She was seventeen when we met. I was an eighteen year old senior. I first saw her at a football game. Our team was losing so I went to the snack bar to drown my sorrows in a hot dog and coke. She was in line in front of me. I could see from her backside that she was well built, flared hips and a bulge up top that promised a large chest. Her honey blond hair hung to her waist. When she turned around, she turned out to be the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. How could I have missed seeing her at school?
I barely managed to blurt out, "Hi, I'm Tommy Johnson."
"Hi, yourself, I'm Vicki Wade."
She had a voice like an angel.
"Would you like to come sit with me for the rest of the game?" I pleaded.
"I don't know. I'm here with friends."
"Oh, you have a boyfriend?" I asked as my heart dove into the dirt.
"No," she laughed, "I don't have a boyfriend. I'm here with the Glee Club."
"Okay, what are you doing after the game?"
"Daddy's picking us up. He's taking us to IHOP."
"I really would like to see you again. Can I have your phone number?"
"No, daddy won't let me give that to anyone, but I'll take yours."
I gave her my number with no real hope that she would ever call me. I was pretty much crushed. For a brief time, she had played me like a yoyo. I felt like a yoyo. I couldn't forget her sparkling smile and the lilt of laughter in her voice.
For the next two weeks I stumbled down life's path. I just couldn't forget the beautiful girl at the football game. I looked for her on campus, but never even got a glimpse of her. It was like she disappeared. I was sulking in my bedroom when the phone rang. Mom answered it.
"Tommy, it's for you."
I got up and dragged myself downstairs. Probably one of my buddies. "Hello."
"Hi, Tommy? It's me, Vicki Wade. Do you remember me?"
My heart lifted off the launching pad. "Yes, of course. How could I ever forget you," I answered, trying not to sound like an anxious puppy.
"I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but I've been really busy."
"That's okay," I answered, knowing I would have waited for icicles to form in hell for her call.
"Do you want to hang out?'
"Sure! When? Where?"
"I could meet you at Elmer's."
"Great. When?"
"How about in half an hour?"
"I'll be there!"
I dropped the phone and headed for the shower. I sprinted from the bathroom back to my bedroom and was dressed faster than superman in a phone booth. I shot out the door at mach two headed for Elmer's.
She smiled when she saw me. That smile could have been used as a lighthouse beacon. She was just as beautiful as I remembered.
"Hi, Tommy," she said demurely.
"Hi, Vicki," I panted.
We sat in a booth and ordered a couple of hamburgers. I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
"Why are you staring at me?" she asked.
"I'm afraid that if I look around, you'll disappear again," I mumbled.
"When we finish our burgers, let's go walk in the park."
"Okay," I readily agreed.
We strolled to the park. Well, actually, she strolled and I floated. We walked around the lake and sat on a bench. It was there that I first touched her. She held out her hand and I took it. Electricity shot up my arm. She was warm and soft. I wanted to kiss her, but I was afraid I'd scare her.
"I was really surprised when you called me," I said.
"I wanted to before but I've been so busy that I just couldn't find the time."
"What keeps you so busy?"
"Well, there is thespian school, singing lessons, dancing lessons and school work, not to mention chores around home."
"Are you going to be an actress?" I queried.
"I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but I know I like to entertain. I think my voice is my strong point. I'm not too sure about my acting and dancing."
"Don't you ever date?"
"I seldom have the time. Mom and dad are like Fort Knox guards. They'll let me go if I really want to but most of the time it's not worth the effort."
"How did you manage to get out today?"
"I thought it was worth the effort," she explained.
"Can I see you again?"
"Oh, sure. I want to start having real dates. Mom and dad are going to have to adjust. I'll be eighteen in a few months. Do you want to date me?'
"More than anything in the world!" I exclaimed as I squeezed her hand.
She squeezed mine and once again, I was climbing that yoyo string. We got up and walked deeper into the park.
"Would you like to meet my mom?" I asked.
"Yes, but what about your dad?"
"Dad was killed in an airplane accident. He was a fighter pilot in the Air Force," I explained.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Do you miss him?"
"Yeah, I miss him a lot. It's just mom and me now. She really took it hard, but it's been five years. We won't forget him, but the pain of loss has dulled over time."
"Are you into sports? Do you play football or basketball?"
"No, I do some power lifting and I'm pretty good at track."
"I could tell you were strong by the way you squeezed my hand."
"I didn't hurt you did I?" I asked.
"No, you just felt real strong. I like that. It's getting chilly. Maybe we better go home."
I would have stayed in a blizzard just to be near her, but I reluctantly agreed to walk her home. I stood on her front porch with her hands in my hands.
"When can we go out?" I asked.
She slipped a piece of paper into my hand. "How about tomorrow after school?"
"Okay, I'll meet you at the science lab."
She squeezed my hand again and disappeared inside her house. As I walked home I looked at the little piece of paper she gave me. On it was her phone number. I shoved the paper into my pocket and floated home.
I waited at the science lab for twenty minutes. Just as I was about ready to give up, she came around the corner. I went from despair to elation in one heartbeat. I was on the damned yoyo again.
"Sorry I'm late; I had to stay after class for a while."
"That's okay," I answered.
She held my hand as we walked from the campus.
"When is your birthday?" I asked.
"I'll be eighteen before summer," she replied.
"Can we go to a movie some night?"
"I think I can convince mom and dad. Give me a couple of days. Can we walk back to the park now?"
I squeezed her little hand and we headed for the park. We found 'our' bench and sat down. She put my arm around her shoulder and melted into me. She was so soft and warm. One of her breasts was brushing my arm.
"Do you like me?" she softly whispered.
"More than anyone I've ever known," I whispered back.
"I like you too. A lot. I can't wait for summer!"
I smiled at her. "You have another year of high school after this year. I'm going to the university this fall. At least I won't have far to go. What are your plans for after high school?"
"I plan to go to college. The university sounds about right to me. At least I won't have to leave town."
Her plans seemed to fit my plans. Now all I had to do was keep from screwing this relationship up. At that point, I decided to go very slowly.
"Maybe we can go together," I said.
"I would like that," she answered.
I crushed her body to mine. She hugged me. Life was good. I dated her for the next year and some months. Her graduation was approaching and so was her birthday.
I got to her birthday party a little late. I was closing the deal on my new car. Some of dad's insurance money bought it for me. I pulled up in front of her house and parked. When I got out, she was waiting for me.
"Where have you been Tommy?"
"I had to close the deal on our new car," I explained.
"Our car?" she squealed and jumped into my waiting arms. For the first time, she gave me a deep, deep lover's kiss. I saw her dad watching us from the window. He just smiled and turned away. We walked arm in arm into the house and into the party.
"Tommy bought us a car!" she cried to her mom, who gave me one of those knowing woman type looks.
"I bought you something else," I said.
"What could be better than a car?" she asked excitedly.
"Come with me into the living room," I told her.
I pointed to the couch. "Sit," I ordered.
She did. I knelt beside her and took out the ring box. "I want to marry you as soon as you graduate," I whispered.