~ Shallow ~

~ Spaghetti Straps & Curly-Perm ~

By Luck, we met at the .25 Cent car wash — probably not a quarter anymore? It is such a vivid memory. I was on my knees with a white plastic-tip Tiparillo cigar between my teeth (cool at the time) and no shirt while polishing my 'Chrome' wheels. I looked up to see this totally lovely woman with the Hottest looking Fluffy-Perm - wearing a 'Spaghetti-Strap' Sundress, that was quite transparent, I just couldn't stop staring! Let the Sunshine-In..!

The Hook ~ No question that I'm a Girl-Parts, Eyes-Down-Here 'Shallow' man. Guys like me, in our defense, you Girls often DO use your 'Gots' as a calling card - My weakness! She had me at the sites 1st sight!

There she was, I knew she was my 'IT' from that glance! I know, My Bad, Mr. Shallow! She pulled up right next to my car. Believe it or not, we had almost identical 'Twin' Chevy's, a sure conversation starter. She started talking first. The "Eyes up here" didn't work that day; I was still in awe just looking at her. Soppy-Sentimental, still am!

Rita's Mother and Father died at a very early age. She became an integral part of our immediate family, especially when I was deployed overseas in the service. She and Sis, Vicki Lynn, would short-drive to L.V. for the popular 'Pan' card-playing. This is a fast Rummy game dealt out of a table shoe that was, according to Hoyle, legal to cheat by sitting on your extra cards if you didn't get caught. Rumor was the game was invented in a house of prostitution while waiting for Johns! As evidenced by the games 'Table-Talk-Dialogue' that are in the rule-book, or lack thereof!

Both were so into Elvis shows that they would certainly combine their card playing to repeat performances when Elvis was in town; a girl crush by many in those days: I was actually a little jealous; I know, a Guy-Thing! Women (and probably a few men?) actually threw their unmentionables and undies (covering the stage) during his performances. Elvis would say, "You gotta a lotta nerve ladies."

— As most little boys we were fascinated by cars —

Vicki Lynn had a Kaiser-Frazer: A very large, odd-looking, post ww-2 car that was made out of salvaged tank parts. Dad gave her this unbendable armored sheet metal car for her 16th Birthday; a former war tank's protection for his Daughter.

When we went to the Drive-In Theater, Sis and her incredibly chatty girlfriends would pack us up into the huge trunk, along with most of the neighborhood. She would overly-instruct us not to move or make a sound, so that we wouldn't have to pay for admission to the ticket-taker: This way of entering the drive-in became so popular, and dangerous breathing fumes, that most of the theaters started just charging by the car.

Certainly Drive-in theaters are not around so much these days since the land usage is more profitable for other building projects. But they were around every corner in the 70's. While NOT a lot of movie watching went on, it was the best-kissin' venue ever!

Just wanted to think about that again — Now I Have.

This puts a smile on my face just reflecting on it! Vic always went out of her way to be kind to everyone and made them feel important; always doting on her little twin brothers.

I love hearing people’s stories, what inspires them, and the small details that make them who they are: We all have something to say. Life feels more meaningful when you can share it with someone who listens and cares, and I think that’s what makes even the simplest conversations special.

— Is it 'Spaghetti-Strap' Weather Yet? —

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, California

'Senior' Vocal Author - Vocal Village Community -