Seventh grade. The middle of middle school. One year away from supreme leadership (eighth grade) and no longer being hazed and harassed (sixth grade). It was kind of like middle child syndrome. Seventh graders were basically left alone to fend for themselves.

It was the Halloween dance at Mary Queen of Heaven school. It was decided by Sister Fatima and Father Bernard that the middle school should have some type of mixer. Something where the boys and girls would interact. Little did they know I would find my first girlfriend and my first love at the Halloween Dance.

Her name was Holly. Holly Kowalczyk. Her dad was the owner of Pinky’s bowling lanes and pizzeria. Holly was a loner. She was teased a lot by the other girls in seventh grade. Holly was very quiet and sort of a wallflower. She was very smart in school and the nuns would always compliment her and point out to the other seventh grade girls, “Why can’t you all be like Holly.”

That didn’t make her life any easier.

Holly was always under pressure to be the best at everything.

Costumes were required for this party. And my mom being good with a sewing machine planned on going all out. I had no say as to what I wanted for a costume. I would wear what my mom would create for me.

I was Gumby.

After looking at myself in costume I figure I could run away from home and work at a circus. I knew I could never go back to school again. Even the sixth graders would haze and harass me.

I was doomed.

After a gazillion photos and costume adjustments my parents drove me to the dance. My dad was not happy with the choice of costume and I think he understood how I felt. Before my parents left me at the school hall, my dad said “This too shall pass.” Whatever the heck that meant. And with that sage wisdom, my parents left.

Duck and cover. No this wasn’t an air raid practice. I needed to find a place to run and hide before I was spotted. The doorway to the classrooms was open. I made a mad dash down the hall. I found an open classroom and went in. It was dark. I kept the lights off. I figured if I kept quiet, I wouldn’t be found. It was perfect. No one would find me.

Then I heard someone crying. 

It was a girl.

Now what? Should I say something? Should I just keep quiet? I don’t think she knows I am here. But why is she crying? Why is she in the dark? Who is she?

My questions were answered with a flip of a light switch. I looked and saw Sister Catherine. This was her classroom. She stared at me with amazement. Maybe she has never seen a Gumby before. I turned to the left to see who it was that was crying.

It was Holly.

She was dressed as a bowling pin.

Before I could say anything we were both quickly escorted out of the classroom and into the school hall. There to my horror my parents were standing along with Holly’s parents and Father Bernard. 

Before anyone could say anything, Sister Catherine said, “I saw them walking up and down the hallway talking to each other. I told them to get back to the dance.”

I looked up at Sister Catherine and she gave me a wink. She had my back. Maybe she was a Gumby once too. From that day on I had total respect for Sister Catherine and would help her every time she asked.

“Why don’t you two go out there and dance”, said Father Bernard. I looked at Holly and she looked at me. Her hand kind of reached towards mine. My dad coughed and I looked at him. He motioned that I should take her hand. I did. We walked together onto the dance floor.

A Gumby and a Bowling Pin.

I noticed most of the girls dancing with other girls and the boys were all at one side standing and watching. I looked at Holly and we started dancing. It really wasn’t all that bad. Holly looked at me and smiled. I think this was the first time I ever saw her smile. I think she was having a good time. I know I was having a good time.

And then we heard Sister Fatima’s voice, “Why can’t you girls be like Holly and dance with a boy!”

I looked at Holly. I thought she might run away. But she didn’t. She smiled at me and held me closer and we danced the night away.

To be continued …