Chapter 8 conclusion
July 4th 1985 Thursday
Tomorrow would be back to the routine of DC, but today would be filled with celebrations. Amanda commented, "I'm glad our hotel was only a couple of blocks from the old statehouse." She quickened her step and continued, "It's almost time for the 10 A.M. reading of the 'Declaration of Independence' from the balcony."
Rounding the corner to the old brick building standing since 1713, Lee pointed out, "This is the birthplace of the American Revolution. This is where the colonist protested British rule, and where the British opened fire on the crowd resulting in the Boston massacre of 1770."
Amanda added excitedly, "Last night I was reading over some brochures before falling asleep. We're standing in the same spot where the 'Declaration of Independence' was first proclaimed in July 1776. Afterwards the crowd took down all symbols of British rule, the bronze lion and unicorn were burned in a bonfire, and the street below was renamed from King Street to State Street."
Looking up at the American flag draped across the historic terrace, Lee surmised, "I bet it's been about 209 years since the British were allowed to step foot on that balcony."
"You'd lose that bet." Amanda winked, "Does Queen Elizabeth II count? She addressed the crowd from that very same spot when she toured America during the bicentennial celebrations in 1976."
The ceremony was about to begin. Lee whispered, "When we're done here, let's walk over to the waterfront. At 11 a.m. the USS Constitution sets full sail into Boston Harbor for her annual turn around. At noontime there's a twenty-one gun salute off Castle Island."
Thomas Jefferson's words soared above the masses assembled on State Street.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…
A sense of pride was visible on the faces of the independent and proud American's below.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…
At the conclusion of the event everyone cheered. Amanda suggested, "Just down the street the colonist debated 'no tax on tea' at the old south meeting church. They're having a re-enactment, followed by a march to the Boston Tea Party ship to throw the tea overboard. Do you want to join them?"
Lee declined, "No, not really, I prefer chowder to tea."
The puzzled look was soon erased from Amanda's face as they joined the thousands gathered along the waterfront for the harbor festival. They sampled the offerings of dozens of restaurants participating in this year's chowderfest.
Lee insisted, "We want to be fair, we're gonna have to try all the entries before we vote for Boston's best chowder."
After lunch, Amanda enjoyed taking in the sights and activities from the harbor, but wondered about the skyscrapers that loomed behind them. Pointing to the glimmering glass structure she asked, "Lee, how 'bout we take the view in from the top of the tallest building in New England?"
Walking arm in arm, Lee and Amanda crisscrossed through Boston common and the public gardens. They stopped long enough to watch the swan boats circle the pond to the delight of the families aboard them. They exited near Copley Square, and ascended to the observatory on the sixtieth floor of the new John Hancock tower.
Inside the glass tower, exhibits and dioramas of Boston existed in miniature. Hundreds of photos documented Boston's history. Nearby guides offered insight into the past, and comments on present day life in the hub.
One exhibit showed the route of the Boston marathon. The guide explained, "It began in Hopkinton, twenty-six miles three hundred and eighty-five yards away. This year was the 89th running of the event whose finish line was two blocks away, in front of the Prudential tower. Starting next spring, the finish line will be moved in front of this building, John Hancock Insurance Company is the new sponsor."
Amanda listened intently while Lee disappeared long enough to make the required daily check-in call. The guide continued, "The Boston marathon had produced more than local legends. Joan Benoit from Maine broke the world record time for women by more than two minutes here, and won last year's marathon event at the LA Olympics. Bill Rogers from Massachusetts won the marathon four times and opened the first running store in Faneuil Hall. New Englanders would recognize these names as easily as the Celtics' Larry Byrd or the Bruins' Bobby Orr."
"Why is race held on a Monday?" A curious tourist inquired.
The guide explained, "It is part of the Patriot's Day celebrations. It was April 19th; the shot heard around the world, Paul Revere's ride shouting the British are coming. The battle of Lexington and Concord are all recreated. Up till 1969, before the advent of Monday holidays, it was always celebrated on the actual day, now it is celebrated the third Monday in April."
Lee returned to find Amanda looking through one of the many telescopes mounted throughout the observatory. The imprinted legend on the wheel indicated she was looking east. Lee inquired, "Can you see the Provincetown lighthouse?
Amanda replied, "I can make out the elbow and the tip of Cape Cod, but it's too early in the day for the light to be flashing."
Moving on, they came to an exhibit on the construction of the tower. A guide explained, "Built in 1976 by I.M. Pei, many of the 10,000 windows habitually fell out, as the building responded to the pressures of wind and changing heat. Fortunately, no one was ever injured by the falling glass. The problem was fixed by installing a network of sensors stuck on each window, giving a control room early warning of when a window's vibration suggested it might be next to go."
"Oh my gosh!" Amanda remarked.
Lee responded, "I wouldn't want to be walking down the street when that happened."
They walked along the perimeter, taking in the unobstructed views from the new tower. It overlooked the original Hancock Tower, whose flashing lights normally predicted the weather.
The parks along the Charles River stretched out for miles across adjoining towns. They provided a sanctuary for people to jog, skate bike, or enjoy a picnic. It was Boston's back yard earning the nickname the emerald necklace.
Amanda observed, "The Esplanade is filling up, we should probably go claim a spot to watch tonight's show."
With his arm protectively around Amanda they strolled over to the Esplanade. The waterfront along the Charles River came alive with 300,000 people anticipating the evening's events.
It was sunny and clear in the 80's excitement filled the air. It was a perfect day for the masses that began to assemble at dawn. The crowd passed the time with picnics, board games, Simon says, cribbage, all sorts of amusement until the sun would set and John Williams would grace the stage conducting the Boston Pops for the second time.
Amanda looked at the crowd and remarked, "Lee, they must have started planning for tonight's show 364 days ago. There are plenty of volunteers all around us,and so much to organize for an event this large."
Lee responded, "Yeah, the traffic has been suspended from Storrow drive, no more boats are allowed along the Charles. It's filled to capacity as if it were rush hour on the expressway. They keep a safety zone cleared around the barges that provide tonight's fireworks."
The announcer began "Happy Birthday America, and lets hear it for the Boston Pops, as they celebrate their first 100 years."
John Williams took the stage and began the evening's performance with 'Olympic Fanfare' that he wrote for the LA Olympics. Some works of Leonard Bernstein followed. The first hour of the show ended with the theme from "Superman" and its love song 'If You Could Read My Mind.' Amanda wondered sometimes if Lee would ever be able to read her mind.
Intermission ended as darkness deepened over the Esplanade, the first notes of the Star Spangled Banner began and 300,000 people stood up and started singing the national anthem. Lee and Amanda shared one of the programs that had been distributed which included the words for 'This Land Is Your Land' 'America, the Beautiful' 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and 'You're A Grand Old Flag.' Each of them singing as loud as they possibly could. As the last song played, a colossal flag the width of the stage was unrolled from the ceiling of the Hatch Shell. Not a person remained seated in the joyous crowd, many waving miniature flags, as they sang along praising America.
The grand finale was approaching; the first strands of Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' filled the air and the crowd applauded with anticipation. Real cannons shot into the night air, with bells ringing from a nearby church steeple as the fireworks exploded.
The sky was ablaze with light and color Amanda and Lee ooo'd and ahh'd along with the crowd. Coordinated with the music emanating from the Boston Pops, fireworks exploded above. From golden 'Roman Candles', to the grand finale of triumphant red white and blue 'Chrysanthemum' and 'Peony' shells, which erupted simultaneously and filled the summer sky.
"How lucky we are to celebrate America's birthday with a good old-fashioned Fourth of July in the city where the American Revolution began." Amanda looked over the festive crowd before continuing, "All these people celebrating America's birthday and all the freedoms that we were granted over 200 years ago..."
Lee continued her thoughts, "The freedoms our nation has fought wars for, and government agents have risked their lives for. That we protect each and every day. This is why we do what we do. So that people can choose how they want to live their lives each day without restrictions, the freedom to choose."
Amanda added, "The freedom to gather on Boston's Esplanade on the Fourth of July, peacefully waving flags and enjoying the music, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, to openly assemble and join clubs… I'm really grateful for that one."
"Freedom to assemble and join clubs I'm all for. They make for good excuses when you need to get out of the house in a hurry." Flashing a knowing look he asked, "Didn't you use that line on your mother, what was it you mentioned, off to save the clams?"
With a chuckle Amanda replied, "Yeah I did." Looking directly into those dazzling hazel eyes she added, "the way I see it, if we didn't have so many clubs and organizations, there would be no need to distinguish between them with insignia pins, or little red hats."
A dimpled grin replaced Lee's questioning look as he realized where this conversation was headed.
"If I didn't walk onto a trainload full of Shriners, I would have missed the past two years of my life."
Stepping closer and giving her a wink, "Ah Amanda, adventure, danger, intrigue, and me."
"Well I wouldn't have put it in that order." Amanda conceded.
Teasingly acting surprised Lee replied, "Ah, but I do make the list."
Her brown eyes sparkled as his arms found their way around her and she admitted,
"The top of the list."
With what seemed like an invitation to proceed, Lee leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on her lips.
"Amanda, I'm glad you didn't miss the last two years, too."
Experiencing a level of contentment that was unfamiliar, a bewildered Lee wanted this newfound pleasure to continue when they returned to DC. It was too soon to think about dating, but there was no reason not to spend more time together, as friends. Maybe they could take in a show at the Kennedy Center. That's something that friends would do.
Somewhat nervously, quite against type for an intelligence agent, Lee proceeded, "Gee, Amanda, sorry you were tied up all week in Boston, well not really, I'm glad you were up here helping me out, what I meant was, sorry you didn't get to paint your room like you planned." Shaking his head he realized he had been rambling on, Lee added, "I guess I'm beginning to sound like you…"
"Lee, that's okay, it waited three years, I guess it can wait some more."
A dimpled grin overtook Lees face as he proclaimed, "I'm pretty good with a paintbrush, if you need a hand, I could come over Saturday, help you move the furniture, tape off the windows, and start the paint job."
Amanda returned a warm smile as she spoke, "Lee, that's so sweet of you, you mean we could work as a team, as partners and get the job done twice as fast?"
Lee nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we do work well together."
A mischievous sparkle lit Amanda's eyes as she asked, "There's just one thing I need to know.
Can you paint a rocky seascape with twin lighthouses?"
The End