On the Boardwalk

The Cranberries were singing "Zombies" on the radio, it had always been a favorite. Humming the tune, I watched the traffic go by, the road was busy, mainly because of the summer vacationers. Even in the evening, they rushed to the beach, most likely to romance someone, listen to the waves, or watch the stars.

I was on my way to the boardwalk to meet an old friend. Gina had left town almost as soon as she graduated from high school. She didn't write to anyone so it was a surprise when I got a phone call from her earlier today. She was back in town for a few days and wanted to touch bases.

Gina and I were not the closest of friends, we never went to each others homes after school. We primarily hung out together at the cafeteria, doing our homework and helping each other study. We never really talked about anything outside of school, she always was something of a loner.

The traffic let up and I managed to get to the boardwalk well within time to find the meeting place. It was a warm night, not muggy, with a slight breeze, just the kind of night I enjoy most. The skies were clear and the stars bright as my shoes hit the wooden boards of the walkway leading to the boardwalk. Small family groups and couples meandered about, talking in gentle whispers and soft giggles.

As I neared the gaming area, I could see hawkers calling out to passersby,"Try your luck!.. ten balls,ten tries... Hit the balloon and win...". Clusters of people gathered around the hawkers, some to impress, others to have fun. Cries of dismay, delight and laughter filled the area as I continued walking.

The Arcade was our meeting place, locals went there as it was less busy than other sections of the boardwalk. You could actually talk without feeling as if others were crowding you and forcing you to continue walking.  Outside of locals, the only people to visit the building were  twelve and thirteen year old boys trying their luck on the newest video game or trying to figure out how to play pinball. There were usually a few kids arguing over tactics and this night was no different. Two boys were bludgeoning each other and calling each other names while a larger group surrounded them, egging them on. At least they were on the other side of the building, no doubt the owners would soon kick them out and things would quiet down soon. I passed the group and continued through the building.

"Veronica. Ronnie, is that you?"
I turned my head to see a strange woman looking at me, her make-up was overdone and she was wearing a half cut tube top. I could see the bottom of her breasts hanging out of the bottom and her shorts were more like underwear, so shear you could almost see through them. I pretended not to notice her and continued onward.

The woman grabbed my arm,"Veronica, that is you, I know it is." When would this woman leave me? I turned to her trying not to really notice her and said, "I don't know who you are, please let me go, I am meeting someone." Her eyes squinted and her lips pursed as she looked me in the eye, "You are meeting me. Don't you recognize me?"

That made me stop and really look at her. Her eyes were kind of yellowish, with pinkish veins spread out like rays. She looked at least twenty years older than me as the flesh of her cheeks and forehead were creased with lines. Still, there was something about her that seemed familiar. I know I looked confused as she watched me looking at her. Her lips grew even thinner as she quietly spoke, "It's me, Gina."

She let go of me suddenly as I looked at her, my shock and confusion coming in waves. What on earth had happened to her? She was so bright and now, before me stood a woman who was more a living husk of the person I once knew. "Gina? No, really? Gina?" I took her hands in mine  and tried to find her old stature but she smoothly slid her hands away.  Fumbling for words I felt tears trying to spill from my face. Shaking my head, I pointed to a bench and sat down, as she sat beside me I turned to her, willing the tears away, "Tell me what you've been up to."

I sat as she told me about her life. She had moved to Atlantic City and somewhere along the way had become a drug addict, it wasn't long before she was taking tricks to pay for her habit. She spoke of many things which made me shudder inside, things no one should experience. To her though, these acts were part of life.

She called me a sheltered bitch and I nodded, what else could I do? Yes, I had been sheltered but tonight my eyes had been opened. "Gina, why did you call me?"

"I wanted to see if I could turn back time. To see if I could live like you do, but as soon as I came back home I already knew the answer. I could quit drugs and stop hooking but I can never again be like you. I've seen too much. I wanted to see if a person like you would see me as normal, as worthy of life. You don't' know me, you never knew what my life at home was like, you never asked about me, what I wanted in life. No one ever asked, I was alone and you are the closest thing I ever had to a friend."

I didn't know what to say. Words were stuck in my throat, jumbled up with confusion and pity for someone I once spent time with, wiling away the lunch hours until the bell rung. I had thought of her as a casual friend, an acquaintance I had something in common with and yet, I knew she was right. Bowing my head in shame, I stood up and smiled at her, "Let's walk and get to know each other."

On the Boardwalk: conclusion