I Was Tricked

This was down right evil - 3 against 1, how fair is that?! Tony Boogerelli asked me straight out if I did, and, as he was expecting, I assured him that I do. Tony told his sister, Carla…Carla told my mom…who called me up to ask if - what she’d just been told - was true. “Carla said that Tony said you plan to marry Connie,” Mom remarked, “and, dear, that’s fine…I only called to say, If you haven’t asked her yet, remember…she’s a doll…so take your mother’s good advice and - make your move today!” “Mom,” I said, “I know how much you like her. So do I…but shouldn’t I wait, at least, until I’ve found a steady job?” “Better not,” my mom replied, “cause Carla also told me Connie had a date last night, with Tony’s cousin, Bob!” “Oh, my God, you’re kidding me! Well, that explains why Tony asked what my intentions were. I oughta cut his throat!” “Remember,” Mom reminded me, “the man who bides his time - in hopes of warding off mistakes - will sometimes - miss the boat!” “He and Bob are teaming up to steal my girl,” I growled. “He’s lying if he says they’re not. I’m telling you…he knows! I told that little you-know-what, in no uncertain terms, about my plans to take her to the prom, and then propose! “Me an’ him’s been buddies now for more than seven years, but this - as far as I’m concerned - is where our story ends! What a weasel. What a jerk. I hope it’s not too late. To think I thought for all this time that he and I were friends. “Guess I’d better find her fast. And when I do, we’ll talk. And I can almost guarantee, by six o’clock tonight… She and I will be engaged…unless she turns me down…but even if she does I won’t give up without a fight.” Off I ran to find my girl - time was of the essence - hoping that her date with Bob had made her see the light. Made her see - despite his super looks and fancy car – that…even poor and squirrely looking…I was “Mr. Right”. Half an hour later, at the malt shop down on Brady, sitting next to Tony’s sister, Carla……there she was! “Heard ya’ had a date last night with Bobby Giavonni,” I began accusingly, “I know it’s true because “Carla called my mother up and told her ----- Didn’t ya’, Carla?” (Finding them together made it hard for her to lie.) Neither said a single word for close to thirty seconds, then Connie finally answered, as she looked me in the eye, “Rocco…what I did last night is private! And besides… no one else at all (hint - hint) has asked me out for days!” Too dumb to know that when it comes to - making something happen… women - for eternity - have always had their ways, I became ensnared in what was more or less - a trap! There I stood, my jealousy was bursting at the seams. “Connie,” I exploded, “you’re the only girl I love. I think of you the whole day through. I see you in my dreams! “You simply have to marry me! You’re far too good for Bob. Please say ‘Yes’…and say it now…‘cause…if you make me wait… I don’t think my heart can take it. Say you’ll be my wife. I’m prepared - right now - to buy a ring and set the date! “Well....that’s the way they did it, son. The way those three connived to verify “intentions” they were working to expose! Grandma dreamed it up…..your mom and Carla played along….. And just the way they knew I would.....they got me to propose!” PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark