Spot Writers: November 1957

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This week the prompt is to use three of the following words in the story: ridicule, laugh, spellbound, following, letter. Today’s contribution comes from RC Bonitz, author of A BLANKET FOR HER HEART.

November 1957

by RC Bonitz

The letter came in the mail two weeks before Thanksgiving. He scanned it quickly and let out a whoop of joy. Wonderful letter, delightful letter. His friend Mac wanted to double date when he got home from college for Thanksgiving, Mac with Terry (they’d been an item for some time now) and he with Karin. She was willing to go out with him!

Karin had turned him down about three months ago. Of course, he’d asked her to the movies when she worked there. Fool. But apparently she’d forgiven or forgotten. Never mind a letter for his answer. He picked up the phone.

Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday actually, Mac and Terry picked him up and then they picked up Karin. Now he’d met dozens of girls since he went to college, blind dates mostly. So, he should have been cool with Karin. But he wasn’t. They were both stiff and awkward in the backseat of Mac’s Chevy.

They had tickets to a square dance, presented by Terry’s Mom. But the hall was dark when they arrived, the dance scheduled for the following weekend. Oh crap, he thought, but Karin suggested they listen to records at her house.

Listen they did, and danced too, in the playroom in the basement undisturbed. He was oblivious to Mac and Terry, couldn’t tell you what they did or said. But Karin–he was spellbound, dancing, talking the whole night. And then, after a long slow dance, he knew. Sure as he was standing there with her, no doubt about it. He didn’t propose, not him. He made it a pronouncement.

“I’m going to marry you,” he said.

She stared at him, dumbstruck. But she didn’t pull away. She didn’t laugh or choke or ridicule him.

“Well?” he asked.

“You certainly are original.”

“I mean it.”

She smiled. “I know.”

“And?”

“I barely know you.”

He smiled. She hadn’t said no.

He’d just turned eighteen, she would in another month. They married a year later.

The Spot Writers- our members.

RC Bonitz