We were so in love. But she was on the other side of the playground.
The year: 1995. I was in kindergarten. It was early fall and the lines for the swings were long. My best friend for that week was James. He was a lanky kid and had funny teeth. But at that time in my life, funny teeth were in. I saw her on the merry-go-round. Luscious hair and a floral print dress; it was beauty in the making. Boy, was she was easy on the eyes. Her name: Clara. Her game: hard to get.
Truth be told, I had no time for a woman in my life. But she wasn't just any woman. She was the light of my life, because, to be completely honest, it was getting a little dark around to see.
It's odd, you really don't remember much from your glory days (fine, my glory days) except for the little things that wake you up at night and make sure you didn't forget most things that "could have been." I really hate my DreamCatcher for that. Literally not worth the $10.95 I paid for it plus shipping and handling. But what I do remember is this: We played tag for a couple of minutes. James was picking his nose by the seesaw. He had issues. I remember distinctly the wind catching her hair and playing with it as we ran around trying to touch each other. Simple, so simple. I was ready to profess my undying love for her that moment. But—
Then I saw that there was no line for the swings.
I wonder what she's doing right now.