Driving by a house today brought back a pleasant memory to share-
A couple years ago we had a minor scandal in Greybeardville. Someone we are intimate with got involved with a married man. Eventually the man's wife divorced him, and he and our acquaintance got married. Oddly, the spurned spouses got together and also married. Everyone involved in this odd slice of life seems to be doin' fine in their new relationship.
It reminded me of something that happened long ago.
I was a Sophomore at CGHS. She was a Senior. She was in one of my study halls. I had a crush the size of Manhattan.
I'll call her "Karen".
Cute, petite, with an hourglass figure, "going steady" with "Jerry",
I figured I could only admire Karen from afar.
Jerry was a jerk. I think everyone thought she was too good for him... couldn't understand why she stayed with him.
Obviously not old enough to drive, I was still hitching a ride to and from school with Willy. One day after school, I was waiting in the parking lot when Willy came out and said Karen needed a ride home. We had a carload of guys, so Karen would need to borrow a lap to sit on. She said, "I'll sit on Greybeard's lap!"
My heart fluttered.
She scooted between the seats and took my lap. I put my arm around her waist to help stabilize her. She turned to me and smiled.
My heart soared.
It was if a dream had come true. Were it possible, I would have stopped time. I couldn't believe it... here was Karen, sitting on my lap, happy to be there!
The school year ended.
Jerry and Karen broke up.
My phone rang.
"Greybeard? This is Karen. Would you be interested in going to the movies with me tomorrow night?"
"I still can't drive, Karen. No license."
"I'll pick you up at 7:30."
My heart almost burst.
We went to our beloved Meridian drive-in.
What movie was showing? Who knows? Who cares?
I was 'way to busy getting face to face with Karen!
The only fly in the ointment was that Jerry found out Karen had asked me out, and he was driving the rows... in front of Karen's car, he would race his engine up, just to irritate us. For me, it was a small price to pay. I hoped he'd try and pick a fight.
He didn't.
The next day, he appeared on Karen's doorstep, begging her to take him back.
She did.
Soon, they were married. Shortly after that, she was pregnant. The last time I saw her she was tending to the baby, wondering where Jerry was.
Years later I saw Karen's brother's name on a mailbox. Surprised he was still in the neighborhood, I knocked on the door just to inquire about her.
"How's she doin'?"
He smiled relating the story...
Jerry was a terrible philanderer. For years Karen put up with his shenanigans. One day, a strange man appeared at her door...
"Your husband is fooling around with my wife, and we need to get our heads together and see what we should do about it." And he produced photos taken by a detective to show what he was saying was true.
At first the relationship was platonic... friends trying to help one another through a tough time. But gradually their bond grew stronger.
They fell in love, divorced their unfaithful mates, and married.
Jerry and the man's wife also married.
Cheaters bein' cheaters, it didn't last.
The last I heard, Karen and her new husband were living happily ever after.
I'm glad. She deserves better than she had.
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28 comments:
I must say that you are an excellent writer. This article that you just have written was very interesting. You are very descrptive. It sure held my attention.
Just add that I have been so busy with taxes, looking at new cars, and now the NCAA tournament I have not gotten back to you in recent weeks to see how to submit articles like you do on Vandy's Kids.
Best,
Honeyrun12@aol.com
Keep up the greatwritings.
Thank you Mr. L.!
When the nets have been cut and the dust has settled on the NCAA tourney, I'll be in touch.
I'm dying to know who the girl was!! Great story but this Tabby needs more details!! ;)
I didn't know that girls asked boys for dates!?? Now I'm like PT who is this mysterious vixen that teased our GB?
But this story does remind of a warm fall day when I was a Senior in high school and madly in love with Paul McCartney. For some unknown reason no one but me noticed him after school over at Fulmer's getting an APPLE. So I trotted right over to chat and let Paul get to know me. Well, I must have swept him off his feet!! because he asked me to take off right then and travel with the band.
"So sorry, Paul, I have to finish my senior year of high school and then, of course, there is Ball State waiting for me in the fall of 1965."
Paul was broken hearted, but being the proper English gent that he was, said he understood but would always remember me and the APPLE at the orchard.
Now you know why The Beatles had the APPLE lable on their recordings.
This is a secret from long ago.
NOW, GB, TELL US HER NAME~!
GB
Well, you certainly know how to raise the curiosity level to an all time high there GB. You know that is NOT fair to do that to all us girls.
I am still wracking my little shriveled brain to figure your secret love out.
All these years, I thought it was me. Oh well, life goes on.
Guess I find another pea diddle lover to share my time with.
BMG
What's this with you and Paul? I thought it was Ringo, gosh my notes were so wrong.
I do think I remember you walking through the orchard hand in hand with someone over there, totally nude now that you mention it.
Please tell me if my memory is serving me correct.
My love for Ringo was a ruse to keep you girls off track. My true love was Paul. Now you didn't see me nude in the orchard...it was Paul, trying to persuade me to join him "on the road". I was pretty nervous that Mrs. Fulmer would see me and I wouldn't get to go on that SSS trip to the big city. You know, GH, Vera would have fainted if she had seen Paul McCartney in her APPLE orchard. But at least the record label documents and is a memory of that beautiful fall day.
Ringo Starr belonged to Jackie B. She lived only for him. When he got married, Jackie missed 2 or 3 days of school. I remember it well and thought it was a little dramatic, but on the other hand I just knew George Harrison was going to come to my farm and ask me to sing with them. I knew it because I kept dreaming about it, and I couldn't wait for all my classmates at CG to see me singing with the Beatles. He never showed up! It took me about a year to get over George. Then I started dreaming about John.......
Ahh, what fun!
Isn't a riddle wonderful?
A clue for you all, to send you running to drag out your old yearbooks...
The names of the actual characters of my story rhyme with the names I used.
Can you remember the relationships of our upperclassmen from that long ago?!
And GH-
Surely you know that no one ever kissed me in the backseat of a '64 Thunderbird quite the way you did!
;>)
Anyone else ever play padiddle?(sp?)
A little research on the word "padiddle" turned this up, and made me realize, looking at the ways the game is played today, how tame and innocent we were!
The Blog is hot today with the "Mystery Couple"....hummmmm, let's see.... my guess:
Sharon & Larry a.k.a. Karen & Jerry?
And Bo...I don't know who that imposter was in Fulmer's APPLE orchard you were "nuding" with. It must have been John because Paul was with me for our entire senior year! You see, he waited for me to finish high school...then we hit the road! Now, who was that stranger? And, just to set history straight, Mrs. Fulmer had the "Big Thing" for Ringo and George. Mrs. F preferred the quiet ones! One more tidbit: at the SSS conference in Columbus, we might have been in that red convertible with those very cute guys, but Mrs. F was with her Beatle Duo. True Story...Paul told me! I guess no one else ever knew this bit of gossip, and I've kept it a secret all these years. Well, I couldn't keep quiet any longer. Strawberry Fields...Forever!
Pea Diddle, does that have something to do with a head light of an on coming car? It's still around today? OMG!
I agree with Fly, Larry and Sharon, I think she nailed it.
Fly, I think that Paul was two-timing you with me, he was always a devious bloke you know. After I told him I wouldn't be able to join him on the road he turned to only you. BUT, now I know why I saw Mrs. F in the Band Room after school one day practicing on the drum set. RINGO STARR TOUGHT MRS. FULMER TO PLAY DRUMS! That woman was going full out...those drum sticks were really flying and hitting the rhythm on the drums and cymbals; her foot was pumping the floor drum. She was really working it, sweat poured off her face and she sang along to the beat, "Will you still need me, will you still feed me,when I'm 64?" At the time, I never told you or anyone that I saw Mrs. F performance. We really never knew the talent that woman had.
GB, why didn't you look up Padiddle years ago? OR, why didn't I?
Ah, Bo... Great visual on Mrs. F. She really rocked back then, and all thanks to Ringo. You painted the perfect pic of Mrs. F. I did love that lady, and she had the best apples! If that old band room could talk, what stories it could tell...Right, all you band members? Or am I just thinking you were all having so much more fun than I was having at the SSS conference?
Bo-thanks for setting me straight on what a two-timing twit Paul was! Here I was giving him all my heart in '65, and the entire time he was playing us...Still love him though!
Glad to hear that Joker was busy dreaming about George. It's good to know that we were all sharing the Beatles in '65! Oh, Cynthia A. was right in there also!
Does anyone remember Gary Page and some other guys, putting on wigs and doing a Beatles imitation of sorts at some sock hop? How far gone is my brain today?
Back to the taxes!!! Time Keeps On Slippin' Slippin' Into The Future...UGH!
Who is Sharon and Larry?? Remember I lived on the edge of the earth and didn't know anything about the Valley.
John was mine! All mine! He was married to Cynthia at the time but I knew that wouldn't last. He just married her for the baby’s sake.
I knew when he got around to leaving her, he would show up in Banta looking for me. However, he took a detour and found Ono!
When that happened, I heard this MEGA sound,,, the sound of a needle skimming across a record and the volume turned to BLAST. :::sigh::: I knew he was NEVER gonna be looking for me.
I would have to work overtime at taking drugs , have my head zapped in the kinetic drive of a worm hole at Warp 10 (no I don't know what any of that means) and I still couldn't measure up to Ono's version of reality.
That witch probably gave him some Love Potion #9
GB
Oh, thank goodness I still hold the record for the backseat of the Thunderbird. Thanks, I needed that.
Just think our little "game" made the wikipedia list. Now I know it was legal to play it.
I had forgotten about Sharon and Larry, makes sense to me though, good detective work there FG.
FG
Do you remember all the girls involved in the SSS incident? I have never seen anyone think so fast on their feet as you, when Mrs. F couldn't find us and asked you about the ceremony and you innocently looked up and batted your big browns and said, "didn't it have something to do with the candles?" Great work there girl.
That has stayed high in my book as fastest alibis. My hats off to you for saving 6 little "okoles".
BMG
I do remember something to do with Gary P and a wig, but I think it had to do with the dress he wore on weekends. Or am I getting him mixed up with someone else?
I remember so many of our classmates swooning over the Beatles, but while that was going on, I was in Podunk with Elvis, in his Cadillac, looking for Piddles.
So many classmates-so many untold stories.
You guys are killing me today with all these pearls of wisdom and memories! I'm laughing my a*% off and not getting my taxes finished!!! But I don't care....I'm lovin' it on this Sunny Sunday in Sorry-sota.
Big News Item From the area: Oprah is renting a house down here, Stephen King is in town, Geraldo Rivera's boat is at the marina, and of course, Jerry Springer is back on Bird Key. That's the "Inside Edition" report from my neck of the woods, anyone impressed? Yeah, right!
PT-I know that you loved John for his mind and granny glasses! Too bad you had to miss the life of major drugs and lots of nudity... You were better off that he missed Banta and met Yoko. If you had to have your heart broken, at least it was done by a Beatle! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
MYSTERY COUPLE: Did Larry have a sister younger than us...Kathy? Last name beginning with "F"?
Sharon's last name: "O"? How far off am I?
GH-Be glad you were in Podunk living large with Elvis! Now, that's a hunka, hunka, burnin' love! Just ask my sister...ha! When she was 15 (circa 1957), she went to see Elvis in concert in Louisville, KY. It cost her all of $3 or $4 and was worth every penny...ha! She's still an Elvis Fan. I'm happy to report that she's just a fan...not a fanatic. Well, possibly a border-line fanatic.
Gary P. in a dress? That could be what I'm remembering.
The SSS Incident: I can remember BO, you & me, but who else participated in this misadventure? My mind is fuzzy these days, I guess I've used it too many times coming up those wondrous alibis for all those years. Too bad I didn't save some of those brain cells...I sure could use them these days...duh! But I'm so glad that you remember me as a "most creative thinker" from the class of '65. Thanks! You get the T-Bird Back-Seat Trophy, and I get the Alibis Award. Hey, we'll take what recognition we can get these days!
FG
Taxes, what taxes? Are we suppose to do taxes?? I thought after 55 we got a free ride. Must have been another dream. Anyway, good luck and may the force be with you on that one.
Love the celebrity update you gave. Keep them coming.
They let the celebrities come and go here without bother. That is why so many come so often, they can play right out with the public and no one bothers thems at all.
They usualy write about them after they have gone.
SSS update, I think there were 5 or 6 of us since we were all over the Olds and crammed in, if I remember correctly. Might have been another dream on that one also.
The Oprah lady sure gets around, she has homes here also. I think eventually she will own in all 50 states.
PT
Don't feel bad, I think the bug boys played us all. Alas, we had to move on without them. Sob sob.
I think they had women all over the world and we were just a spoke in their wheel. (Hand to the Forhead and lying prone on the couch.)
Fly - Gary Page called me a couple of months ago and he talked about wearing the Beatle wig!! I can't remember where he wore it and who the other Beatles were....those guys must have known the girls were all in love with the Beatles and would have done anything to try for attention.........I don't think it worked but we do remember Gary in the wig!! HAH!!
Joker, I saw George one day walking around in BoMar. He said, "where does Joker live?", I WANT TO HOLD HER HAND!"
I'm so sorry Joker, I had no idea where your farm was located so poor George went away broken hearted. At least now you know he tried to find you.
GH - I only remember you, Fly and me in the red convertable. Now if you can think of others let me know. Of course, my mind was NOT totally on who else was in the car. But I really think it was just us three. What a great afternooon for three charming SSS girls! I was just a "tad" concerned about what report we would give on the meeting but, "the candle" story saved our hides.
Fly - Happy to hear the neighborhood is improving in your area....NOT ! How can you concentrate on taxes with those charming men so near?
By the way Fly, how are you doing taxes? Did you read my TRUE STORY of our Accounting Class with Mrs. Howard?
AND...thinking about your sister seeing Elvis for $3. reminds me of The Beatles performance at the Fair Grounds. The tickets were $3 and my MOTHER would not let me go! I have never recovered from that nor have I let her forget it.
Fly, Please read GBFR Week Ten Setback......my comment is the last one. Take a break and read the whole thing, I think it will bring back some memories of how much we learned in Accounting class!
Bo
Thanks guys...I'm off to GB's week 10 and all the accounting tales!
I'll never get these taxes finished tonight...AND I DON'T CARE! Where's the Orville Reddenbacher Micro Wave Popcorn?
Bo-I know of only one way to do taxes...the old fashioned way: read the tax book (what's new, hot tips, etc.) I know this is hard to believe about me, but....numbers, etc. are easy and I generally enjoy accounting... It's like solving a puzzle to me. But! HB sold some stupid stocks and I've got to find out the original cost, how long it was held, print out the correct forms...blah, blah, blah! That's what I HATE! I told HB if he EVER sold stock again, loss, gain or whatever, all the paperwork gets thrown in the trash or it goes to a CPA.
I do like to use the on-line tax programs to check my figures, then never use the company to file... tee hee!
Off to Mrs. H's Accounting Class!
Bo, I'm back from Accounting Class with tears running down my cheeks and sides aching from laughter. I do remember the Black Ink Incident! And I simply adored Mark Buntin! I don't remember learning a thing in that class...just tons of fun at our table.I must have copied all homework and cheated on all tests. There's no way I could have passed that class without a little help from my friends! You know the friends...the same friends that were laughing so hard at me that they couldn't stop me from making black marks out of my nose!!! OMG! I must have looked such a fright...but oh so funny, right? I don't remember getting it off my face, just the yowls & tears from you guys and the "what's going on's" from me. Another duh from me.
How the devil did Mrs. Howard put up with us? I guess she'd given up on us and hoped we slip out of her class. Secretly, she had a big crush on Mark...had to be because she sure didn't like me!
Sure was a fun afternoon at our accounting table...ha! Now back to taxes!
What is it about stuffing Red cars ?
Fly and Bo-
Ron S. and I were in a certain Red '64 Fuelie Corvette coupe, and for some reason we ended up with the entire Varsity Cheerleading squad in that car with us... a memory I will cherish forever. I just wish I could remember who ended up using my lap that day!
At one of our Halloween carnivals they had a talent contest in the library. Lots of folks lip-synced to records for the contest. I have a vague recollection of GP with a wig on... do you suppose this could have been the fabled memory?
There was also the day in '63 when we all tried to wear our hair in mop-top to honor the beatles. I was wearing my hair longer than most at the time, and several commented that my imitation was the best in school-
even if it was a lie, it sure made my day.
I haven't checked to see if you responded earlier Fly, but did you respond to my Jackie B. question? She may want to show up in Destin just to deny the allegations being thrown out here about her!
Fulmer's orchard!
I gotta tell ya... there was just nothing better than a red-delicious apple the size of a grapefruit after afternoon football practice in the fall! I made that trip many times and have wonderful memories of that sweet Mrs. F.! (Then of course, the next stop was the BeeHive for a Cheeseburger, big order of fries, and a Pepsi with LOTS of ice!
Is this the "White Castle movie y'all are talking about? I remember bein' mildly amused at it and surprised that White Castle gave their blessing. The scene with the two gals in the bathroom is laugh out loud though!
I think everyone had the "who can eat the most belly-bomber" contest at one time or another. Hawkeye, Steve B., Willy, and me went to W.C. at like 3 A.M. one night/morn and ordered 20 or so each. I ate 12 but fell short... Steve ate 15. Hawk, do you remember how many you ate? You had a disadvantage... you were pretty thin at that time!
All this "how many can you eat" talk reminded me of another activity we might plan for the DDFF...
Fly will be quite aware of Krystals South of the Mason-Dixon line. The link describes them... VERY White Castle-like, but I like them better! I don't believe in this age-35 cutoff crap, and think we ought to schedule a contest!
Agree or disagree? (Don't be a wet blanket!)
Glad to hear from you GB!
Twelve & fifteen WC's at one time! OMG! That's got to be some kind of record. Yeah, how many Hawk? Don't count the thin one out yet.
Oh Yeah, Krystal Burgers! They are an excellent WC Wanna Be and deserve the consideration of an "A.Y.C.E." Event at the DDFF. I have to admit that I've never eaten a Krystal, but they sure smell like a WC. And I don't think that they bust the gut like a WC. So the over 35 rule is waived for the event.
Jackie update: my last email from her states that she & her husband, Dave, just might make it. They've been wanting to check out that area, and this just may be the time for them to meet up with us and take a look at Destin. I'll keep you posted on the Jackie status and keep the pressure on her to commit. She really needs to be there and do some catching up with the other VK's.
And regarding that Red Corvette pile-in... were these the "older" cheerleaders? Now that you've let the cat out of the bag about your "desire" for "older women", did this car-stuffing incident involve the class of '63 or '64?
Everybody was so thin back then, you probably had several cheerleaders on your lap at one time. I bet you and RS were really lovin' that escapade...ha!
The SSS Red Convertible Incident involved at least 3 high-ranking officials of the Sun Shine Society, who were suppose to be attending a convention in Columbus, IN. However, during a mid morning break, these 3 upstanding representatives of the CG SSS, broke loose, found some cute guys driving a red Camero convertible and jumped them...ha! Off they went to parts unknown with unknown cute guys. The afternoon sessions of the convention were missed, and they returned with a wind-blown look. This leads us to the great alibi that was dreamed up by the President when asked how the convention went by Mrs Fulmer: "something about candles" was the story given to Mrs. Fulmer. The SSS was famous for lighting candles at various ceremonies. It's a wonder we weren't all found murdered in a ditch on the side of some deserted road, with candles placed in various orifices. God does look after the foolish. But that was a different time...for sure!
So help us solve the Mystery! Was this Sharon & Larry? Huh? Huh? Did this Larry have a younger sister named Kathy? I love a mystery. Do tell!
Magic Candle girl-
You might want to warn Jackie about the Krystal massacre, just in case she wants to prepare.
The Corvette stuffing incident had to have happened in the Spring of '65. I wish I could remember where/why/how, but I was hoping your memory was better than mine.
About "Karen and Jerry"-
I think I'll reveal their identities at the DDFF...
one more incentive for VK's to attend, don't ya think? Besides, I changed the names to protect one sweet gal and a guy taking the wrong path, remember?
Would an unveiling at the "Screaming Coyote" be apropos?
(There's another of those words I use only to sound hoity-toity!)
FG
Oh to relive those days sometimes. What a hoot.
I wouldn't change them for anything.
We really lucked out with your response to the question from Mrs. F. on did we notice anything different at the ceremony and you said "wasn't it something with the candles," and low and behold, there was one too many on the table.
I will forever thank you for such a nice save.
She never asked me a thing, it must have been the innocent look I had, yeah right.
GB
I bet you still have dreams about all those young things on your lap.
You lucky guy you.
The mystery continues, but I bet one of these smart ladies will figure it out all too soon.
Yeah, that would be the correct movie. Too funny.
BMG
The more you write about the accounting class fiasco, the more it rings a bell. For some reason I can picture it all happening.
For another story that happened to me in Columbus, go to my blog at Golden Horse. There is something about that town and me. Mrs. Sweeney's Castilla
GB
Oh how apropos! Oooooh, La, La! Great choice of word. A Mystery Solution at the Coyote is perfect!
Red Corvette, RS & GB...ummm? I'm going to really concentrate on this one and see if I can reach in my "Way-Back Machine" for a memory. If anybody should remember it's BO! Come on Bo...think, think, think! Help us out here.
I'll make sure Jackie's aware of the Krystal Massacre in May. Her hubby could put us all to shame; he's a pretty big guy. I've met him once. He's a big guy with Scottish origins and might be able to really put away those Krystals..ha. More incentive for her to come: winning the Krystal Massacre!
GH
Well, put a candle up my arse and black marks out my nose girl. I'm headed to your blog to get the skinny on Columbus and the
Sweeney Castilla Incident.
GH
I know who you are talking about. Karen was a girl that " Red on the Head" knew. She would go water sking with us sometimes in Ky. Jerry had a Studebaker that was jacked to the sky. Right ????
GH - So you crashed the party in Mrs. Sweeny's castilla. Ya know GH, I kind of thinkin that you might be better off staying our of Columbus. Or, better yet, maybe you should go again and insist that you were invited. Our poor GH being treated that way....it jest ain't right, ain't right at all.
GB & Fly - I have thought all day about us being in RS corvette...sorry but I can't picture it. Especially if all 5 of us were there. Teresa McHargue's long willowy legs would have been all twisted up for sure. Now I'm not saying it didn't happen; I just need more clues; like where were we? Did we go any place?
BMG
Thanks for your sympathy. You are so right about Columbus, I think that was my last trip there after that fiasco.
Who would believe someone could get their knickers in such a bind so quickly.
To treat a party crasher like that, what would people think??
I nice martini and a pat on the head would have been nice before they sent us on our way. Oh well, alas, woe is me. (hand to forehead again) I am a doomed party crasher.
But it has brought several smiles over the years in memories.
Bo and FG
As for the Corvette fiasco, knowing GB, if it was daylight, he probably took you to the Beehive.
If it was dark...well, use your imagination. Think dark, scary, gravel roads.
Hawk,
So you are an accomplice to this mystery woman? Shame on you for not sharing with all of us poor boring housewives.
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