A Date to Always Remember

Chapter 1

Picture of  Mandy Moore as Victoria Evans at the side =)

Chapter 1:

September 23, is the date that will forever be burnt into my memory. I rolled over in the bed to stare at the alarm clock. A quarter past midnight, fifteen minutes into the day I always dread. I closed my eyes, the sight of my alarm clock too much for me to bear: A precious gift, from a precious one. I closed my eyes tight, but there’s no way to block out the memories of the past from pouring back into my head like a runaway train. There’s his smiling face, bright and expectant… his laugh… his hug. I closed my eyes tighter, not wanting to remember, not wanting to forget… his smell, his touch… his kiss!

The tighter I closed my eyes, until tears started streaming down my face uncontrollably. I turned into my pillow and strangled the sob that broke out of me. My body shaking in rebellion to my memories, not wanting to go there, but there I must go! I did not want to return there, but the memories threaten to overcome me, as it did every day, especially on this particular day. I am forced to go back to that beautifully dreadful summer of my glorious nineteen year old self.

The year was 1975, where girls still wore flared skirts and petticoats and guys opted to wear tighter-fitting jeans, white t- shirts with or without the trendy leather jacket. I remember those days as if it was last week. I remember it all -the beautiful sun, the long days, short nights, and late sunsets at the beach… But what I remembered the most though wasn’t strawberry ice- creams or chocolate milkshakes, it was looking up from my book and straight into the bluest of eyes I have ever seen. Eyes that were big enough to drown me, but not scary, they were soft and kind. He walked into the café, where I spent most of my day, lazing and reading and his entrance caused the heads of every man, woman and child, to turn at his silent command for attention.

He looked something out of a magazine. Like a men’s ad for rugged jeans. It was clear from his appearance, the rugged look, the worn out jeans, white t-shirt, and a hint of road dust, he was a drifter. His air just captivated everyone in sight of him. Everyone had returned to their business after a few quick glances, but mine kept plastered on him. His gaze briefly swept the room and found mine, which we both held in a silent battle, daring the other to look away. Finally we broke into twin smiles, and his gaze lowered, but mine remained fixed on him going to the counter, ordering two milkshakes and walking towards me. The last didn’t register until he was standing directly in front of me, milkshakes in hand.

 “You know, it’s rude to stare?” He asked, placing one of the milkshakes in front of me.

 “Sorry,” I whispered as I quickly lowered my gaze and blushed a deep pink, which earned me a laugh and made me more embarrassed.

 “Mind if I join you?” He asked indicating the empty chair across the table from where I sat.

I was so dumbfounded that this epitome of beauty was not only talking to me, but buying me a milkshake and wanted to sit with me. I was only able to nod my assent and quickly made a glance around to see if any other booth was vacant. Three of them were, so that must mean he really wanted to sit with me.

“The name’s Jake, Jake Denim,” he said as his hands reached across the table to take mine.

I quickly shook his hands and released them as if they burnt me, and hurriedly clasped my hands in my lap. He smiled at me, I smiled back. He arched his eyebrows and smiled expectantly, I mimicked his actions, only my smile was more shy than expectant.

“So,” he said.

“So,” I echoed.

He smiled again, “I, ah, told you my name.” He said using his right hand to point to himself.