DATE NIGHT
She huddled closer to the cinema entrance, underneath the overhang. It was raining so hard and her brand new coat was really not waterproof. Moss green twill with four overlarge decorative buttons. short as was the fashion then. Black patent boots to her knee. Her black and white patterned dress was bought in Peter Barrie’s in Cornmarket. she’d spent her week’s allowance on her outfit. She was so embarrassingly conspicuous standing there alone. People would notice a nervous-looking young girl, a trifle too thin with a mop of raven black hair and glasses to match. A little too much make up older ones would comment but at that age they understood. Didn’t they do it themselves!! Sure the kids were all beautiful in their own way.
Patricia was cold, wet and miserable. She wasn’t surprised he hadn’t arrived. She was familiar with this disappointed feeling. So very familiar. Going on seventeen with the lowest self esteem and confidence at an all time low.
“Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.”
“Judy in Disguise.”
“Specky four eyes.”
She’d had them all thrown at her at one time or another. Then to make matters worse she was skinny.
“Twiggy” was another popular refrain. No curves did she have. She tried. Oh, how she’d tried. Wate-On drink, eating rubbish, sticking cotton wool down her bra. Nothing worked. Even the padding fell out in the middle of the dance floor. Humiliation! Her Dad often said:
“You can’t fatten a thoroughbred, Love.”
Trying to cheer her up. Coax a smile from his eldest daughter. But here she was again, stood up by another boy who didn’t think she was worth the effort of keeping a date. Should she go in on her own. The film was nearly starting and if nothing else she was a great fan of Elvis Presley. That’s what was showing and she hadn’t seen it yet.
No, she couldn’t. She would stick out like a sore thumb. She sighed resignedly. Another five minutes. She would give him another five minutes. It would only be advertisements on anyway. Other couples were staring at her, giggling to each other, pointing. She could feel the tears gathering in the corner of her eyes.
Four minutes.
A boy with his girlfriend shouted over: “Stood up, Love! I’m not surprised. You look like a drowned rat.”
She was used to the humiliation. But was she really that unattractive. No one had ever said she was pretty. No one had actually taken much notice of her including most of her family. She used to go out with her friend Carmel. She of the long blond hair and eyes of blue. Patricia didn’t stand a chance. All the boys wanted Carmel. the unlucky one got her and for consolation would try it on with her. Having scant knowledge of this kind of thing, she knew enough to shove them away and walk home alone.
A friend in school had sketched a picture of Patricia once and she had looked lovely. Wouldn’t believe it was of her even though the girl insisted. No one had ever told her. you see. She had never received a compliment in her short life. Patricia really liked this boy who had not yet arrived. She really did. Tears threatened again. One minute. She’d give him one minute more. Then go home to her room to cry.
Suddenly she heard running footsteps, a breathless shout:
“Patricia, I am so sorry. I had to work late. No way to contact you.”
She smiled shyly as he reached for her hand and placed a light kiss on her cheek.
“I thought you wouldn’t be here.”
Her heart soared. He liked her. Afraid she wouldn’t be there. Patricia felt comfortable and content as they walked into the cinema together. And she would remain so for some years . That is until Fate and Circumstance intervene.
Phyllis McKenna 