Seventeen Rules

Pajama Game cast trying to decide who farted.

The Memoir and Backstory Blog Challenge continues...

Seventeen Rules
My junior year in high school was awesome. Since it was the 80's, you could even say it was totally awesome.

Crazy things did happen in the world that year. A nuclear reactor in Russia actually melts down and showers countries around the world with radiation. The wreck of the Titanic is found and the space shuttle 'Challenge' exploded after lift-off.

Mountain Crest Junior Prom

In my world, I get another part in the school play, Girl Crazy, and for the first time since 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown,'  I try-out for the school musical. It's one of the classic Doris Day musicals called, The Pajama Game. Despite my underwelming performance, I'm cast as the comedy lead--Vernon Hines. It's a lot of fun and makes me want to seriously be an actor.

During the first few months of my junior year I meet a girl that I develop a serious crush on and invite her to the Junior Prom. She isn't quite sixteen yet, but her parents make an exception since she'll turn sixteen a few months after the prom. I'm fixated on and off this girl for the next few years, but she breaks my heart and teaches me to be more guarded with my affections.

The following year I write the only poem I've ever written and kept:

[Untitled]
By A.V. Dutson

Late at night

Best. Teenage. Movie. Ever.

it seeps
into my dreams.
Twisted thoughts,
Painful stabs,
Sour colors.
It laughs
at my weaknesses
and burns all hope.
Where is that silver lining?
That pot-o-gold?
Can such torture be real?
What wicked soul created this devouring creature?
But am I awake or asleep?
For the nightmare rides in the day light as well.
The black abyss.
Feeding ever outward.
Hooked talons grasping for more.
But alas,
mortal man seeks to name the ghost, and gives it the sorry name called,
           LOVE.

Good grief... who knew I had such teenage angst.