Part 25

 It had been a long time since the first day that Norton Gibbs had gone missing. One thing was for sure, time didn't sit still for anyone, not even for the president of the largest bank in Wood Berry; Walter Gibbs.

          Norton's parents had put out an all points bulletin for their only child, but to no avail. Not one person had reported anything strange about his missing in action or his whereabouts. Norton had simply vanished.

         The graduating class of 2014 had all come together to design, prepare and send out invitation for the first ever Graduation Days' Parade. With the help of teachers, environmental staff, lunch room workers, business owners, operators, employees and even the surrounding community residents this first of many hopeful parades was actually going to take place in a few hours.

     Mr. Johnson was sitting in his truck in the Walmart parking lot this early Saturday morning. He was waiting anxiously on the arrival of James and Simone along with the rest of the volunteer seniors. He had spearheaded the grown ups that they thought could be of the most help in the amazing project that no one had ever thought of before. He sat quietly waiting on the two people that would not have been thought of as the most likely persons on earth to pull this project together so well.

    For himself there was a real feeling of pride especially as a teacher who tried his best to teach not only history, but also a sense of civil duty to your community and one another. Mr. Johnson just had the feeling that today's events were going to impact this small and growing town in a way that it could never   have dreamed.

     Jumping a little bit at the knocking on his window Mr. Johnson rolled it down to see Norton Gibbs himself standing in front of him. This was the icing on the cake, the one item that pulled this whole event into play.

     “Well, been a while since we've seen each other. Norton, you good?" Mr. Johnson asked feeling very glad at knowing that Norton was all right after all.

     Looking at Mr. Johnson through blood shot eyes Norton lean in closer as he spoke, " I could use a bath and probably a toothbrush and some tooth paste, hell make that some serious deodorant while we're at it." he answered snickering at his own humor.

     It was great to see that Norton had survived his own experiment, but at what cost? He would not be able to actually graduate with his classmates since he hadn't finished his last month of school requirements. He had not been prepared to take his graduation test which now would cost him his diploma.

     So very often great sacrifices requires great courage. Norton Gibbs had courage; he also had made a great sacrifice. The reward and payoff for his actions would benefit so many unforgotten souls.

      Norton would not go unrewarded, nor would those who chose to stand by him. This was humanity at its best