The High School Years
Blondes and Bleachers
It’s
just weeks before school starts--freshman year--during my first band
camp, and Tabitha, a tall skinny blond Junior flute player, introduced
herself to me in front of my friends. I was glowing. I felt
important....Like a big-shot. A Junior classman flirting with me made me
feel like a stud. I loved the attention. As I think about it now, it was a bonehead move. What can I say? I was fourteen.
Then, I thought of Laura. And a twinge of guilt pinched me, but as Laura would say, not hard enough...
Fast forward now to the first football game of the season.
I
didn’t tell Laura when the game was, so I could spend time with
Tabitha. But as Laura’s house was only a couple blocks from the school,
she could tell when the game was on since the entire surrounding area
was illuminated with the stadium sound and white lights of the football
field.
With
the sound of the band playing, I imagine her hearing the brass warming
up in the cool fall air from her window that faced the high desert
mountain. Perhaps she plucked the white oval push button phone in her
room and rapid fire dialed her best friend and partner in crime, Tammy.
Slipping on her tight faded jeans and snug white top, fluffing her hair
as she flitted down to the end of her street for meeting Tammy at the
crossroads, then continuing on together until they reached the high
school stadium. This particular stadium is where we had shared many
kisses, long walks and deep thoughts.
I
can clearly remember her approaching the back of the bleachers where I
was sitting next to my newfound flute player Tabitha. I recall Tabitha
slumped over, holding her flute with her knees and me trying to sound
witty and keep her attention. Then, in the backdrop of her blond crimped
hair and green of the soccer field in the distance, I see Laura coming
into view. Actually, it was the bundle of that unmistakable curly hair
attached to her soft, pale face. (The one I’m looking at right now as we write.)
...to be continued next week.
Twinge of guilt pinched - not hard enough. I love that image.
ReplyDeleteIs this true? How old are you now? It's working... I'm curious. :)
ReplyDeleteNo fair! How long do we have to wait to see what happens when you come into Laura's view?
ReplyDelete