of his death and the empty hole it left in her heart. It had been hard. So hard. Her brother Leo tried to help. He had come to spend time with her after Norman's death. And he had wanted her to come out to Maine and stay with him for a while, when he had to go back home. Leo had always looked out for Mona. He was 15 years older than she was, but they had always been close. He had hoped that it would help if she could spend some time away to heal.
She appreciated his intentions, but without anything to keep her busy, it would only be torture to spend time dwelling on her loss. So Mona moved on in other ways. And she threw herself into her new job with an enthusiasm that was contagious. In a happy coincidence, the team was as good for Mona, as she was for them. The success of opening night was just the beginning. Mona was the best Thunders ambassador that they would ever have.
She focused her thoughts back on this touching father and son scene, her eyes followed them as they grabbed foot long hotdogs, drinks, nachos and a big blue puff of cotton candy. They finally disappeared from her sight. And she sighed again, before forcing herself back to the task she had set out to do. But the images kept with her. Reminders of what she would never have.
Albert would always remember that night. He and his dad had cheered the Thunders on to victory. They had eaten junk food until they were both sick. Then they had snuck back home tiptoeing through the house so they wouldn't get caught by his mother. Albert hid his jersey, keeping his and his dad's secret safe. Even after his dad left, he hid this secret. His mother would never understand what it meant to him. Just as his dad had planned, the jersey was the last connection that Albert had with him. And he treasured it. Albert turned 10 years old several months later, and by then he was alone with his mother. His dad was gone. And even at this young age, he knew why. He understood.
The moment his dad walked out, his mother would not mention him again. She acted as if he had never existed, and she expected Albert to do the same. For all the outward appearances he did. But when he was alone in his room, Albert would take out his treasure box. The one he and his dad had hidden under the floor boards in his closet. Albert would take out the jersey and slip it on over his clothes. He would carefully take items out of the box one at a time, allowing himself to remember and cherish the moments each item represented. He would finish by reading the letter that his dad gave him just before he left. Over the next years, their neighbor, Mr. Jordan would secretly give him the new letters that his dad sent to him. He would read those too, in order, and carefully replace everything in the box before hiding it away again. Mr. Jordan had been one of his dad's best friends in the neighborhood, and he had promised that he would look after Albert when his dad left. At first, he talked to Albert every day as he walked home from school. On very rare occasions, they would hang out together, just in the backyard, but his mother didn't even like that. So it happened less and less often, until not at all. Then Albert only saw him outside of his house after school, all he could do was wave. But, no matter what, Mr. Jordan would always find a way to deliver the letters.