Mischievous Words

The letter read:

Dear Brian,

I would really like to apologize for what you overheard in the bathroom last week. Kathy is a very good friend of ours and we would never do or say anything to hurt her. I sincerely hope you won't think any less of Kathy.

Again please accept my sincerest apologies.

Yours truly

Ruth
. . .

It’s amazing what mischief five well placed words can cause.

I met Kathy while camping in the summer. We had a fun, but uneventful fling. Her parents seemed to like me and didn’t discourage our friendship. I was an 18 year old university student and Kathy was almost 16.

We exchanged a few flirtatious letters during the rest of the summer and into the fall. Thanksgiving gave me a long weekend, and Kathy and I agreed this would be good time to get together again. I lived 150 miles from her small town.

I drove out on the Friday night and was staying at her parents’ house until Monday. Kathy, her mom, dad, and little sister met me as I strolled up the sidewalk. I’m not sure if it was by design or accident, but Kathy and I never got any time alone. My main objective was to spend time with Kathy, but her mom and dad occupied most of my time. Bummer.

Her dad liked to play the guitar and sing and he knew from the summer holiday, that I did the same. So we took turns serenading the women of the house..

He knew I was taking political science at university, and that my university had a reputation for being political, so he kept asking for my opinion on political matters. I played along and gave my soft left wing opinions.

Sunday night, Kathy’s mom served a big Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, dressing, turnips, pumpkin pie - all things Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the meal, but when would I ever get to spend time with Kathy?

I would be leaving the next day and still had not been given a moment alone with Kathy. So I suggested that the two of us go for a drive. Kathy thought that was a great idea, and her parents had no objection. Finally we would get to talk, and visit, and - whatever.

However, I soon found out how big the gap is between a university boy and a high school girl. Kathy directed me to drive over to her friend’s house - Ruth. I think she wanted to show me off to her friends. I felt like I was being treated like a new pair of shoes. This didn’t look like “alone” time to me.

Ruth was the daughter of a prominent small town doctor. She was already 16 and had her own car - a little 4 door Toyota. We ended up jumping into Ruth’s car and picked up more of their high school friends - all girls. The car was overfilled and I was the only male. Sounds great, but these were kids, and I was a grown university guy.

We drove every street in town, which wasn’t many. I listened to two hours of teenage girl banter. They were having fun, but I wasn't. One girl even decided to ride on the hood of the car until she fell off in a slow speed turn, terrifying all the girls in the car. But she was OK.

When would this painful event end?

We pulled into the A & W drive-in. A couple girls, including Kathy, went in to get some drinks for everyone, while Ruth and another girl went to the bathroom. I took the opportunity to go to the bathroom as well. At least I could be alone with myself.

Everyone gathered in the car after all the various chores were done. I was sitting in the back right behind Ruth, who was driving. Kathy was on my right. It looked like this nightmare would continue.

"Those walls are paper thin." I said with mischief in mind. I actually heard nothing through the concrete walls. I just know that when two or more females gather in a bathroom, gossip happens - automatically. I wanted to give them a fright.

Ruth froze - as did the girl who went to the bathroom with her. The car, which up to now had been filled with childish laughter, went silent. It felt icy cold. I obviously hit a nerve.

Ruth drove back to her house and dropped Kathy and me off at my car, and sped off with the other girls. The evening was over. Thank goodness. Kathy and I drove back to her place. I realized there was a large maturity gap between us, and I didn't want to take this relationship any further, so quiet time with Kathy was no longer my desire. Getting home was more important.

The next morning we said our goodbyes and agreed to do it again. I knew that would never happen. I drove back to the city feeling unfulfilled, but happy I had learned something useful about myself. I wasn’t prepared to deal with a maturity gap in a relationship.

Five days later Ruth’s letter arrived. I will never know what Ruth and her friend actually said, but I’m sure that it couldn't be too scandalous for a 15 year old girl in a small town.

I never replied, and I never saw Kathy again. I’m sure Ruth thinks to this day that she personally ruined Kathy’s life.

(917 words)