Alan Price and the Colossus of Rhodes

Chapters 5 and 6

Chapter 5

“The ancient Spartans were a warrior civilization. They met whatever came their way head on. They were fearless. Most notably, they were the group of Greeks that impeded the Persian invasion of Greece. Although the first contingent that was sent to hold off the Persian army all died at the battle of Thermopile, their sacrifice bought Greece time to gather and mount a counter attack that would push back the invading Persian legion.”

Alan stared wide-eyed at the slides that changed along with the history teacher’s lecture. Pictures of muscular men with bronze armor embodied everything Alan wished he could be. These men were afraid of nothing. Men who made Brent Carson look like a spoiled kindergartener.

Alan felt a smile spread across his lips as he continued to look at the pictures on the slideshow from his front seat in his favorite class. These men, these Spartans, wouldn’t hesitate to look death in the face, let alone go to a high school dance.

If his heroes could die for their cause then Alan knew what he had to do. He had to take Dr. Larson’s advice and go to the dance, no matter how scared he might be. Besides, this could be it. Maybe this was the moment things would start looking up.

For the first time in a very long time, Alan felt something more than the gaping hole of misery. Hope had been planted. Alan was beginning to feel better all ready.

Chapter 6

“Nope, you can’t take the car.”

“I know you have rules but I’m eighteen now and I have my license. I would only need it to go to the tuxedo shop and to the dance tonight, that’s it.”

Tony raised his eyebrows and looked at him as though he had heard him but didn’t believe him. “You’re going where?”

Alan agreed that it did sound out of the ordinary for him. “I’m going to the dance tonight.” An idea popped into Alan’s mind like a coiled spring being released. “Technically, it’s my psychiatrist’s orders. She thought it would be good for me to get out of my shell.”

Tony pursed his lips. “And how are you going to afford a tuxedo there, James Bond? Those aren’t exactly cheap.”

“I know. I thought about that but I still have the money I earned from working over the summer at the library. I could use that.”

Tony let out a long sigh, “Listen, buddy, I admire you wanting to go and your willingness to try and socialize but the car is just off limits. I can give you a ride if you want. That’s the best I can do.”

Alan knew arguing would be pointless. Once Tony had made up his mind on a subject, it would be easier to move a mountain than convince him otherwise. “Okay, thanks anyway.”

Alan bit his lower lip as he made his way up the creaking stairs and to his room. Tony took care of three orphaned boys including Alan. Since the other two boys were still in elementary school, Alan was allowed to have his own room while the other two boys shared. Alan entered his haven closing the door behind him.

You can’t give up now. Not when you finally feel good about a plan.

Alan felt as if he had been depressed for years. The anger was a more recent feeling. The anger came from his inability to do anything about his depression. Now when hope had finally been found Alan refused to let it go. Alan shuffled to his bed and threw himself on top of the lumpy mattress.

There has to be a way.

Alan glanced out the window at the setting sun. If there was going to be a way then he had to come up with one fast. He still needed to get a tuxedo and make it to the dance. The notion of calling Dr. Larson and asking her to pick him up as his date teased him. Alan smiled as he shook his head.

Then the answer came to him from the most unexpected person, Tony.