1985

Thirty years ago, this week, my wife and I had our first date! Don’t worry, I’ll spare you the details as I’m sure it was only exciting to us. Besides, I’m not entirely convinced I want to divulge any of those details!

Despite this being our grand moment, it was pretty much a non-event to the world. There was no fanfare, no streamers, and no marching band, although I do remember playing a couple of songs on the jukebox at the pizza parlor. But the reality was, no one cared that we were there. No one knew us, and so the fact that we were starting a life-long journey together didn’t seem to matter to them. No one knew that we’d stay together. No one knew we’d eventually get married. And certainly, no one knew that thirty years later I’d be writing about it. Not that it mattered really, we didn’t need anyone to validate our momentous occasion. We managed to make it fine on our own. And I for one, am quite happy about it, even thirty years later. No word on my wife’s opinion since I can’t speak for her. But I think she’s still at least okay with the idea.

Hey, I can pretend can’t I?

Actually, thirty years later, life is good. Even amid the hectic schedule we maintain, life is good. And it’s fun to look back on how it all came to be. And remember the days when we actually had time to spend together.

The other day, on one of those rare occasions of spending time together, we stopped at a pizza place and I noticed a young couple who were obviously on a date. I have no idea if it was their first date or not but they seemed oblivious to the rest of the goings-on so, I’m thinking it might have been. Now, maybe they won’t end up together. But then again, maybe they will. And maybe in thirty years they’ll be looking back and, just maybe, they’ll remember the guy in the black cowboy hat who noticed them. Or, not. Doesn’t really matter, I suppose. It didn’t for my wife and I. But on second thought, perhaps people did notice us. Perhaps back then, we were the ones who were oblivious to the rest of the world. Like the couple I saw. Hard to say though, after all, that was thirty years ago.

And now, a personal note: Happy First-Date Anniversary, Brenda!

Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS. Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice-President of Rave Reviews Book Club.

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Sobriety Test

Flashing red and blue lights in the mirror. Just what every teenage boy wants to see – especially when he’s on a date!

The officer, hard-faced and stern, marched up to the driver’s window, reciting the usual “License and registration” spiel. Then, “ Do you know why I pulled you over?”

Now, for a young and cocky adolescent male, there are a lot of possible answers to that question. Although, most of them are likely to increase the odds of getting a ticket. The fact the boy’s girlfriend was along probably helped stifle what would otherwise have been a mouthy response. Instead, he offered a simple, “No.”

“I observed you weaving and making contact with the yellow line,” the deputy explained. “Have you been drinking anything tonight?”

The eighteen-year-old was rather surprised at the question, since he hadn’t been drinking that night or any other. “Uh, yeah, Dr. Pepper.”

Not amused, the deputy asked the driver to step out of the car, and though it was phrased as a question, the teenager knew it was not a request. Opening the door, he noticed the officer leaning close to smell his breath. Then began a prolonged regiment of sobriety tests; a flashlight in the eyes, following the officer’s pen back and forth, standing first on one foot – then the other, and walking down the white line on the road.

“How many of these tests do I have to pass before you figure out I’m not drunk?” The teenager’s inherent sarcasm was starting to creep back in.

Not answering, the deputy began asking his own questions. And becoming increasingly annoyed, the boy couldn’t resist purposefully being vague. Where have you been? - On a date. Where did you go? - For pizza. Did you have anything to drink? - You already asked that.

Non-pulsed the officer continued. “Why were you weaving? Was something distracting you?”

Hello? Didn’t you see the girl sitting beside me? Thinking better of his response, the boy pointed toward his date. “I was just talking to her.”

After more than half an hour, the officer was finally convinced alcohol hadn’t been a part of the couple’s evening and let them go.

The scene I’ve described above was my first date with the girl who later became my wife. Had I been arrested that night my life would no doubt be far different now. I don’t mean because I might have married someone else, I don’t think I’d have had the chance to. I’m quite certain that if I’d been drinking and driving with his daughter in the car, my future Father-in-law would have killed me. Now that’s a sobering thought!

Bruce A. Borders, author and songwriter has over 500 songs and 9 books. Over My Dead Body, his latest ebook, is available on Apple I-Pad®, Amazon Kindle®, Barnes & Noble Nook® and Sony Reader®. For more information, visit http://www.bruceaborders.com/ or http://overmydeadbody.jimdo.com/.