28
O livia followed Emilia back along the same route they had taken, one step off a full run. Up ahead was a growing cacophony—people shouting through loudspeakers, sirens wailing, music blaring, crowds laughing and shouting back. A complete and utter transition from the rainy silence that had defined Miramar since her return.
The basketball courts were empty save for two balls lying forlorn and forgotten. Doors opened as they passed. People called inside and shouted at neighbors and joined the mad rush.
Ocean Avenue was alive with gawking, confused locals. Olivia thought she recognized many of the faces, faint glimmers back to an earlier time. But what made it all different, what was truly special about the moment, were the smiles.
It was a parade only in the sense that there was a noisy procession of vehicles. The town’s fire engines came first, crammed with any number of men and women. Now and then a child raced up, arms outstretched, shouting words no one could hear. By the time the third truck trundled past, lights flashing and sirens whining, dozens of kids were onboard. They screamed laughter and waved at the growing crowds while dogs barked and their mothers shouted instructions the kids happily ignored. All the shops were empty now, all the sidewalks and side streets jammed, all the people confused and amused both.
Dillon rode atop the last fire truck, a red velvet Christmas cap slanted over one eye. A huge grin split his face. If Santa arrived by way of a pirate ship, he might have an elf resembling Dillon. And suddenly Olivia was laughing and crying both. Dillon had never been easy with his smiles. Seeing him this happy, completely abandoning the burdens he carried, gave the day a truly unique flavor.
Next came four squat ER vehicles, followed by six stained and battered power-company trucks. Portable loudspeakers and megaphones were strung along their roofs. As they passed, the music shifted from a Christmas carol to a rock song urging listeners to freak the system. While not in the best of taste, Olivia thought the tune totally fit the moment.
Berto and Gleason and Maud and Ryan and Porter and Bailey walked alongside the last vehicle, all wearing Santa hats, handing out flyers. As he passed, Berto paused long enough to kiss his wife soundly.
Gleason’s grin twisted his face into unaccustomed angles. He handed Olivia and the blushing Emilia a couple of flyers and yelled, “Never had this much fun without a hangover!”
She shouted, “What is going on?”
But Gleason had already passed her, singing along as the music shifted mid-song back to something Christmassy.