Jack Frontenac separates himself from his classmates touring the newest wing of Perry High from where they all graduated twenty years ago.
Jack decided to accept the invite of a picnic, this tour, and the reunion dinner in hopes to reacquaint himself with friends and acquaintances. During the picnic and this tour, he learned that most of his friends during those years were not in attendance, especially the one he most wished to see again.
Jack wanders off to a now darkened auditorium. Jack chuckles and shakes his head as he remembers his crazy but successful demonstration of his admiration for Jill Norris. From that moment until the end of their senior year, he and Jane shared many dates and wonderful times together. He hoped to see her at one of the events of this reunion, but she has been absent so far.
As Jack turns to walk away, someone from out of the shadows somewhere down the aisle near the front of the auditorium calls his name. He believes he recognizes the voice of a classmate who has gone to Hollywood to play major roles in some successful films.
“Jill, Jill Norris, is that you hiding in the dark?”
Her face is illumined by a small beam of light from an exit sign over a side door on an aisle to Jack’s right. She is still fantastically beautiful and her smile although almost veiled in darkness still is so inviting.
“Are you lost?” Jack approaches Jill.
“I could ask you the same question?”
“I think I want to be lost right now – in the past, not the present. Just for a few moments.”
Jack stops when he is just a couple of feet away. Jill is illumined enough to see that maturity has taken a pretty teen and made her beautiful.
“I’m just going to say it and hope you don’t think me silly or superficial, but you are more beautiful today than twenty years ago.”
“Thanks. I still like to hear it, especially from you,” Jack notices Jill doesn’t blush. She probably hears it all the time being a popular actress in the film industry.
Jill draws near Jack and heaps a pinch of his shirt sleeve, “ I could say the same to you, Jack. But unlike me, your beauty runs deep into your soul.”
“Unless you have changed altogether differently, I believe I can say that of Jill Norris.”
“Not with certainty, Jack,” Jill releases Jack’s sleeve and takes a step back, but continues to look Jack eye to eye. “I’m a Hollywood actress. I play roles that aren’t me. My publicity promotes an image of me that often is not the real me. I’ve played so many roles, I am not sure I know the real me.”
“In many ways, I believe we all are playing roles. We do what is expected of us from the cues of others. We mimic those we respect and trust. We do this to discover who we are.”
Jill moves close enough again to pinch a portion of Jack’s shirt sleeve, “ Have you? Have you discovered who you are?”
“Let’s say I am learning why I am and what contribution that is for those around me.”
“Is it a secret? Why are you here?”
Jack takes Jill by the hand and gently leads her to the room adjacent to the auditorium. As he had hoped, it is still the band room.
He releases his grip and darts toward the piano in the room. Jill does not follow, but stands wondering.
“Do you remember this tune?” Jack begins to play the song he wrote especially for her over twenty years ago and played for her in front of many of the students trying out for the school play.
“Of course, I remember. I was never so embarrassed in my life or never felt so loved and valued.”
I have only these three words to say
I have pondered them night and day
I need you to know it is still true
Dear Jill Norris, I love you
“Here’s the truth. I’ve learned something that will make my love for you and others even stronger by being more about you and less about me,” Jack declares while continuing to play the refrain over again.
I searched the whole world far and wide
Yet no matter how hard I tried
I never found a love more true
Than God’s love for me and you
Jack stops playing for a moment. His hands remain poised above the keyboard, though. Jill Norris stands still and quite absorbing the multiple messages delivered. Jack begins to play slowly singing tenderly.
I have searched the world far and wide
Doesn’t matter, Jill how hard I tried
These words are even more true
Dear Jill Norris, I love you
Jack stands and takes a couple steps toward Jill who stands both hands pressed together in front of her. Jack stops, his heart pounding. Jill slowly shuffles to Jack, opens up her hands and plants one of each on opposite sides of his face.
Jack and Jill
Both stand still
Wondering woe or bliss
It’s soon known
If his chance blown
Jill gives Jack a kiss
Categories: Love Spirituality and Religion
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 