Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write something in the YOUNG ADULT or TEEN genre (06/07/07)
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TITLE: Graveyard Waltz | Previous Challenge Entry
By Steve Uppendahl
06/13/07 -
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But, what if your first love dies before you move on to your second? What if he comes back and wants you to join him? Think about it. Eternally young, together with your first love; forever. What if you were seventeen? What would you do?
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I’m dreaming; yet, something feels different, wrong. It’s late July, but I’m freezing. My flesh breaks into goose bumps. I’m walking. The coolness of damp grass is beneath my feet. My long white nightgown billows with a gentle breeze. Blackness surrounds me, with occasional clouds of white fog slithering across my vision.
The sounds of footsteps from behind force me to stop. I should be afraid, but I’m not. A familiar scent wisps through my nostrils, Old Spice and red roses. A smile pulls at my lips. Turning, I notice the fog is blowing towards me, as if something is coming my direction. I hear music, our song. I inhale sharply.
Incredibly, I see his eyes first. Those beautiful grey-green eyes, contrasting with his jet-black hair still stun me. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and khakis. I barely notice the bouquet of red roses. He stops inches from me and smiles; my heart flutters.
“I’ve missed you, Beth.”
His voice is lower than I remember, and throaty, as if he’s had a cold.
“I miss you too, Evan.”
I want to hold him, but I’m afraid he’ll disappear. I don’t want this to end. He smiles again, as if he’s reading my mind.
“This is real, babe. As real as what
is allowed, anyway.”
“Allowed by who?”
Evan just smiles warmly. I’m about to speak, but he puts a finger against my lips, shaking his head. His finger is cold. An uncomfortable coolness begins to spread across my jaw. Again, as if reading my thoughts, Evan removes his finger.
His tone is more urgent, “I don’t have much time. I want you to be with me. Here in the afterworld. Don’t ask me what it’s like, because I can’t tell. What I can say is that we’ll be together. We’ll never get old, never get sick. We can talk, dance, anything you want. Just you and me, Beth, forever.”
I’m speechless. Evan nods and begins to fade.
Panicked, I yell, “Wait!”
“It’s okay. I’ll be back tomorrow night. You have to decide by then, Beth.”
The fog thickens quickly and he fades away. Within seconds, he’s gone, and I’m back in bed, still in the dead of night.
Unable to sleep, I wander the house. I check in on my sisters and parents, all sleeping heavily. Again and again, I walk by photo after photo, remembering, agonizing, praying, deciding.
Before I realize I’ve slept, I awaken on the couch, photo albums spread around me. Sunlight streams in through the windows. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I close my eyes tightly until I see spots. Even before I open them, I can hear her.
“What is it, Lizzy?”
As always, my youngest sister giggles before she speaks, “You’re so smart, Beth. I love you.”
Before I can ask about her strange response, she kisses my forehead and runs toward the kitchen, then stops suddenly.
“Beth, where are you going to college?”
“I don’t know, Liz. Why?”
“If it’s somewhere close, you can come back and watch my soccer games. Right?”
I smile, “Absolutely, Lizzy. But, that’s a year away.”
“I know. Just making sure.”
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I hold my breath as I see him approach, same clothes, same eyes. Same Evan. We stare at each other for seconds, maybe years. His eyes widen.
“You’re not coming.”
Not trusting my voice, I shake my head. I drop to my knees and sob. He’s there, wrapping his cold arms around me. I talk to the ground.
“I can’t, Evan. You were too young. So am I. I want to go to college, see my sisters graduate, see-“
“I get it, Beth. It’s okay. I don’t blame you. I shouldn’t have made you choose. But, I’ll be waiting. True love always waits.”
I look up with tears streaming down my face, “But, what if-“
Evan smiles, “What if we’re not true love? Don’t worry. You’ve got time to figure it out, and I’ll be here either way.”
Hours later, I walk with a heavy heart towards a brightening horizon.
***
We danced so close, we were teenage ghosts, we were doing that graveyard waltz…After all was said and done, we were just too young, to be doing that graveyard waltz...
--The Hooters
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