My Summer of First Love 1
She was a dark-haired girl, still wearing pigtails even though we were in our freshman year at WHS and she hardly noticed me...2
but I noticed her...3
My heart leapt each time I sat next to her in typing class and I got those warm fuzzy feelings...(you know the ones I am talking about...). I know I was sweating and I hated myself for not being able to let my feelings for her show...but for now...my sideways glances were all I could muster...4
She was dating a senior...a real "jock" type who came from a family with enough money that he had monogrammed sweaters and a 57 Chevy to cart her around in, man...was I jealous…5
I was surprised as anyone can be when she slipped me a note in study hall...it just said "Meet me at Sievwrights after school...I need to talk to you..."6
Sievwrights was the town pharmacy, cafe, soda shop, and the place where most everyone in our town tasted their first French fries. It had two pinball machines, a dime jukebox, and a dozen booths where we could gather in small groups, (or sometimes just couples) and get to share jokes, ideas, and complaints about the world in general...or maybe do a bit of necking with your steady...that is...if you had a steady. The guy who ran the joint was pretty cool and, unless things got out of hand, he pretty much let us be ourselves...something most of us didn’t get at home.7
Karen was already there when I arrived. She was sitting in the back booth...the one where the light was burned out and for some strange reason they never bothered to replace that bulb. Like I was saying...she was already there so I went on over and sat down opposite her.8
"So what's up?" I asked...trying not to sound as timid as I felt.9
She looked at me square in the eye and I could then see she had been crying...10
"It's Jimmy," (the senior jock), she said. "He told me yesterday that if I wouldn't "do it" with him he was going to dump me and get someone else to go to the prom with him." 11
Her willingness to let me see her vulnerability was probably what prompted me to move over next to her and put my arm around her.12
"Jimmy's a creep", I said "and if he would treat a sweet girl like you that way, well then he just doesn't deserve you..."13
"I just knew you would understand." she sobbed, "I am just not ready for that sort of thing, and I liked being Jimmy's girl and all, but I don't want to be pressured either...I hate it that he dumped me, and I needed to talk to someone about it." 14
"I'm glad you picked me to give that note too...but I am a bit surprised." I said. "You got a lot of friends...so why me?" 15
She suddenly stopped sobbing and was once again looking me square in the eyes, but this time her eyes had a softer look and I swear they were ten times deeper than before...16
" I've seen those little looks you have been giving me in typing class and study hall" she said, "I knew for a long time that you liked me, but I paid you know mind before because I wanted my girlfriends to see that I could have one of the "jocks" for a boyfriend. I never figured it would turn out like this though." 17
I pulled her a bit closer as she was about to begin weeping again...She looked at me in the eyes once more and I felt the magic of the moment overwhelming me. I leaned toward her and felt her breath all warm and sweet on my face. When our lips met, I thought I was going to explode...or worse...wake up and find it was all a dream...18
But no…when I opened my eyes, she was still there, only now there was a broad smile on her face and a hint of joy in her eyes...19
We dated throughout the remainder of high school. Both of us loved horses and we both went to work on a local farm that featured riding lessons, trail rides, and courses in horse management. Even though we remained a "couple" we never put any pressure to make the ultimate move toward the altar.20
I was drafted into the Army in 1965. The law said I could avoid induction if I was married, but after discussing it with Karen, we decided it would be best to wait until my tour of duty was over. A lot of my friends from high school never came back or came back pretty scarred up one way or another, but I was one of the lucky ones. Karen and I were married in the fall of 1967. After 3 years and a couple of necessary minor operations, our daughter was born. The marriage broke up a few years later for some very unusual reasons...(another story...for another time), but we have maintained a close and endearing relationship through it all. Our daughter is a beautiful thirty-four year-old woman who lives not far from my home now. I see her often and we talk a lot about the wonders of love, life, and the beauty there is in some people.21
Del Warren Livingston © Dec 200422
Author notes
I have changed the names and dates, but this is based on a true story of my very first love. I decided that since my poem was allowed to hang around where poetry wasn't asked for, it was only fair that I submit an actual story for the contest.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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Thanks Stef,
I have been told that I have a "gift for gab" which I suppose means different things to different people...either I talk too much or some actually enjoy hearing what I have to say. My trouble has always been figuring out which was which so I just go on about my merry yakking.
Thanks for the kind comments, you have made my day.
Del -
Well done Del, congrats. You are a master story teller- would love to listen to you for real.
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Thanks Purrple Vixen,
I agree, we never forget that first love. I am glad you enjoyed the story of my first love and I appreciate you for the kind remarks.
Thanks again,
Del -
wow...that is so beautiful and very sweet and touching...first loves are always the best and always hold that special place in our hearts....thankyou for inviting us as readers into your life and letting us read such a lovely story....keep writing...Luv Caz
P.S I love the style you wrote this in...very original..it was like you were talking to me!
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Thanks Kimberly,
You sure know how to make an old man grin from ear to ear. Your remarks did the trick for me and it may take 'til tomorrow morning to wipe this smirk off my face. You are a treasure...and I am delighted that you felt right at home with this piece.
(((HUGS))) and Blessing from the Cheshire one,
Del -
Oh my goodness, I feel like I just sat at your feet and listened to a wonderfully nostalgic tale from your past. This has such a soft, tender, romantic and homey feel to it. I love this Del. This was a true delight. I feel refreshed after reading something this great. Good luck in the contest!
~Kimberly
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Thanks DB,
At first I had some reluctance to putting those final paragraphs to this story in this write, but then, as you so keenly noticed, it would not be nearly as realistic to just leave it in the "happily ever after" stage, when in fact, life seldom works that way. I appreciate you for catching that aspect and for your considerate remarks.
Cheers,
Del -
The story gave me a glimpse into a world that I would only normally see on the movies, yet the story is universal, and the message one that each generation tries to tell the next. It is so TRUE! And of course written so well as to absorb the reader, never predictable, even though we hope for the 'happy 'ending to the romance, we are never really sure of it. That's real life.
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Thanks Megg, Yes...it is a true story with some slight changes to names and dates to protect the characters from any possible un-needed embarrasment or sorrow, etc. I appreciate your kind comments.
Del
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Thank-you Katy, Yes I feel like I am one lucky fellow and I will have a special place in my heart for my first love...forever.
Thanks again,
Del -
Thanks Nikki,
The break up will be another story down the road a ways. Yes it is a true story, but I did make some changes because the participants are still around and I would protect their feelings at all costs. Thanks for the kind remarks.
Del -
This was a very sweet story and I really liked how you gave us some background information. Is this autobiographical? It is a very beautiful story. I could almost picture Karen in my head but I was left clueless to your appearance. You did a very nice job with this . Good luck!
- Megg
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This was adorable, I'd like to hear the story of the divorce though, not because I am demented like that, but I enjoy stories of other people lifes. It amazing that you were together for so long, you are truly blessed to have had an experience like that
Love,
Katy
~*LiquidLullaby*~ -
awe this is so romantic and beautiful... i loved every word of it. It was so sweet and so real, and you told it so well! I want to know why ya'll broke up! lol...this is the ultamite love story, and i want to share it with others! i shall promote it when I can...
XoXo
NiKKi
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