My Real Memoir
I was on “the island of romance.” Alone. So I grabbed a burger with some buddies, and went swimming with the Catalina goldfish. It was an otherworldly experience, gliding amid throngs of beautiful, luminous creatures. Still, I thought, they’re not as beautiful as her. Her being Martha. Stop it! What was I thinking? We’d had one awkward, tongue-tied date the year before, and moved on. Besides, in just a few days I’d be flying off to be with my hot little Texas blonde…whatzername. I spotted Martha and Ted several times that day. Gorgeous goldfish notwithstanding, the day sucked.
When we regrouped on the “Big White Steamship” that evening, I spotted her again. Alone. “So, where’s Ted?” I asked.
“He wanted to be by himself.”
“But I thought you were—”
“Oh, no, we’re not… Ted’s girlfriend broke up with him, and I just thought he’d like some company.” Martha was like that. Kind.
“Want some cocoa?” I asked. The cruise back to L.A. was blessedly chilly, the type that makes you want to sip cocoa and cuddle. And so, after watching the flying fish sail past, framed by the setting sun, Martha and I found a bench and did just that. I pulled my jacket over her, and she smiled. Then she put her head on my lap and looked up at me. Was I hallucinating? What was in this cocoa? Was the girl who’d labeled me “shallow and worldly” actually encouraging me? Only one way to find out.
I bent over and kissed her.
And she kissed me back. Whoa! This was not last year’s model Martha, the one who’d kissed like my grandmother. Apparently, practice really does make perfect. In between kisses, we talked about the year that had passed. Martha had edited the school paper, been officially recognized as a California Scholar and, oh, yeah, learned how to kiss. Just as my first girlfriend Kelle and I had taught each other, Martha and her first boyfriend Lou had done the same. Ever the scholar, Martha had clearly studied hard, and as far as I was concerned, she’d just aced her final!
I never wanted that ship to land.
“See you soon?” I said at the dock. But Martha knew I’d be leaving in a few days to visit my Texas fling, so she just waved and got in her dad’s car.
The night before I left, I knocked on her front door. “Look, I booked the tickets to Texas before… I mean, I didn’t know that…”
“I thought I was just your Catalina fling.”
“No! Honestly, I think I may actually be fall…”
“What?”
Interminable silence.
She shut the door.
My Real Memoir is a series. To read the next one, click here.
Oh, I just loved this. Is there a continuation of the story? I hope so. So well written and such a great love story…
Yes, Ellen, my memoir post next Tuesday will pick up the story from here. And thank you, btw.
Oh, I look forward to it! And you are most welcome.
Oh, the intricacies of young love and mixed messages!
Yep.
How wonderful. How frustrating. Hope you’ll tell us more soon!
We’ll see… ;>)
Your dating took place in a much more romantic and exotic locaton than mine. I do believe, however, I was just in a different car on that same emotional roller coaster on which you rode. I’d say my dating experience was more Ozark Mountain Daredevils while yours was more Jan & Dean and Beach Boys.
Same story, different style of music. Yep, sounds about right.
Got any letters from Martha? 🙂
Afraid not, Nancy. Long story short: during my “St. Francis of Assisi Period” I destroyed all vestiges of my old life, including love letters, photos, etc. Apart from the pen pal letters Judy sent back to me years later, I only have some odds and ends my mom happened to save.
Ah, shucks!
This is sooo interesting 😅. Next part please , I can’t wait
How exotic! And flying fish yet. Looking forward to the sequel…
Dang! Teen love.
Yup.
I love that it’s memoir. Sweet emotion well written. <33
Thank you, Lia.
Come on, man; you have to finish the scene. Young love or rejected affections? Let us know how the Texas blonde visit turned out. Speaking from a former teenage male, I believe we have all been in that movie. The salt air may have played a part in the mind meld.
No doubt, Phil. ;>)
No! Not the door closing…C’mon Martha. Ok, we will wait patiently! 💕
;>)
You left us hanging!!!!!! Tell us more!
Next Tuesday. ;>) Great to hear from you again, Karyn!
I certainly hope this will be continued, and we’ve got to hear more about “Texas Blonde”.
Patience, my child. ;>)
“She shut the door.” — Ouch!
Can’t wait for the rest of the story!
How charming & intriguing!
And how well captured! – the excitement when “love is in the air” comes buzzing out of your post… we want more……excellent piece Mitch!
Thank you, Eva! I just posted the next segment, btw. https://mitchteemley.com/2023/08/01/my-first-i-love-you-2/
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