The Lost Lloyd
Chapter 7 - Epilogue
It's nighttime at the City Park. The sun is just starting to disappear behind the trees, as two people are walking amongst them. Rhonda is dragging along her older sister, Rima by the hand, as they both are laughing. Rima is blindfolded and occasionally they have to pause so that she can regain her footing. At last, Rima's curiosity gets the best of her.
Rima: Okay Rhonda - now can you tell me where we're going?
Rhonda: Not yet - you don't want to wreck the surprise, do you?
Rima: I can still act surprised, can't I?
Rhonda: Alright Rima - we're here. You can take the blindfold off!
Rima lifts the blindfold from over her eyes and the first thing she is met with is a great big "SURPRISE!". Rhonda has taken Rima into a secluded area of the park, where all of their friends and family have gathered just for the occasion. Everyone is wearing 60's-themed clothing; the students from Rhonda's class are all wearing their tie-dye t-shirts that they made. Behind the group blazes an enormous campfire. Suddenly Rima is overcome with emotion and she covers her mouth with her hand. Rhonda is concerned.
Rhonda: What's wrong, Rima?
Rima:(wipes eyes) N-nothing, it's just that...wow...is this all for ME?
Mrs. Lloyd: Why, of course it is, dear! Why else would all of us be gathered here?
Rhonda: I know we didn't have much time, so I talked to Mr. Simmons, and she was able to organize the whole thing.
Rima: Sunchild?
Mr. Simmons emerges from the cirlce, fully dressed in hippie "entourage", complete with moccasins, leather fringed vest, sunglasses, tie-dye tshirt and, to Rima's amusement, a wig of long blonde hair.
Mr. Simmons: Just think of it as our little way of saying thank you for all that you've done, Rima.
Rima: Oh, Sunchild - come here!
Tears stream down her face as she runs to the 4th-grade teacher and nearly tackles him with her embrace. Once he regains his footing, he slowly wraps his arms around her and returns the hug.
Rima:(whispers) Thank you, Sunchild...nice wig...
Mr. Simmons: Well, you know what they say - you can take the teacher out of 60's, but you can't take the 60's out of the teacher.
Rima: They sure can't...
They hug again. Nadine, who is in the crowd, covers her mouth to suppress a giggle; Phoebe looks at her in confusion.
Phoebe: Are you okay, Nadine?
Nadine: Yeah, I'm fine...I just had a funny thought...
A few yards away, someone is taking a casual stroll through the park. The person is a man in his late-50's with slightly balding grey hair and a guitar in his hands. He looks up at the sky and sighs in content.
Man: Man, this sure is a nice park. I wish there were places like this on all of our tour stops. Say now - what's going on over here?
Spotting the campfire, the goes to take closer look. Following the light of the flame, he eventually finds himself in the area where the group has congregated. Sid is the first to notice the travelling stranger, and takes the opportunity to point out his presence.
Sid: Hey look! It's singer and folk-song legend, James Taylor!
Everyone turns their attention to the man, and sure enough, it is indeed the legendary artist himself. He smiles and waves to the group.
James Taylor: Hey now! How's everybody doing this evening?
Rima: Wow, I can't believe it! It's really you!
James Taylor: Sure is. And if I'm not mistaken, you're the lovely young lady who took a stand to save this park that we're in. Heard all about it on the news - that was a very righteous thing you did.
Rima: This is SO incredible - not only did you organize this groovy bonfire, but you were actually able to get my all-time favorite artist to come and pay me a special visit! I had no idea you went through so much trouble!
Mr. Simmons: Um, actually Rima--
Rima: So, Mr. Taylor - have you come to play us a few songs?
Rhonda: But Rima, we--
James Taylor: Of course, anything for my biggest fan.
Rima squeals with delight. James Taylor winks at Rhonda as he takes a seat in front of the bonfire.
James Taylor: I'd like to start off with one of my personal favorites. I think you all know this one pretty well, too.
JT tunes up his guitar and begins to play "You've Got a Friend". As he's playing, everyone forms a circle around the bonfire, and sways with the melody. About halfway through the song, Harold is struck with a realization.
Harold:(whispers) Hey Sid - wasn't this song written in the 1970's?
Sid: Yeah...but who cares?
When he's finished. JT stands up and takes a bow. The entire cirlcle roars with applaud and accolades.
JT: Once again, dear, it's been a pleasure. Now, I must be on my way.
Rima: So soon? Couldn't you stay just a little while longer?
JT: (checks watch) Not unless I want to start a mass riot at the peace concert. I'll see you all later! You've been a great audience!
Everyone says goodbye to James Taylor has he exits the park area. Mr. Lloyd then clears his throat to get everyone's attention.
Mr. Lloyd: As..."riveting" as that ballad was, I think we all would agree that it's time to kick it up a notch. Brooke?
Mrs. Lloyd turns stereo she has in her hands and the Monkees "I'm a Believer" blares from the speakers. Everyone gets up to dance; Mr. Simmons hands Rima a guitar and she plays in tune to the music. Helga, who is also dressed as a hippie, sits with Olga with a sour look on her face.
Helga: I can't believe you made me wear this stupid outfit, Olga. I look like such a...
Arnold: Hey, Helga - nice outfit. You wanna dance?
Helga:(blushes) Uh, sure, Arnold...
Arnold takes Helga's hand and the two of them join in on the dancing. Helga glances back at Olga and mouths the words 'thank you'. As the group continues to dance, Rhonda approaches her sister, who is still happily strumming away at the guitar.
Rhonda: Say, Rima? can I ask you something?
Rima: Sure.
Rhonda: Exactly why DID you decide to become a hippy?
Rima: Well, Rhonda...sometimes a Lloyd's gotta break tradition for the greater good.
Rhonda smiles at Rima, and she smiles back, and the two of them move to the rhythm of the beat, their shadows amplified against the bonfire that rises up towards the night sky.
THE END