THE KISS

     Memories amaze.  I can’t remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I hear a song and I remember where I heard it first and who I was with…

    And then I am sitting in a movie dreaming I was with Gigi (Virginia, but nobody called her that) the infamous best “kisser” of Millville High.  I did learn why - but it wasn’t to be easy.  

    For one thing her weekends were “booked” far in advance and she had the choice of the most popular guys in school.  And to make it  more fascinating.  She was only a sophomore!

(Editors Note:  A general rule of the instinctual pairing rituals of the high school boy. 1. Freshman males always find the junior and senior girls to be exotic but unreachable as they date guys who can  drive. 2.  Senior boys always find sophomore girls to be more exotic than the girls in there year - but very difficult to date as their father's rarely let them ride in cars with callow upperclassmen!)  But as for Gigi, she seemed to be allowed to date any boy who she care to from the long cue of suitors – even college guys made frequent trips home to see her (and get their moms to do their laundry!)  So, for days I thought about how to get a date with this tall, slim, freckled, redhead and my imagined smooching queen.

     Plan #1: Bump into her in the hall going to class – Rejected because of time factor with only minutes to engage target and converse before late bell rang.

    Plan #2:  Offer to buy her a cherry Coke at the Orange & Blue Hub, the soda fountain across from the school (this approach seemed to always work in the movies).  My spies had reported she was a frequent patron there after drill team practice – Rejected because I was also informed that her booth was always surrounded by guys.

    Plan #3:  Ask her to dance Saturday night at the “Y” --  Rejected because she always had someone waiting to dance with her and also the risk of being told “no thanks” was very possible and very embarrassing.

    So, I continued to rack my brain in study hall doodling “Gee Gigi” in my notebook instead of reading a chapter from my big, boring history book.  And then it happened by chance – without a plan.  It was my destiny.

     I was in the cafeteria  line waiting to see what “mystery meat” was offered that fateful day and Gigi, skipping her usual foray to the Hub, got in the line right behind me.  “Hi Gigi, want to go to the movies sometime?” (After all, the planning I couldn’t believe I just blurted this out,).  She stared at me for a very long moment, then with a devilish smile said, “Sure Cal how about this Saturday night, my date called and cancelled because he has to study for an big college exam so he isn’t coming home.”  I just stood there frozen in time.  Was I dreaming this?  Then Gigi said, “Well?”  I mumbled, “Yes…of course…sure…”  

    This was really real and Saturday night finally came after a nervous week of anticipation.  I chose my best button downed sports shirt and we went to the early show at the Levoy.  The movie was about two married drunks who tried to stop but couldn’t. It was fairly boring - but the theme music stayed in my head for a week.  Half way into the heavy film I tried to hold hands and wasn’t rejected - this was a bold move for me.  Matter of fact, in a few minutes, Gigi smiled and moved closer,  I put my arm around her shoulder and too my surprise she didn't flinch like most girls I have taken out.

   Good grief I couldn’t believe this was me.

     Afterward we quickly walked for an ice cream soda at the Goody Shop and I immediately drove Gigi home (since she was only a 14 or 15,  she had to home by 10 PM.  I parked the car and started the hope for goodnight kiss ritual, but without any dancing for position Gigi immediately turned toward me and gave me the most adult kiss I had ever had – she then giggled and said, “Thanks!” and was gone. 

     I just sat with my hands locked on the steering wheel.  Finally, I was able to drive and made my way home knowing now that Virginia was indeed the best kisser I ever kissed.  I was also sure I would never ask her out again – she scared me.

…But even today,  when I hear the haunting sounds of The Days of Wine Roses, like a taste of a fine rare vintage...I savor that sweet kiss as if it were happening once again.