THE GIRL FROM HIGH SCHOOL
One day my Brother and I were discussing the script for a TV Show that I was writing. I was having a “problem” figuring out why one particular character would take calls from his High School sweetheart. The Protagonist was the Dean of a prestigious University, and the woman had a habit of calling him at all hours and showing up at the most inconvenient times. I wasn’t sure if the scenario felt genuine and so I discussed it with my Brother, my reluctant writing partner.
He proceeded to explain to me in no uncertain terms that the “Girl from High School can ALWAYS call!”
He concluded by saying, “You do know that you are The Girl from Highschool, don’t you?”
And before I could say another word, he said, “Let’s take Donovan and Bobby—your high school beaus. Then there is the list of those with crushes who would take your call because they’ve been wishing and hoping for the day you would call. Not to mention the Prom Date who is still wondering how he got to be your date for the Prom, while everyone in town knew that Mommy had forbidden you from going with Donovan.”
We laughed and laugher is always a good thing.
So ok, let’s say that I am the Girl from High School. I am here in my hometown where I went to High School for what appears to be an extended period of time. I just had to ask my Brother, “Why aren’t they calling?”
“Well, he said and then he paused. I know my Brother well and so I knew that he was choosing his words carefully.”
He continued saying, “You are the Girl from High School BUT you are not the Girl from High School who is just breezing through in between meetings or commercial shoots in Boston and New York. You are not the Girl from High School home for the holidays or any of the other miscellaneous events for which you would fly from Coast to Coast to attend.”
My mind was happily engaged with something other than my Caregiver responsibilities and so I let him keep talking without interruption.
“You are the Girl from High School who is back in town to be our Mother’s Caregiver. They remember Ma!”
“Ok but…”
He spoke in a louder tone to emphasize his point, “They not only remember our Mother, but they remember High School! They are not sure whether or not they are allowed to call!”
As his words went in one ear and immediately out of the other, I was shocked into a momentary reality. Being my Mother’s Caregiver, my world closely resembles that of a Teenager with a curfew and some major chores! Just like, the Girl from High School.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XsUVTlyIE4
“CENTERFOLD” The J. Geils Band
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”
Excellent…factual & true