Sunday July 25, 1988
“Well I know many of you will remember the time she challenged Marty Muskgrove to arm wrestling - “
From the crowd there’s a howl and a very tall, dark islander type stands up clapping.
“Mister Martin! You made it! Get on up here!”
Marci is the first to relate a fun memory after Steve and Tish, who followed the mayor, who followed Steve’s friend who had offered a very general blessing on those who were gracious enough to join us this lovely afternoon.
And it really was, 81 degrees and partial clouds. Nick had gotten there on his bike a little before noon and the rented tent was set up, with little functional purpose beyond a focal point, and Nick’s first duty was to run an extension cord to the edge of the park and mate it with a cord that someone had plugged into their house. At this point it seems Marci is a miracle worker.
They had a basic picnic spread for the core crew and most ate as they set up the stand of pictures and the sealed urn. Nick helped with the portable PA, not surprisingly marked as property of JHS.
His parents were out in the crowd along with seemingly half the town, at least the portion involved with the upper-class student body. Tim had talked to Irene last night and said he’d always thought Sabrina was “very cool and very smart,” and added, “this really bites,” which was a safe-house word they had come to know Irene didn’t mind so much.
Many stood around that didn’t bring chairs and it’s truly a celebratory event.
Marci continues,
“I’ll try to be brief, but one day some of the varsity football team joined us lowly middle schoolers at lunch, and this beefcake - I mean,”
Marci has to pause as the crowd roars and the legendary six-foot-seven oak tree of a defensive end strikes some poses before slipping an arm around her shoulders as he towers above in stark contrast to her compact, pallid frame.
“Yeah, all of this sat across from us, and somewhere along the line Miss Sabrina says she can beat him at arm wrestling if she puts her mind to it.”
“That’s my GIRL” Marty chimes in, to more cheers.
“We are mostly done eating and so the monitors organize as many spectators as possible. Marty here naturally just lets her try everything she can think of, feet on the table, climbing on his shoulders, and eventually he stands up and she’s hanging from his side trying in vain to move his arm until the bell rings!”
Marty stands there seemingly reenacting the same stiffarm stance as the crowd loses its mind.
“Alright, I think your laughter and cheers say it all this afternoon, thanks for being here Marty, and to all of you as well.”
This gets her a hug and smooch from the big dude before he re-joins the crowd.
Nick is in a dilemma at this moment, since they all insisted that he follow Marci before they invite folks from the crowd to relate a memory.
On the one hand, there’s no pressure since there’s a good vibe already, but on the other hand, there’s no way anyone could follow that. But this is not performance, it’s all for Sab, so here goes.
Nick proceeds up with the notes he had written out then keeps them palmed. The crowd has calmed down, and he clears his throat into the mic, even after testing it earlier, subconsciously as a way to get a feel for the volume.
“I was lucky to have Sab as my chem lab partner this past year, and we got to spend some time together, um, before the trip.”
Heaviness sets in just for a second, then this comes out of his mouth.
“We spent a couple days together just goofing around, one of those days started with her playing Iron Maiden on her bass, then ended up with me playing the bass while she played Smoke On The Water on her trombone - lying on her back, playing with one foot.” Instinctively he takes a long breath, then, “Thank you.”
Nick walks off to some genuine laughter but even louder applause as he takes his seat, feeling warm in the ears. Marci squeezes his hand,
“That was really nice.”
Deke takes his turn and relates one of the handful of times Sabrina would bring up a hypothetical trial situation and try to argue a win where there was none.
“I said Sabrina, my dear, there’s no way a sane judge would allow that.”
“What if I argue it with a plate of fresh cookies?” Deke throws his hands up and shakes his head as the crowd once again cheers our gal.
“Thank you all so much.”
And so Marci takes over as emcee for a season of sharing as folks slowly line up. Surprisingly only once does she have to gently prod someone to wrap it up after interspersing reminders here and there.
But at least, the fallen guest of honor, it feels like she’s really among them at least, at last, laughing along.
At some point Nick remembers the dream he had just before awakening.
The fair starts this coming Saturday and he dreamt of walking around, not sure with whom, when Danni passes by, and not a sight for the timid. She’s fully decked out, way beyond the minimal effects that work their wiles, this was full-on assault, burgundy stockings, long skirt, all cylinders firing but the makeup doesn’t cover any freckles, it makes ‘em pop. And to top it all off, well, that look, that expectant look, without a word, that says, your move.
Nick has to fight at some points to stay in the moment, as he definitely doesn’t want to go to the fair now.