As has been noted, a lovely column, especially because it's hard to write about feelings. I loved the doll and the card eighteen years later and the one call. Just one.
17 years of stupid I’m driving my dad’s 56 Pontiac, my buddy with me, on the small town loop, think “Last Picture Show”. We succeed in timing to get behind two girls doing same, get them to pull over. We talk in Dad’s car until we work our strategy to disagree on whether to go to the drive-in restaurant for burgers. Having decided to split up, I’m advocating the girl up front with me and I take Dad’s car. She keeps saying “Let’s take my car.” Finally she whispers in my ear, “It’s a Nash Rambler”. I still don’t get it. She whispers again. “The seats fold down into a bed.” I throw the keys to my Buddy, “Don’t dent my dad’s car.”
Jun 23·edited Jun 23Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
I remember my first car fondly too! A convertible Karmann Ghia! Pale yellow. I had it until it died and my then husband...sold it when we were driving back and forth between Bucknell and Manhattan. I never got to say goodbye! As for my first love, I have kept track of him somewhat via the internet--how else?--and he ended up teaching at a university in the same town in the upper peninsula of Michigan where my granddaughter went to college. Small world. Great column, brings back memoires for a lot of us.
Thank you for that hopeful note. After 49 happy years of marriage before being widowed, I’ve been saying I would not find anyone so wonderful again. This reprise is good news.
Ah, young love.... reminds me of a crush I had on the ice cream man, of all people! I was 13 & he was 21. I wrote a short story titled “Ice cream hots” about it in my freshman short story class. I think I got an A
What a wonderful piece - you have brought my teen years back as nothing has before. And the best part is, I see those years and relationships in a new light. I married my first love, my high school sweetheart, but it didn't last. Eight years later, I married my brother's best friend who I had known nearly as long as my husband. He said he had loved me for all those years but I hadn't recognized his wonderful qualities. We were happily married for 35 years until he succumbed to cancer in 2018. Our HS class has reunions every 10 years and it's great to see how many relationships have stood the test of time. Thanks for the memories...
I am amazed at the number of high school sweetheart couples who are still married after 50+ years. Didn't marry my HS sweetheart--he drank himself to death about 10 years ago. Instead, I married my college sweetheart who destroyed a 35 year marriage with alcohol. Are we sensing a theme here????
This one reminds me of a memory I have of you. I had just returned from many months in Italy in June of 1977. I missed it terribly. Then one day I was walking past the American Hotel in Sag Harbor and you drove by in- if memory serves- a huge old boat of a pink Cadillac.
You slowed and waved in a way that reminded me of the boys in Kalamazoo, where I grew up, in their 57 Impalas, the teenage male vehicle of choice in the early 60s.
For the first time I thought, Goddamn it, I’m glad to be back in America.
For many of us, this goes back along the cloudy pathways of time and memory. I can remember the feeling, even as the dates and circumstances are elusive.
Damn you’re good, Lucian…!
As has been noted, a lovely column, especially because it's hard to write about feelings. I loved the doll and the card eighteen years later and the one call. Just one.
Only music has taken me back there as deeply as this has in a long while.
When I get up to go and kiss him my first love is going to wonder ‘what brought that on?’ And I’ll walk away smiling.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💥
Thank you brother!
Your story has me thinking of girls from my teens, and the wonder of their affections. Making this old heart feel so good. Bless you, friend!
I am surprised that this post could move me so much.
17 years of stupid I’m driving my dad’s 56 Pontiac, my buddy with me, on the small town loop, think “Last Picture Show”. We succeed in timing to get behind two girls doing same, get them to pull over. We talk in Dad’s car until we work our strategy to disagree on whether to go to the drive-in restaurant for burgers. Having decided to split up, I’m advocating the girl up front with me and I take Dad’s car. She keeps saying “Let’s take my car.” Finally she whispers in my ear, “It’s a Nash Rambler”. I still don’t get it. She whispers again. “The seats fold down into a bed.” I throw the keys to my Buddy, “Don’t dent my dad’s car.”
Hahahahaha!
I remember my first car fondly too! A convertible Karmann Ghia! Pale yellow. I had it until it died and my then husband...sold it when we were driving back and forth between Bucknell and Manhattan. I never got to say goodbye! As for my first love, I have kept track of him somewhat via the internet--how else?--and he ended up teaching at a university in the same town in the upper peninsula of Michigan where my granddaughter went to college. Small world. Great column, brings back memoires for a lot of us.
If the UP, had to be in Marquette!
Thank you for that hopeful note. After 49 happy years of marriage before being widowed, I’ve been saying I would not find anyone so wonderful again. This reprise is good news.
Ah, young love.... reminds me of a crush I had on the ice cream man, of all people! I was 13 & he was 21. I wrote a short story titled “Ice cream hots” about it in my freshman short story class. I think I got an A
What a wonderful piece - you have brought my teen years back as nothing has before. And the best part is, I see those years and relationships in a new light. I married my first love, my high school sweetheart, but it didn't last. Eight years later, I married my brother's best friend who I had known nearly as long as my husband. He said he had loved me for all those years but I hadn't recognized his wonderful qualities. We were happily married for 35 years until he succumbed to cancer in 2018. Our HS class has reunions every 10 years and it's great to see how many relationships have stood the test of time. Thanks for the memories...
I am amazed at the number of high school sweetheart couples who are still married after 50+ years. Didn't marry my HS sweetheart--he drank himself to death about 10 years ago. Instead, I married my college sweetheart who destroyed a 35 year marriage with alcohol. Are we sensing a theme here????
Same pattern. ❤️💔
Wow, what beautiful words, written with such lovely style!
Incredibly eloquent, Lucian! Your story evoked so many memories, and brought tears to my eyes.
Terrific column
Beautiful Lucian. I love your memory columns.
This one reminds me of a memory I have of you. I had just returned from many months in Italy in June of 1977. I missed it terribly. Then one day I was walking past the American Hotel in Sag Harbor and you drove by in- if memory serves- a huge old boat of a pink Cadillac.
You slowed and waved in a way that reminded me of the boys in Kalamazoo, where I grew up, in their 57 Impalas, the teenage male vehicle of choice in the early 60s.
For the first time I thought, Goddamn it, I’m glad to be back in America.
It was a gold caddy!
Gold looks pink under certain lights, and vice versa!
"You want attitude, asshole? I got attitude for you right here under my right foot."
"You want attitude, asshole? I got attitude for you right here under my right foot."
"You want attitude, asshole? I got attitude for you right here under my right foot."
(nevah evah tire of that Q & A)
For many of us, this goes back along the cloudy pathways of time and memory. I can remember the feeling, even as the dates and circumstances are elusive.