Chapter 10: Surviving A Special Event

It's been a week since that Sunday when Dixie, Delilah, and I were doing what we could to fix the tanks. And sure enough, the automotive club took over where we left off since then. Got an earful from Dixie's mother about all three of us missing Service that day as well as hearing her reprimand her daughter for dressing in such a manner in front of a boy like me. That week came and went. I Had to oversee the repairs and we had to get ready for the following week.

The automotive boys were certainly something special in the school. They were able to put things together just by glancing the manuals and using their tools so sufficiently that my work with Delilah and Dixie looked like something done by toddlers. There were a few jokes said by them about the Major watching over them. There were times where I wondered what exactly did Delilah want out of me being there. Every day, it felt like she needed some method to mock me.

The last day of repairs went the same as usual. Only, once the boys were done, they left in a rather quick fashion.

"They can't be that excited about next week," Delilah chimed.

"Why-?" Dixie couldn't finish her question before Delilah raised a hand to her mouth.

"Think about where we're going to face off against our Brazilian contemporaries."

"Oh."

Throughout their conversation, I kept hearing my father's words echo in the back of my head. "God hates New Orleans!"

Every guy in Johnston was ecstatic we were going to New Orleans for our next tankery match up. All because that Tuesday was the day before Ash Wednesday... Mardi Gras.

I was forever thankful that my parents weren't with me in Johnston when this came to be. Delilah however, gave me that condescending grin of hers. All the other girls were excited to see the Confederados in the match up. Practice went without a hitch and we were about ready for the school to set sail for the bayou. That Monday, all the guys were talking about how to sneak out the hotel to see the lights and the women. I pondered if it would be worth it to join them. The bright lights and loud people would be a challenge to suffer through. But, you never know what you're going to do in the end.

All that was left was going through one more day of school. Classes were pretty much nonexistent. Too much clamor and noise from the students and even some teachers over what we should be doing to have fun in New Orleans. That Monday was also filled with chaos in the battlefield with practice. The girls were busy measuring each tank's speeds and looking for new ways to push them to the absolute limit. They even had Lee, Mosby, and Beauregard pull Stonewall with leads to help the tank go uphill faster than fifty feet an hour. I could only wonder what kind of field the Rebels will fight in since we only have a plains field to practice in. With the setting sun cast upon us, the night was called and we all went back to the garage. The girls gave their rebel yell, it was even louder than the previous practices and even when we won our match against the Serbians. These girls were certainly excited about Mardis Gras just as much as the boys.

Dixie waved at me as the other girls made their exit. In the span of a couple of minutes, it was just me and the captain of the Stonewall.

"What's on your mind?" I asked as we began climbing the Stonewall.

"Just wondering if you've got any plans for tomorrow night," she said as we both got inside the massive Tog II and closed the hatch atop us.

"Delilah got something she wants us to do?"

"No, not this time."

"You want a date?"

Dixie's face grew redder than the tomatoes you'd find in Italy. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet!"

"Then, what did you have in mind?"

"Well, I was thinking we could watch the parade from the rooftop."

"Of the hotel?" I asked as Dixie began fidgeting her fingers and twiddling her thumbs.

"Well, I figured you might enjoy some quiet while watching the chaos on the road."

I suppose she had come to know a few things about me by that point.

"Well," I started as I scratched the back of my head. "I wouldn't mind that."

Dixie's smile certainly lit up the tank as we enjoyed the next few minutes in there. By the time we got out, that smile was still on her face and I could feel one forming on mine. That night I could only lie down in bed and wonder. It was impossible to close my eyes with all those thoughts coming over me. Could there be something I wished to do with her tomorrow night? I tossed and turned as the clock moved forward and the school ship landed in the bayou.

The morning after, I was given the reprieve of a day with no school or practice. I could sleep as long as I wished for that day was none other than Mardis Gras. That day was the day I get to see why my father absolutely detests such a day and I closed my eyes once more. The darkness came back and I didn't even have a dream before a loud knock came from my door.

"Come on, lazy bones!" The voice certainly came from Delilah. "RISE AND SHINE!"

"Go away!" I yelled as I wrapped my ears with my blanket and comforter.

"I need you at the garage!"

"We don't even have practice today!" I yelled as I got up from bed clad only in my pajamas and blanket.

"We still have a meet up in half an hour!" Delilah answered before I opened the door. She was wearing an orange shirt with a purple skirt. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail and could be seen to spread a little on her back.

"What time is it?"

"It's a little past noon, Johnny."

"Do I really need to be there?"

"Of course, we need to give words of courage and wisdom for the troops."

"That's your job, not mine."

"It's both our jobs. We're commissioned officers."

"Last I checked," I said as I took a glance to my uniform hanging from the closet door. "I'm an engineer, not-"

Delilah seized me by the wrist. "You're coming, whether you like it or not."

"Aye, aye..." I paused as I saluted her with my left hand. "Cap'n!"

Such a mockery convinced Delilah to yank me out the door.

"Hang on!" I shouted as I freed myself from her grip. "I'm not even dressed yet."

"I doubt the girls'll mind~" Delilah mused as she rested her hands on her hips and gave me a smirk. "Just put some shoes on, you'll be fine."

"Alright."

It took eight minutes of walking for us to be back in the school campus. Why did it have to be like this? I just wanted to rest and relax before the big night.

"Any plans for Mardis Gras?" Delilah asked as we took the path to the tankery garage.

"I have something in mind..."

"Like watching the women earn their beads?" She gave me that same smile as earlier, only, a little wider.

"If things don't work out, I could try that. Though, that would require me to get into the streets. I can only imagine the noise would be too much even if I stayed in the hotel."

"Does activity just repel you?"

"I'd like to not think so."

"You have trouble just being around a crowd. Even with the other girls in tankery, you can't be in the garage for too long just from them talking and hollering."

"Is that really so bad?"

Delilah gave no answer and the conversation turned silent as we got closer to the garage. Our footsteps had a much different noise this time around. For once, I didn't hear the click and clack from our heels colliding with the ground. It was just a pitter patter this time around and each sound made indicated our destination was getting closer. Before I knew it, we were both face to face with the garage. The door was still closed and neither of us could hear anything from inside.

"If you never do anything, you're not going to live a good life," Delilah said as she reached for the door.

"That may be..." The door was opened and we could see there was nobody to be seen. "Last time I tried to do something, nothing good came of it."

"That doesn't mean you stop trying."

"Easy for you to say."

"What's that supposed to mean."

That familiar silence reentered our conversation. I could only shake my head and look away. "Let's just drop it for now. We're supposed to inspire the troops."

I could see the team captain glare at me at times when we waited. It quickly shifted to a bright smile as soon as the other tankmates arrived. The rest of that afternoon was a blur. Didn't bother listening to Delilah's impassioned speech. My eyes were too focused on Dixie that afternoon. But before I knew it, the sun was starting to set and all the girls gave the rebel yell. Each of the tankmates swiftly made their exit, all except for Dixie and Delilah.

"So~" Delilah chimed. "Anything going on with you two?"

Dixie blushed while looking away.

"We'll have to wait and see how the night goes."

"So you're going to Bourbon Street?" The team captain asked as she leaned against the Lee.

"I don't know," I said as I rubbed at my eyes. "Just doesn't seem worth it."

"How? You get to see something boys wish to see."

"Yeah, but, is it really worth the effort of sneaking out?"

"Oh well, whatever," Delilah waved it off as she headed to the exit. "Try to have some fun tonight, ok?"

I had a chuckle under my breath. "I'll do what I can."

"Same goes for you too, Dixie." And with that, Delilah's footsteps began to fade away.

Dixie was fidgeting her fingers as she raised her head. "I wish she didn't go that far."

I gave a slight smile. "I know the feeling."

"You do?"

"With Delilah, yeah."

"If it's not too much trouble, want to meet up after everyone else sneaks out?"

"Yeah, doesn't sound like a bad idea."

"We can meet up in the lobby and figure it out after that."

"Sounds like a plan," I said as we both left the garage and made sure to close the giant door.

The hours passed by a lot quicker than I expected. A lot of time was spent just getting off the ship and getting to our hotel to watch the parade and other activities. Strangely enough, we were rather close to Bourbon Street so it didn't take too long for the guys to find a way to escape and watch the women in the street earn their beads. I didn't have much of a problem when I got out of my hotel room and went straight to the lobby. One of the chaperones was standing right at the main exit door. She had her eyes glued to me as she glared into my soul. She was so focused on me that she didn't notice that two students were sneaking right behind her as they got to have their wonderful Mardi Gras experience. I stayed seated for a good fifteen minutes before Dixie showed up and walked straight towards me.

"Come on, the parade's starting!"

She took me by the hand and we both went to the elevator and before I knew it, we were in Dixie's hotel room high above the pretty lights and far enough for the hollering and screaming to not be too loud for my ears.

"Where's Delilah?" I asked as the commander of the STONEWALL handed me a glass of tea.

"She's somewhere down there, earning beads from a certain classmate."

"Wait, she has her eyes on someone?"

"Ehh, just not in the proper way."

I couldn't hold my laughter in. "I'm only relieved that it isn't me."

Dixie laughed back and turned to watch the festivity beneath. She mumbled something, I couldn't quite make it out.

"Did you say something?" I asked as I began sipping my sweet beverage.

"No, just, enjoying the view."

"Yeah," I had to look at her from head to toe. "Me too."