Content preview - You need a premium account to view this content.

The Next Step

What a humming, churning place Los Angeles was! Even though I had been in New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii for a few days each, I was still terrified by so many people, cars, and such fast movements by everyone and everything. The English language seemed strange as well, but it was mostly the pale color of people and the rapid movements and fast pace of everything that made me feel uncomfortable.

We had several relatives in the Los Angeles area and went to visit some of them. When we got to my aunt's house and had access to a phone, the first thing I did was call Jean. We had a nice conversation. I asked what she was doing that evening. She said she was going to Mutual and asked if I would like to come. "Sure," I responded, "I'll see you this evening." I thought I still remembered how to get to her house.

Dad and I visited some other people, and when the sun started to get low in the sky, I told him I had promised Jean I would meet her in North Hollywood and go to Mutual with her.

"What time is Mutual?" he asked.

"7:30 p.m. How long does it take to get there?"

"It doesn't take long, but do you know what time it is?"

"No. I don't have a watch, but the sun is low, so it must be around 6:00 p.m."

"We are in the northern hemisphere now," he responded. "It's nearly 9:00 p.m.!"

I could have fainted. My first promise to Jean, and Ihad broken it terribly! I asked if we could go to North Hollywood anyway, which we did.

By the time we arrived in North Hollywood, Mutual was long over, but Jean was waiting at her home. It was wonderful to talk to her again! Even after three years' absence, there was a comfortableness in being with Jean that felt good. Since it was late, we arranged to meet and visit the next day. I promised I would buy or borrow a watch and not miss the next appointment. I apologized to Jean for making her wait so long for me, which, as things have turned out, may have been an omen of things to come.

The next day, Dad said he had other things to do, so I could take the car and drive to North Hollywood and return when I was through. I was petrified, as I had not driven a car for three years and was scared to death to do so again, especially on those crazy Los Angeles freeways! It is hard to understand, but when you have not been around cars and have only walked, ridden horses, or been on sailboats for three years, the speed and power of cars is a very scary thing. However, my desire to see Jean eventually overcame my fear of driving, and I braved the freeways and arrived in North Hollywood safely and on time. We spent most of the day visiting, going places, walking, talking, and just enjoying being with each other. That evening when I returned to my aunt's home, Dad asked how things had gone. "Great," I said, "I've decided I will marry Jean."

"Oh, that's interesting. What does she say?"

"Well, we haven't talked about that yet, but I'm sure it will be fine with her." (How arrogant men can be at times!)