My first boyfriend

My first boyfriend was in fourth grade. His name was Charley Ganster. He had blonde hair and a really cute smile which revealed two big dimples. He lived back Crukshank Road, near my house...My memories of Charley Ganster are still strong. He lived in a much nicer house than I. He even had a swimming pool...In my eyes, only really wealthy people had cement swimming pools...with a diving board, no less. The winter of my fourth grade our school had a dance. Charley asked me to go...the winters in the 50's were gruesome. The township road equipment was not at all like it is today. Plows only came out when there was 12" or more...and sometimes they put cinders on the roads but bascially...you were on your own...People were stuck at every turn, chains came out and bull ropes were in everyones trunk. Everything you might need for rescuing vehicles that found their way into the ditch. I specifically remember that night of the dance. Charley's family had someone that worked for them and he brought Charley to pick me up and drive us to the school. My road had a very steep hill after crossing the creek. If anyone had any hopes of getting to the top in snow they needed to make a run for it when you made the crossing at the bridge. Most everyone would spin and swerve the entire way up...Usually, someone turned sideways and ended up in the ditch that supported hard spring rains. Charley and I sat in the back seat. He had his arm around me. The sky had a dark gloom filled with large, soft white flakes. The air, so cold, the windows were steamed up inside. With the windshield wipers on high..they made a loud slapping noise as they fell down scooping the fresh flakes from the window glass. I felt the car speed up and make a run for the hill. We sat still gritting our teeth, wondering if we were going to make the grade. Spinning and swerving...from side to side...finally we came to a stop. The driver turned to back down the road..and tried again. On our way backing down, we turned sideways and the car slid out of control...down the hill...we finally got stopped and he tried again to make the hill...without any success. The driver turned to let us know, we would have to walk the rest of the way. I was freezing and so was Charley..the snow laid on our eyelashes we scurried up the hill....both scared and knew the walk would be a long one. I felt so bad for Charley, he had to walk me home and then he had to walk all the way back to the car...have frozen..He kissed my cheek and waved goodbye. I guess they got home, I don't remember that...I do know that later that year..Charley and his family moved away to another state. I thought he would be my boyfriend forever...Funny how when you are in fourth grade your expectations are in your small circle of what you know as life. You never think anything will ever change. What you don't realize that, this is just the beginning of things and people that sear their way into your memory...as well as the beginning of a lifelong trend...CHANGE!!