Her name was Michelle Renee Chadwick and she was my first great love. She was a year younger than me. Her family moved next door when I was 4 years old. My birthday was a week away and my mom thought it would be nice to invite her. Little did I know she would become my best friend and later my girlfriend.
Our families were very different. Her mom was nice but her father was a drunk. They were from Kentucky and her mom was one of those women raised to do everything the husband told them to do. Her mother was nice but her father was very strict. When he was drunk, he was very mean.
On our first date we went to the movie theater and watched two movies. Back then the movie theaters were single theaters and you got to see two movies and a couple of cartoons for one price. Not so today. We left the theater about 5:45 and walked two blocks to the nearest restaurant. It was a Jerry’s Drive-in restaurant and it was hopping already. I opened the door for her and we sat at a table where I pulled the chair out for her. The waitress commented what a gentleman I was and Michelle agreed. I blushed which got a giggle from both of them.
On her front porch I gave her my first kiss as her boyfriend. I guess we held it a little too long because her mom opened the door and cleared her throat. We broke apart quickly, both blushing. Her mom smiled and said it was time for dinner and asked if I would join them. I agreed and sat down next to Michelle. Her dad came in and he was really drunk. He fell trying to sit in the chair. I helped him up.
When he got seated he looked at Michelle, then at me and frowned. “What’s he doing here?” he asked. Her mom said she invited me and for him to be quiet. He said he didn’t like being told what to do by a woman and began a string of curse words that would make the devil blush. I excused myself and started to leave. Michelle caught me at the door and asked me to call her later.
“He’ll pass out in a couple of hours.” I said I would and left.
The next two years went by and Michelle and I dated almost every weekend. I got my first car. It was a 1959 Buick convertible. I had to replace the exhaust and the top. Other than that, it was in great shape. We started going to the drive-in theater and it was great to have time alone with her. We made out a lot but it was a few months before we went all the way. She decided she didn’t want to wait for marriage and that was alright with me. After all, I was the one she was going to marry.
My 18th birthday was a month away when we went on, what turned out to be, our last date. We had an extended curfew that night and decided to take advantage of it. I had found a secluded spot off the road so we left the movies early and parked. I opened the door, got out, took her hand and helped her out and into the back seat. Even though it happened in the back of a car, it was fantastic for both of us. That night I slept like a baby.
The next day I knocked on her door and got no answer. I knocked louder. The door opened slowly, just enough for her mother to open the door fast and step out on the porch. I could tell something was really wrong. “Where is Michelle, Mrs. Chadwick? I need to see her.”
In a low voice she said she couldn’t talk right then but would come over later to talk to me. Mr. Chadwick yelled for her to get back inside. I could tell he was drunk again. I went home to wait.
The hours crawled by but finally there was a knock at the door. I opened it and let Mrs. Chadwick in. She was crying but accepted some tea before telling us what happened. It seems Mr. Chadwick was out of money. They didn’t have any money for food or bills. When a friend of the family offered him $500 and two half pints of whiskey for Michelle, he sold her. The police were called and Mr. Chadwick was arrested. Mrs. Chadwick told them where Michelle was taken.
The next few days were a blur for me. We later found out Michelle was trying to get away from this man called Red. The neighbors said she wanted to get back to her boyfriend and started to run. He shot her in the back. A neighbor sent me a letter Michelle asked her to mail for her. It read…

My Dearest Jimmy,
I am so sorry I had to leave. My father made me go with Red. I couldn’t get to the phone to call you. Red drove all the way back without stopping or I would have gotten away. I tried to leave a couple of times but he said he would shoot me. I don’t care anymore. If I can’t be with you I would rather die. Wish me luck. If I don’t make it back to you, just remember I love you. Don’t ever forget that. I will watch over you until we meet again.
All My Love,
Michelle

The coroner finally released her body and we buried her a week later. Every year on her birthday, my birthday, Memorial Day and other days throughout the year I put flowers on her grave. I eventually married about ten years later, but I never forgot Michelle. They say you never forget your first love. They are right.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 30.07.2011

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