Let's see where was I? Oh, yes the tension and excitement. All female eyes seemed to fix themselves on John Stevens and Jerry Rogers. John Stevens with his wavy blond hair and green eyes and Jerry Rogers with raven black hair and a smile to kill. A girl could hope you know. We watched with our mouths watering while the two of them finally made their red carpet trip to the "box" while we all gave them our best smiles.
Then I could almost hear the phantom drum roll reverberate around the room. The words spoken by Miss Kennedy, "Can I have a couple of volunteers to pass out the Valentine day cards?" Mine went up without me realizing until I heard Miss Kennedy pick Harvey Boil and myself to distribute the hot little cards. I could hear the snickers. What did that mean I wondered? The two Valentine rejects given the chance to at least touch the coveted cards before going home empty handed. Was it some omen of what awaited Harvey and me. I got up, suddenly not so exited to open the box figuring Jenny Grant and Cindy Collins would get most of them! But Harvey was already grabbing a pile so I bravely did the same, and like some elementary Joan of Arc, I went to the flames.
Well as expected Jenny and Cindy's desk quickly filled up with the cards and as you probably figured out Jerry and John's also. I peeked over at my desk to see it was still empty and then to the dwindling pile left to hand out and I began to sweat. Then a cry escaped which I turned into a sneeze, when from the corner of my eyes I saw Harvey slap one on my desk. At that moment I felt rescued, no matter who sent it. I couldn't hand out the rest fast enough, so curious to find out. Now we'll get into that.
You see everyone was busy opening their cards, using their pencils and whatever else vaguely resembled a letter opener. I slowly and delicately opened mine while trembling all the time. Being careful not to rip what lay inside as if it were my heart in there. I held onto the card with two fingers and slowly dragged it out. First I looked around to make sure no one was watching me and if the coast was clear. Then I saw Harvey looking my way with a silly grin on his face. At that moment I knew how Napoleon felt at Waterloo. Probably the only thing I related to that part of history since Miss Kennedy taught it to us weeks ago. So as if I was ripping a bandage off quickly to get the pain over as soon as possible, I opened up the card just as fast.
For over a minute confusion was written over my red face. All I saw was To Cindy, Love Jerry! Harvey gave me someone else's Valentine's card! Could it be to save my face? Or just a mistake? Now that he sat empty handed at his desk I felt incredible guilt and remorse! Suddenly Harvey looked a lot better than most days! I saw him turn away as my eyes begged to know what really happened. I stuck the card and envelope into one of my books before anyone had a chance to ask me who it was from. I waited for the bell to ring then ran out of the school as quick as I could.
On my walk home that day, I thought a lot about what Harvey did or what I wanted to believe he did. I also thought a lot about the dirty looks Cindy gave the unsuspecting Jerry the rest of that afternoon and I couldn't help wearing a silly grin. But I have to laugh even harder now and you would too if you read my Valentine cards each year since 1975. Each one reads the same, To Cindy, Love Jerry. And if you haven't gotten it yet, you will as I sign off on this Valentine's day story as the very blessed and loved Mrs. Harvey Boil.
Bronze trophy winner
Honorable mention
Adding your comment:
... excellent story by the way. Excellent. Keep up the great work. Kahy
Just an idea.
i do enjoy this poem so much 
