Dowagiac residents living on Florence Street had no use for a groundhog. Instead, they waited for a beautiful blond to walk out her front door with a skateboard under her arm. If she looked up, smiled, and got on her board, it was a sure sign of Spring. As Old Man Winter reluctantly released his grip on their part of the world, the sight of Melody’s smile helped to thaw the cold, gloomy hearts that had endured yet another Michigan deepfreeze.
After Spring Break, graduation was finally in sight. Melody assumed she would just ride out the remainder of the year without further incident or memorable event. She was mistaken.
On the first Monday of May, Melody sat in her English class watching the clock, waiting for the bell to ring. She had her fill of Macbeth for the day. If English IV had taught her anything, it was that she had no use for William Shakespeare. Melody could not wait for the final exam to be over, knowing it would be a great relief to forget all the literary nonsense she had been forced to remember. For months, Melody could not understand why people made such a big deal over Shakespeare’s work, for she herself found it all quite dull. The bell finally rang, and as Melody gathered her things, she heard the sound of her name coming from the desk next to her.
It was Clark Reynolds, the boy who had sat next to her all year. He was short, slightly overweight, and wore thick glasses. His hair was a throwback to the 1970s and he waged a constant war with his complexion. His unfashionable wardrobe was selected by his mother, and he wore braces. If Clark was anything, he was the living definition of high school nerd. He was a shy boy, but always had a smile for Melody when she entered the classroom. On rare occasions, he had even worked up the nerve to say hello.
“Yes, Clark?” Melody asked.
“I… Ummm,” Clark began before faltering nervously.
Melody waited patiently but did not want to be late for class. She gave him a moment.
Clark collected himself and took a deep breath. “I was just wondering if you had a date for the prom yet.” He then looked off to his right, hoping he did not sound as foolish as he felt.
Melody was caught off guard. She did not even know what night the prom was. What seemed a lifetime ago, Melody and Becky had discussed going together as a couple, believing it to be the perfect night to reveal their secret. However, with Becky’s passing, it was just another dream never meant to come true. Since then, Melody had disregarded, and ultimately forgot about, the prom. Now, she found herself standing before a boy who was looking at the wall and twiddling his fingers. Melody could not help but smile as Clark’s face turned a dark crimson.
“No, Clark. I don’t,” she answered.
Upon hearing that, Clark faced her. Melody saw the terror mounting in his eyes but could do nothing to help him. Clark was going to have to do this on his own.
“Oh,” Clark said with a hint of surprise. “Well, in that case, I would like to ask if I may take you… to the prom.”
Melody noticed a bead of sweat running down Clark’s temple. The poor boy looked as if he was going to fall apart right in front of her. It took all the courage Clark had just to maintain eye contact. Trembling and lightheaded now, Clark considered bolting for the door, but could not move his legs. His eyes went out of focus as he stared at Melody in bewilderment through a sudden case of tunnel vision. With as much grace as he could muster, he braced himself against the desk to keep from falling.
“Why yes, Clark. Thank you,” Melody answered. “I’d be glad to go with you. When is it?”
Returning to reality, Clark reacted as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice water in his face. “You mean it?” he asked. “You’re not playing a joke on me?”
Melody reached for the spiral notebook clutched in Clark’s sweaty hand. She opened it and wrote her name and phone number. “Clark, I have to get going,” she said. “Call me around seven. I’m off work tonight. We can work out the details then, OK?” With that, she turned and made her exit, leaving a dumbfounded, but exhilarated Clark alone in the classroom.
***
At 7:02, Melody answered the phone. It was Clark. After informing Melody that the prom was next Saturday, Clark gave a detailed account of the itinerary he had planned. Clark explained that he would pick her up at six and take her to Zeke’s. There, they would meet his friends and have dinner. Then, they would all go to the dance as a group. Clark went on to say that he would take care of everything, dinner, tickets, pictures, and a corsage. For Clark’s sake, Melody said with enthusiasm that she was looking forward to it and thanked him again for asking her. Before hanging up, Clark wished her a pleasant evening while trying to downplay his own excitement. Upon hearing a click, followed by a dial tone, Melody replaced the handset. Despite shaking her head in disbelief, her face was a picture of contentment.
“Am I to understand that you are going to the prom?” Barbara asked, entering the room suddenly.
“Yes, Mama, a boy asked me.”
“Well, who is he? What’s his name? How do you know him? When did he ask you?” Barbara paused as her heart filled with a renewed hope. Finally, she asked the most important question. “Do you like him?”
“Mama, his name is Clark and he is just a boy who sits next to me in English. I have no interest in him. He is a nice boy and very smart. To be honest, he’s not good looking at all. He’s extremely shy… I’ve never seen such a nervous boy ask for a date. I didn’t think he was going to get the words out, but he did. When he asked me, my heart went out to him, and I accepted.”
“That’s it?” Barbara asked as disappointment crossed her face.
“That’s it, Mama. Nothing more,” Melody said. “I could never go with another girl. It’s still too soon. Clark is harmless. You and Daddy don’t have to worry. I’ll be safe… Now I need to find a dress. I think I’d like something in orange.”
“Well, let me go shopping with you this weekend,” Barbara offered. “It will give us a chance to spend some time together.”
“OK, Mama, we’ll go Saturday. I don’t have to be at work until four.”
“Don’t forget to ask for the night off next weekend,” her mother reminded her.
“I can do that when I go in tomorrow.”
***
In the days that followed, Clark talked to Melody more often and even walked with her in the hallway. Because Melody was always polite and attentive to him, the unusual couple drew strange looks whenever they were seen together. Some rude girls pointed, snickered, and even laughed. Melody took it all in stride. She did not know them, and after graduation, would probably never see them again. Therefore, their opinions meant nothing.
On Saturday, Melody and her mother drove out of town to go shopping. It was not until the third store in Decatur that Melody found what she was looking for. Hanging on a rack, in the rear of the boutique, was a strapless orange gown with a bow on the hip. She loved it immediately upon first sight and was delighted that it fit so well. Though it cost a little more than what she had originally planned to spend, Melody did not mind. It was a beautiful dress and she intended to keep it in case another occasion called for such a thing.
On Monday, Melody greeted Clark and told him she had found the prefect dress. Clark, in turn, told her he had his tuxedo rental worked out with the help of his father. Clark grew more excited as the week progressed and became even more talkative, always finding something new to say about prom night. He mentioned how excited he was for Melody to meet his friends and that he was allowed to stay out until midnight. The last thing Clark told Melody on Friday afternoon, was that they would have to go to his house for a few moments. His parents wanted to meet her and take pictures. Melody was happy to oblige, knowing that prom night had become the center of Clark’s universe.
***
When Saturday finally arrived, Clark was a nervous wreck. He called Melody around one o’clock to make small talk, but in actuality, he wanted assurance that she was not backing out. Clark was relieved to hear Melody promise that by six, she would be ready and waiting. After hanging up, Clark paced his room nervously, rehearsing things to say. The last thing he wanted was for Melody to become bored with him. He even went so far as to write a list of things to say on a slip of paper. Clark had never cheated on a test, but for this special night, he would refer to his crib notes if necessary. Later, Clark took a long shower under hot water, hoping it would stop him from sweating. When it was finally time to get dressed, he needed his father to help him with the bowtie and cummerbund.
Melody spent most of the afternoon attempting to copy a hairstyle she saw in one of her Cosmopolitan magazines. Melody rarely wore her hair up, and finally had to ask her mother for help. After putting on her dress, Melody removed the curlers. To her great delight, the ringlets looked exactly like the ones displayed by the model in the magazine. At 5:43, Melody had finished her makeup and proceeded downstairs.
Upon seeing her daughter, Barbara could not help but cry. In her eyes, no girl ever looked lovelier. Douglas swelled with pride at the sight of the young woman who stood before him. Melody’s parents lavished her with compliments up until the moment a car was heard pulling up to the curb. Melody looked out the kitchen window to see Clark stepping out of a Ford Escort. She smiled upon seeing him walk uncomfortably with a corsage in his hands. Not even the fancy tuxedo could help the poor homely boy.
Melody stood next to her mother as Douglas answered the door. He invited Clark inside and welcomed him with a handshake and clap on the back. Barbara now understood why her daughter was so nonchalant about the big dance. This pudgy boy was six inches shorter than Melody and reeked of cheap aftershave. Barbara was not sure what concoction he had applied to his hair, but it resembled an oil slick. He was well mannered but obviously nervous as Melody introduced him. Barbara managed to hold her steadfast smile as she shook Clark’s sweating hand.
Turning to face her, Clark said, “You look beautiful, Melody. May I?”
Melody extended her arm and allowed Clark to put the corsage of white carnations on her wrist. “Thank you, Clark. They’re beautiful, and you look quite handsome yourself.”
As Clark engaged in conversation, neither Barbara nor Douglas knew what to make of this boy. He was unattractive, far from charming, and unsure of himself. However, he was a gentleman, and obviously taken with Melody. Clark became panicky and began to sweat while trying to make a good impression. As he nervously explained that he planned to study architecture at Michigan State after graduation, his face began to lose color. To their credit, both Douglas and Barbara tried to make the boy feel at ease, but Clark began to stammer and dart his eyes nervously. For three years he had secretly worshipped Melody from afar. Now, he was standing in her house, talking with her parents on prom night. It was all too much for him, and he suddenly felt faint. Seeing this, Melody rescued him as his face turned the color of chalk. Offering her arm, she said, “Are you ready Clark? We don’t want to be late.”
Clark gratefully took his cue and bid Douglas and Barbara a pleasant evening.
“Have her home by midnight, Mr. Reynolds,” Douglas said as the mismatched couple walked out the door.
“Yes sir, I will. It was a pleasure to meet me,” Clark answered, unaware of the statement’s absurdity.
Douglas and Barbara watched through the window as Clark opened the door for Melody and helped her inside the car. He then went around to the driver’s side, got in, and drove off after putting on his seatbelt. Barbara could only shake her head. She hoped, for his sake, the boy was a late bloomer and would outgrow his ugly duckling stage in college.
“I’m a little worried,” Douglas said. “I hope he doesn’t break her heart tonight.”
Slapping her husband’s shoulder, Barbara failed to stifle her laughter. “Oh Douglas, you’re awful.”
“She’s a great girl, Barb,” Douglas admitted. “I wonder if she has any idea what she’s doing for that kid.”
“She knows exactly what she’s doing,” Barbara answered. “She’s making a dream come true.”
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