Chapter 4: The Dream
Meg smoothed down her light blue, straight, calf-length skirt with her white-gloved hands. She then checked the pearl-like buttons on her bright white blouse and tugged at her ruffled collar. Next she straightened the wide-brimmed hat that matched the color of her skirt making her blond curls swirl and bounce on her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Screeeech! Meg's hands flew up to cover her ears and her face scrunched at hearing the loud squalling train as it attempted to make a stop at the station. A big puff of smoke burst out from the locomotive. Meg's heart did a flip-flop causing her to bite her lower lip and raise a hand to her chest.
As she looked on, a sudden rush of people began to file off the train. Soon the crowd dashed at each side of Meg, hurrying past her giving her no mind. The swarm of passengers became thicker and blocked Meg's view. She bounced up and down rising up on her toes and craning her neck to see above them.
As if on command the mass of people parted giving way to a young man with his back turned to Meg. She fell back on her heels and stood still barely breathing. The man began to turn. As he did Meg heard music. She listened intently hearing the Shirelles singing, "Soldier boy oh my little soldier boy…"
She squinted trying to see who this guy was. Starting at his duffle bag and moving to his polished, black shoes, her eyes slowly scanned up towards his face. She noticed the olive green uniform with shiny gold, round buttons up the torso. The man's face was looking down showing Meg the top of his hat. His head slowly rose. Immediately Meg saw the amazingly cute smile showing a perfect row of white teeth. Her eyes traveled upwards to see his eyes, but the brim of his hat cast a shadow to the tip of his nose.
A puzzled look on her face, Meg's gaze returned to the smile. She had seen that smile before. Who did it belong to? A hand crept up to the man's hat to remove it off his head. Meg sucked in a quick intake of breath, her eyes widening. The mystery man was soon going to be exposed. Out of nowhere Meg was somehow right in front of the young soldier as his hat came off, down in front of his face, revealing who he was. "You were my first love/ And you'll be my last love…," Meg heard the Shirelles singing again in the background.
"Hello Meg Pryor from East Catholic," the perfect, cute smile broke to speak.
Meg looked up into the dark brown eyes filled with joy and admiration as they intently gazed upon her. The image before her began to blur as tears filled her crystal clear blue eyes.
"Jimmy!" Meg cried out flinging her arms around the soldier before her.
Jimmy stepped back from the force Meg put into him from her hug and chuckled. Meg pressed her head against Jimmy's shoulder causing her hat to fall to the ground. She squeezed him tightly a broad smile quickly covering a now beaming face. Jimmy placed a gentle hand at the small of Meg's back and with the other cupped it over her jaw and cheek. Leaning down he softly kissed the top of her head.
"Goodbye Meg."
Meg was now standing alone embracing air. The chaos of the station engulfed her once again. She stood there dumbfounded.
"Meg honey. It's time to wake up."
Meg rolled over opening her eyes to find herself in her bed, morning light streaming through her window, and her mother sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I've been calling up here for awhile now. Did you not hear me?"
"I'm sorry mom. I…I guess I was dreaming and just…didn't hear you…I guess," Meg tried to explain, her voice sounding hoarse after just waking up.
"Well hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast is already on the table." Helen patted Meg's thigh and rose up off the bed to leave.
When her mother got to the door Meg called after her, "Mom?"
Helen turned to her daughter. "Yes?"
Meg pinched her lips together, let out a humph, and replied, "Never mind."
Helen nodded and rolled her eyes before she departed from the doorway.
Meg rolled on her back laying spread eagle, her dream even now very fresh in her mind. She could still see the vivid colors, hear the distinct sounds.
"Soldier boy oh my little soldier boy," Meg sang, "I'll be true to—" She stopped herself noticing what she was saying. I can't be true to Jimmy. I'm with Luke! Meg scolded herself.
She hopped out of bed and dressed. Looking herself over in the mirror she thought, I need to talk to Rox. Then staring back at her gaze in the reflective glass she said, "I'm with Luke. Stop thinking about Jimmy!" She then darted out of the room to run downstairs and eat her breakfast that was quickly getting colder with each passing second.