Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GRADUATE (08/01/19)
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TITLE: Graduate Child | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Kronberger
08/07/19 -
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My family moved away when I was in seventh grade but I was back for my senior year. I realize now, I lived a double life. I wasn’t much interested in learning, but school was more fun than home. I was in the choir, part of a performing ensemble, and even participated in a musical play. Though a bit quiet and insecure, I managed to interact with a few flirty fellows. So weekdays were okay.
Weekends were my other life. I was in love with my neighbor, Gordon, however he was away at college. He came home most weekends to hang out with me. That was great. Bowling and church were our two favorite things to do. My best friend, Karen, was the only one who knew I had a serious boyfriend, since we only became committed to each other in the spring and no one at school knew anything about him.
There were a couple of boys in my English class who had an ongoing flirtation with me. Darryl was a bit dorky, but fun, and his best friend, Jimmy, was hot. He had a James Dean persona—mysterious bad-boy hunk. I don’t remember him being loud or aggressive. He seemed gentle and shy, even as our conversations were silly and flirty. He never hinted at a date, but I got the feeling he really liked me. I liked him too, but knew nothing about him and generally only saw him in class first thing each morning. Since our conversations were innocent, I continued with the interaction, even after Gordon’s and my relationship became serious.
Fast forward to the end of my senior year, the last day of school before my graduation.
As I sat alone at a lunch table, Jimmy slid onto the bench across from me. We had never hung out any time before, other than in our first-period class. I was surprised, but flattered, at his appearance.
“Hey there, how’s your lunch?” His smile made my heart flutter a bit. My mind raced with all kinds of thoughts. Why was he here? I would be engaged by tomorrow and Gordon had no knowledge of this little first-period crush. How could I feel this way when I was in love with Gordon?
“Not as good as yours,” I said as I tightened my hold on a bologna sandwich while looking at his tray of hot lunch—hot like him, I thought.
We chatted a little bit before I was pulled into a whirlpool of emotions when he asked, “Want to go for a ride after lunch?”
I did. But I shouldn’t. What was wrong with me? I knew I would be wearing an engagement ring the next day.
Foolishness whispered in my ear, “Hey girl. It’s just one little ride.”
Wisdom screamed into my other ear. “You fool. That would be unfaithful to Gordon. This guy is not for you!”
“Nooo,” I sighed in answer to Jimmy’s question. “I better not. Thanks anyway.”
His disappointment showed as he left the table. I sat in silence, feeling shame that I had let it go this far, and relief that I had resisted temptation.
The next evening, after graduation ceremonies concluded, friends crowded around, oohing and ahhing over my ring. I was embarrassed to see they were shocked I was engaged, since a boyfriend never appeared at high school events and Jimmy’s and my flirtation had been observed by others.
It was a wake-up call for me. I had been walking a slippery slope and came way too close to toppling off. Gordon never knew of this little episode and I never entered into any shady area like that again. God protected his eighteen-year-old foolish child from disaster and led Gordon and me safely through fifty-five years of marriage.
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