Background: I graduated in May of ‘71, but had to take an Algebra II class the next fall in order to receive my diploma. I walked across the stage knowing I’d have to pass that freakin’ class before they’d mail it.
During Thanksgiving break, I asked a girl to see the movie, “Fiddler on the Roof,” which opened on November 3rd.
On February 2nd, 1972, I drew #61 in the Vietnam draft.
Romantic Distractions
My right hand brushed against hers as I reached for popcorn. The theater was packed, but that was no surprise. It was Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
“Did you touch me on purpose, Shane?”
“Not really. Why? Did you like it?"
Cindi chuckled, “Maybe. I better take my coat off in case I get too hot.”
“Get a grip on yourself. I’m goin’ in for another handful.”
“Okay, the movie’s about to start, Shane.”
“What exactly is a fiddler on a roof?”
She reached over and put her hand over my mouth.
Tevye: “Traditions, traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as…as…as a fiddler on the roof.”
Wish I hadn't chosen accounting for a major, but it was too late. And studying over Thanksgiving break had become a yearly tradition. I often missed a lot of school during winter months due to respiratory issues and as a result, was forever playing catch-up.
Mom freaked out every time I coughed and encouraged me to keep away from everyone’s germs. I ended up staying after school to do homework assignments or take make-up tests once or twice a week. I hated the thought of summer school.
When vaccinations became mandatory in ‘63, I’d already experienced measles, mumps, chicken pox, bronchitis (numerous times,) scarlet fever, and pneumonia. And those were the ones I remember.
Whooping cough almost did me in when I was around two years old. I don’t remember hardly anything… except the pain. It felt like little pieces of broken glass moved around in my lungs every time I coughed. Throughout my childhood and early teenage years, Mom kept a Vicks Vaporizer right next to my bed throughout the fall and winter.
However, my greatest fear? Polio. How could a kid live inside an iron lung? What if they were claustrophobic like me? The polio vaccine was music to my ears. Mom and I stood in line for two hours before the clinic opened on the first day.
Yet by the fall of ‘71, I was only one class away from graduating. Then I’d be ready for ‘Nam… WITH a diploma.
One afternoon during Thanksgiving break, I walked out of my bedroom, slipped on my coat, and yelled out, “Mom, Goin’ to the mall. Need a little break.”
She popped her head out from behind the opened fridge door, “Honey, go see Fiddler on the Roof! Maybe you could ask that girl you’ve been all excited about, Cindi, right? You’ll impress her with your love for the arts. Might end up inviting her to come see me play ‘Hodel’ at the Playhouse. Don’t forget. December 7th, Shaney. I’ll make you proud.”
As soon as I got inside the mall, the first store I went to was “Waffle Cone Central” in the food court area. As I sat on a bar stool, I saw Cindi shopping a JC Penney’s,
I stalked her for a little while, trying to figure out how I might ask her to go see Fiddler on the Roof with me. She was with her two friends, Sara, who was nice, and Katy, a complete and total ass.
Tevye: “As Abraham said, ‘I am a stranger in a strange land.’
Mendel: “Moses said that.”
Tevye: “Ah. Well, as King David said, ‘I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue.’
Mendel: “That also was Moses.”
Tevye: “Well, for a man that was slow of tongue, he talked a lot.”
I finally walked up and greeted Cindi, “Hey! I see your hangin’ out with the turkeys.”
She looked up, her eyes brightened, and returned some friendly fire.
“Shane! What are you doin’ here? Aren’t you suppose to be watching football with your buds, sippin’ on a cold one?”
As I got ready to explain to Cindi what I was doin,’ Katy interrupted me from a nearby sales table, her loud mouth annoying the fuck out of me, “Cindi, do you think this sweater would look cute on me?”
Cindi stepped closer to me and whispered, “I’m a little bored if you want to know the truth. Rather be at home cozied up in a novel,” offering me a smile accented by dimples. Her green eyes hypnotized me.
She touched my arm, “Shane. It’s really nice of you to stop and say hi.”
She took a few quick breaths, “I think the eggnog at Sara’s house had a little too much rum.”
Just then Katy nudged Cindi, “Sara wants to go look at bras. Maybe Shane can help," looking at me with a sneer like she had me by the balls.
Tevye: “God, I know you’re very busy now. Wars, revolutions, floods, plagues, all those things that bring people back to you, but could you take a second…”
I decided to call her bluff.
Katy, “I know how many ounces of beer there are in a bottle, but bras? How does twelve ounces compare to a bra size?” Sara could hear the girls laugh.
Katy added, “Shane said he could help you. He needs to know your cup size.”
Sara smiled, “You can’t tell by just looking?” She opened her arms momentarily and shook her peaches.
As they turned and started walking toward the lingerie dept, Katy looked back, “Too bad, Shaney. Guess you’re not her type.”
Cindi and I stood there listening to the crickets.
Tevye: “Dear God, did you have to put me through times like this right now, today?”
Out of the silence I blurted out, “Cindi, I’m going to watch Fiddler On the Roof. Would you like to come with?” (colloquial expression)
Her face turned somber, “Shaney, how sweet of you. I’d love to. Sara and Katy aren’t interested in the movie.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, I really would,” as she put her hand on her heart. “Cross my heart serious, but I do have a question.”
“Okay?”
“Who’s buyin’ popcorn?”
“Got it covered. I”m the one asking. Might need a couple of cokes, too.”
She gave me a flirty smile. ”Wait. Gotta have some chocolate! Sure you don’t wanna go dutch?”
“No, I got it. You can buy the steaks next time.”
Tevye: “God, it may sound like I’m complaining, but I’m not. After all your help, I’m starving.”
Thanksgiving break with Cindi turned out to be the best of times without any worst thrown in. We spent the next few weekends shopping and watching Christmas movies at the mall. Our favorite hangout was the bookstore.
I did notice one thing as Christmas approached: we avoided any talk about meeting our parents.
Lazar Wolf: “How it’s going with you, Tevye?”
Tevye: “How should it go?”
Lazar Wolf: “You are right.”
Tevye: “And you?”
Lazar Wolf: “The same.”
Tevye: ”I’m sorry to hear that.”
Oh yeah, the draft. I’d forgotten. . .
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