Why Had I Asked Him To the Ball

My best friend, Suzanne, and I went to the same church. I lived in Coral Gables; She lived in Cutler Ridge. Her boyfriend went to my school; I had no boyfriend. Being friends at church some of us talked at lunch. Clayton was a spiritual, handsome, popular kid. I was a shy and some said cute girl about 12 years old. Girls my age living in Coral Gables could enter a pageant. My parents saw me as Junior Miss Orange Bowl Queen. But beauty goes more than skin deep and I was terrified! I was so nervous that my ankles buckled while on stage. Relieved, I was eliminated in the second round. Being a looser was the least of my problems. I needed a date for the Junior Orange Bowl Queen’s Ball. Clayton lived in Coral Gables, too; so, I asked him. I think we were all surprised when he said, Yes.” I asked him because he was a friend and I felt safe. Of course, Suzanne looked at it very differently. She was hurt and they broke up not long after that. I had a tonsillectomy on the day of the Ball. My relationship with Suzanne was strained since that time. I felt horrible about loosing our close friendship. After high School, sadly, she ended communications. Many years later, both of us married with children, We visited at her home; she was dying. I cried. It was then, when we were in our late thirties, that she asked. Why, had I asked her, then, boyfriend, Clayton to the ball. Being so young, and not understanding attraction, then, I thought it would be okay; he was just a friend… ã June7, 2012 Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: ORNERY BEST FRIENDS Sponsored by: Carol Brown