Young Life's Window Of Opportunities

The outside world was unknown to her, but she could see a glimpse of it through the window in his room. Jennifer Striges, stricken with dystopia thoughts peered over the fence needing to comment about the situation and ensure her proper action would parlay into successful ventures resulting in personal happiness. Since she had a major new transition on the horizon commitments had to be made and chapters’ resolutions written to a formal conclusion.

“It is so unfair,” she grumbled watching the neighborhood heartthrob unwind from high school athletic practice. “I sit here trapped by these textbooks with information that has not changed for generations and,”

“And the graduation attire just arrived, souvenir tassels included,” a voice spoke from the crack in the door.

“Like you get at the ballpark?”

“No, like you get when you spend thirteen years doing something worthwhile.”

“As I said, like at the ballpark,” she gave an intellectual grin forcing Mr. Striges to chuckle, “thanks, Dad.”

“My daughter, going off to college in a few months,” the household leader pointed out.

“Dad, same books different surroundings,” his daughter retaliated.

“Different people,”

Opening the box Jennifer inspected the dark black robe, cap and instruction manual containing cliff noted material worthy for debatable dinner conversation. Letting the glittery fabricated thread interact through her fingers the adolescent adult thought about the future. “I guess I am closing one window only to open another one.” She realized returning to the real casement inside the bedroom. Seeing the hardbody competitor, shirt off, on the phone talking his way through anything seemed stimulating. Within a second his blinds closed sending a blockade message stating ‘Tomorrow is the future.’

Four years quickly passed, April showers brought May final exams while Mr. Striges arrived holding flowers, “my little Jenny, is a university graduate.”

“That is right Daddy and look,” Jennifer flashed a sparkling ring.

“Where did you get that? Honey?’

“From the Triple A Baskin Robin baseball owner’s son?”

“I did not know, Baskin Robin had a son,”

“Yeah, Red,” Jennifer explained, “named after some barber, we were in cookie cutter restaurant franchise class together.”

“Did you learn anything?’

“The many creative ways you can name, a beefcake sandwich.”

Soon pomp and circumstance flowed through the air and Mr. Striges cheered in the stands; when things concluded hats flew in the air and robes loosened transporting students into reality.

“I guess I will close my window here,” Jennifer announced.

“And another one will open with more unexpected opportunities,” Mr. Striges said.

“As Mrs. Red Robin, flying free.”

Back in the room where she grew up Jennifer slipped into the white dress to show her mother things were going according to plan.

“It is beautiful,” Mrs. Striges critically commented, “you will be everyone’s envy.”

“Mommy I am only one and will always be only a single person's desire,” Jennifer answered. “This truly will be my final window closing.”

Giving a motherly glare, Mrs. Striges confessed, “honestly, the aftereffects to Baskin Robin’s hot dogs during the late innings, Red will be calling his final bachelor game, tonight”

Tearfully Jennifer joined the comic relief moment, “yes, Mom this will be the final window opening until,”

“Until” Mrs. Striges smiled. “Your Dad and I are still warming up in the bull pen, we need time off to enjoy things, again.”

Watching her mother leave Jennifer giggled, tightening the wedding outfit returning to the window. Staring into the darkness she saw a light glimmer and a shirtless gentleman with a muscular body pleading for help.

Feeling like she had made the right connection, Jennifer Striges closed the window and blinds, knowing her name, Mrs. Jennifer Robin, the number one sporting recruitment decision maker’s wife in town.