Muse Magic

The first time I saw her, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. She was the most gorgeous woman I ever saw. I just had to get to know her. Moments where you know you need that person don’t come along that often. When it happens, you have to take a chance; that’s what I had to do.

It was a little intimidating at the thought of just walking up to her, and saying I love you. My nerves got the best of me, and I chickened out. But I was determined not to let her get away. I followed her, keeping my distance so not to get spotted, nor did I want to frighten her.

She didn’t look frail, though. Smart and confident. More confident then I was at the moment. An educated girl, no doubt. And here I was, a mill rat. Had to quit school and go to work to help put food on the table.

She got on a public trolley. I followed, blending in with the passengers. Now’s my chance, I thought. I’d get a grip on my awkwardness, and find the courage to go talk to her. But what would I say? What would this uneducated, poor, mill rat have to offer? I looked up to see her getting off. Damn, I missed my chance.

She walked into a building that was affiliated with the community college. Again I followed, and discovered she walked to a swimming pool. The whole building was the pool. I went upstairs to watch from the bleachers. They were filled with spectators cheering on the swimmers. I’d imagen most were parents cheering on their son’s and daughter’s.

It didn’t take long for it to be my girl’s turn. My girl, it had a nice ring to it. She was the most beautiful swimmer there. Free style, the butterfly and the breast stroke. All so majestic. I was overwhelmed watching this beautiful creature in the water. How could this gorgeous woman have gotten ten times more enchanting?

After a few hours, we both we waiting for the street car. It was dusk, and no one else was around. “Hi,” I found my nerve, staring into her eyes.

She gave me a smile, “Hi.”

“I’m Eugene Barefoot,” I nervously said. “I like the way you swim.”

“Thank you,” she curtsied.

The trolley stopped and we got on. I put two dimes in the machine, one for me and her. She shot me a look, but then smiled and walked past me to find a seat. She found one with an open seat next to her and invited me to sit. We made small chit-chat on the way home. We got off, and I walked her to the front of her house.

At work the next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. When I got home, I quickly showered, and walked the ten minutes to her house. I got to the door not sure what to say, or expect. Her mother answered after I rang the doorbell. I swallowed hard, and politely asked to see Mary. She said Mary was out with a young man from school. It was disappointing to hear, and broke my heart a little.

I left and as soon as I heard to door close, went back and sat on the front steps. I wasn’t about to let her get a way from me. It didn’t matter if I wasn’t some know-it-all from her school. I was going to make Mary Barns fall in love with me.

I don’t know how long I waited, but it had to be at least a couple of hours. It was worth the wait when I saw her come down the sidewalk. She had on a bright yellow dress down to her ankles, with a white bow tied in the back. Her blond shoulder length hair was shining in the twilight. It was like she lit up the whole block. I just staired in aww.

“Hi Eugene,” she looked surprised. “This is John Rogers.”

I shook his hand, “Eugene Barefoot.”

“I’ll see you in school tomorrow,” John said to Mary, and kissed the back of her hand.

She gave me a look, “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you.”

“Didn’t my mother tell you I was out with John?”

I nodded, “Yes she did. That’s why I waited.”

She folded her arms, “Does my mother know?”

I put my hands on my hips, “I don’t know, maybe.”

She shouted for her mother. The door opened and her mother peeked out, “Did you know he waited for me?” pointing at me.

“I did not,” she came out the door. “You, go home,” motioning down the street.

I didn’t want to cause Mary any more trouble. I said goodbye, turned and nodded at the old lady and left. I vowed to come back tomorrow, and every day after if I had to. Anything to get that girl to notice me.

A month went by with me discreetly going to sit on, or near her front porch. The times Mary did know I was there, she’d come out and talk with me. Some of the conversations were more important than others, but she knew I was smitten with her.

One of our talks was about baseball, and how much we both enjoyed the game. Who knew, a girl that liked baseball? My opinion of her kept getting higher. Babe Ruth and the Boston Braves were coming to town to play the Pirates. I asked her if she wanted to go. What baseball fan wouldn’t want to go see Babe Ruth? My heart broke out in song when she said she’d like to.

The day of our date arrived and I put on the nicest suit I had, a double breasted charcoal gray. I hoped I wasn’t trying too hard to impress her. I pick a dandelion, on the walk over, to give to her. Her mother opened the door, and to my surprise she was nice to me and let me wait for Mary in the living room. Coming down stairs, Mary was stunning. She had on a peach dress with lace around the neck and the sleeves, and her hair was in a tight bun.

After the game we strode though Oakland and talked. I told her about how I had to quit school to get a job to help with expenses. She told me her love of swimming, and wish she was able to go on to college, but couldn’t afford too. I wanted to give her what little I had to make it come true.

“When can I see you again?” walking her to the front door.

“Come watch me swim tomorrow. Meet me at the trolley stop at twelve. We’ll ride down together,” she pecked me lightly on the cheek and went in.

I don’t think my feet hit the ground on the ten-minute walk home. I had fallen in love with her. It was beginning to look like she was smitten with me too. After she kissed me, she told me she was going to keep the flower, I gave her, in her bible so she knew where it was all the time. I think that meant more than the kiss.

For the next two week we spent all of our free time together, and I’d go watch her swim every chance I got. She was not only beautiful in the water, she was good at it. It didn’t matter if it was the Breast stroke, Butterfly or freestyle, she won most of her races.

After a swim meet, one day, I told her I had a surprise and took her out to dinner. It was one of those fancy restaurants where we had to dress up. I even managed to buy her a long stemmed rose for the occasion. She was radiant, wearing a silver dress with a matching bow in her hair. We both ordered a salad, but she had the liver and onions while I had the veal.

“How was your dinner?” I asked, as we sipped on coffee.

“It was delightful, thank you,” she held my gaze. “I have some exciting news,” reaching for my hand. “My coach said they picked me to be on the swim team for the Olympics next year.”

“That’s great,” I raised my cup to cheer her.

The waiter must have heard us because he came over and offered his congratulations we another cup of coffee for us both. We clinked our cups together and sipped.

“I need to ask you something,” I set my cup down. I swallowed hard, wrapping my fingers around her, “Mary, I love you. Will you marry me?”

I had never seen her smile so wide, “Yes,” nodding. “Lets get married right away.”

“What about swimming in the Olympics?”

“I don’t want to wait to be your wife,” she finished her coffee. “And I want to start a family.”

It couldn’t get any better. I was the luckiest guy in the world.

The End