The American Dream Nightmare
written by: Michael Danese
The aroma of Sterno filled the night air. Stevie Wonder’s voice was singing his hit, “That’s What Friends Are For.” A group of people in their late thirties crowded the dance floor, and many sang along.
A large banner behind the DJ read, “Welcome Santa Clara High School Class of ’86!” Another banner on the side read, “20th Reunion!”
The next song was Bruce Hornsby’s hit, “The Way It Is.” Several of the couples had trouble dancing to this song, so they exited the dance floor.
Delia DeLyon and her husband, Billy, walked over to the bar. She was tall and slender, with blonde hair down to her shoulders. Her form-fitting dress made the exact statement she was going for. Billy was a large man with some gray mixed into his curly brown hair. He was wearing tight jeans, cowboy boots, and a blue sports coat.
“Billy, I was hoping that you would be here!” said a voice behind Billy, belonging to his old friend, August West. “This is my wife, Bonnie Lee,” he continued.
“It’s great to finally meet you,” said Bonnie Lee. “August has been reliving your old football days all week. You were quite the quarterback, from what I hear.”
“Oh, he lies!” said Billy. “Great to meet you too. This is my wife, Delia.”
“Yes, I know all about the ‘IT’ couple from Santa Clara High! The football captain and the cheerleader,” said Bonnie Lee, jokingly.
“I think we’ve just been reduced to a cliché,” Delia said sarcastically. “Oh well, if the high heels fit! It’s nice to meet you, too. And, by the way, August was quite the player in his day. Hey, Cassidy Jackson!” she said, distracted by another woman at the bar.
“Delia! Looking good, girl! Go Streaks!” said Cassidy.
“Go Streaks!” repeated Delia, as she struck a cheerleader pose, then hugged her friend.
Delia looked around, then said, “Here solo?”
“Yeah,” said Cassidy. “I guess you had no way of knowing, but I divorced Shannon two years ago. I also went back to my maiden name, Romano.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, honey,” said Delia.
“I’m not,” said Cassidy. “I’m better than ever. I just started dating a great guy. He couldn’t be here because of a business meeting in Singapore.”
“Singapore!” said August.
“Yes, and he traveled on his private jet!” added Cassidy.
“Quite the upgrade from Shannon,” said Delia, laughing.
Cassidy hugged her other classmates and met their friends. She noticed Reuben Hernandez walking in. “Reuben, over here!”
Reuben joined the group as August said, “It looks like most of our team is here.”
Reuben made the rounds, greeting everyone. As he was hugging Delia, she said, “Do you still have the hardware store in Monterey?”
“Sure do, and it’s going great, if I do say so myself,” Rueben replied.
“I’m so happy for you,” said Billy, shaking his old teammate’s hand.
“Hey, Delia! I thought I heard a ‘Go Streaks’ cheer over here!” a woman said as another couple joined the group.
“Rosalie McFall! As I live and breathe, and our track star, Franklin,” said Delia.
“Looking good, girl!” said Cassidy, “But you always did! And Franklin, so great to see you both again.”
The new couple also made the rounds and shared greetings.
“Well, you weren’t on the football team, Franklin, but I guess we will let you hang with us,” joked Billy.
“And how many state records do you have?” Franklin shot back.
“He’s got you there, old man,” said August.
“And all but the steeplechase record still stands,” added Franklin. “So great to see all of you. Billy, I followed your career at USC, then on the Chargers. That pass you made to win The Rose Bowl was a work of art! I was so upset when you tore your ACL.”
“Thanks, buddy, but it all worked out for the best,” said Billy, pulling Delia in for a hug.
“And Rosalie,” said Cassidy, “I’m pretty sure your record will never be broken. You were the first and last cheerleader to be class valedictorian.”
“Hey, cheerleaders can still be smart!” said Delia.
“Of course they can, but this one is in a class by herself,” said Cassidy. “A full ride to Stanford! You did us all proud!”
The group gave a smattering of applause.
“The dining room is open, let’s see if we can get one of the big tables,” said Reuben.
The group enjoyed dinner and continued to reminisce about their experiences and hurl the occasional good-natured insult. Bill started to clink his glass to get the attention of his tablemates. “Maybe I’ve had too many beers, but I gotta say, I’ve really had a great time catching up with you all. Let’s make a pact to meet at every one of these reunions. Some of us probably won’t see each other much in between, so this way we can keep the Streaks spirit going.”
They all clinked their glasses and agreed.
***
Adele’s hit, “Hello,” was blaring from the loudspeaker as many of the attendees sang along.
A large banner behind the DJ read, “Welcome Santa Clara High School Class of ’86!” Another banner on the side read, “30th Reunion!”
Delia and Billy were near the bar, talking, when Reuben Hernandez arrived. Reuben turned to his date and said, “Charise, this is who I was telling you about. I want you to meet Delia and Billy DeLyon.”
“I’m pleased to meet you. Reuben has been telling me about the old days,” said Charise, extending her hand to Delia.
Delia pulled her in for a hug, “And we’re thrilled to meet you, gorgeous! And get a gander at that rock!”
“Yes, we got engaged last summer in Hawaii,” Reuben said proudly.
Charise was a striking woman with long black hair and dark eyes. She was wearing a little black dress and black heels. She was several years younger than Reuben, but nobody seemed to care.
“Congratulations, old man!” said Billy, hugging him.
August and his wife, Bonnie Lee, joined the group. “Auggie, Reuben somehow convinced this beauty to marry him!” yelled Billy.
“Congratulations, Reuben!” He turned to Charise and continued, “Hi, I’m August West, and this is my wife, Bonnie Lee.”
“I feel like I already know you all,” said Charise as Reuben hugged her.
“I tried to fill her in on the ancient history,” said Reuben.
“I hope he was kind,” joked August.
“Well . . .” said Charise with a smile.
“And finally, here comes trouble,” said Reuben as another couple walked over. “Charise, meet Franklin and Rosalie McFall. This is my fiancé, Charise.”
“It’s a pleasure,” said Franklin. Rosalie hugged her, then the group greetings continued.
They were ushered into the dining room and took their seats around a table.
“If you don’t all mind, could you please tell Charise a little about yourselves? And I guess we can all use updates,” said Reuben.
“Sure,” said August. “For the past seven years, I’ve been working for NASA as an engineer. I’m on a top-secret team that is working to get us to Mars. If I tell you anything more, I’d have to kill you.” This was greeted by chuckles from the group. “But seriously, please keep that under your hat. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Too many beers already. Bonnie?”
“Hi again, dear,” said Bonnie Lee. “I’m an emergency room nurse at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.”
“She’s being modest. She’s the head nurse over the entire ED,” said August.
Bonnie Lee gave him a little shove with a laugh.
“Billy DeLyon,” said August, “please tell us how our quarterback and Delia are living the American Dream.”
“Well, I guess I can’t deny that!” said Billy. “Yep, after my NFL stint, I bought a vineyard. It’s a little slice of heaven. And speaking of heaven, we have a daughter. Althea is now four, and she’s daddy’s little girl for sure. Delia, is there anything you want to add about that?”
“Actually, I’m thrilled to tell you all that I’m two months pregnant!” said Delia.
The group howled with excitement, and congratulations were offered.
“I was wondering why you were drinking water,” said Cassidy. “It seems a bit out of character for you! And, of course, you still look fabulous in that dress,” she joked.
“That’s so great,” added Reuben, hugging her. “And how’s life at the vineyard?”
“Couldn’t be better,” said Billy. “We’ve added three more fields, and plan to add more each year. The hardest part is picking all the grapes, but it’s a problem I’m happy to have!”
“So, Rosalie McFall,” said Delia, “How is the world of high finance treating you?”
“Well, I certainly can’t complain,” said Rosalie, “All of those brilliant minds in Silicon Valley are great at writing code, but when it comes to their investments, they are clueless. That’s where I come in!”
“What if the market goes down?” asked Reuben.
“Ha!” said Franklin. “If the market goes down, we make money. If the market goes up, we make money! Having a good earner for a wife makes it easy for me to continue teaching at Berkeley. It’s a great school, but the pay is shit.”
“I guess that’s how the system works these days,” said August. “Are you still running marathons?”
“Truthfully, I got tired of marathons a few years ago,” said Franklin. “They are all the same. Long lines to register, crowds running elbow to elbow, strangers cheering, and at the end, there is a little medal if you win. And I certainly don’t need any more T-shirts!”
“I get it,” said August.
“I do, however, still love to run. I’ve devised a new passion,” said Franklin. “I run solo over rough terrain. Real cross country. It’s exhilarating. I get to spend time in my own head, and I can think so clearly when I’m running up a mountain path.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re nuts?” said Cassidy.
“I tell him that all the time! And, between us, I enjoy the peace and quiet when he is on his excursions,” said Rosalie.
“But seriously, it’s the coolest thing. Last year I ran up Pike’s Peak. The year before, Mount Tamalpais. I want to do Death Valley next, then Yosemite,” said Franklin.
“It actually sounds pretty awesome,” said Delia. “And Cassidy, are we ever gonna meet your mystery man?”
“I’m sorry, sweetie. He is at a conference in Portugal. He wanted me to come along, but I didn’t want to miss this!” said Cassidy. “Next time, I promise!”
The group of friends enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of the evening and vowed to keep in touch.
***
Over the next few years, the country went in a different direction. Then in 2020, Covid gripped the nation. When Bonnie Lee was stricken, August West was both depressed and furious. He sat next to his wife while she was on a ventilator. “A hoax,” he said to a nurse wearing a face shield. “This is far from a hoax! Why won’t the government listen to its own experts? They have the best in the world!?”
“I wish I could answer that,” said the nurse.
“This must be hell on you and your staff,” he said through his mask.
“To say the least. Super long hours, then when I finally get home, exhausted and sleep deprived, I need to put my clothes in a bag, then go right to the shower. Thank God my mom can look after my kids. I don’t know what I’d do . . .” she said as she began to cry.
“I’m so sorry,” said August, wanting to hug her.
When his wife’s lungs couldn’t fight the infection any longer, she slipped away. A large part of August died too. He threw himself into his work at NASA. He worked extra hours and on weekends, often mentoring the young engineers and interns, who had a great respect for him. Once a young woman joked that he should have a life outside of work. He responded with a blank stare.
***
Delia and Billy DeLyon had expanded their enterprise over the past few years, both professionally and personally. They added a third child, Jed, in addition to Little Billy and Althea. Delia reveled in motherhood. She still helped in the office, but her efforts had been slacking off.
Billy invested in an array of farm equipment. Although it was expensive, it was necessary to grow the business as he had planned. He borrowed against the land, their house, and the equity in the vineyard. They had a handful of full-time employees to keep everything running smoothly. There were plenty of supplemental workers to help with picking and preparing the different grapes for the fermentation process.
Their Cabernet has won ribbons in the state for the past two years, which helped drive up demand. Their Merlot was also a hot seller. Billy planted those grapes in the new fields that he developed.
***
Reuben and Charise spent the next several years focused on the hardware business in Monterey. Each year, Reuben expanded very methodically. He was a shrewd businessman. He was risk-averse and only invested in expansion when he was sure he could afford it.
He added a line of high-end lawnmowers, then chainsaws and equipment for extensive gardens, as more people in California were focused on growing their own food. Last year, he developed a partnership with Polaris to supply off-road vehicles. They are perfect for both farmers and large home gardens, as well as off-roading in the woods or on the beach. He was planning for their bright future together.
However, the big news was what happened at Christmas. The couple, who had been engaged for many years, decided to make it official in the summer. The “hold the date” cards were sent, and anticipation was building. Adding to the excitement, Charise told Reuben a few nights ago that she was ten weeks pregnant. Reuben was over the moon with happiness. Wherever they went, the couple glowed.
***
Franklin and Rosalie McFall were unable to have children of their own. But their six nieces and nephews easily filled the void. Now that they were between six and twelve years old, the couple fulfilled a promise to take them all to Disneyland for a week. Rosalie’s sister and her husband, Annie and Billy Sunday, and Franklin’s brother and his wife, Billie-Jean and Jack, both appreciated a week without children. Each couple took a blissful vacation.
When the week was over, Franklin and Rosalie hosted a cookout at their house for everyone. The children shared stories about Mickey Mouse, The Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and The Haunted Mansion. Their grateful parents also shared about swimming with dolphins in Cabo San Lucas and skiing in Colorado. There was enough love to go around that Franklin and Rosalie felt so blessed.
When the gathering was winding down, Franklin’s brother Jack said, “Thanks, bro. This means the world to us.” As he hugged his brother.
“The pleasure was ours,” said Franklin.
“The children are a delight,” said Rosalie. “We are thrilled that we could do this, for all of us!”
***
In the spring of 2025, August West’s job was eliminated. He was informed in a generic email, along with almost all his staff and department members. The reason given was “poor performance,” which allowed them to reduce his already too small pension and expunge his healthcare benefits. He responded to the email with copies of his exemplary performance reviews. There was no response. He received no severance and was paid through the end of the month. He was only six years away from retirement.
He saw so many of his friends and colleagues, who had secure jobs, now unemployed. The local market was flooded with talent, so jobs were scarce, and even low-paying entry-level positions were no longer available. To say he felt betrayed and bitter was an understatement.
Nearby in the lower Bay area, there were several billionaires, whom he now referred to as oligarchs. They were the only ones that seemed to be thriving in the current state of the country.
His rage began to overtake his life to the point where he thought about it full-time. He eliminated all social contact with family and friends.
He decided that these fat cats needed to be taught a lesson, and he was just the one to educate them. He planned and schemed that he was going to break into their mansions and rob them of the possessions that they held so dearly. He did extensive research and narrowed his search down to a few prime, worthy candidates.
He located the first target’s address. He stealthily surveyed the estate, noting potential entrance opportunities, security cameras, and staff presence, if any.
He put his engineering talent into motion and altered an electronic device to interfere with the security system alarm, sensors, and cameras. He was also able to hack into their wireless network and computers. He saw on their calendar when they would be away from the mansion.
He decided to make his move on Thanksgiving, while the family was visiting several hours away. He almost postponed because he didn’t feel well. He had a terrible head cold and was sneezing and blowing his nose, but he decided to proceed anyway to make the most of the available time.
He easily broke in. He went for cash and jewelry and found plenty. All went perfectly. He was thrilled to have grabbed a jewel-encrusted Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch. He did some research and found that it was worth over $400,000. He knew that insurance would cover the financial loss, but he also knew that the money meant nothing to the owner. He was more interested in inflicting sentimental and emotional damage.
Through some internet searches, he was able to locate a jewelry store in Chinatown that agreed to give him a surprisingly generous price on the jewelry and the watch.
He repeated his research and decided that he would hit his next target on Christmas Day. It was another huge haul. This was too easy, he thought.
He decided to go bigger, feeling a bit full of himself.
***
2025 was when things began to turn sour, so to speak, for Delia and Billy DeLyon as well. When it came time to harvest, there were no field workers. All the migrants were scared off or went into hiding. The full-time staff worked day and night, and even their families helped to pick. There were simply too many grapes and not enough hands. The fruit died on the vine.
The money stopped coming in, and Billy had to lay off his staff. All the other vineyards were in the same predicament. It worsened when the loans became due. Billy sold off as much as he could, but soon the bank owned his business.
They also lost their beautiful house when the mortgage defaulted. Luckily, they were able to move in with Delia’s parents, at least for now. The children were upset because being uprooted was a shock to their routine. They also missed their friends and schools.
***
For Reuben and Charise, things changed quickly on Sunday. The store was closed, and Reuben was working in the office. Charise burst through the back door, crying hysterically. “Help me! Hide me! I can’t believe this is happening to me, to us!”
“Come in here,” he said as he led her into a back room. “What’s going on?”
“As I was walking down our street, I saw four groups of immigration officers outside our house. One had a loudspeaker, and he was demanding that I come out! He said they are arresting all illegals!”
“Illegals? How can that be? You’ve lived here your whole life!” said Reuben.
“I didn’t stick around to find out! The truth is, I really don’t know. My parents crossed the border when I was six, and they began working the fields. They started harvesting at farms below Temecula and worked their way north, settling here. The subject never came up, and I really never thought to ask. It didn’t seem important, until now,” she said as her voice quivered.
“But you have a social security number, a driver’s license. . .” said Reuben.
“They will be here soon, I just know it,” the frantic woman said.
“Fine, when they arrive, we’ll just explain to them . . .” said Reuben.
“You don’t understand!” she said, cutting him off, “they aren’t coming here to talk! Their job is to arrest me!”
A loud pounding was heard on the door in the front of the store. “We have an arrest warrant for Charise González. She is in this country illegally,” said a voice over a loudspeaker.
Charise hugged Reuben and said, “My God, what are we going to do?”
***
“So, Franklin,” said Annie, “I hear you are heading out on another pilgrimage soon.”
“That’s correct,” he said. “I have a few weeks left of semester break. I’ve been wanting to do the trail behind the falls in Yosemite.”
“You’ll love it!’ said Billie Jean. “We were at those falls last summer. So beautiful! Just please be careful. Those trails are pretty rough.”
“No worries. I’m as sure-footed as a mountain goat!” said Franklin.
“You know, there aren’t many park rangers there anymore. They’ve all been let go. The lines at the gates might be long,” said Jack.
“Yeah, I know. I’m hoping it won’t be too bad,” said Franklin.
“When are you leaving?” asked Annie.
“Early Thursday morning,” said Franklin.
“Rosalie, do you want to come up to stay with us in Napa while he’s gone?” asked Annie.
“I think I can work that out, maybe on Friday,” she answered.
***
August West identified a gigantic estate as the next target. It wasn’t San Simeon or the Taj Mahal, but it was close. It was perched atop a mountain with stunning views of the Pacific. Early the next morning, he decided to take a closer look. He parked at the bottom of the hill and followed the long driveway. It took several minutes to reach the top.
As he was walking along the road with a view of the front gate, he heard a voice behind him. “Hello, can I help you?”
Startled, he turned around and said, “I’m just looking for a place to . . . Cassidy! I can’t believe it!”
“August? It’s so great to see you! What in the world are you doing here?” she said as her Golden Retriever put her paws on August’s shoulders. “Trixie, get down, he’s a friend!”
“I . . . I saw this house and was wondering what the view was from up here. I was planning to come back and take some photos of the ocean,” he said, as he bent down to pet Trixie. “Do you live here?”
“Yes,” she said, almost embarrassed. “Come in, I hardly ever get visitors! It’s so great to see you! How is Bonnie Lee?” She saw the color drain from his face.
“Unfortunately . . . she passed away five years ago. Covid,” he said, looking away.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know,” said Cassidy.
“Am I finally going to meet your elusive husband?” August asked, attempting to change the subject.
“I’m afraid not,” she said. “He left me two years ago. A young analyst at his firm caught his eye. I swear, she’s like half his age!”
“Oh,” he said.
“I wasn’t surprised. She was just the latest,” she added.
“I’m so sorry,” he said.
“Don’t be. I’m not! I got this castle and all the money I’ll ever need. Besides, he was never here anyway; that just made it official,” she said.
“Well, I’m a little stunned. But, if you’re happy, I’m happy,” he said.
“I was just about to make breakfast. Please stay, I never get to eat with anyone,” she asked.
“I really should be going . . .” he said.
“Come on! You gotta eat, and I’m a gourmet cook. Trained in Italy!” she said.
“Sure, when you put it that way,” he said.
They talked and laughed, and soon it was time for lunch. After lunch, they strolled the grounds.
She stopped walking, put her hands on his shoulders, and looked into his eyes, “August, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you showed up here. Maybe it was fate, but I haven’t laughed in a long, long time.”
“I agree! It’s so wonderful to see you,” he said.
That night, Cassidy prepared a feast, and August enjoyed every minute. Before he finally left, they made plans to go out to dinner in the city that weekend.
The dinner was another fun night, and from there, a relationship blossomed. Soon, they were inseparable. After a few months, August moved into her house. It just made sense. Also, his money problems faded away, since she was able to pay for everything. They even planned a trip to Europe for the following summer.
***
Early on Thursday morning, Franklin did the three-hour drive to Yosemite. He checked into his hotel and called Rosalie, “Made it! There is a pool and sauna here, so I’m going to take advantage of that before starting early tomorrow.”
“Just please be careful,” she said. “You know how I worry.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll be in my happy zone. It’s always safe there,” he said with a laugh. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said.
The next morning, Franklin got an early start. He packed and repacked his gear and checked the charge on his GPS. He loved this GPS. It was a gift from Rosalie last year. It wasn’t dependent on wireless or cell phone connections, which is perfect for the area he plans to be in, since he knew there wouldn’t be any cell service. He wasn’t sure how it worked, but he was happy that it did.
He slipped on his backpack and started on his journey. He was able to gain entrance to the park after an expected delay. He filled out a short form describing where he was going and what he was doing in the park, just a formality. He made a humorous comment to the ranger at the gate, but it was met with a blank stare.
The first few miles were fairly easy, but the path soon became more challenging, with steeper inclines and rougher terrain. After about an hour, he stopped and sat on a boulder, enjoying the view. It was colder than he thought it would be, probably due to the elevation. He pulled a scarf and his thermos from his backpack. He poured some coffee and slowly ate a protein bar and an orange.
The terrain became more challenging in the next hour. He expected that. It certainly wasn’t the most treacherous ground he had crossed, but he began to pay more attention to his footing. As he came around a slight bend, he saw a large Pacific rattlesnake coiled on the path. It was only about four feet long, but it looked like a Giant Anaconda to him.
He cut to the outside of the path to avoid the snake, but his foot landed on a sharp rock and sent him tumbling. He heard a crack and knew it was his ankle. He rolled about twenty feet down into a ravine. His leg got tangled in some roots along the way, and by the time he landed, it was broken in two places. He knew he wasn’t going anywhere.
He reached into his backpack and pulled out his phone. No service. His leg was bleeding profusely, so he took off his belt and tightened it around his thigh, hoping it would do the trick. He remembered passing a few hikers earlier. “I’ll call out to them when they reach this part of the path,” he thought. They never came. He pulled his sweatshirt out of the backpack as the temperature continued to drop.
About 11:00 am, Rosalie called her husband. The call went to voicemail. “Hi dear, I hope all is well there. I got to Annie’s a few hours ago. We are all anxious to hear how you made out. I hope you packed warm PJs, because it looks like it’s going to be cold there. Okay, please give me a call when you get this.”
She called again about a half hour later. Then again, after another thirty minutes. Finally, she called the front desk. “Yes, hi, I’m looking to talk to my husband, Franklin McFall. Did he arrive back at the hotel yet?”
“No, I’m sorry, his key is still hanging here,” said the voice on the line.
“Oh, okay. Can you please have him call me as soon as he arrives?”
“I’ll leave a note.”
***
Billy DeLyon took it hard. He spent hours trying to negotiate with the banks and was in deep discussions with the other vineyard owners, who were on the same sinking ship. In one of the meetings, an owner remarked that he was worth more to his family dead than alive. This sent Billy deeper on his downward spiral.
Delia tried her best to console Billy, but nothing seemed to help. She met with lawyers and asked her wealthy parents for a loan, which they were considering.
The next day, Delia was watching the news when a story came on about a Porsche Boxster breaking through the guardrails on the Pacific Coast Highway near Big Sur. She was frantic. The call came shortly after that.
She was simultaneously upset, shocked, enraged, and helpless. She was mad at him for taking the easy way out. She wondered what she was going to do with mounting debts and three children. The insurance money helped, but she longed to return to their happy life.
***
“Shh, be quiet, lemme think,” Reuben said. He opened the door a crack and peeked out. He saw that the front was blocked with vehicles and armed soldiers wearing black masks over their faces. He also saw a news van behind them. Then there was another round of pounding on the door. Reuben became frantic and maniacal. The stand-off lasted almost an hour. Soon, they heard news helicopters circling overhead.
The pounding on the door resumed. Reuben grabbed his double-barreled shotgun, loaded it, and pointed it towards the door. “Go into the back room,” he said with a cracking voice.
“No, I won’t, what are you going to do?” she said through her tears.
“Open this door now or we will break it down!” said the electrified voice.
“We’ve worked too hard for our future! I’m not gonna let them take my love and unborn child!” he said. They shared a quick look.
A battering ram crashed through the front door. Reuben fired both barrels. Then a terrific barrage of bullets rained on the couple through the office door. Reuben and Charise lay bleeding on the floor. He reached out and squeezed her hand, then his grasp went limp.
The soldiers were on them in an instant. One held his hand on Reuban’s neck. “The shooter’s down and dead,” said an officer.
“I got a heartbeat on the target, call the paramedics,” said another.
Charise was loaded onto a stretcher and carried out. She was never heard from again.
***
Rosalie was frantically trying to reach Franklin. She called the park office. Voice mail. “Due to extremely limited staffing. We are unable to answer your call at this time. Please leave a detailed message, and we will answer your call in the order the calls were received.”
She called another listed number for the park. Same voice mail. Then another. Same.
She then called the California State Police. They told her that activity inside the national park is the responsibility of the US Park Service. She explained about the voicemails. After begging and pleading, they agreed to contact the park office and call her back.
“They said they simply do not have the staff to search at this time. They said he will likely turn up fine. They said they found his form, and they would send someone out in the morning to check the path,” said the officer.
Rosalie frantically jumped in the car. In a few hours, she was at the main gate to Yosemite National Park. She parked and went into the office. After about 20 minutes, an overworked woman who seemed completely drained finally waved her in. She was in her late twenties, and the deep circles under her eyes silently announced that she hadn’t slept in days. Rosalie explained the situation to the ranger and expressed her deep concern.
“I’m deeply sorry, but we simply have no staff,” said the ranger.
“There are three ATVs outside. Can’t someone jump on one and check out the falls path?” Rosalie said tearfully.
“I wish I could, but I’m not allowed to leave this desk. It’s just me and two other rangers trying to keep the park flowing right now. Signs were posted about the staff shortage and risks. I will put out an announcement and pray for his safety,” said the ranger.
“Please hand me the keys. I’ll go myself,” said Rosalie.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that. Besides, that path is over an hour away,” said the young ranger.
“But, if he is hurt and can’t get to safety, I’m afraid of what will happen. It will be dark soon!” she implored.
“Again, I’m very sorry,” said the ranger, getting upset.
Rosalie called the state police again. They said they understood her concern, but it was getting dark, and they couldn’t arrange a search on short notice. She begged and cried. They finally agreed to a search in the morning.
“That will be a recovery mission instead of a rescue,” she said through her tears. She went to his hotel and sat up all night waiting for the phone to ring. It never did.
The next morning, her prophecy came true when his body was recovered in the ravine behind the falls.
***
One starry, calm evening, August and Cassidy were out on one of the back decks of the estate. There was a fire raging in the fireplace, and the couple was curled up on a sofa, drinking wine. “Cassidy,” August said, while looking into her eyes, “this is the happiest I’ve been in over five years.” He pulled her closer and kissed her.
“I feel the same way,” she said. “I’m thrilled that we found each other. In a few months, we will be able to go to the reunion and see everyone. Won’t that be a hoot!”
The next month, he was at the closing of his house after a quick sale. As it was finished, he heard a man’s voice behind him. “Mr. West? August West?”
“Yes,” he said, turning around.
“I’m Detective Benson. You’re under arrest for grand theft, larceny, breaking and entering, and several other charges,” he said as he placed the stunned August in handcuffs and then read him his rights.
Cassidy was both furious and hurt, but somehow, she was still clinging to the hopeless relationship. She hired the best lawyer in the Bay Area to represent him.
During the trial, he learned that at the home of his first robbery, his DNA was found on top of a jewelry box, probably from a juicy sneeze. His DNA and fingerprints were on file from his government job at NASA. Also, the Rolex was recovered, and his fingerprint was on the watch face. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. He reverted to his depression and rage while inside.
Cassidy felt victimized and heartbroken, betrayed by every man she allowed to get close to her. She retreated to her solitary life at her estate for a while, then she sold the castle and moved into a condo in town. She felt the need to reconnect with people and try to move on with her life.
***
The familiar aroma of Sterno filled the air. Taylor Swift was singing, “The Life of a Showgirl,” as several people danced. A large banner behind the DJ read, “Welcome Santa Clara High School Class of ’86!” Another banner on the side read, “40th Reunion!”
Delia DeLyon, Rosalie McFall, and Cassidy Romano met at the bar. There were no cheers this time. It was mainly hugs and commiserating over lost mates and friends. Other classmates greeted them, each aware of the fate of their friends. Some shared stories of other classmates and friends who had similar experiences.
After they were seated for dinner, Cassidy stood and clinked her glass several times to get the attention of the entire class. She said, “Let’s all raise a glass to our departed friends and classmates, all of whom sought the American Dream.”
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