Chapter 5 [Moe's Bar, Brooklyn (or what seemed like it)]
Steve stumbled over the threshold and into the expanse beyond. His eyes swept the area recognizing the Flatbush landmark's main dining area instinctively. Booths of chipped and worn oak, maple and pine lined three of the four walls. The aged wood floorboards creaked under his dress shoes. Other tables sat around them. A circular bar with darkly stained stools sat in the center. The odor of stale peanuts and beer greeted his nostrils. He'd known this place of course since childhood. Except for its time as a soda parlor during Prohibition, the tavern had catered to the neighborhood's denizens offering them the best of food and drink. His mouth watered while recalling the corned beef hoagies that Mr. Fitzwalter would offer in exchange for afternoons of washing dishes in the back room.
For a family on the edge and a boy later living with others, Steve knew the opportunity he'd had and was grateful for it. In here, the faces seemed brighter. The bullies left him alone. His work was acknowledged. *He mattered.* He smiled warmly and nodded in acknowledgement toward the walls.
His ancient sanctuary offered back up a raucous scene more suited for the Stork Club than its normal goings-on. Many of the bar's regulars from the old days sat in their expected places. Familiar faces sat around the white tablecloth-covered tables singing and laughing over their drinks. In addition, others whom were not from Brooklyn but from other parts of his life accompanied them. Instead of the pictures lining the canary-colored wallpaper by the wooden door on the room's other side, a wooden stage had grown up to view and seemed almost an organic part of the scene. On it, a slender dark haired woman sang exquisite notes into a 1940's era microphone. Behind her, several men in white tuxes played various instruments.
"What the?" He considered the scene in awe. "Walt never would've…."
"Not down there he didn't," Dum Dum explained. His eyes twinkled. He was clearing enjoying Steve's response to the surprise of sorts. "Here we can improvise." He puffed away a few more times.
"More improvising," Steve realized. "Peggy said that we could get what we needed for our purpose."
"You might listen to her more, Cap," Dum Dum retorted pointedly. "Just a sec." He whistled shrilly. "HEY! HEY, YOU YARDBIRDS! LOOK WHO'S HERE!"
On cue, the entire room seemed to stop. Music, revelry, eating and drinking ceased. Every eye turned to toward the two newcomers.
"Dum Dum, you didn't have to…" Steve ground his teeth. Embarrassment flushed his cheeks. Insecurity ate at his resolve. "I'm not worthy of this! I didn't do anything special! All right? I just did my duty! I…" He stopped his protest at the sight of a couple getting up and hustling toward him from across the room. He couldn't believe it. "Mother? Father?"
His parents cut through the maze of tables around them. Then they ran across the open floor at a rate that Steve hadn't seen ever. Joseph Rogers stood tall. Unlike after the Great War, he didn't hack or hold his chest from the mustard gas' aftereffects. Sarah Rogers' eye twinkled. She smiled warmly. Her eyes glistened with Joy's sparkle.
"They're running?" Steve gasped.
"Yeah. Funny thing about this place." Dum Dum insisted. He nudged Steve again. "Go on, Cap. Even if you don't think you do, you deserve it."
Steve nodded numbly. He rushed forward. His mind still struggled to determine whether this was all real or some illusion concocted by Thanos or another of his enemies. He met his parents halfway across the open oaken expanse. His eyes analyzed their features and trying to discern their every hair and skin detail.
"Steven, it's us. Oh my boy! What has the world done to you?" Sarah asked desperately. She threw her arms around Steve and pulled her close to herself. "It's all right. We're here."
"You haven't failed, Son. You've succeeded admirably. I never lost faith in you. Not ever," Joseph affirmed strongly. He held his son's forehead against his chest. "Feel good about yourself. Please. It's all right."
"I…" Steve trembled. "I can't believe you're both here! You're okay again. What about the mustard gas and pneumonia?"
"They were left behind when we passed on here. It's the same as you being able to walk and move around," Sarah explained. "You've been through such an ordeal."
"And yet I'm here because of the opportunity. I'm so grateful to both of you." Steve tightened his embrace around them. Doubt now left his mind. "And thank you for helping Peggy with that picnic. It was great."
Sarah chuckled. "You're welcome. Margaret is such a dear girl. Wouldn't you say, Joe?"
"Remember what I said to you, Steven, about women?" Joseph asked expectantly.
Almost as if he were ten years old again, Steve straightened himself. He looked his father right in the eye. "Yes Sir. We're to treat that girl like a lady….like she's gold." He kissed his mother on the cheek. "Thanks, Mother."
"You're so welcome." Sarah squeezed her son's hands. "But there's someone else your father is referring to." She motioned over her left shoulder. "Can you come in please, Dear?"
The other occupants turned toward the far door in unison.
Hope beat in Steve's heart. His eyes surveyed the room again checking off the faces he saw. Still he did not find the one person he desired most. Even in an area full of well-wishers and warmth, he felt chilled and unfulfilled. Desperation clawed at his mind.
Peggy strolled in briskly. Her eyes sparkled confidently. Purpose weighed in each step. She smoothed her bright crimson evening dress with her hands to smooth out any wrinkles. She wore a simple golden chain around her neck. Relief eased her heart. She arched her eyebrow. "You made it, I see?"
"Thought this was supposed to be at the Stork Club," Steve jabbed instinctively. He turned back to his parents. "Will there be time later? I want to catch up so much and…."
"We have forever now, Steven," his mother assured him. "Go on. Peggy's waiting." Her smile seemed to broaden. Her eyes glistened with happy tears.
"Go on, Son. It's time," Joseph declared.
"Thank you both," Steve reiterated. Then he rushed across the room.
"Such a rush! Perhaps if you weren't so late, there'd be no need, Captain," Peggy teased. Her eyebrow arched at him. Her mouth twisted into a smirk.
"My ride just arrived. The Starks really need to work on their stuff. You know?" Steve retorted. He considered the area again. "Like what you've done with the place."
Peggy rolled her eyes. "It should have been at the Stork Club. Even with the old place being closed for the past half-century, we weren't about to let something small like that deny you your proper welcome. I'd never allow you to suffer such a second rate welcome, Steve."
"You were always looking out for me," Steve assured her.
"As you did for me." Peggy grabbed onto him. "Just don't let me go again. Please."
Steve savored the feeling of her in his arms. He kissed the crown of her head. He felt her heart beating against his chest somehow. "Never. I want nothing more than this." He gently raised her chin up so that her eyes met his. "And this." He leaned close to her. His lips whispered Amor's delicate notes across hers.
Peggy pressed her lips down on his. Her spirit soared. Her heart sang. She continued the contact not wanting to stop.
Finally Steve gently broke it off. He took a half of a step back. "I owe you that dance."
"Yes, Captain, I believe you do." Peggy turned to the stage. She nodded to the band there. "Shall I lead?"
"Where you go, I follow," Steve agreed readily. He gazed deeply into her eyes feeling intoxicated by her beauty and spirit. "I just hope I'm good enough."
"You're all the man I've ever needed, Steve," Peggy assured him. Her eyes shone caringly back into his as the first notes wafted delicately through the air. "Just follow and have faith." She took him in her arms and showed him the first few steps of their new dance.
Steve nodded. He followed her feet's movements trying to step in time with hers. Amazingly the entire exercise came readily to him. Even if they were on oak rather than polished parquet, he could care less. He was home in so many ways. Despite being around so many people, he felt at ease and relaxed. His mind focused only on her.
"You move well, Captain. It seems that this place can even make dancers out of us yet," Peggy supposed.
"You're beautiful no matter what, Peggy. I just care that you're here," Steve assured her. He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek while managing not to break stride.
"Why, Steve! You are learning to speak to women. I might not know what to think!" Peggy allowed herself a snort. She ran her hand through his blonde hair letting the strands slip through her fingers. "You grow for me. Please don't doubt yourself any longer. I know your heart. I know you."
"And I you," Steve agreed. Once again his lips met hers ceasing the conversation and allowing them both to focus on The Long Awaited Dance instead.
The band simply played on….
The singer grinned and sang that tune and a few more afterwards….
Around them, Joseph, Sarah and their friends simply watched in admiration and silence. They knew how long Fate had separated the dancing couple in question. Now the group allowed the duo their moment in time. More so, they savored how Devotion and Fidelity moved Steve and Peggy to their tune as much as the singer's voice did.
Faith and Love, it seemed, were their own rewards…..