Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FAMILY VACATION (07/30/15)
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TITLE: Rodney Evans Napier | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nancy Teune
08/06/15 -
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I had turned sixteen and, in my world, there existed unwritten, but unquestioned rules about dating. Your date had to be Christian, good looking, like Cindarella's Prince Charming, if possible, and, of course, he had to be taller than you. For me, that meant five foot ten. If, however, I wanted to wear the popular three inch heels (which I did), the minimal height jumped to six foot two in order to look right as a couple. I'd learned the principles, dated a guy in each category, but hadn't found my soulmate yet.
That would change on the family vacation. We usually left the heat of Chicago and vacationed in Wisconsin's North Woods. But this year, very early in the morning, Mom and Dad and my two sisters and I, all climbed into our big red Pontiac Bonneville and Dad drove us down toward Kentucky, headed ultimately to Tennessee. I looked out into the gray dawn and felt excited. I'd never been to the South before and felt curious about many things. I'd never seen a mountain in real life and we would be traveling through the Great Smoky Mountain Range. I could hardly wait.
After many hours, our road wound into the pine scented, wooded mountains. I felt claustrophobic, but still enjoyed seeing little cottages tucked among the trees and the beauty all around. Somewhere near Gatlinburg, we stopped at a picturesque, log motel. My dream of what a mountain motel should look like. I knew we would have fun here.
We all helped get settled into our room. My older sister stayed there to read. My little sister, Miriam was “little sister” for two reasons. She was two years younger and about five inches shorter than I. But she was good fun and usually up for an adventure, so we wandered down to the lodge sitting room. Knotty pine walls and log furniture, warmly lit by lamps on the tables completely drew us into the space.
The next scene is fixed in my memory, without any knowledge of how it came to be. Four of us at one of the log tables, playing checkers. Laughing. Talking. Having fun. Two young men sat across from us: Rick across from Miriam, and across from me, Rodney Evans Napier.
His reddish freckled face opened into an unselfconscious smile when he talked. He laughed easily. He spoke comfortably about his faith in God in a way most guys didn't. The words never formulated in my mind; but I knew, in my heart, this was a man I could marry. He looked nothing like Prince Charming; I just found him so charming in himself. I'd never experienced such a thing before. Miriam talked more to Rick. The energy on my side of the table felt explosive and wonderful and, well, just everything. So I was thrilled when we all decided to meet up, again, in the morning.
Then we stood up to leave.
It nearly took my breath away. I found myself staring down on Rodney Evans Napier, a person the exact height of my little sister. We walked for a few steps, then he stopped. Looking up at me with a sweet smile he said in his drawn out Southern accent, “Waal, I guess I'm never gonna maarry you.”
My profound disappointment could not override the elation I felt at having met him.
If I were to search the trunk I still keep filled with momentos from high school, I would find a little class picture and the words: Rodney Evans Napier. It had stayed on the mirror in my room until I left home for college.
The four of us did go for a walk that next day. Rick and I walked together in front. Miriam and Rodney behind. Less than a block later we had naturally switched partners and Rodney walked beside me. My family went to his church the next Sunday. I loved seeing him at the center of things, the music, the socializing. He introduced me to his friends. He gave me his picture. We never wrote.
My Rodney Evans Napier experience has repeated itself: meeting someone in a moment and in a moment he is gone. Each time, it proves God can bring someone into my life if it is his will. I still wait.
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