* 1974
junior high – math class – terri dorris passed me a note that said ‘lori likes you’.
lori was in the class, sitting a few rows back. she and terri were best friends.
i didn’t respond. didn’t look over to terri or back at lori. i was surprised and excited,
but completely at a loss for what to do.
that friday was the dance. the rest of the week i did not acknowledge the note – did
not change my behavior in any way.
friday night in the gym i stuck with my usual group of friends. lori and terri scurried
around most of the night – at dances the girls always seemed to be going back and
forth to the bathroom
lori was wearing a floor length dress. we crossed paths a couple times.
there were expectant glances from both of them: “well, are you going to do
something?”. i never did
all i had to do was ask her to dance. then hold her hand. then she would be my
girlfriend. it was all set up.
but i was somehow frozen. unable to act. say hi. smile. anything
i would have been so happy to hold her while we slow danced. maybe get a
goodnight kiss
at the end of the dance terri came up to me and said: “lori doesn’t like you
anymore”, then walked away. that was it. i missed my chance.
the next week at school lori was holding hands with chris winger