Make Up a Story
Stories from Around the World
Memories of Beth
November 10, 2020
Albert, youngest brother of 3 brothers. They're athletes and he is always compared to them. There is never any time or space to share himself in the dynamic of the family. He is a little forgotten.
Beth, the child of two teachers. Her mother teaches literature. She teaches a lot of romance stories such as Jane Eyre - young women falling in love, etc, etc... Beth grew up hearing these tales and has begun to recognize these feelings, but who does she talk to?
4th grade.
Beth and Albert are both in separate classes. Albert was not the most athletic kid, but he was always made the goalie. His peers figured the goalie position takes the least amount of athletic ability. All he has to do is stop the ball. Albert would see Beth getting along well with her friends. He sees that she is enthusiastic, yet reserved. Albert is more of a loner, with a few friends here and there. But he doesn't know how to share his feelings about Beth. He thinks he'll get teased. And he most likely will.
On the playground one afternoon, Albert makes an incredible save in the goal, but gets hurt in the meantime. Beth notices Albert for the first time. She sees him. He sees her. And this is frozen in time for 2 years. They see each other, they pass each other, but nerves and apprehension keep them from connecting.
6th grade.
The school dance. Teachers are chaperoning. Kids are exploring boundaries with each other. Boys thrust their friends at girls. Girls pretend to be embarrassed. Albert sits and gains his courage to approach Beth. As he stands to walk toward Beth, his history teacher approaches him and alerts him to a phone call for him in the office. Turns out his aunt Emma has fallen and is in the hospital. She is okay, but his mother wanted him to know. He heads back to the dance to find Beth, but the spell had been broken. She was no where to be found and the dance was coming to an end. Beth moves across town that summer, and begins junior high school in a separate school from Albert.
8th grade.
Beth and Albert are walking in a meadow a little outside of town. They see the other approaching and recognize the 6th grader they each knew in the face of the person approaching. Albert is searching for the courage to say something to Beth. They get 5 feet from each other, then 3, then 1 and they pass one another without a word said. After they walk about 15 paces, Beth turns back to glance at Albert.
Age 80
Albert keeps his 6th grade yearbook on his bookshelf as a reminder of the moment he lost. He doesn't need to open it to remind himself of lost opportunities. He opens the paper one day and once more spots the face of the 6th grader he never spoke to in the obituary of a wife, mother and grandmother from a neighboring town. He sees the life Beth has lived in her eyes.
One day Albert's grandson tells him of a young woman he likes, but doesn't want to tie himself down. Albert grabs his grandson by the collar, looks straight into his eyes and exclaims, "Go tell her! Don't let it get away. You never know what tomorrow will bring...so promise me, grandson, you'll do it."
Later that evening, Albert reaches for his yearbook and sets it on his lap. As he gazes out of the window, he feels closure. The dream has now come to an end.
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