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when debbie met ducky
Back in the days when I used to wear vintage corduroy skirts, a nose ring, and wax on about the evils of corporate rock, there was a boy whom everyone used to refer to as my Ducky. He used to quote obscure REM songs, worship the Sex Pistols, and would tease me because the love of my life, Morrissey, only had eyes for Johnny Marr.
We spent a lot of time together and everyone knew that he had a big old Deb-crush, including Deb, herself. Deb had a crush too, but never talked about it because this was high school, and in high school you do stupid things. Plus, when there are 63 people in your small, tightly enclosed tenth grade prep school class, you try to only date boys at other high schools.
And then there was the time that we kissed - and then again two days later at a party. Months and months passed, and he waited and waited for me to be his girlfriend. And I dragged and dragged my feet. And we all know what happens when you drag your feet, don’t we?
Ten years later, my mother is still best-friends with his mother. Did I forget to mention that part? You see, when your mother is best-friends with your ex-Ducky’s mother, you hear about him every day. You hear about what girl he is dating that week. When his father dies, you spend an awkward hour with the two of them. When his mother was recovering from surgery this spring, you came to visit, just missing him by minutes. And when you hear that he’s in rehab for heroin, you remember that he was always a little more punk rock than you - in a bad way.
This weekend at my parents’ house, he and his mother came over for a dinner party. We snuck off to my still lavender-walled bedroom, with stars on the ceiling and Hole posters everywhere, just like we used to.
‘I was so jealous when you started dating Hilary.’
‘I was waiting for you! I was your Ducky, that was my job.’
‘But then she got sick, I couldn’t make my move. You just can't be the girl who steals the girl-with-cancer's boyfriend!’
‘And then she dumped me the day she got better!’
‘And then you dated Liz.’
‘And then you moved to DC.’
‘And then you dropped out and she married that guy in the military.’
‘And then my dad died and I started doing smack.’
‘Damn.’
‘Yeah, damn.’
‘So, um, you want to be my date to the ten-year reunion next spring?’
‘Absolutely.’
So, I am proud to announce that at my ten-year reunion, I will be one inch taller, two college degrees more arrogant, and every bit as much of a wimp as I was ten years ago.
Cheers!
comments (9)
Are you going to wear pink?
1 | Lux | October 1, 2003 10:26 AM
And take a perfectly good dress, cut it up, and turn it into the most hideous piece of clothing to exist?
Oooh, maybe you'll find a hot Andrew McCarthy.
2 | Dahl | October 1, 2003 11:21 AM
Could I borrow your Ducky just for the sake of having one? ;o)
3 | S | October 1, 2003 11:22 AM
Ironically, I watched the movie this weekend and was, as usual, appalled by the pepto-bismo-colored explosion-of-a-dress. Then again, ya'll never saw my PROM DRESS.
4 | deb | October 1, 2003 12:04 PM
that's awesome! my ten year is coming up, and i think i'll be showing up stag. but since i really am only going to laugh and snicker at all the young marrieds with kids who couldn't look any farther than our own graduating class for mates... i'll be all right with just a gal pal and a lot of liquor.
5 | sassylittlepunkin | October 1, 2003 12:13 PM
i skipped my reunion. took a vacation to chicago instead.
6 | hubs | October 1, 2003 12:43 PM
I went to my 5-year. That blew. Everyone was exactly the same as they were in high school. My 10-year was on the same weekend as a bachelor party in Vegas for a friend of mine. It wasn't a hard decision to make to blow that reunion off.
7 | Alex | October 1, 2003 01:48 PM
I skipped my 10 year as well. They irritated me then, I'm sure they'd just piss me off now.
8 | sf | October 1, 2003 01:52 PM
Never went to a high school reunion. Stopped going to college ones when I realized anyone I wanted to see I was already in touch with.