It's Not Too Late

One seat back from where I sat in almost every class was where this wimpy, red-haired nerd, I’d hated from the start, Made a point of sitting, thinking - if he played it right - because I had no boyfriend - he’d eventually win my heart. But while I had no problem with his almost orange-ish hair - his cheeks were packed with freckles and his two front teeth were gone - So, naturally, the creepy dork was further than he knew from getting even close to what he’d long been counting on. Then, just before my Junior year we moved away to Utah, saving me from Parker Duncan’s ploys to turn my head, But recently I got a text from one of my old friends...and in it were some pictures with a note below that read: “Here’s the coolest king and queen our school has ever had. Our ‘All-American’ quarterback was drafted by the Saints! The guy is so good looking - when my sister sees him coming - especially if he smiles at her - she actually all but faints! “Maybe you remember him...as I recall, he liked you...asked you out a thousand times before you moved away. Of course, he wasn’t cute back then, but - as the pictures show - he’s now a gorgeous hunk - who’ll soon be rich, and...by the way… “A local station interviewed him - 2, 3 weeks ago - and asked if he was worried about his chance of getting hurt. “‘Not at all’ he answered...‘and I actually owe my toughness to someone that I worshiped…but who treated me like dirt! “‘Prettiest girl I’ve ever known, and - first to break my heart - but still I catch me thinking of her almost every day! No matter what I’d say or do, I couldn’t make her like me...and then...a couple years ago, her family moved away.’” “Any idea who that might be?” my classmate slyly pried. “As I remember, you had Parker eating from your hand... And as I’m sure you’re well aware, coping with rejection - isn’t something guys like him are apt to understand.” “Pretty girls are often tasked with telling their admirers,” I explained, in my reply... “despite the way they feel... Not to get their hopes up...and to never tell themselves their fantasies - of whom they love - are even close to real! “They’re sometimes just not ready for the super close relationship the guy’s decided’s right for them, and choose to tell him - “No!” That’s the way it was with Parker Duncan, I’m afraid...but as you’ve seen - despite his grief - he did survive the blow! “Tell me,” (I just had to ask), “given that, ironically, I don’t have a boyfriend, might there somehow be a chance That you could, maybe...text him...and, say...drop a little hint - that - if he’s single - what we have’s the perfect circumstance “For picking up where we left off...back in ‘65...and start a new relationship. He’s lookin’ really hot! And don’t forget to tell him how to reach me,” I continued. “I need to use - or forfeit - some vacation time I’ve got, And flying out to see you guys would be a perfect way.” “I lost his number,” she replied, “so, sorry...no can do! I aim to ask him out myself, and - based on what he said - to tell the truth, I’m guessing that he’s still in love with you!” “Not a chance,” I argued, “that was 2 long years ago,”...and all I want’s a chance to make amends for what I did. I wasn’t out to hurt him, but he never did stop trying, and you tend to say and do some hurtful things when you’re a kid.” The texting suddenly ended, and, unsure of why it had...but guessing that my classmate was regretting what she’d done... I promptly phoned the airport...booked a one-way flight to Boston, grabbed a bunch of stuff I’d need to make a 4-day run... Called a cab and headed out for where we used to live...hoping...if I found him very quickly, chances were... Provided he was single - not engaged - or spoken for...that I was still the sort o’ girl that he’d prefer to her. After I’d invented what I deemed a good excuse for calling unexpectedly, I rang the football coach, Knowing he’d have his number, then - with fingers tightly crossed - bit my lip and nervously attempted my approach. I asked if he’d be interested in meeting up for pizza later on that evening, at the restaurant of his choice... And I remember thinking - if the claims he’d made were true… and I could sense the way he felt portrayed within his voice... If his wounds had fully healed, and - if I played it right - because he had no girlfriend - I’d eventually win his heart! But that, my friend, is nowhere close to how the evening went. I tried to dodge - as best I could - the deeply painful part Where I’d destroyed his self esteem...begging his forgiveness for never having understood how hurtful I was being - But felt a wave of great relief when Parker took my hand, and - even though I’d been so mean...with which he was agreeing... Actually started smiling! “I forgave you long ago”…he whimpered - as his eyes welled up and tears began to fall. “I’ve prayed to have you back within my life since when you left, and I don’t know or care, my dear, what prompted you call! “Forget the past,” he softly said...“I’m thanking God above for giving me the courage and the strength it took to wait... And - seeing as how you’ve done the same - I’m betting you’ll agree, that...even though it’s taken all this time...it’s not too late!