The Summer of 79 Part 2 (What if.....)

Its about choices....what if things were different

The Summer of ’79

 

 

It was July of 1979

Denise was sweating

She couldn’t wait to go home

From a long days work

And she suddenly bumped into

A Friend she hadn’t seen in 4 years

Since they graduated College together

“Justine”…Denise called

And the two hugged

As if it were a scene from a movie

They decided to link up almost immediately

The next day they got together

It would be a day of sight seeing in New York City

 

On a beautiful summer day

The two sat on the city bus

One of the longest New York buses

Both have ever seen

Justine kept falling down laughing

Since she couldn’t stay in her seat

Denise was taking pictures

Of the fun she had with her other half

The two walked into the village

And found an open Mic showcase to attend

Denise never been on stage before

Justine encouraged her to go

But Denise wasn’t ready

Yet watching everyone else’s creativity

Gave Denise more of an incentive

To get up there

Perhaps next time

 

That same night after having such a good time

The both took a cab

To the Staten Island Ferry

Justine layed on Denise’s lap

Denise stroked her face and hair

Realizing to herself

She was the happiest girl in the world

 

A couple of weeks later

The two would head back to

Open Mic Night Showcase

Denise would get up there and perform

A Dialogue of “Have You Ever”

The audience loved her performance

Justine soon became inspired

Once the showcase was over

The two would have a drink

Denise leaning on Justine

And for the first time

They kissed

 

The connection was long overdue

The magic and chemistry was there

Why it took so long

Neither one now cared

 

It was 2^nd annual Pride day

Denise, Lorraine and Justine linked up

Lorraine noticed everyone looking at the two of them

Lorraine couldn’t help how good they looked together

Denise held Justine’s hand

For the first time between them

It felt natural

They walked hand and hand

Threw the food courts in the Village

Took pictures

Just simply having a good time

Justine was the happiest she ever felt

Lorraine couldn’t help but to be happy for the both of them

 

Denise and Justine hung out exclusively

One day Justine picked Denise up

In her 1975 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Justine braided her hair

Denise thought she looked beautiful

They would go out dancing

Have a few drinks

Watch the sunrise

And Justine gave Denise a kiss in the am

As she dropped her off to her home

Justine was so high off life

Justine’s feelings for Denise

Began to grow faster than usual

 

Everything changed a week later

The two would chill at Denise’s home

They caressed each other

Kissed and one thing almost led to another

Justine grabbed Denise

Somehow a flashback of an abusive relationship popped in Denise’s head

Denise slapped Justine

Calling her every derogatory name

(That she couldn’t say to the person that hurt her years prior)

Justine was hurt

Denise pacing back from bathroom to the kitchen

Justine had her head down

With tears falling down her face

While sitting on the couch

Suddenly she began to get her things

Headed straight to the door

Denise ran after her to not leave

She apologized for what was said

The PAIN was just too deep

Justine couldn’t even look at Denise

Cause she was already filled with tears

Justine left

And sat in her car for 30 minutes

Contemplating whether she should go upstairs or not

She looked up at her apartment window

She turned off the cars engine

Decided to go back into Denise's house

To talk this face to face

Denise unexpectantly heard at knock at the door

Denise filled with tears opened it up

There was Justine

Denise smiled and held her saying she was sorry profusely

Justine accepted her apology because she was in love with her

It would be the first time Denise would open up to Justine

What happened to her over the years

The mental and verbal abuse she encountered

The pain she carried

How she was never able to love someone until now

Denise went to her audition

And won an opportunity of her life

Justine on the other hand a teacher in public school system

heard the news from Justine and was very proud of her

There would be one problem

Denise would have to move 

And Justine couldn't imagine leaving her career and family behind

Denise knew that and had to make a decision

Justine told her to follow her dreams to go and not allow anyone to hold her back

Denise didn't want to leave her Beloved but she had to make a decision

A week later

Denise packed her things

She gave Justine her apartment to live while she was away

Just like that...she was gone

Both Justine and Denise exchanged letters every week

they send pictures with their letters

They would have huge phone bills talking to one another

When Denise got even busier the weekly letters stopped

The phone calls where at a minimum

Justine was left heartbroken thinking she would never see her again

Justine began writing

Her title would be "My Thoughts...My Feelings"

Justine wrote like she never wrote before

Feeling as if the love of her life will never return

It was over

30 yrs later

Denise stayed in a senior citizens home 

Unbeknownst to her Justine was across the Hall

Justine developed Dementia over the years

And to keep her memories from disappearing she collected pictures of Denise

Denise bumped into Justine saying "Don't i know you"

Justine responded by saying "You don't look familiar"

Denise suddenly had tears in her eyes cause it was Justine

She recognized the tattoo on her right wrist with number the 4 on it

Justine had no clue who she was and walked away

One day curious Denise went into Justine's room

Justine came in right after her saying angrily "What are you doing here...get out of my room" 

Denise said "Its me you don't remember me....look at the pictures on the wall"

There were pictures of Denise's awards she accepted, poems she collected that she had framed

Justine looked up at the wall and said "Memories of  people in pictures last longer than people themselves"

Then she turned around and looked at Denise again and recognized her tattoo

Justine stood there covered her mouth then her face

Denise hugged her and said "I miss you"

Justine and Denise laid on the bed together

Denise holding her tight saying i'm never letting you go this time

Justine said "you promise can we go back and rewind time

Lets be young again and do all the things we didn't get the chance to do"

So they both closed there eyes

and held each other tight that night

The next morning

A nurse walked in

A found them both still holding each other

This time

They both died

Together

 

 

Dyanna Pappalardo aka PoetiqueSoul

August 24th, 2011

Author's Note

This is part 2 version of Summer of 79