Cheryl
“Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew,” wrote Jack Gilbert in his poem Failing and Falling. When it comes to relationships, David needs to view it as the poem describes. Like Icarus, it is about the journey, not the end that needs to be honor. The intentions were sound for his relationships. His relationships ended because of change and growth within both, his partner, but mostly within David. 1**click here for more information on Icarus and Jack Gilbert's Failing and Falling**
In high school, there was Cheryl. She was a bright brown eyed girl with short brown hair and round cheeks atop her full lips that narrowed to lines on the side of her smile. She carried herself with authentic wonderment in people. Cheryl was an honest and open teen woman who, like David, still had a lot to learn about the world and the realm of love. Whenever she didn’t understand someone, she would ask for clarification of a person’s reasons or actions, and would accept their answer, even if the person was plainly incorrect or didn’t make senses. She accepted how the person viewed the subject at hand though disagreed internally.
Cheryl dated David’s best friend in high school, Collier Case. On the ground floor at Evanston Township High School during change of classes was were they met for the first time. Collier introduced his girlfriend in a lackadaisical manner with a smile on his face. David knew that Collier was busting with pride showing Cheryl off when he put his arm around her.
“Nice to meet you,” said Cheryl to David as she took his extended hand and shook it. She thought it was odd, but nice to see someone with formalities.
In high school, there was Cheryl. She was a bright brown eyed girl with short brown hair and round cheeks atop her full lips that narrowed to lines on the side of her smile. She carried herself with authentic wonderment in people. Cheryl was an honest and open teen woman who, like David, still had a lot to learn about the world and the realm of love. Whenever she didn’t understand someone, she would ask for clarification of a person’s reasons or actions, and would accept their answer, even if the person was plainly incorrect or didn’t make senses. She accepted how the person viewed the subject at hand though disagreed internally.
Cheryl dated David’s best friend in high school, Collier Case. On the ground floor at Evanston Township High School during change of classes was were they met for the first time. Collier introduced his girlfriend in a lackadaisical manner with a smile on his face. David knew that Collier was busting with pride showing Cheryl off when he put his arm around her.
“Nice to meet you,” said Cheryl to David as she took his extended hand and shook it. She thought it was odd, but nice to see someone with formalities.
Nice to meet you,” said Cheryl to David as she took his extended hand and shook it. She thought it was odd, but nice to see someone with formalities.
“Great in meeting you,” answered David.
“Love you hat,” said Cheryl referring to David beige cap.
“Actually it’s a cap.”
“What?”
“It’s a British driving cap.”
“Okay.” Now Cheryl really thought David was odd.
They walked through the school’s corridor lined with beige lockers talking about Collier as if he wasn’t there until they reached the stairwell.
“My next class is on the second floor.” said David. They said their farewells with “great meeting you.” Up when David in his usual way, skipping every other step, all while Collier held Cheryl’s hand.
Walking down the second floor hallway, David took off his British driving cap and put it into his purple backpack; pulled put on his glasses from the bag and put them on; and recalled that his required books for his next class were in his locker on the ground floor. Already being three-fourth down the hallway, instead of turning around to the same stairwell, he went further down the hallway in the same direction and took another stairwell down to the ground floor. As if it was planned, there David met up with Collier and Cheryl.
Cheryl first saw David and said, “Didn’t we just met?”
David jokingly said in a British accent, “Oh, that was not me.”
“I just met you at the other end of the hallway.” said Cheryl point toward the other stairwell.
“Oh yes, yes. Him. That was my twin cousin David.”
“Really?”
“I’m Donald,” said David as he put out his hand toward Cheryl. She just looked at David as he pointed at his face. “I wear spectacles and David does not.”
“He means glasses,” said Collier knowing David’s humor and love of British comedies on Public Television.
“David and I like to dress similar. However, today I have a blue collar shirt on and David is wearing a black one.”
Cheryl looked more confused and shook David’s, alias Donald, hand.
“Nice to meet you Donald. You two sure look alike.”
“I must dash off to class or I shall be tardy. Do not want to get low marks. Cheers.”
“See you soon, Donald,” said Collier.
“Bye Donald,” said the confused Cheryl.
Heading toward his locker, David overheard Cheryl, “David did have a hat on and I think had a different color shirt.”
As with Cheryl, she accepted what people told her though disagreed internally. This deceit when on for some time. When the light shown on the truth: “I knew it,” exclaimed Cheryl. “Something just never was right. For starters, I never saw the two of you together.”
Time and time, Collier’s relationship with Cheryl wade and eventually ceased. They stayed as friends - all three of them. Nevertheless, Cheryl was especial woman. With Collier’s blessings, David asked Cheryl out. After all, she was her best friend’s friend. They had a fondness that was beyond Collier. For David cherished Cheryl.
Together David and Cheryl courted with the usual movie house and diner dates. David enjoys her company because she listen to his world of puppets, theater, and history. His enjoyment was being around her. After all, he learnt from the King of Romance, his father, about chivalry. As a gentleman, he gave Cheryl flowers and written poems. The Chinese Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial states “a gentleman doesn’t exaggerate his accomplishments, nor does he show off his accomplishments. He just tells the facts as they are.” It says, “One should praise other people’s good deeds and accomplishments in order to treat them with respect and honor.” It also says, “Therefore, even though a gentleman behaves in a modest and low-key manner, the people naturally respect him.” David did these things by following the example of his father, as well as his own insecurities dealing with people on an intimate level.
They slowly both learn about each other’s bodies. David learn the art of passionate, open mouth kissing with Cheryl. During make-out sessions their bodies made a letter Y shape; Only David’s chest would be on top of Cheryl while their abdomens and legs did not touch. Unknown to Cheryl, this was because David was embarrassed about the hardness in his pants.2**click here to see the Teen Years** Eventually, they both learned the art of petting. David learns the peculiar bras and their hooks, and under this fabric was a handful of firm pillows to rest his head on. For Cheryl, at first she didn’t understand what she was touching. She thought it was David’s forearm. “It’s so big and warm,” she said out loud. David stays silent kissing Cheryl when his left hand found a wet slit between the hair under her jeans. It was all new and exciting explore beyond their bodies.
“Great in meeting you,” answered David.
“Love you hat,” said Cheryl referring to David beige cap.
“Actually it’s a cap.”
“What?”
“It’s a British driving cap.”
“Okay.” Now Cheryl really thought David was odd.
They walked through the school’s corridor lined with beige lockers talking about Collier as if he wasn’t there until they reached the stairwell.
“My next class is on the second floor.” said David. They said their farewells with “great meeting you.” Up when David in his usual way, skipping every other step, all while Collier held Cheryl’s hand.
Walking down the second floor hallway, David took off his British driving cap and put it into his purple backpack; pulled put on his glasses from the bag and put them on; and recalled that his required books for his next class were in his locker on the ground floor. Already being three-fourth down the hallway, instead of turning around to the same stairwell, he went further down the hallway in the same direction and took another stairwell down to the ground floor. As if it was planned, there David met up with Collier and Cheryl.
Cheryl first saw David and said, “Didn’t we just met?”
David jokingly said in a British accent, “Oh, that was not me.”
“I just met you at the other end of the hallway.” said Cheryl point toward the other stairwell.
“Oh yes, yes. Him. That was my twin cousin David.”
“Really?”
“I’m Donald,” said David as he put out his hand toward Cheryl. She just looked at David as he pointed at his face. “I wear spectacles and David does not.”
“He means glasses,” said Collier knowing David’s humor and love of British comedies on Public Television.
“David and I like to dress similar. However, today I have a blue collar shirt on and David is wearing a black one.”
Cheryl looked more confused and shook David’s, alias Donald, hand.
“Nice to meet you Donald. You two sure look alike.”
“I must dash off to class or I shall be tardy. Do not want to get low marks. Cheers.”
“See you soon, Donald,” said Collier.
“Bye Donald,” said the confused Cheryl.
Heading toward his locker, David overheard Cheryl, “David did have a hat on and I think had a different color shirt.”
As with Cheryl, she accepted what people told her though disagreed internally. This deceit when on for some time. When the light shown on the truth: “I knew it,” exclaimed Cheryl. “Something just never was right. For starters, I never saw the two of you together.”
Time and time, Collier’s relationship with Cheryl wade and eventually ceased. They stayed as friends - all three of them. Nevertheless, Cheryl was especial woman. With Collier’s blessings, David asked Cheryl out. After all, she was her best friend’s friend. They had a fondness that was beyond Collier. For David cherished Cheryl.
Together David and Cheryl courted with the usual movie house and diner dates. David enjoys her company because she listen to his world of puppets, theater, and history. His enjoyment was being around her. After all, he learnt from the King of Romance, his father, about chivalry. As a gentleman, he gave Cheryl flowers and written poems. The Chinese Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial states “a gentleman doesn’t exaggerate his accomplishments, nor does he show off his accomplishments. He just tells the facts as they are.” It says, “One should praise other people’s good deeds and accomplishments in order to treat them with respect and honor.” It also says, “Therefore, even though a gentleman behaves in a modest and low-key manner, the people naturally respect him.” David did these things by following the example of his father, as well as his own insecurities dealing with people on an intimate level.
They slowly both learn about each other’s bodies. David learn the art of passionate, open mouth kissing with Cheryl. During make-out sessions their bodies made a letter Y shape; Only David’s chest would be on top of Cheryl while their abdomens and legs did not touch. Unknown to Cheryl, this was because David was embarrassed about the hardness in his pants.2**click here to see the Teen Years** Eventually, they both learned the art of petting. David learns the peculiar bras and their hooks, and under this fabric was a handful of firm pillows to rest his head on. For Cheryl, at first she didn’t understand what she was touching. She thought it was David’s forearm. “It’s so big and warm,” she said out loud. David stays silent kissing Cheryl when his left hand found a wet slit between the hair under her jeans. It was all new and exciting explore beyond their bodies.
Saving up his money from his part-time job at Dairy Queen, David took Cheryl to Chicago’s Top of the Holiday Inn restaurant on Lake Shore Drive [currently the W Hotel]. Here is where the restaurant had a 360 degree view of the city and its great lake. Every table has the same view since the round floor rotated giving the 360 degree panorama to all. He made reservations for a Saturday evening to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan.
He picked her up in his blue 1968 Chevy Impala at her home wearing a suit and tie. Gave her a white and pink carnation corsage. She rested her head on David’s shoulder while they drove down Lake Shore Drive listening to music on the car’s AM radio. Everything was perfect; everything except the weather. A fog hung over the city that covered the tops of the Chicago’s skyline. The skyscrapers’ top went into the clouds making their height unknown.
“At least there will be the experience of the fine dining,” said David while riding up the elevator.
As the hostess led them to their table, they turn a corner into the dining area of the restaurant. There they saw the windows of the restaurant were bright. They were above the fog.
He picked her up in his blue 1968 Chevy Impala at her home wearing a suit and tie. Gave her a white and pink carnation corsage. She rested her head on David’s shoulder while they drove down Lake Shore Drive listening to music on the car’s AM radio. Everything was perfect; everything except the weather. A fog hung over the city that covered the tops of the Chicago’s skyline. The skyscrapers’ top went into the clouds making their height unknown.
“At least there will be the experience of the fine dining,” said David while riding up the elevator.
As the hostess led them to their table, they turn a corner into the dining area of the restaurant. There they saw the windows of the restaurant were bright. They were above the fog.
The city’s skyline rose out above the white cotton clouds making it look like a city in the sky. As they ate their meal, the vista was more extraordinary as the sun slowly set under the fog, reds and yellows danced under the puffy clouds glowing onto their faces in wonder. The restaurant was silent as the sun performed its farewell. And when it was dark and over, Cheryl and David join in the applause with the patrons in the restaurant. Everyone certainly got more than what they paid for that night. It was a date that taught David that within life’s bad parts, there is truly a silver lining somewhere.
The only class that Cheryl and David were in together was Glee Club [Chorus]. The two mixed together made a powerful force. It was the making of music with others that brought happiness to David’s heart. It was making music, singing with Cheryl that brought great fulfillment to David’s soul.
Around the corner of David’s life was a girl named Carol West. She was taller and a lot bustier than Cheryl with longer brown hair and darker brown eyes that darted back and forth when she looked into the listener's one eye and then into the other eye -- back and forth they went -- as if trying to see inside the person’s head. Carol and David first met during seventh grade. Her father was a minister who received a new charge in Chicago, thus Carol’s late enrollment into the seventh grade. The only reason Carol greeted David was that she was meeting everyone trying to find her rank amongst the student body. She picked the cool kids that smoked and drank. That was the end of their encounter until high school. She warmed up to the couple, Cheryl and David, in Glee Club. Music brought the three together.
Maybe it was being the minister’s daughter, the PK -- the preacher’s kid, Carol knew how people thought. She knew how to get her way by making people believe it was their idea. In many ways she was like a politician in knowing when and how to say things to get her agenda. With David and Cheryl, it was no different. Carol was able to move the weak-minded-in-courting-David into being her boyfriend. It commence too fast that Cheryl didn’t know how it happened. All she knew was her heart was broken by her friend Carol stealing her boyfriend. For the dazed, simpleminded-in-relationships-of-any-kind-David, was pushed under the truck of passion, entanglement, and matters of the heart, found that he was now boyfriend of Carol. For David was riding life’s wave of events thrown at him, letting fate make a determination as which direction to belly flop. David flew too close to the sun making the wax holding his feathers melt. Thus, falling into the sea.
The only class that Cheryl and David were in together was Glee Club [Chorus]. The two mixed together made a powerful force. It was the making of music with others that brought happiness to David’s heart. It was making music, singing with Cheryl that brought great fulfillment to David’s soul.
Around the corner of David’s life was a girl named Carol West. She was taller and a lot bustier than Cheryl with longer brown hair and darker brown eyes that darted back and forth when she looked into the listener's one eye and then into the other eye -- back and forth they went -- as if trying to see inside the person’s head. Carol and David first met during seventh grade. Her father was a minister who received a new charge in Chicago, thus Carol’s late enrollment into the seventh grade. The only reason Carol greeted David was that she was meeting everyone trying to find her rank amongst the student body. She picked the cool kids that smoked and drank. That was the end of their encounter until high school. She warmed up to the couple, Cheryl and David, in Glee Club. Music brought the three together.
Maybe it was being the minister’s daughter, the PK -- the preacher’s kid, Carol knew how people thought. She knew how to get her way by making people believe it was their idea. In many ways she was like a politician in knowing when and how to say things to get her agenda. With David and Cheryl, it was no different. Carol was able to move the weak-minded-in-courting-David into being her boyfriend. It commence too fast that Cheryl didn’t know how it happened. All she knew was her heart was broken by her friend Carol stealing her boyfriend. For the dazed, simpleminded-in-relationships-of-any-kind-David, was pushed under the truck of passion, entanglement, and matters of the heart, found that he was now boyfriend of Carol. For David was riding life’s wave of events thrown at him, letting fate make a determination as which direction to belly flop. David flew too close to the sun making the wax holding his feathers melt. Thus, falling into the sea.
With Cheryl, David unearths his first mature love all while still learning about himself. The reality was he knew more about Cheryl than he knew about life itself. While Cheryl viewed David as the savvy one of their relationship, the truth was the other way around. This bond between the two of them cracks the shell-of-David allowing the breath of Cheryl, the breath of life, inside him. He perceives her all while still trying to be aware of his own emotions. These emotions of joy and awe were a longing for another person - a first for David. Teenage boys’ longing is wrap in hormones and new sexual desire, whereas with David it was a valid affection of emotion - something new for any teen boy. It was just having emotions of any kind that was new to David. He had shut that part of him out since the fifth grade’s suicide attempt -- just under half of his existence in this world -- a lifetime for any person. Cheryl was more than a newness of just his first mature love. She became a hidden treasure in his soul. It is the fortune that must be remembered, not the misfortune that ended it.