I was about 14 when some friends of my parents...who had a son a year older than I...invited me to a trip to Green River to go chasing wild horses. I was sure that my folks would say no. But to my very great surprise they said "yes!" I packed up a few things and their family picked me up and off we went for a grand adventure. It was a very fun time and I even got to make some homemade hot chocolate with the hersey's unsweetened chocolate powder and sugar ect.
On the third day of our adventure this young man and I went out on a horseback ride out into the desert terrain on our own. We went down a steep ledge where they took the horses for water down to a river far below and I was afraid I was going to slide off the front of the horse as we went down...and off the back as we came up...but it all turned out fine and I didn't embarrass myself falling off the horse. After we got back up on top we parked the horses and the young man wanted a kiss! I explained to him that I was going to be sweet sixteen never been kissed...which he tried to convince me was ridulous. But I was adament. When he realized how determined I was he went into pout mode...not even speaking to me the rest of the time we were there. As a matter of fact I didn't see this young man in my life until two years later when he called and talked first to my mom, asking her if he could take me to the drive in movie. I'd seen him at school and hanging out with other girls...even making out in the hall! I'm sure he had kissing lessons in mind for me and the drive in would be a perfect place to practice!
So my mom said "yes" I could go and then handed me the phone. He had asked my mom what time I needed to be home and she had said midnight. Me the girl with a 10 p.m. curfew had just been given two extra hours. Because of the situation I was ready to give back the extra time I was already so uncomfortable.
This young man said in a very excited voice "I'll be over to pick you up in half a hour." I was wearing my new birthday clothes so did my hair and was ready to go, When I anwsered the doorbell there he stood with a big smile on his face and a birthday present for me in hand. I opened up the little music box and thanked him and we we headed out to his parents maroon car. He gallently opned up the passenger side door for me and I hopped in and secured my seat belt. When he saw me all buckled in he frowned and said "I'm a good driver, you know you don't need to wear that seat belt!" "I feel much safer buckled in, but thank you" I replied. He told me there was a seat belt in the middle if I wanted to scoouch over and I said "I'm fin thank you". And off we went to the show. I'll never forget it "Paint Your Wagon" As the movie started on the drive in screen I was reminded that I didn't need the seat belt on to watch the movie. And again I replied "I'm fine thank you!" and he asked if I wanted something to eat....a hot dog...."No thank you!" (I really don't like hot dogs) He went and got one for himself and some french fries and candy bars but I really was fine and he was obviously upset. He started the familiar sulk again...reminded me of my little two year old brother when he didn't get what he wanted....with his lip sticking out! I almost laughed out loud but figured that might be rude. When the show was over we still had a hour and a half before I needed to be home. He asked what I wanted to do and said "we could go driving around or I know a real nice spot we could stop and talk" I said "Let's watch the show again! It's such a good movie!" and we did. But he didn't say another word the whole time. Big time pouty! And then the movie was over and we started to drive back home. The closer we got to my house the bigger the smile on his face! As we walked up to the porch, where the porch light was brightly shining he said to me "I've been waiting for this for a loooong time." "Waiting for what?" I asked (all innocent looking with a questioning face) as I backed up to the door and grabbed the knob behind my back. "To give you your first kiss silly!" "Oh I'm sorry" as I twisted the door handle and backed into the house "Your too late for that!" and shut the door in his face. Such a cruel girl I was! My birthday was just before the school year started ...and shortly after was South Sevier's Football homecoming game. Our drill team went down to perform at the half time and I had secured permission to stay in Monroe after the game and spend the week end with my grandparents. I got to go on a double date to the Homecoming dance...and I did get my first kiss that night. Such a innocent little peck! And that was the only kiss I shared with Joe through all our years of friendship from sixth grade to college. We were bestest of friends and because we lived so far away from each other we wanted to remain the best of friends.
