Locomotive to the Past, George Schultz [snow like ashes series txt] 📗

Jason had arrived, at the confectionary, at 6:40PM! Our Boy had always considered himself to be prompt. Always! 9/11/01 notwithstanding! But, on this sacred night, he’d wanted to be sure—and allow for any panic situation, that might possibly arise!

Valerie was exactly one-minute-and-45 seconds late! Her prospective date—by then—had appeared to be, in the final stages of Cardiac Arrest!

Damn! She didn’t really want to go out with me! But, why did she lead me on, like that? Why didn’t she just simply turn me down? Like everyone else does? That’s what I’d really expected . . . in the first damn place!

“Sorry I’m late,” Valerie had said—quite out of breath. “I got caught up… on the phone… with Genevieve. She’s my best friend. Probably should’ve had you come to the house! I’m sure . . . that you’d have been on time. And… better yet… that would’ve broken up the conversation. Again, I apologize! I’ve really been looking forward to tonight! All week . . . as a matter of fact.!”

You were? Really?”

“Of course really!”

He stuck his left arm out, and down—so that she could link her right arm inside the “loop” that the “old-timey” maneuver had created. Virtually, of course, no one ever did that—in his “home era”, Grandpa Piepczyk had always ranted on (and on and on and on)—about the loss, of this simple courtesy!

“From the sixties on,” he’d lamented—continually—“there’s been no decorum. No one holds open a door… for a woman… anymore! Pulls out her chair, for her! Guys never give up their seat… on a bus… for any lady! No matter… even if she’s fourteen-months pregnant! Doesn’t happen!”

Valerie, of course (he’d guessed—had hoped—“of course”) slipped her arm inside—and they’d left, for the movie house.

The Great Lakes was located, on Grand River—at Terry Street. To get to Terry, they’d had to walk north, on Schoolcraft! Unless they’d have crossed that thoroughfare—from the beginning—the predicament presented another “courtesy” situation. In this case, the young woman would’ve been positioned, on the “outside”. Nearest to the street. Per Grandpa—a real “no-no”! That, as indicated, had been another change in chivalry—that had never failed to send his grandfather, into one of his patented tizzies!

“The man always… without exception… walks on the outside! Next to the street! That way, if a car passes… and hits a mud puddle, or throws up some slush, or something… it’s the man, who takes the hit. Always remember that, Kid! Always do that! Even if the girl might think you’ve flipped your cork!”

Trying not to make a major production-number, out of the maneuver, Jason went through the elaborate mechanics, of switching sides—hooking arms, once again, with his date. Interlocking alternate arms. He’d accomplished the feat—rather deftly—he’d figured. (Correctly!)

They’d reached the theater—almost 20 minutes later. Perfect timing! The feature would begin at 7:30PM. It cost Our Boy a total of 70-cents—to get the two of them inside. Valerie declined the offer of a “large”—10-cent—box, of, freshly-popped, popcorn. Her date felt that it would be “impolitic” (one of Grandpa’s favorite words) to then grab off a fragrant box, for himself! Almost “The Supreme Sacrifice”!

The movie was wonderful! At least, Our Hero believed so. Judging from the reactions, of the young woman he’d accompanied, she seemed to think so too, He’d had to remind himself, though, of the many times, that his mother had loudly informed him—that his ability to read others “absolutely stunk”! (Sometimes—when she’d been, in one of her less-conciliatory moods—she’d advise him that, “it sucks”!)

Almost a half-hour, into the flick, Jason—summing up every ounce of moxie—dared to take her hand in his! And she didn’t seem to mind! A definite surprise! An actual triumph! Not a common occurrence! Was this great—or what?

Fifteen-or-so minutes later, she’d whispered, “Jason? Why don’t you put your arm around me?”

He was afraid that he’d uttered something inane, like “Goo!”—as he’d hastily (and probably clumsily, he was certain) complied! This “intimate”—with a female-of-the-opposite-gender—he’d never been! Exploring really new ground! (Dare he consider it—“virgin territory”?)

After a minute or two, she’d “kind of snuggled” her left shoulder—into his right armpit. For what seemed an eternity, he’d lost track—altogether—of the concept, of the motion picture! (He was fairly certain—that the flick had continued.)

After the movie, Jason had surprised himself—by having presence of mind enough, to invite his date to have some ribs with him. He’d even suggested The Great Lakes Bar-B-Q—which had been one of his granddad’s favorite “eating joints”, in his younger days. It was supposed to be located a mere half-block from the movie house. After proffering the invitation, he’d hoped—fervently—that the eatery was actually there, in 1942! It was! (“Thank you, Lord.”)

The bill at the theater had been a double feature—as always, in those days. As usual, the “B” picture had been much less than a blockbuster. Eminently forgettable! So, after 15 minutes, the couple had decided to abandon the “classic”—and wound up at “the rib joint”, at about 9:45PM.

He’d ordered ribs—for the both of them. She demurred—from the offer of coffee—and ordered the “old standby” (Vernor’s) instead. Her date was about to order a cup of “joe”—then, thought better of it. Two Vernor’s.

As soon as the ribs had arrived—and Our Hero had, immediately, torn into his ration—Valerie had ignited a really serious discussion! Really serious! The exchange came, as a total surprise—one might say shock—to Jason!

“Jason… you don’t have much confidence, do you? Not much self-assurance.”

“What… what makes you say that?”

“Well, I believe that it’s the common practice… for a guy to hold a girl’s hand, when they go to the show, When so much time passed, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Am I that much of a… of a… of a cold fish?’ So, when…”

“Cold fish? Lord, no! You’re anything but! You’re a beautiful . . . a very beautiful… woman! Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! And, listen! I love the idea of… of being with you! I love being with you! I was just afraid that I’d offend you… if I took your hand.”

He caught himself almost saying, “I was just afraid that I’d turn you off”—but, at the