No Boyfriend for Me
Even though it was my decision to break up with Barry it took time to heal. I felt lost and depressed. I had twice made plans to leave Roseburg, the first was marrying him, then I checked out a business college in Eugene however, it wasn’t for me.
That spring I packed up my little VW with five people, Connie two guys, and me. We took turns driving straight through to Campus Crusades in Arrowhead Springs, California. Connie was there for a spring break Evangelistic ministry. We took our 3-Basic-Law booklets that explained the story of Jesus and how he died for us to Palm Springs poolside for Connie and I to share the good news. I was too shy to approach anyone. I felt guilty, why was I there?
But I wanted to be a part of their ministry team on campus. There were lots of things to take advantage of Bible studies, prayer groups, and Evangelistic outreach. I found out I had to raise my own support. I couldn’t imagine doing that but, they suggested I could work off-campus. I wasn’t sure how the logistics would work but I still filled out an application to join their ministry and the person who took it said a couple would come talk about alternate ways to help. When I got back home, I was waiting for a couple from Campus Crusades to work out the details. They probably wanted to size me up as well.
In the meantime, I was working at Hansen Chevrolet. Every business day I took the dealership car to make a deposit at U.S. Bank. The tellers were so friendly. Lonnie was really nice. I could tell he was enamored with me and he eventually asked me to go on a date. We were once driving on a country road and he gradually slipped his arm around my shoulder. I moved away. He knew I didn’t want a boyfriend, he was brokenhearted and not long after, he moved away.
I went to see my girlfriends, Betty and Connie who lived in a brand new apartment complex called Executive Apartments, it was a big deal for our small town. We changed into our swimming suits to go to the pool. As usual, I was wearing my bikini. I had no plans to swim, just put my feet in the water. I wasn’t paying much attention but at the other end of the pool were two guys on lounge chairs enjoying the sun after their swim. Connie and I ended up in her car at the Dairy Queen to get corndogs, my favorite fast food. When we walked back to the car, the two guys from the pool climbed into the back seat of Connie’s car. They introduced themselves. They were two brothers, Dave and Zack. I wasn’t interested in a boyfriend, life was confusing enough, but Dave pursued me.
One afternoon Dave came to Hansen Chevrolet, where I worked, under the guise of talking to one of his salon customers, my co-worker, Violet. He was there to show her a wiglet that had a pile of curls fastened onto the back of a ladies’ hair, sort of like a man’s toupee. While he was there he asked if I would take my fifteen-minute break with him. We walked to the nearby fancy ice cream shop, The Carousel. I was wearing a light blue dress that I’d sewn in a style I loved. I don’t remember if I ordered ice cream but I did order iced tea. When the waitress brought our order she bumped the tray and spilled tea on my dress. I was never able to get the stain out, but I did agree to a second date.
When I found out he was a part owner of a beauty salon, Lynn and Dave’s Hair Fashions, I was impressed. He was only in his early twenties and already had a business venture. I was seeking security. I thought I might find it in him. Little did I know, as an entrepreneur, he would be thinking of the next business idea, and many of those things turned out to be just maybes.
I liked Dave before I loved him. I was attracted to his character, I loved hearing his stories of growing up doing crazy things like making bottle rockets, making and floating rafts when the water was too high, or riding bicycles carelessly down a shale pit. Good, clean, fun.
Executive Apartment complex had a miniature golf course in back of the property. One evening we were walking around it and he told me I didn’t have to say sorry all the time. I had no idea I did it.
After we dated for a few weeks a couple from Campus Crusades came to meet me. I told them I had a boyfriend in Roseburg. They told me I could always change my mind and they gave me their contact information. I knew I wouldn’t. I was ashamed and disappointed in myself. Dave wasn’t a believer and I shouldn’t be dating him.
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