Uncontrollable tears flowed from the young girl’s eyes. She had promised herself to another; why had she been so foolish? It had been a perfect celebration until that moment—the moment in which she gave in to her emotions. Now…now the tears and the feeling of guilt overwhelm her.
Evelyn was the same as any other girl about to turn sixteen—excited. She considered it a milestone in her life…a happy time. Her parents felt as Evelyn did and were planning a big party to celebrate.
Handwritten invitations had been sent to the guests one week prior. Evelyn's mom drove the eighteen miles to town to buy everything needed for the cookout. Her dad worked hard with the outside lighting and hay ride.
White Christmas bulbs strung in the massive oak trees would supply good lighting for the guests. Soft drinks iced down in a galvanized tub would quench their thirst. Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill would fill their stomachs.
Evelyn knew the kids loved music, so she hooked up her record player in the garage and had an assortment of forty-fives vinyl records available. There was ample room in the cement-floor, double garage for those wanting to dance.
Having everything set for her guests’ arrival, Evelyn went inside the one-level ranch-style house. Wanting to look especially lovely, she bathed and dressed in her favorite outfit. Removing the rollers from her short, brown hair, which she had washed and rolled that morning, she brushes it into a becoming style. Next, she manicures her nails.
“Evelyn, I thought we could put the gifts and your birthday cake on the dining table...what do you think?”
“Sure, Mama, that would be fine. The cake is beauti-ful; can I help with anything?”
“You can put this tablecloth on the table…and those dessert plates. I think everything is completed except for grilling, but your dad can do that after the kids arrive.”
“It won’t be long now before they start arriving; I’m getting excited,” said Evelyn, with a nervous giggle.
She walked back to her bedroom, giving one last look at her appearance. “Evelyn, you look lovely,” she said to no one other than herself.
Hearing a car's engine coming up the driveway, she rushes to greet them. Other cars bringing more guests arrive and park in the assigned area. The parents go inside the house; Evelyn and her friends listen to records in the garage. “Hey, who wants to hear “Blueberry Hill,” by Fats Domino?”
After “Blueberry Hill,” there were songs played like “The Great Pretender,” by The Platters and “Don’t Be Cruel,” by Elvis Presley.
Evelyn’s dad and some of the other fathers are out back, grilling the burgers. “Evelyn, are you about ready for some burgers?”
“Sure, Daddy...boy they smell good.”
Returning to her friends in the garage, “Hey, everyone, Daddy says the burgers are almost ready so grab a soft drink. Mama has the food table prepared with all the fixings, including chips and dips. When we are finished eating, Daddy will take us for a hay ride.”
Once finished with their delicious meal, everyone began climbing into the eighteen-wheeler’s trailer lined with bales of hay.
“Birthday girl, would you like to sit by me?” This invitation came from a tall, good looking boy.
She felt flattered and shyly replies, “Sure.”
There was the usual singing, talking and kidding around. The laughing ceased after a while, causing her to cease her conversation with the nice looking boy. In the pale moonlight Evelyn saw her friends necking.
Embarrassed at first, then she found herself feeling lonely. Thoughts of being held and kissed consumed her and her eyes searched the face of the tall boy sitting next to her.
As though reading Evelyn’s thoughts, he leaned over and kissed her—passionately. She breathed in his after shave, Old Spice…the same as what her boyfriend wore. She gave in to her feelings and returned his kiss.
As the trailer pulled into her driveway, she retreated from his embrace. Why had she gotten caught up in the thrill of the moment? She wanted him to kiss her. That's true. However, she felt she had betrayed the one she had promised herself to. Guilt is an ugly thing.
She makes it through the opening of the gifts and telling everyone thanks for coming to her party. Everyone’s gone. She puts on her pink baby-doll pajamas and crawls in bed.
Now…now the tears and the feeling of guilt over-whelm her. Uncontrollable tears fall from her eyes onto her pillow. Sleep is slow to come and when it does, she dreams of a boy…a boy in the sailor uniform miles away.
~Vada M. Wolter
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