Completely in the Dark

Just one date on the calendar, inspiring dread in the hearts of all the boys of Olney Elementary School.

Valentine’s Day.

The girls were all excited: Debbie Scott, Kim Ladson, Geena, Nancy, Susie, Joyce and Lori Nash. I doubt my tomboy girlfriend Mandy ever made much of Valentine’s Day—if it wasn’t a sporting event, it wasn’t worth her attention. She could sit with the guys any time. That’s what I liked about her. But the other girls were gossipy and giggly—positively brimming over with pink hearts and kissable puppy dogs.

Can’t recall if there was any formal class ceremony, but at some point those little sealed envelopes went around. Either it had your name on it or it didn’t. I’m sure our teacher, Mrs. Husman, did everything in her power to make certain everyone felt included. But one teacher’s intentions and the brute force of elementary school social politics are…