Sometimes, romance
By Liane Kaneko
just happensVALENTINE'S Day is coming up and that day is expected to be full of romance, but romance can't be planned. A story of an unforgettable evening, for instance, doesn't usually start with the girl getting picked up by her date's mom. But that is my experience. I thought my boyfriend's senior prom would be like all the other banquets and proms Brad and I attended together. We'd eat, talk story and I'd laugh at him when it came time to dance. He has a rather unique style of dancing.
There was one hitch. The senior prom was taking place the same day as one of the state championship baseball games and he was on one of the teams. I wanted to die! I had bought a dress, made hair and nail appointments and was excited about going to the prom.
The game started at 4 p.m. Of course he had to go to the game. I had already made him miss at least two games (not championship ones) so that I could have a date for my sophomore banquet and junior proms. I know his coach was mad about that.
I wanted to get to the prom around 6:30 p.m. so I could eat and digest fast enough to dance and avoid the bulging tummy in pictures. But for Brad to go home to Kahaluu from the Aloha Stadium to get ready would waste too much time. He would have to shower and get dressed at the stadium, where I could meet him.
BRAD'S mother was more than generous in agreeing to pick me up and drive me to the stadium. When we got there, she parked the car and went to watch the rest of the game while I waited in the car with the keys. I panicked because I didn't know when the game would end and if Brad's mother would be able to explain where the car was parked. I decided to move the car close to the locker room area.
While I was waiting, Brad was pitching and was able to save the game. Little did I know what he went through to get ready.
After the game, the guys went into the locker room. At first, Brad wasn't going to take a shower and thank god for his friends who advised him otherwise. He didn't even wait for the shower to get warm since he was in such a rush, and it was just for me!
He had his tuxedo hanging in his locker and all his hair supplies in his baseball bag. He was very well prepared. The team shook his hand and congratulated him as he was running out the door of the locker room.
That's when I saw him, shoes and all, running as fast as he could to the car. It was the cutest thing. I couldn't stop smiling when I saw him. He greeted me with a kiss and asked if I could help him mousse his hair.
Even though it was his prom, Brad had gone through more trouble than he might have to make the evening special for me, and that was the sweetest thing he could have done.
Liane Kaneko is a senior at Castle High School. Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature
allowing those 12 to 22 to serve up fresh perspectives.
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