Life Light

Young love is never easy, as Omahan Mary-Alice Hurlburt recalls ...

I was in seventh grade, and I was in love. The kid who sat in front of me was the object of my affections. His name was Rodney F.

One day I decided that I would tease him a little bit to try to get his attention.

In the ’50s, we had inkwells and long, wooden pens with sharp nibs on the end. I decided it would be fun to “tickle” Rodney with the nib of my pen, so I leaned down and poked the wooden end of the pen into the laces of my saddle oxfords. Then I scrunched waaaaay down and stretched my foot out juuuust far enough so that I could reach Rodney’s heel and give him a little tickle with the sharp end of the pen.

Unfortunately, he chose that exact moment to shove his foot back ... right into the business end of the pen. He yelped and I watched in horror at the growing stain of blood spreading through his white sock.

Of course, I got into big trouble, and, being a shy seventh-grade girl, I wasn’t about to tell anyone that it was a case of misguided love!

We just had our 50th high school reunion Aug. 28, and I was hoping Rodney would be there. He wasn’t. So, Rodney, if you are reading this ... I apologize!

If you’ve seen or heard something fun or noteworthy, call World-Herald staff writer Susan White at 402-444-1219 or send an e-mail to susan.white@owh.com.

« Living

Share