Stories from the Jukebox, Week #49
Prompt by Diane, author of the ‘I Am A Lake Not An Ocean’ Substack
Introduction: During the early 80’s, Gary Kemp (lead guitarist and songwriter for Spandau Ballet) developed a monstrous crush on Clare Grogan (lead singer of Altered Images). They became friends, spending much of their time discussing literature. At one point, Ms. Grogan presented Mr. Kemp with a copy of one of his favorite books for his birthday: “Lolita,” by Vladimir Nabokov. In 1983 Mr. Kemp wrote “True" to express his feelings for Ms. Grogan, including lines from the birthday book as a sort of secret code; apparently it didn't work however, as their relationship remained platonic. Despite failing to attract the undying love of his paramour, Mr. Kemp succeeded in writing an enduring ode about the difficulty in expressing the true feelings of unrequited love. My story picks up on this theme…
Always in Time
Life can be funny. Hal had been so in love with Stella back in the mid-80s, but she didn't seem to care for him as anything but a friend. The “date" to the cinema to watch “Sixteen Candles" seemed to be the beginning of the end - at one point, Hal turned towards Stella and saw tears pouring down her cheeks… and he laughed. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Stella flounced out of the theater.
After that, even their formerly platonic friendship seemed to cool, but Hal was more infatuated with Stella than ever. He was never good with words, so whenever they were together, he would play “True” for her on his boombox. He figured she would like it, since she liked the movie so much, but it just seemed to make her angry for some reason. Eventually Stella moved away to go to college. Hal lived out his life alone in the old hometown, never marrying. His heart belonged to Stella.
And now, forty some-odd years later, there she was, standing at the counter of the post office. She was older, her hair white and her face creased by age, but she was still beautiful.
“Stella! It’s really you? Do you remember me?”
Stella turned and saw Hal standing behind her, older and greyer, but he was still her adorable goofball. She wondered if he'd become wiser.
“Hello, Hal. Of course I remember you! How have you been all these years?”
They left the post office and walked through the old streets together, chatting like time had never stranded them in different worlds. Finally, Hal turned to stare down at Stella.
“You know I’ve always loved you.”
Stella did not hesitate. “No, Hal, I did not. How could I know, you never said anything.”
“But I played that song for you all the time. You know, the one you liked, “True,” from that movie. But you never seemed to take the hint.”
Stella shook her head. “Oh you silly, silly man. I thought you were just making fun of me.”
“So that's why you got so mad at me. Oh, Stell, I'm sorry. I loved you. I still love you.”
Stella stood up on her toes to kiss Hal’s cheek. “Oh you old doofus, I love you, too.” And she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. “Why didn't you just tell me back then? We've wasted so much time.”
“I didn't have the words, not like the silver tongued devil who sang that song.”
Stella chuckled. “Did you realize that it didn't work for him, either? The truth only needs three simple words: ‘I love you.’”
And they hugged and held each other, toe to toe, head over heels, and never too late. For the lucky, true love is always in time.
Many loves. But only one true friend to the end.
Love this, Jeannine!
This could be my story. I met the love of my love at age 54. Old love is great too !