It was February 14, 1966. I was nine years old and already stressed over Valentine's Day. The pressure, excitement, the likely disappointments had me squirming in my seat. Throughout the morning, we in Miss Kennedy's 4th grade class felt the tension building in the air. There wasn't one of us who didn't walk a little slower passing by our cardboard idol, decorated in red and white paper with red hearts glued on. Well, maybe not all of us. There was Harvey Boil, but we won't go there right now.
Let's see where was I? Oh, yes the tension and excitement. All female eyes seemed to fix themselves on John Stevens and Jerry Rogers. John Stevens with his wavy blond hair and green eyes and Jerry Rogers with raven black hair and a smile to kill. A girl could hope you know. We watched as our mouths watered while the two of them finally made their red carpet trip to the "box" giving them our best smiles.
We could almost hear the phantom drum roll reverberate around the room. The words spoken by Miss Kennedy, "Can I have a couple of volunteers to pass out the Valentine day cards?" Mine went up without my realizing it, until I heard Miss Kennedy pick Harvey Boil and myself to distribute the hot little cards. I could hear the snickers. What did that mean I wondered? The two Valentine rejects given the chance to at least touch the coveted cards before going home empty handed. Was it some omen of what awaited Harvey and myself? Suddenly I was not so exited to open the box, figuring Jenny Grant and Cindy Collins would receive most of them! But Harvey was already grabbing a pile so I bravely did the same, and like some elementary Joan of Arc, I went to the flames.
Well as expected Jenny and Cindy's desk quickly filled up with the cards and as you probably figured out Jerry and John's also. I peeked over at my desk to see it was still empty and then to the dwindling pile left to hand out and I began to sweat. Then a cry escaped which I turned into a sneeze, when from the corner of my eyes I saw Harvey slap one on my desk. At that moment I felt rescued, no matter who sent it. I couldn't hand out the rest fast enough, so curious to find out. Now we'll get into that.
You see everyone was busy opening their cards, using their pencils and whatever else vaguely resembled a letter opener. I slowly and delicately opened mine while trembling all the time. Being careful not to rip what lay inside as if it were my heart in there. I held onto the card with two fingers and slowly dragged it out. First I looked around to make sure no one was watching me and if the coast was clear. Then I saw Harvey looking my way with a silly grin on his face. At that moment I knew how Napoleon felt at Waterloo. Probably the only thing I related to that part of history since Miss Kennedy taught it to us weeks ago. So as if I was ripping a bandage off quickly to get the pain over as soon as possible, I opened up the card just as fast.
For over a minute confusion was written over my red face. All I saw was To Cindy, Love Jerry! Harvey gave me someone else's Valentine's card! Could it be to save my face? Or just a mistake? Now that he sat empty handed at his desk I felt incredible guilt and remorse! Suddenly Harvey looked a lot better than most days! I saw him turn away as my eyes begged to know what really happened. I stuck the card and envelope into one of my books before anyone had a chance to ask me who it was from. I waited for the bell to ring then ran out of the school as quick as I could.
On my walk home that day, I thought a lot about what Harvey did or what I wanted to believe he did. I also thought a lot about the dirty looks Cindy gave the unsuspecting Jerry the rest of that afternoon and I couldn't help wearing a silly grin. But I have to laugh even harder now and you would too if you read my Valentine cards each year since 1975. Each one reads the same, To Cindy, Love Jerry. And if you haven't gotten it yet, you will as I sign off on this Valentine's day story as the very blessed and loved Mrs. Harvey Boil.
Author notes
option 2 - teenage love
A contest entry
- Contest for writers with no trophies by darkpaintedreams.
160 points, ended March 15, 2007, 27 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - HUGE POINTS!!! by beezy92.
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Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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This was very well written and very interesting too read. I liked this and enjoyed reading it. Thanks for entering and best of luck too you in the contest.
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Very nice
What a sweet story. You described the feeling of a 4th grader very well. Good luck with the contest. -
Oh, I like this
Thanks for entering my contest!
*Frozen Angel* -
Aaaah that was adorable! I loved this!! Great job and good luck.
xoxo
Kelsey -
This is cute. I reall like the way that you did it and especially how you ended. It is really sweet.
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are you serious?? that is soo...nice! that like never happens! how sweet.
~m -
Mrs. Harvey Boil. Very good write. It had a kick to it, not just a run of the mill love story. Congrats on the story writing and good luck!
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omg!!!!!!!!!!! i asked for "romance but not too gooey" i luv this!!! its perfect (= thanks so much. its real? (= hey have you ever submitted this sotry to chicken soup for the soul cause i swear i remember reading it somewhere--it makes me smile everytime i do. thanks for sharing it with us and congrats on your marriage--a little late lol
good luck in the contest (= -
Thanks for entering my contest. I thought this was a very interesting piece, different. Good job and good luck.
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3: I thought these were nine-year-olds. Kids that age don't lust after any boy!
5: Clever, very clever. I like that last bit.
12: Is it supposed to cut off there, at the end?
13: Ooohhh..
Very nice -
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nine year olds
dont lust after guys?!? some do! lol
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that was a good story. i mean a really good story. sorry about not rating before but i'm new to the site.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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ARTIST FOR HIRE. POETRY AND BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS $150 BUYS ALL RIGHTS. BRING YOUR IDEAS TO LIFE. vlsweatt@hotmail.com
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WHAT DID YOU THINK OF MY STORY - PLEASE RATE IT IF YOU COULD.
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very cool
The characters were good and I was one of the slow ones who didn't get it until the end. from the beginning to the end it was a really engaging read. thanks for sharing!beginning: 4, language: 3, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 5.
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