THE ROLLER COASTER

A TRUE SHORT

by

Lee Carey

_____

The Roller Coaster is a not fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales are REAL.

Copyright © 2008 by Lee Carey

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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THE ROLLER COASTER

Life gets real good when a sixteen-year-old country boy asks a cute, blonde-haired girl from Fayetteville, North Carolina, for a date and hears this reply: “Yes, I’d love to go out with you.”

The summer of ’66 was a fine year. My driver’s license’s ink was barely dry. I had a few hard-earned bucks in my pocket, left over from purchasing a used Dewey Weber surfboard. On this particular evening I attended Bethel Baptist’s revival, mainly because of the serious, loving prompt of my parents. Over time I quickly learned one should do certain things to acquire brownie points redeemable for desired freedoms. (Something to do with the old saying you catch more flies with honey.)

My youthful hunger focused on learning more about the real world, and I looked forward to doing everything. See, growing up on a poultry, hog, and turkey farm, I craved an outlet (any outlet) for a new view of life. At times I felt like a trapped minnow in shallow water. Don’t get me wrong, I never disliked or regretted living on the farm. And in fact, looking back, I think I was way ahead of city folks in many ways, especially with the daily lessons of life and love. I never realized I was learning so much by working around animals and poultry.

Well, on this first night of revival, my buddies voluntarily joined the ‘Teen Choir’. They also realized it helped receive a positive response with future parental requests. However, my case was different because my mother happened to be the Choir Director. So, you could say I was inducted. Let me say up front, I couldn’t kidnap a tune in a burlap bag, lock it in a box, and carry it across the street, but there I was, front and center in the choir.

On this hot, humid night in July, electric fans whirred from the four corners of the small sanctuary. I would normally have been a ball of bubbling anger trapped in the maroon and gold goofy-looking robe, but I wasn’t. ‘Thankful’ describes my feelings as my eyes landed on a very attractive girl while singing ‘Amazing Grace’ with feeling, imagining her name was Grace…oh, yeah. With my gaze locked on her, I believe squealing a solo in front of ten thousand strangers without knowing the words would be attempted. My eyes blurred and crossed when hers met mine, and... she smiled. Real life can be so cool when you are sixteen.

The service finally ended. Amen! Thank you, Jesus. I couldn’t get out of the cramped choir loft and into the changing room fast enough. My silly-looking robe was peeled off like a crab shedding its shell on a full moon night. I raced from the building like a cat on fire wearing my khaki pants, Bass Weejuns, no socks, and a light blue shirt. My reason for hustling: I had to beat my buddies. I knew where they were headed – to the same cute blonde. Guess what? I won!

Nervous-sounding words accented my too-slow-changing voice, as I stepped up within inches of her. “Hello there. I’m Lee. Would you like to go to the Ocean View Amusement Park with me tomorrow? My treat.”

Her soft green eyes focused on mine, and I knew in that instant, I would be in love...at least for the next week while her father preached our revival. At least I’ll be in Heaven.

With a slight nod and a partial smile, she eased closer to me. A sweet fragrance of ‘Unforgettable’ slipped up my nose as she said, “I’d love to go out with you.”

My brain stopped. Dead. Just Dead. I don’t know how many seconds or minutes passed, but when I breathed again, I said, “Great. Thank you.”

With a giggle, and a soft kiss on my cheek, she said, “My name’s Glenda. In case you were wondering.” At least I had the first letter of her name right pretending her name was Grace.

“Oh, yeah, I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask your name. My name’s Lee.”

Her warm hand touched mine. “You told me, Lee. I have a pretty good memory. Now, where’s this amusement park?”

You could say I was stunned, but I do know I was trembling like a leaf in a windstorm. Fourth of July fireworks exploded in my head…and…well…that’s all I’ll say about that.

This would be my first date with someone I hadn’t gone to school with. Wow! And she’s from North Carolina, and her father’s a preacher. What have you gotten into Lee?

“Well, it’s about an hour from here. They’ve got great rides, good food, and the Chesapeake Bay and a sandy beach is all right there. We can even take a walk down the beach. Do you like riding roller coasters?”

Glenda looked to her right, her small pink tongue licked her thin lips. I felt my groin do a hot flip. She said, “Never rode one, Lee. Is it scary?”

This is not a good question to ask a puberty-stricken teen with a new driver’s license. Why? I don’t rightly know. I’d have gladly given away a leg to dance with her, and an arm to hold her close, honestly. I didn’t care if the coaster flew off the tracks and into the bay as long as I was sitting close to her… so, I answered her query with truth.

“Glenda, this is a small amusement park. The Ferris wheel and Roller Coaster are not real big, but this place has been around for a long time. Don’t worry, they keep the rides in great shape. Oh, my friends Johnny and Charlotte will be going with us. I’ll pick you up at the parsonage tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock.”

She leaned over, planted another light kiss on my cheek, and whispered in my ear. “That’s fine. I can’t wait and I’m not scared cause I’ll be cuddled against you.”

My restless, sleepless night ended as the sun peeked through the huge oak tree outside my window. I glanced at the clock on the dresser. “Six-thirty. I’ve got plenty of time for breakfast, wash dad’s car, and shower.”

Ten-thirty on the button, I ever so slowly crept the sparkling blue ’63 Impala down our dusty lane. It was only a ten-minute drive to the parsonage, so I took my time down the winding country road, hoping my heartbeat would soon return to normal.

As I pulled into the driveway of the parsonage at exactly ten-fifty-five, I spotted the goddess Glenda sitting in a wooden swing under a silver maple. She wore a white sleeveless blouse, Carolina blue shorts, and tan sandals. Her shoulder-length blonde hair moved lightly in the summer breeze. Shooting me a Pepsodent smile, she hollered, “Hey, Lee.”

At that moment, this country boy was the luckiest boy in the whole world. I wouldn’t have changed places with anyone. I calmly brought the shiny car to a stop in front of her and smiled. “Hi, Glenda. Are you ready?”

She stood on beautiful tan legs and strolled toward the car. “I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting for you out here for an hour. It’s such a nice day.”

I slipped from behind the wheel and scooted around and opened the passenger door. I was so thankful the Impala had a bench seat. I can’t wait until she slips over close to me. When I placed my hand on the door handle, I looked up to find she wasn’t there. My eyes darted over the car and found her standing beside the driver’s door. “Oh, I’m sorry, thought you were getting in from this side.”

Her cute smile again revealed perfect pearly whites. “Why? I’m planning to sit in the middle close to you. No need to scoot way over from that side.”

“That’s good, I mean, I don’t mind, that’s fine.” Life’s so great.

I hustled around the car and opened the door and watched her slide that fantastic body in. “I hope you don’t mind if I sit real close to you.”

I knew I’d swallow my tongue when I replied, “Heck no.”

After settling in against her warm body I fired up the engine and reached over to increase the volume of my favorite radio station that was playing ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do’ by the Temptations.

“Lee, I’m so glad you’re the one who asked me out. You’re the cutest guy I’ve seen here.”

As I turned left out of the driveway, I chuckled. “Come on, I was the first one to ask you.”

Glenda leaned close to me and the tantalizing fragrance of Channel #5 filled my head and crossed my eyes. Glenda whispered, “Well, for your information, I’d have told any of the other boys, ‘No thank you’.”

I glanced at the steering wheel figuring I’d see sweat from my hands dripping off of it. “Well, I hope you have a nice time today.”

Her left hand slowly dropped to my thigh like a feather landing on a stone. With a light squeeze, she said, “I’m sure we will.”

There are a few times in a young boy’s life when dreams really do come true. “Okay, let’s go pick up Johnny and Charlotte.”

“I wish we weren’t double-dating, but it’s okay for our first one,” she cooed.

Words swirled around inside my head, but I couldn’t get them to hold still so I could put them in order for a reply. So, I drove in silence, listening to my favorite songs while my heart kept perfect tempo.

After we picked up my buddy and his girlfriend, we were off to the Ocean View Amusement Park.

Glenda quickly hit it off with Charlotte and Johnny. Every time she would turn around to talk to them, her warm, tan legs rubbed against bare legs. Oh, what a fine feeling.

After we arrived at the park, I gladly whipped out some of my hard-earned money and purchased tickets for the roller coaster and we got in line. “Glenda, we’ll get to see it run a time or two before we get on. If you don’t want to ride, that’s okay.”

She squeezed my sweaty hand and pushed tightly against me. “As long as I’m sitting beside you, I’ll be just fine, Lee.”

“Yeah, you’ll be sitting beside me cause the seats are only for two.”

“Will you put your arm around me and hold me?”

My brain cells popped like short-fused firecrackers as I nodded and placed my hand on her soft, very soft, bare shoulder. “Sure.”

With a giggle, she said, pointing to the top of the coaster, “I mean when we start going down that steep hill.”

I removed my hand from her shoulder and replied, “Oh, sure, I mean, I thought you meant now.”

Glenda turned, looking at me with sparkling eyes and a pout on her lips. “I meant now and then, silly.”

The colorful wooden cars pulled up and stopped on the track in front of us. “Well, we’re next, Glenda. You want to ride in the first car?” I asked, lightly squeezing her hand.

“I’ll leave it up to you.”

Of course I wanted to be the brave boy, I said, “Sure. The front car is a lot more fun.”

Johnny and Charlotte hopped in the car behind us.

Once everyone was loaded, the train of cars began inching up the very steep hill. Squeals, laughter, and screams echoed into the cloudless blue sky over the blue, glassy bay. The clicking of metal wheels and the screech of the steel tracks beneath us created a nice vibration in our seats. We went higher and higher, watching our overall view enlarge while the park size reduced to that of a postage stamp. People looked like dots as the entire amusement park turned into a picture postcard. We continued moving higher and higher into the sky.

Glenda squeezed my hand. I pulled her tight against me. “You okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

In my effort to be the brave protector, I whispered into her ear while inhaling her fragrance, “The first drop is the best. After that, it’s all downhill,” I chuckled.

“Uh-huh.”

Our car finally arrived at the peak. It paused for several seconds, and then crept forward until we were looking straight down...and in the blink of an eye we were dropping at cheek-inflating speed. We squeezed each other. Glenda screamed so loud it hurt my ears.

“It’s okay,” I hollered, holding her with one arm while my free hand gripped the metal bar like a vice to hold us in. (Back then seatbelts were unknown.)

Once the entire line of cars behind us slipped over the steep hill, we instantly felt the increased speed. We hit the bottom of the drop at blazing speed and were snatched around a sharp left turn. The Chesapeake Bay flashed by on our right and then suddenly disappeared as we found ourselves heading straight for a set of large wooden braces supporting the upcoming right turn. Now, it was this particular moment I felt a warm liquid saturating my butt. I know it’s not mine.

“O-o-h, Lee! Is it over yet?” Glenda screamed, clutching me like a rag doll.

My head bounced from side to side as I tried to reply. “Not yet, only a couple…more…here we go…” I stuttered, as we made another short drop and a very sharp left turn.

“I’m…scared…”

After we dropped down the final hill the cars slowed. “We’re almost done, Glenda. Don’t worry, you did good.”

“No I haven’t,” she sobbed. (I knew what she meant.)

As our line of cars pulled into the covered section of the ride, I glanced down into the wooden seat...finding a yellowish liquid swishing from side to side. Uh-oh, Glenda had an accident, and, I’m sittin’ in it! Uck!

When we climbed out from the seats, I knew without looking that my tan shorts were soaked, which clearly meant she was too. “Okay, who’s up for a dip in the bay?” I asked with a chuckle.

Tears rolled down Glenda’s tan cheeks. “Not me.” Not you? Are you kidding me? You need to rinse off as much or more than I do.

Glenda eased up beside Charlotte. “Is there somewhere nearby I can buy a pair of shorts?”

I motioned to Johnny for us to walk down to the water. “Glenda, you girls go where you need to, I feel like going swimming.”

Johnny looked at me with a puzzled stare. “Why are you going swimming?”

“Don’t even ask,” I replied, trotting for the blue water.

THIS RIDE HAS ENDED