B.O.O.T. CHAPTER V The College Years Montgomery Again (continued) I went home to Connecticut for the Summer in love with two women. Anita was disinclined to go through with her upcoming wedding and had vowed to break off her engagement. Tony kissed me with one of her magical kisses and said she couldnt wait for me to come back. I gave her a ruby ring that my mother had supplied. It was the ring that father had given mother before he went off to Wisconsin. The Grassy Hill Country Club hired me to be head lifeguard. Again I sat in the sun and flirted with the girls. I called Merreles and after a few dates eventually seduced her. Hah! She wasnt a virgin either. There was also a nanny who came to the pool to watch children for her aunt. She was a little bit pregnant by Leagion Is His Name. We went out and she taught me many new activities. I started going to The Exit Coffee House on Fridays and Saturdays where I played, still poorly, and listened to the songs of PP&M, Donovan, Baez and Dylan. One fellow, Brock Hall, was the most amazing musician. He could play guitar, of course; and banjo, tipple, mandolin, autoharp, dulcimer, fiddle, harmonica and kazoo as well. I wanted to emulate him but I had neither the teacher nor the talent to ever be as good as he. The third week of Summer, on Friday, Toni called. “We have a problem...(long pause)....Im pregnant!” Panic! Disaster! Fear! Confusion! Denial! All those emotions coursed through me and then acceptance and responsibility overcame all those reactions. I had to be mature. “Ill be there as soon as I can and we can get married. I truly love you. Ill call before I leave.” “I love you too. Im a little scared. Hurry!” Somehow I just couldnt tell my parents what the situation was. I could not bear the recriminations and lectures and name calling that I knew would ensue. The path of true love and hearts desire seemed a better approach. Yah, right! “Mom, Dad, I have to go back to Montgomery. Im in love with Toni and cant stand to be without her. Im going back next week to marry her.” The discussion went on into the wee hours and continued the next day on the way to and from church. I held to my position and refused to budge. I was in love and I was going back. Father waylayed me on the way home from work. He met me in the garage. “So, how far along is she?” “Huh?” “How far along is this girls pregnancy.” “ This girl is the woman I love and her name is Toni. I never said she was pregnant. I just love her and have to marry her as soon as I can.” “Look!” the old man said, “The only reason a nineteen year old kid wants to get married right now is that the girl is pregnant. How pregnant is she?” “Uh, I dont, know” “Is it yours? How do you know? Have you seen a doctors report?” “In order sir; one yes! Two, because she told me. And “C” dont need one because she has no reason to lie.” He resignedly said, “Do what you have to.” He turned and went inside. Dinner was silent that night. No one had anything to say. Kevin kept asking what was wrong and kept being distracted by Mother. Father just glared at his plate. Afterward I started packing. Mother screamed at me, made threats of disinheritance and being cut off. She implored the Lord God to strike her dead rather than see me throw my life away. I guess it was a good thing I did not tell her that Toni was pregnant. Monday morning I got up and went to work. The day was spent as had been the previous Mondays; clean the filters, chlorinate the pool, sweep the deck, sit in the sun, blow the whistle to stop rowdy behavior. Also it was a day to think. I had no plan and could not formulate one at that time. I just had to get to Montgomery. On the way home I stopped and made two calls. First I called Anita, informed her of the situation and apologized for having to end our relationship and give up our relationship. It was the mature, honest and responsible course to follow. Then, second, I called Toni. She sounded a little groggy when she answered the phone. “Hi, sweetheart, Im ready to leave Connecticut and come on down.” “Its awright. Yall doan have to come” “Why? What happened? You sound funny. Are you all right?” “Im fine. Went to doctor. Gave me pills. I bin sick. No baby. Sleepy time now. Love you. By, by … click” With great relief I went on home. I wrote once or twice a week the rest of the Summer and Toni always replied. She called a couple of weeks later, middle of August maybe, to tell me she was considering transferring to the University of Alabama the next semester. The beginning of September I called her and gave a date for my return to Montgomery. The Summer ended. I had one more fling with Merreles in a cornfield on Grassy Hill Road up behind my parents home. I said goodby to my friends at the Exit Coffee House and wished the pregnant nanny a fond forever farewell. Summer was over.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 12:19:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015