Our Hopes and Dreams

The lights flickered on and off, just like our hopes and dreams. The weather was raging outside. The newscaster declared that this would be “The storm of the century”. In our raggedy apartment, Leon was pacing back and forth in front of the landline phone, exclaiming “How long will it take? He should have called by now!” “Be patient, my friend. He said they will call today, and they will.” I responded. This was the day we have both been waiting for since we met. The Diablo Circus, one of the most prestigious circuses in the world, would call us with two positions as jugglers open. This phone call we have been expecting since the Diablo Circus rolled into our neighborhood last month.

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“That was the best performance I’ve ever seen!” Leon yelled, jumping up and down. “Did you see that one tightrope walker?” “Calm down, Leon,” I said, “but yes, that was amazing!” We had used the money we’ve been saving for this month’s rent, but it was worth it. Especially since, as we were leaving the big top, we saw a help wanted sign. We both stood there, jaw slacked, then without speaking a word, we realized what we must do. After everyone else had left, Leon and I went to find the Ringleader. He was outside, packing up everything in a truck that seemed far too small. “If you wanted to meet the performers, they’re out right now.” huffed the Ringleader as he lifted a box into the truck. “Do you need any help?” I asked. “No, no, it’s fine. I do this after every show myself. You could say I’m quite possessive of my things.”

He set the box down and turned to face us. He was very tall and unnaturally skinny. He was dressed head to toe in black clothes, with a tall top hat adorning his head. His face was wrinkled, and he had deep brown eyes that pierced the soul. No one knew his name, so everyone called him the Ringleader. “What can I do for you?” Leon stepped forward and said, “We saw the sign outside. We want to join your circus.”

“You want to join, huh?” He looked Leon and me over. “What can you both do?” I stepped next to Leon and told him, “We are great jugglers! We can juggle anything you throw at us!” He considered for a moment and then asked, “Can you juggle chainsaws? The more dangerous the items, the more people will eat it up!” “We haven’t trie—” “Yes, we can!” I quickly chime in. “Well, there is a spot open in my show for a juggler, but there is only one spot available.” Me and Leon looked at each other and came to the same conclusion. “Sorry sir, we are a package deal. Either both of us join as jugglers or we won’t do it”

The Ringleader stared Leon in the eyes and then turned to me with those piercing eyes. Then, he said “Wow, you both got spunk! Okay, tell you what. Give me a month to change the performance, and both of you will be added to the show. Got a phone number I can call?” Leon tore off a bit of his sleeve and the Ringleader gave him a pen. “This is our landline phone.” “Okay, I will call you in a month’s time. Make sure you answer because I won’t call again.” Leon and I jumped for joy. “Thank you, Mr. Ringleader. We won’t let you down.” “Please, call me Mr. Reficul.” Leon and I turned to each other, shocked. Leon asked, “Excuse me, but why keep your name a secret?”

“I’ll tell you a secret.” He leaned in closer towards us. “The audience loves a good mystery.”

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“Snap out of it!” Leon was shaking my shoulders. “What? Did I miss the call?” “No, but you were daydreaming again. You better be careful in there, otherwise I won’t see you again.” “Thanks.” I stood up and opened the window in our small living room. “Did it stop raining already?" "Yeah, so much for ‘storm of the century’” Leon air quoted the newscaster. “Well, I’m hungry.” I closed the window and headed into our kitchen. The dishes were piled up in our sink. “Did you put a knife in the sink?” I reached in and gently pulled out a steak knife. “Do you know how dangerous that is?”

“Relax, I knew that knife was already there. Plus, it’s my turn to put the dishes away anyway.” “Maybe you should get on it so we can actually eat on plates instead of using our hands.” I opened the fridge door and saw there was nothing to eat. “Leon! You forgot to go shopping yesterday!” “Did I? I’m so sorry.” He said as he looked at the window in the living room. “It stopped raining for the moment, I’ll run down to convenience store.” “Thank you so much, Leon. You truly are the greatest friend a person can have.” He quickly put on some flip flops.

“If he calls, tell me exactly what he says.” demanded Leon. He grabbed his yellow rain jacket from the closet and headed out the door. Usually, when a person is hungry, it isn’t a big deal, but when I’m hungry, I get bad stomach cramps. Leon is really an amazing friend. He is almost like the brother I never had. I remember the day we first met like it was yesterday.

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On a beautiful sunny day, I was walking home from my high school when I heard a cry down an alley. My mother always said to not get involved, but my curiosity got the better of me. There was Dave, the resident school bully, lording over a scared kid. I guess I shouldn’t call him a kid since he didn’t look any older than me. I don’t recognize him. He must go to another school, I thought. I didn’t want to get involved, but I couldn’t ignore the look in his eyes. I called out “Hey, Dave! Pick on someone your own size!” I walked up behind Dave and squared my shoulders. “What, are you his protector or something?” Dave turned around and looked me in the eyes. I told him calmly, “If you want to fight, then throw the first punch. Hit me.” He looked like he was considering it, but then the most unusual thing happened. He turned around and fled.

Maybe he saw that I meant it and he realized he couldn’t win. I don’t really know for certain. I helped the mysterious stranger to his feet and asked, “Are you alright?” “I’m fine. That was amazing! You stared him down like a demon!” “Thanks, I guess?” “My name’s Leon.” I looked down at his feet and saw a poster. “Is that your poster?” “Oh yeah, that jerk knocked it out of my hands.” When he bent down to pick it up, I got clear view of what it said. “Diablo Circus? They’re my favorite performers.” “You love them too? They’re so cool!” “Yeah, especially the fire eaters.” “How you ever wondered who the Ringleader is? I bet he is already a famous person.” “I bet he just likes his privacy” We spent the rest of the afternoon just gushing about Diablo Circus and its mysterious Ringleader.

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RING! RING! RING! I snap out of memory lane. It’s him! He’s calling! I look out the window to see if Leon is almost back. The rain has started up again. I hope he’s alright. RING! RING! RING! Quickly, I enter the living room and answer the phone. “Mr. Reficul, is that you?” He answers jovially, “Of course, who else would it be?” Then his voice turns somber, “Is Leon there?” “He’s out right now, but he will be back soon.” “I’m sorry to say, but I can only afford one juggler.” “WHAT! You said that both of us could do it! That’s what you said!” “Calm down, lad. I’m really sorry, but I only need one juggler, and I believe it should be you.” My anger paused and my curiosity took over. “Me? Why me?” “I may not know both of you that well, but you have fire in those eyes of yours.”

“So does Leon!”

“He has a burning fire in his eyes, while yours is colder. It’s that fire that is needed in Diablo Circus. Just say no now if you don’t want to go solo.” I was going to tell him I wasn’t interested in the position without Leon, but I hesitated. I guess he sensed my hesitation and continued, “Going solo isn’t bad. If he was truly your friend, he would be glad for you getting this opportunity. You don’t need him to juggle, do you? If he joined, he would only stand in your way.” He took a deep breath. “I know this is hard to hear, so I’ll give you till tomorrow to make your decision.” Then the disconnect tone played. I stood there, shocked, as rain splattered across the window. What am I going to do? I sat down against the wall. We decided that either both of us got in or we wouldn’t do it. But-

The door slammed open, and Leon came tumbling in with groceries in both hands. “Have you looked outside? It’s pouring worse than it was before. I haven’t seen… Are you okay?” He went to the kitchen and put the groceries on the table. I stood up and joined him the kitchen. “I got the call from Mr. Reficul.” “This is great! Wait, why do you look sad?” I told him the troublesome news. He was furious.

“That liar! He promised us! At least you told him no.” I looked down guiltily. “You did tell him no, right?”

“He said I had till tomorrow to make my decision.”

“You didn’t tell him no right away?” He turned and walked out of the kitchen. I followed him into the living room. “Wait, can we just talk about this?”

“What is there to talk about? That you are just going to abandon me?” “I’m not going to abandon you. Maybe we can get you a different…” “DIFFERENT? Juggling for Diablo Circus was my dream too! Now you want me to throw away my dreams for you?”

“You would if you cared about me at all.”

“Cared about you? If you cared about me, you would have already said no! Of course, I cared about you. Why else do you think I kept your dark secrets. Do you think Mr. Reficul would like to hear one?”

“Leon…”

“How do you think he will respond to what happened to poor Dave?”

“Stop it, Leon.”

“Do you still think he will hire you instead of calling the police?”

“STOP IT!”

 I start huffing and puffing, as if I just ran a marathon. Thunder roared in the background. “That ain’t gonna work on me.” He reached towards the phone when I slapped his hand away. Instinctively, he turned and punched me square in the nose. I tumbled backwards, straight onto the floor. I felt my nose with my palm and saw blood. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” He didn’t get a chance to finish. I jumped up, yelled, and charged him. I tackled him through the door to the kitchen where we both lost our balance. He fell and smashed into the corner of the table.

CRACK!

He started screaming bloody murder. “I’m so sorry, I’ll call for help.” I raced back towards the phone where I picked up the receiver. The lights flickered as I started dialing.

He would only stand in your way,

 Mr. Reficul’s voice echoed in my head. I faced towards Leon as he was laying on the floor, moving slowly. “Please…” he muttered, barely audible. I set the receiver back on the wall and went into the kitchen next to the sink. I picked up the steak knife and closely examined it.

He knows too much. Too many secrets he can spill.

I look back and realize that Leon is trying to crawl away. He made it past the kitchen door and into the living room. He looks like a snail, crawling inch by inch.

I’m sorry, Leon. I truly am.

 I walk up behind him, knife in hand.

You were the only true friend I have ever had.

 I shed a tear as I pull the knife back and plunge it into his back. It pierces his heart, causing him to slump over. Blood drains from his body to the floor. I gently close his eyelids and feel a moment of envy for his look of bliss. I looked out the window. The rain was still howling, and the lightning was crashing against the sky. Once it clears, I’ll run to the convenience store and get some gasoline and a lighter. It doesn’t matter since we are late on rent anyway. By the time police figure it out, I glance towards the phone,

I’ll already be gone.

 I picked up the phone and called the previous number. It took six rings before he picked up. “Wow, wasn’t expecting you to call back so soon.” I grinned.

“When do I start?”