Chapter 5

      We moved back to Indiana and soon I was a teenager living on US 27 which came into Richmond. I recall the time Bobby Kennedy drove down that road in his chauffeured convertible and I stood on that side of the street where I smiled and he smiled back and waved at me. It was a special moment and at one time I had a picture of that minute but through the years have lost it.  But here I would sit with friends on the steps laughing and talking.  We would listen to the boys whistle and yell as they drove by and like any young girl I begin to wonder about love. The Jr High School I attended was only about two blocks from me and there was a mom and pop type grocery store across the street.  We would buy our cream soda or coke there and go back to the steps.  I was more mature then the boys my age and wasn't attracted to silly little games.  I admired the older boys who seemed to know where they were going.  

     In the 60's the movies was the place to meet boys and the atmosphere was perfect.  The guys walked around not really caring about the show and looked for girls they could flirt with and hopefully sit down beside.  I remember some sitting but one day there was a special one that sat down and we begin to talk.  I can't remember how exactly but he had beautiful eyes and a sweet smile.  Wasn't long before we were an item and I soon became called "Jerry's Girl" and we spent all the time we could together.  He was fun and brave and I guess he was labeled a hood back then.  But to me he wasn't at all.  Once for an Easter gift he brought me a giant 5 ft easter bunny. This was before he had a car and I remember seeing him carrying it down the street. He had to walk about about twenty blocks to deliver it to my door but that never hindered him from bringing it.  I will always remember my birthday surprise he gave me one year. It was a cuddly little black French Poodle and I named him "French".  Now my mother had just bought a new living room outfit. The very first night I had this puppy it ate a hole in her cushion.  I will never forget it and I am sure she still remembers it well. But I was the one that found the stuffing everywhere and the look on my face had to be worth a million. I had no clue how to fix it or rather if I should take the puppy and run.  But she yelled a little and sewed the cushion back the best she could and never complained again. No, she didn't make me get rid of French either but thank God he didn't eat anything else.

     Jerry was full of courage and pride and wouldn't let anyone mess with me or he would just beat him up. LOL  We dated when I was in eighth grade until I was in the 11th grade.  We had even become engaged...so you could say he was my first love or puppy love. I still remember our favorite song... "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge.  First love's are always remembered and I have only good thoughts from that relationship.  We didn't get married to each other but I have been told he is fine and happy. :)

    I worked at a restaurant called "Jerry's" of all names ...at the age of 16.  I remember it well.  My boss said ..."I get comments that either you are the best waitress I have had or the worst." LOL   He asked is their a middle ground with you?  I didn't know how to answer him... but I knew where the worst comments came from. Once I knocked over a glass of ice water in a man's lap and once a pot of fresh coffee in a man's lap.  I was sooooo embarrassed . One man wanted to come and dunk me in where I went swimming and the other I think would have eliminated me if possible.  haha  

        "Isn't it strange how life goes on even when we think we are on the right road and find out it was wrong. "

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