First Date

Annie and I had our first date with one another 25 years ago: August 2, 1984.

On our drive over to Ball State to see a musical, we happily
discovered we both liked Motown music. And we were both happy to
discover that the other didn't mind that we smoked.

After Act I of the musical, we decided to leave. We weren't
enjoying the show that much--we were both happy to discover that we
could be honest with one another about what we liked and didn't
like. (I bought tickets for that show because a former student of
mine was starring in it.)

I asked Annie where she'd like to go in Muncie. She wanted to go to
Red Lobster. I figured we were going there for a drink or two and a
light snack. Boy was I wrong! When Annie received a menu, she let
the orders fly. This girl was going to EAT. (I'm glad I had money
in my wallet.) And she enjoyed a few whiskey-sours. The girl could
drink too!

After we left Red Lobster, I took Annie to my sister's. Eight-year-
old Jenny-Mack in particular was fascinated by Annie. Annie's voice
was gone at the time, so she had to whisper. (When she tried to use
her voice, it cracked and faded.) Jenny was worried about Annie,
and she got right up on Annie's lap. Next, Jenny was fascinated by
Annie's colorful clothes and her jewelry. I remember Jenny sitting
on Annie's lap and playing with Annie's bracelet. Marla and her
family really enjoyed meeting Annie.

We left Marla's pretty late. When I pulled the car into Annie's
drive, my headlights caught two figures sitting on the front
porch. "That's Mom and Dad," Annie whispered. I could see that
the father had a can of beer.

"Oh, crap!" I thought. "I've kept her out too late, and now I'm
going to hear about it from her parents."

Annie and I walked up to the front porch and were greeted with
happy, friendly voices. "Would you like a beer?" asked the father.
I accepted the offer. As we sat on the porch with the parents, I
learned that the father worked 2nd shift and had arrived home just
minutes before Annie and I had. (So he wasn't waiting up because I
had kept his daughter out too late.) Anyway, the four of us enjoyed
a late night chat on the porch.

Our first date was fun, and we both knew we wanted to see more of
each other. But then I was in-love with Annie the day I met her.
She was beautiful, bubbly, funny, and friendly. She was so engaging
that I couldn't help but fall in love.