Chapter 3
2078 Words
April 1958
I was nervous. I had a big date with Ricky. Well a get together. I bet he did not consider this to be a date. The night before this he actually called on me. We did not have a long profound chat with one another. But he requested that all four of us meet up at the local bowling alley by us.
And double date. Ricky was going to rent out the bowling alley for us all to have a fun night of bowling. I could not bowl. But I wanted to learn more. Be with Ricky. Impress him.
My sister never did sports activities. She said it was to boyish. And a woman needed to be lady like. I was not yet a lady. I tried my best to be one. I was all dressed up.
I had even washed dried and curled my hair for Ricky. I added a little bit of makeup. I did not want to paint myself up to be something I was not. But I wanted him to take notice in me. So, a little makeup could not hurt.
Right?
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"Willow, are you ready? Ricky called. He will be running a little late, but he said to meet up at the bowling alley" Mary Ellen says behind the door.
He was running late. My heart sinks. Maybe he would not show.
"Oh, I am nearly ready" I tell Mary Ellen as I put in an earring into my right earlobe.
I lean on the dresser. I breath in. He would show. He would not stand me up. Maybe he would? Maybe this was not a date for him? Maybe he wanted to hang out as friends, so it was not that important to him.
I sigh as I hang my head. It was important to me. I wince as I force back tears. He was never going to take notice to me. I was only a kid sister of someone he used to date.
That was all I would ever be.
Mary Ellen knocks on my door.
Then she comes in. I regain my composure.
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"Are you okay?" she wonders softly.
I nod as I force a fake happy smile. "I will be fine"
"I know you Willow you seem upset are you sure you are okay?" she wants to know.
I sigh. "I want him to notice me. I have always been Avery's sister. Avery was the one all the guys wanted. I was nothing special. I never will be" I mutter as I glance at my image in the mirror.
Mary Ellen places an arm around my shoulder. "You are my very best friend. Of course, he is going to notice you. Your inner beauty as well as your outer beauty. You know why?" she asks me.
"Why?" I humor her.
"Because Avery threw him away. She tossed his love aside. She did not want him. Remember that? He did ask to see you tonight. You. And that has to mean something" she mentions thoughtfully.
I laugh bitterly. "I doubt that" I chuckle.
"Well I do" she says to me.
I smile back at her when I notice she was smiling at me in the mirror.
We here someone knock on the door.
"Corey is here!" she announces loudly in my ear.
She rushes out of there to let Corey come in. He had a box of candy for her. And flowers. He greets her with a simple kiss on the cheeks. Then Mary Ellen is blushing like crazy. Red rosy cheeks glow on her. She looks thrilled Corey is there for her. They were so adorable together. They kind of matched again. They looked so sweet and innocent.
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"I asked Corey to wear colors I was" Mary Ellen informs me.
I nod. "I see that. You both look fantastic" I promise them.
Corey smiles. "Ready for your big date?" he teases me.
I feel my cheeks blush now. "It is not a date. Simply two friends getting together. That is all" I scoff.
"Let's go. We don't want to make Willow late for her date with Ricky" teases Mary Ellen.
We head out the door. Corey opens the doors for both of us to get inside his car. Like a gentleman. I sit in the back so Mary Ellen could sit beside Corey in the front seat.
Then we are off on our way to head into town. Butterflies of excitement rumbles in the pit of my stomach. I sigh taking a deep breath. This was not a date. Just friends getting together. Maybe if things went well tonight, he might ask me out on a real date. One for just the two of us.
We get to the bowling alley. It was odd to find the parking lot was not packed full of cars. Corey gets the doors for us to get out. Then we follow him to the door of the bowling alley. Bowl Oh Rama was what the place was called.
A run down old smelly bowling alley. They did have really good nachos here. We are allowed inside. Because our names were on the guest list. We have to go be fitted for smelly old bowling shoes. That was the only thing I hated.
Sticking my feet into old smelly bowling alley shoes. Shoes ten million other strangers had worn.
Ick!
I wince as I slide my feet into the shoes. Then I bend down and tie my shoe. I watch as Corey helps Mary Ellen pick out a ball. She wanted one that matched the color of her dress. I wanted one that was not to heavy. And one that did not chip my nails that I had been working hard to grow out. I hear laughter as I finally find my ball.
I glance over to see Ricky come walking in with a beautiful woman hanging on his arm. My heart sinks. I knew this was not a date. Why had I kept my hopes up that it was? I was so foolish. I look away. Trying to brace myself for the rest of this evening. I was so stupid. Mary Ellen is at my side. She places a hand on my arm.
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"Gee, Willow I am sorry" she whispers to me.
I shake my head. "I told you this was not a date" I remind her. "It is fine" I lie. I force a smile.
"You called it" she says softly.
I nod.
"Hello, everyone! I am so glad you could make it" Ricky warmly greet us. He was wearing a dark blue shirt that made those blue eyes of his pop. He flashes that fantastic smile at me.
"I am going to go grab some of those great nachos" I tell the others.
I hear Ricky introducing them all to his girl called Gloria. I did not want to hear the rest of it. I go to the counter. I get some soda's for Mary Ellen, Corey and myself.
I wait for my food after I pay for it. I really just wanted to end tonight. Go home. I was the only one here without a date. I felt so awkward. Maybe I could fake being sick or something. Get Corey to drop me off and come back here. That could work? Or maybe I could drop my bowling ball on my toe. And go to the hospital?
"Willow?" I hear him say suddenly.
I feel his hand on my elbow causing me to jump a little.
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"Ricky hey" I mutter.
"I am so glad you came tonight. I was running late. I am so sorry about that" he apologizes to me.
I smile. "No worries" I tell him.
"I had to bring Gloria with me. She is new in town. She is my cousin" he tells me suddenly "I hope you do not mind that she tags along on our date tonight" he mentions to me.
My heart flutters inside.
Did he just call this our date??
"Oh, that is fine" I say with a happy smile.
He grins back at me. "I am so glad to see you tonight" he promises me.
"You are?" I ask softly.
He nods. "When I saw you again, I had to get to know you more. You have turned out to be so beautiful, you sure have grown up before my very eyes Willow" he sweetly says to me.
I smile with joy at his kind words. "Thanks Ricky"
"I was not sure if you would come" he admits.
"Why?" I wonder.
He shrug's his shoulders. "Because I had dated your sister. And things did not go well near the end. And I figured that you would not want to go out with someone your sister dated" he admits. "I was just hoping to see you alone. And get to know you more" he says to me.
"Can I tell you something seeing as we are being honest here?" I ask.
He nods. Then smiles as he leans his arm on the counter there.
I brace myself. "I have always had a little crush on you. When you dated Avery" I admit. "There it is out there" I giggle.
I felt so stupid for saying that to him!
He looks pleased.
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"I kind of knew. When you followed us around. Wanted to go every where with us. Avery really did not want you to come. But back then you were such a cute kid who adored me, I had to let you come along. How could I break your heart?" he jokes.
I giggle.
"You have a fantastic smile when you smile like that Willow" he softly says to me.
Our eyes lock on one another.
I find myself smiling back.
"Here are your sodas miss and nachos" a man says as he plops the food in front of me.
"Thank you" I say. Ricky helps me carry the food and drinks to the table. I follow his lead.
Before long we are bowling. I find Gloria is actually a very nice young lady. She did have the same blue eyes as Ricky. It must run in the Nelson family jeans. She had his last name to. I felt so silly for not understanding what was going on. Mary Ellen makes her way to my side as Ricky bowls.
"So, what happened?" she asks me.
I smile at her. "It is a date date" I giggle.
She squeals. "See I told you" she tells me.
Ricky looks back and smiles before he bowls.
"He told me he was glad I came tonight" I say. I ramble some things he had said.
"I am so happy for you Willow" she gushes.
"Thanks. This is just a first date. Not like we are going steady. We will see how it goes" I remind her.
After we bowl, we were soon tired. It was getting really late. We all return our shoes. Ricky had beat us all in bowling. And Mary Ellen came in second. I did not even want to think about my poor score. But I had fun bowling.
I was sad to see the night was coming to an end. Gloria was a lot of fun to be with to. I think she had a little thing for Corey. I was sure Mary Ellen did not care for that. The guys walk us to the car. Ricky stops me in the parking lot.
He takes my hand in his. He traces his index finger over my knuckles lightly. My heart races faster.
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"Can I see you again Willow?" he asks me shyly.
"Yes" I answer him.
"I should be more clear huh? How about another date?" he offers. "with the gang or just you and me?" he requests.
Our eyes look up at one another. He smiles at me.
"Either way is fine. I would like a date alone with you" I manage to find my words.
"I was hoping you would say that Willow" he chuckles. "I have had a fun night with you"
"I have to Ricky" I promise him.
"Goodnight Willow. Have a wonderful night. I hope you will think of me in those dreams of yours" he whispers as he leans in near my earlobe. I feel his warm breath on my neck causing goosebumps to rise. Then he brushes his lips softly over my cheek. I close my eyes feeling the warmth of his tender lips on my flesh. Then my eyes open to find his looking at me. He smiles. I smile back. He lets go of my hand after lightly squeezing it.
"Goodnight Ricky. We will be in touch" I say.
He nods. Then we part ways. I get back into Corey's car. I had a date! A real date with Ricky. I could hardly wait for it! I was so happy. How did I get to be such a lucky girl?
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- Writer
