Kansas Summer

The First Date

From my view inside the old church, I can see the snow swirl in frosty cyclones around the parking lot. I switch my gaze from the window to the pew on the other side of the aisle to where the Johnson family sits. Although I respect Reverend Shirley and his words of wisdom, preachers can get too preachy, and this was one of those times. My mind slowly wandered away from the sermon and out of the open Bible I had on my lap. I pretended to be studiously reading; if I wasn't going to pay attention to the preacher, I at least was going to look like I was ascertaining some spiritual truth.

What I really was concentrating on was stealing glances at Jenna. She returned some of my glances, making it clear that she wished that the pastor would hurry up. She looked forward to talking to me after the service ended; we had finally decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend, and our conversations now became mandatory whenever we saw each other. With the change in weather, we have changed too; our meetings become longer as the time in between them lengthens. As school becomes more challenging for the both of us, we dedicate our time more to our studies than to each other.

Like all good couples, we realize that other things take precedence over our relationship. Jenna's dad organizes them in The Three G's: God (we must remember that our faith should always be a building block in our relationship), Grades (we must remember that our education is our future, not necessarily each other), and finally Girls and Guys. Our families know that we are dating, but both Jenna's dad and my dad insist that we have been dating since that September afternoon.

We walk quickly out the doors into the winter wonderland; immediately our hands lock together. The breath from our air dissipates in the chilly air, but it doesn't seem that cold out. Before Jenna or I say anything, we look into each other's eyes and smile, laughing ensues.

“You know, we haven't had a date yet,” I muse absent-mindedly. “You're right,” Jenna agrees. “We should go to the pizza parlor downtown today.”

I am taken aback by the blunt nature of Jenna's statement. “T...today?” I ask.

“Of course,” she replies nonchalantly. “Right now, in fact.”

“Uh, I guess it's alright,” I tell her, brushing the snow from the top of my head. “But let me tell my dad where I'm going to be. In the meantime, you can wait in the truck.” I flip her the keys and disappear back into the church against the flow of the crowd.

It's not difficult to find my dad in the small Baptist church that only seats one hundred. “Dad, I'm going downtown with Jenna for lunch. Did you have anything planned for lunch?” “Do I ever have anything planned?” is my dad's answer.

“I guess not.” My dad slaps me on the shoulder, and walks off, apparently giving me his approval. I shrug and walk out the door, but not before I talk to Mr. Jackson and ask for his permission to take his daughter out. I don't think he would have said no though.

The old driver's side door creaks awfully when I throw it open. I slam it shut again with another grinding response. I turn and smile Jenna, who is already in her seat, and buckle my seatbelt. The old car belches smoke when I turn the key in the ignition, and I throw the gear into reverse. Looking out for pedestrians, I back out of the parking lot and drive out onto the highway toward town.

“So, pizza?” I ask Jenna. “If that's alright with you.”

“Going anywhere with you would be alright.”

“Oh, stop teasing me, Colin.”

I only laugh and turn the radio up louder. The sound of the radio blasts away the wind and blowing snow. “Would you, could you, if I asked you, would you wanna be my baby tonight?” I sing along with the song. Jenna is amused, and soon she starts singing too. I sing along awfully; I am lucky to have a girlfriend like Jenna who sounds like an angel to make the music sound beautiful again.