A few moments later he had to leave. Us girls meandered into my house to kick back and do our own thing. A few hours go by. In my living room, I hear the sound. The sound, that just a few short hours earlier had caused my heart to race. It was coming from the park. Vista Del Prado Park is right across the street from my house. I jumped up off the couch, ran to the front door, to find the one who makes my heart smile, playing catch with a buddy in the park. No doubt he wanted us girls to notice he was out there! So of course we walk across the street, giggling and being loud just as normal teenagers do. We begin to play catch with them. I remember the very first time I threw his football to him; he appeared to be taken by my athletic ability. We laughed and played until the sun went down that day. Kristie kept telling me to stay away from him because he was all hers. Anytime I talked to him or smiled at him, she made sure to try and put me down, to make me look bad so that he would like her. Did that stop me from being me? Haha of course not! It became a challenge. So as we were heading across the parking lot to go home. She requests that he give her a hug good night. I keep walking towards my house. Butterflies filled my abdomen when he requested one from me. I became very shy, but inside I was flying among the clouds as I approached his amazing smile and his arms stretched out awaiting that hug. And there I was, in his arms, it was better than I had ever dreamed it would be. As he held me close, my eyes closed and I softly whispered in his ear, “please don't forget me, please come back.” He then looked at me, when he smiled, his whole being smiled. With that smile he said, “I could never forget you, I will be here.” Inside I was frantic! Where on Earth did that request of mine come from? What was I thinking making a request like that? Kristie yelled, “Hurry up Mickel!” He continued to look me in the eyes, I was lost in the thought of, “what is he thinking when he stares at me so?” I heard another yell, faintly in the background. It was her again. Then I heard my mom yell, “Dinner is ready, time to come home.” We smiled once again and went our separate ways. Kristie looked at me and stated once again, “he’s mine! I got the first hug and you didn’t!” I smiled and informed her that, “yeah, you got the first hug. But I didn’t have to ask for mine.” She fell silent but appeared to be boiling with anger.
We reach the house. I jumped up and down as if Peter Pan had just taught me how to fly! My family laughed and laughed at me. I didn’t care; I had reached the heavens and continued to feel the strength within his arms, the rhythm of his heart beat and the enticement of each breath he took.
Meanwhile, Kristie was nagging me and nagging me. Demanding, that I back off. I was really just being me…well, I’m sure it was obvious that I had a crush on him. Though I did keep my distance and I didn’t request the hug; but boy was I still in awe!
It was around 3 pm on July 27, 1993. The house began to shake. And there he was, tall, dark and handsome. Wearing a purple tank top with carpenter jean shorts, he began to throw the football with his buddy once again. We girls make our way to the park. Our eyes met, we shared the same smile. As if maybe we were thinking the same thing. We all walked over to the bleachers to have a seat and began talking about going for a drive. After much debate, we successfully came up with a plan together.
We ran home and asked Daddy if we could go to the mall with Jace and his buddy Steve. Daddy said, “Well, I guess. What time do you plan on returning home?” “By sundown,” I replied. We thanked him and left. Daddy didn’t know that we had lied and were headed to Bear Canyon up on Mt. Lemmon.
So we all hop into Jace’s white Toyota Celica. Jace was driving and his buddy Steve was in the front seat. In the back, my sister Jamie sat to my left and Kristie to my right…leaving me in the middle.
We began our journey towards the Mountain. The music was loud; the windows were down, moon roof open…the window blew my hair in every direction. Smiles filled his Celica. I quickly learned that I was the object in his rear view mirror. Kristie kept elbowing me, I guess it was the reminder that I needed to back off of her territory. My eyes were fixed on his, as he winked at me through the rear view mirror. The car was full. Full of people, music and wind…though, the only two people that were truly present in my mind were me and Jace.
After driving for nearly an hour, we reach Bear Canyon. The guys were gentlemen and helped each one of us out of the car. We get out, we stretch and look around. Jace and Steve murmured to one another. Then we began making our way up the mountain on foot. I looked down and it appeared that Steve was keeping Jamie and Kristie occupied. So I continued to follow Jace.
It was then that I learned that Jace had asked Steve to keep the girls down there so that we could talk. He brought me to a secluded place among a huge rock that overlooked the beautiful pines. It was there, where we sat side by side talking about everything under the sun. We both learned that we were in horrible relationships. He had asked me several questions about the guy I was dating. For some reason I shared more than I had desired to. Down to how I was being abused verbally, emotionally and physically by this other guy. He then promised me that he would always protect me. A tear made its way down my cheek. He noticed as I tried to hide it. I went to dry it and his hand met mine, wiping it away. He then lifted my chin, he pressed his lips against mine and my hair began to sway in the wind. Once again, he caused the butterflies to fill my abdomen. We never talked about what was next with us or what he had just done. We made our way down the hillside. He grabbed me by the hand, smiled and we continued towards our friends. Kristie’s eyes were glued on me. If looks could kill, I would have been dead! He opens the car door for me, we all hop in and head home. Looking in his rear view mirror, his eyes smiled, they didn’t stop smiling. I believe I was elbowed several times during that drive home. Though, I was too busy to acknowledge her rudeness and the fact that I was completely lost within his gorgeous blue eyes!
We arrive home. He opens the car door, he grabs my hand, pulling me close and our lips meet again. He says, “good night, may I see you tomorrow?” “I will be here,” I softly replied. Then I remembered that I had a softball game that I was pitching in and asked him, “Would you like to come and watch me play?” He said, “Yeah! That sounds fun!”
July 28th, 1993. I was making my way to the pitching mound. I look past the back stop and there stood the root of all my butterflies. He smiled and waved at me. He sat with my mom during the entire game. To this day I have no idea what they talked about that night.
After the game, he asked me if he could drive me home. Mama and Daddy said it was okay. So naturally, I was super excited, yet again!
We are in the car, I fasten my seat belt. I’m ready to head home. He looks at me and asks, “Did you break up with your boyfriend?” “Yes, Yes I did. And did you break up with your girlfriend?” I asked. Without hesitation he stated, “heck yeah!” I chuckled a little bit and looked away. He grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes…there was a silence that filled the car, not awkward, but peaceful. “Will you be my girlfriend?” He asked softly as he was staring me in the eyes. By now, I’m sure my cheeks were flushed, my palms were sweaty and the butterflies were most definitely going to burst from my abdomen! I thought to myself, this is the moment I have been waiting for since I was 12! It took three and a half years for him to notice I even existed! And here we are, at my softball game. Together, alone, he not only wants to drive me home but he wants me to be his Girl! I’m surprised I didn’t just pass out right then and there! Okay, okay, I had to pull myself together and respond to the one in whom my soul longed for. I smiled with every bit of my being and said, “I would love to.” He gave me the most sweet, soft kiss and we were on our way.
To be continued...