Joining John Holton’s Writer’s Workshop again this week.
Thanks for the opportunity, John!

HOW ANIMOSITY TURNED TO LOVE
(Just like in the movies!)

My husband and I have been together since October 16, 1971 (our first date!) and married since August 4, 1973. Nobody expected us to fall in love and most thought the marriage would never last…

Here’s how it all began:

PROLOGUE

FADE IN:

EXT: Parking lot of the local hangout, an Italian espresso bar/billiard parlour.
It’s a sunny and mild Sunday afternoon in March 1971.

Several males and two females are engaged in conversation,
surrounded by the latest muscle cars of the era.

LESLIE, a lanky short-haired blonde, is grieving the recent breakup of her relationship.

DEBBIE, of average height and build, with long auburn hair, is a free agent,
juggling several suitors and taking none of them seriously. She too has had
her heart broken recently and doesn’t want to get involved with anyone.

A black Camaro pulls up, and two males get out.

FRANK, the mustachioed driver, is of medium height and slight build,
with light brown hair in a fashionable “shag” haircut.

ANGELO, slightly shorter and more muscular, is clean shaven,
with a swarthy complexion, hazel eyes and dark, shoulder-length hair.

They join the group.

FRANK:
“Meet my old friend from Italy. We used to play soccer together.”

LESLIE
“Hi. What’s your name?”

ANGELO replies, and LESLIE pulls a sour face.
That is also the name of her despised ex-boyfriend!

DEBBIE laughs (at LESLIE).

ANGELO grabs her arm, scowling.

ANGELO:
(in a heavy Italian accent)
“What’s so funny ’bout my name?”

DEBBIE pulls her arm away, thinking, “what an asshole!”

They glare at each other.

FADE OUT

Yes, I met the love of my life over half a century ago! He had moved here directly from Italy a few months earlier and barely spoke English. We took an instant dislike to one another, which made for an awkward situation, as we shared the same social circle.

Slowly, we became platonic friends, but our relationship took a more romantic turn when he asked me out on a date that October. One night and we were both completely besotted!

The following year, I informed my parents I wouldn’t be following their plan for college. (A big fight ensued, but it was my life, after all.) I found a job to earn my keep. Nothing glamorous; cashier at a bakery, but it gave me some independence.

A few months later, my sweetie and I rented an apartment. What fun to set up housekeeping together! We decided to get married in the summer and picked the first weekend of August, almost two years after that famous first date.

As mentioned above, this met with disapproval and skepticism. My parents came around when they saw we were going ahead without them. They’re both gone now, but my soulmate and I are still here!

Material culled from previously published memoirs.

(Scroll down for comment form ▼)

MORE FROM THE BLOG:

LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM

---

Follow THE DOGLADY’S DEN on WordPress.com