by JD Faver
When I was in the second grade I must have been irresistible, because I was the recipient of a very sincere declaration of undying love. My first admirer was a really cute boy named Eddie. He was tall and had hair the color of a carrot. In fact, all visible parts of Eddie were pretty much the color of a carrot. He had very pale skin and orange hair, eyebrows and freckles. He was great at games and always played with enormous enthusiasm. Eddie also had a speech impediment and could have done voice overs for Elmer Fudd. He got teased a lot, but he had a very upbeat personality and was able to give as well as he got.
Eddie was always chasing me around, and because I was the girl, I got to be chased. The nuns did not think this was particularly lady-like and I remember having to sit, with Eddie while everyone else was playing. We were parked close to the sister who supervised the playground, our backs against the fence. On one particularly gorgeous spring afternoon, I heard my first declaration of true love. Eddie, ever the charmer, slipped his arm around me and said the words every girl longs to hear. He said, “You my eater bunny and I you eater bunny.” Well, hey…I was seven.
To this day I have a special fondness for all things Easter. I bought Peeps last year for my beloved granddaughters and was informed that they no longer ate anything with high-fructose corn syrup or all that artificial coloring. Sadly, I had to eat two boxes of Peeps all by myself. And I thought of Eddie as I bit the ears off my high-fructose corn syrup eater bunny. Yes, I plan to stock up on Peeps again and won’t even pretend anyone else will eat them. Here’s lookin’ at you, Eddie…
"Let the mem'ries... linger on"
ReplyDelete(thank you, Elaine Page)
I might have 'trumped' your Second Grade by a fraction. In the UK First Grade is @ 5 years old, and her name was Geraldine. Long, jet-black hair and a heart-shaped face to launch several thousand ships ...
I never dared tell her how I felt, but we were the two 'natural' musicians in our year group and therefore inseparable.
By Fifth Grade we were both heading for Scholarships. I finished up at Liverpool Uni (strings) and she went to Leeds School of Music (clarinet).
During the intervening ten years, I still somehow hadn't found the chutzpah to declare myself, and I was devastated a few years later when she became the first to be married at the newly opened Metropolitan (RC) Cathedral in Liverpool ...
.... maybe there's a story begging to be let out of the bag here: thanks for the nudge!
Paul
Hey, Paul!
DeleteThat does sound like a worthy story. How sad if Geraldine was just pining away with love for you, hoping that you would break loose and declare your true feelings. Finally, convinced that you had no interest in her beyond friendship, she settled for old what's his name. Yes, write it...Maybe with a HEA?
*hugs*
~J
Such a sweet story. :) I will never look at those peeps without thinking about you. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Missy! Maybe we can crack open a box together?
Delete*hugs*
~J
Cute story. My first boyfriend was Ronald Hoekensen. We were both seven and walked to school together. He'd always bring me a rice crispy marshmallow treat when his mom made them. I wonder where he is now....
ReplyDelete:)
~Rose
Ronald is probably wondering where you are now. Yum on the rice crispy treats. I tried to make them in the microwave resulting in a gelatinous goo unfit for human consumption. Better the old fashioned way.
Delete*hugs*
~J
Such a cute story, J.D. I sit here trying to remember my first crush. Can't. But in junior high and high school, there were two red headed boys that had my heart. I've always liked red heads.
ReplyDeleteJane
Well, then you will like Bad Karma, the sequel to Bad Medicine. Did you know it's impossible to find cover stock with red haired hero material? Maybe they can't get beyond tall, dark and handsome? Still searching...
Delete*hugs*
~J
My first crush was in kindergarten. Kenneth N. was adorable and I was determined to let him know exactly how I felt. So when he went into the supply closet, I followed and shut the door and told him I wouldn't let him out unless he kissed me. Yes, I was very bold!
ReplyDeleteHe said he wouldn't with the lights on and so off they went. As his lips grazed mine, the door opened and lights went on. The teacher caught us! Kenneth never ever talked to me again. I guess he was embarassed beyond words ;-D
Oh, Francine...You are my idol. I love the bold, determined heroine. Poor Kenneth. He sounds like a wuss and totally unworthy of your affections. *hugs*
Delete~J
Ah, June, I love your story. My first crush was in 3rd grade. He asked if we could go steady. My mom said no. LOL. I still have the prettiest Valentine from him. At a high school reunion, we hugged and I introduced him to Handsome.
ReplyDeleteMoms have a way of dampening our ardor. Sometimes even more so than a Carmelite nun.
Delete*hugs*
~J
What a sweet story, J.D. My first crush was in the fourth grade on a cutie named George. Blond hair and gorgeous blue eyes. I still remember those eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteThose must have been some great eyes, Carol. I just bought some Peeps to have on hand.
Delete*hugs*
~J
I suddenly remembered the time of our prom. I was with my first boyfriend then. :)
ReplyDeletecollege dating