Forever

STICK  LIKE  LOU

 

Laura looks adorable in her new pink party dress. And why shouldn't she? Today is her sixth birthday and her mom has used a curling iron on her straight hair. It's only one o'clock and her party doesn't start until 1:30 but mother's are already ringing the doorbell. The mothers hand gaily wrapped presents to their children who, in turn, hand them to Laura and wish her a Happy Birthday. Lou  is carrying a heavy red and white striped box by himself. His mother tells him to hand it to Laura but he won't. She pulls it away from him and gives it to her.

 

Holding her son by his ears, she turns him around and takes him home. Lou sobs all the way there. 'I wanted to have some orange soda and get a basket full of candy. You are mean, Mother. Daddy picked out the building block set but I told him she wouldn't like it, and I would. He bought it for her anyway because it was on sale. Laura is a baby. She still plays with dolls and cut outs.' Mrs. Johanson whacks her son over his head. 'I'll tell you again, Lou. The present  was for Laura. Her mother is surely going to exchange the present, but you had to go and make trouble, embarrass me. You are a selfish boy, don't deserve a  candy basket. 'Come on, Lou, let's go home. I'll give you a glass of orange soda with a straw and a chunk of ice.'

 

Right after Lou, his 9 year older sister, Roseanne, and their parents finish dinner, the phone rings. His sister reaches it first. 'Lou, it's Laura. She wants to talk to you.'  'Lou has a girlfriend, Lou has a girlfriend.' She hands him the receiver and tells him, 'Talk to your girlfriend, Lou.'  'Hello,' he says. 'Lou, this is Laura. I'm sorry you missed my party. My mother wants me to give you my present. She saw how much you wanted it for yourself and will bring it and me to your house in a few minutes. OK?'  Lou asks his mother and of course, she says yes.

 

Mrs. Johanson takes off her apron and hangs it on the back of the kitchen door. She makes sure the table is cleared away, fluffs up her hair just a tad and answers the door. Laura is holding the still wrapped box. Lou looks at her and feels very sorry for how he acted. 'Can you stay a little while, Laura? We can build a house or a bus station. I'll show you how.' 'Mrs. Johanson, will that be alright with you? I can come back for her at 7:15?' A decision is quickly made. Lou's father will take Laura home.

 

Laura and Lou take the box down the basement. He unwraps it and she tells him he is very strong. 'Lets make the floor first, like this, Laura.'
They build the walls, the roof and have such a good time, that Laura asks if she can come  back on Saturday afternoon so they can build a bank or a big school. Lou holds her soft white hand so she won't trip on the steps. He smiles and waves good bye.

 

Roseanne must have been Merlin's helper. She was right. Lou is already nine and has his first girlfriend. She's only six and Lou is her first boyfriend. They build. They play tiddlywinks. He teaches her to play Chutes and Ladders. Laura saves her small allowance for Lou's tenth birthday and, with her father's assistance, buys Lou a bigger building set. Together they make bridges, skyscrapers.

 

Weeks become months, months years. They are a team, have dated only each other. Lou at age twenty has become an architect. With the family all around, Laura gives him a miniature steel building set as a graduation gift. He has a very weird looking gift to give her. It is tall, wide at the bottom and tapers to a small bulge near the top. She slowly opens it, doesn't quite know what it is until she reads the label, 'ELMER'S GLUE - IT LASTS FOREVER.' Lou kisses her and tells her 'I've been stuck on you for twelve years. Will you marry me?'

 

Her wild hug, her smothering kisses are her answer.