The Christmas Promise
December 9, 1971
Karen Utter had never strapped on a pair of roller skates in her life, yet here she was, inching along the roller rink’s railing on the wall. Inside Skateland, scents of popcorn, people, and sugary cotton candy mingled with the sharp tang of the icy December night that seeped in every time the door swung open. The other girls zipped by her, their laughter and shouts blending with the popular song, Take It Easy sung by The Eagles as it blared from the overhead speakers, making the wooden floor beneath them rumble. Strobe lights cast sparkling orbs over the walls and ceiling, creating a mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic effect.
The rink was festooned with faux evergreen wreaths adorned with bright red bows, and mini-Christmas trees twinkled from every corner. Karen's breath came in fast, nervous puffs as she struggled to stay upright, her knuckles white from gripping the railing.
She was here for Shirley Sims' sixteenth birthday party. Shirley's friends glided effortlessly across the rink, their movements fluid and graceful, while Karen felt like a baby deer on ice. But determination burned in her brown eyes; she was resolved to enjoy the night without breaking a bone.
Suddenly, Shirley skated up to Karen, her face flushed and eyes sparkling. "Karen, follow me. There’s someone I want you to meet!" she called breathlessly before zipping off towards the benches.
"Um, give me a minute!" Karen called after her, creeping along the railing. She finally reached Shirley, who stood next to a blonde-haired young man. His eyes were bright blue, and his smile was warm and inviting.
"Here, let me help you," he said, extending his hand. His grip was firm and reassuring as he guided Karen to the bench. She flailed and stumbled but managed to reach the safety of the seat.
Fumbling with the skates, Karen pulled at the laces and slipped them off, feeling the cold, rough surface of the floor under her feet. "Whew! That was close, but I managed not to fall!" Pride laced her voice.
Shirley grinned and gestured to the young man. "Karen, this is Steve Jennings. We’ve known each other for a long time. He wanted to meet you!"
Karen looked up into Steve’s face, noticing how his hair swooped down over his forehead, reminding her of Hermey, the elf from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. His smile caught her by surprise as he bent down and brushed her cheek with his lips. "Hello, Karen, sweetheart."
Her face warmed, her heart bouncing. No one had ever greeted her like that; most boys at school were far less charming.
Shirley explained, "Steve’s on leave from the Air Force. He just came inside to see who all was here. And here we are!" Shirley laughed and skated away to join the other girls on the floor.
"I just got into town yesterday," Steve said, his voice easy and smooth. "My brother and cousin wanted to cruise around the square, then we decided to come here. Are you from Neosho?"
"No, I’m from Granby," Karen replied, tying her sneakers tight, embarrassment creeping into her voice. She glanced at Steve’s military green fatigue jacket. "Are you from Neosho?"
"Born and raised here," Steve replied. "Hey, are you still in school, or are you on Christmas break?"
"Two days left before break."
"I’ll pick you up after school tomorrow, okay?" Steve’s smile was dazzling, his voice hopeful.
"Groovy, I won’t have to ride the bus!" Karen beamed.
Steve waited for Karen in the bustling high school lobby the next day. Teenagers spilled into the hallways, scurrying around with Christmas break on their minds. Freshly baked sugar cookies from the Home Ec class mingled with the musty smell of lockers, No. 2 yellow pencils, and textbooks. Karen spotted Steve waving to catch her attention amidst the chaos. "Hi, Steve! You found me in this sea of bodies!"
"My eyes will find you wherever you are, Karen. Here, let me take that for you." He eased the flower-power cloth book bag off her shoulder and led her outside to a gold 1966 Ford Mustang. The door groaned as he opened it, and she slid onto the cold vinyl seat.
"Do you want to cruise the square in Neosho before you go home?" he asked, turning the car onto the highway. Tommy James and the Shondells' Crystal Blue Persuasion song flowed from the eight-track player.
Karen bit her lower lip, torn between her desire to spend time with Steve and her responsibility to her family. "I’m sorry, but I need to get home. My brothers will be alone, and Mom expects me to have supper ready."
Steve nodded in understanding. He took her home, but he picked her up from high school the next day, and they made plans to go out on Friday night. When Friday came, they cruised the square several times before heading to Joplin, where they bowled a few games. The bowling alley’s din of crashing pins and cheers echoed around them, mingling with the smell of waxed floors and the taste of greasy fries they shared.
After bowling, they walked two blocks on Joplin's Main Street to a downtown park lit with thousands of twinkling lights. A vintage blow mold set of holiday choir singers stood near the water fountain, now shut off for winter. Some of the paint was peeling off the faces of the plastic singers, but Karen loved the old set anyway. Sparkling golden lights bathed the evergreen trees, and lighted displays lined the sidewalks. The place was magical.
As they walked hand in hand amid the sparkling lights, Steve told her about his time in the military and that he was going to Iceland in the spring. He came from a big family—ten brothers and sisters—who lived on a farm outside Neosho. Karen shared her story, the eldest and only girl among four brothers, her mom working long hours to support them. She loved writing and cherished her little transistor radio for all the latest musical hits it provided when she was alone in her bedroom.
"Your hands are cold," Steve said, taking Karen’s left hand and tucking it into his coat pocket with his own. She felt warmth spread through her, not just from the physical contact but also from Steve's kindness and happiness.
They returned to the Mustang parked along Main Street. A few snowflakes dusted the windshield, and icy puffs of wind coughed over them. The car provided much-needed warmth.
The days that followed were filled with shared moments, laughter, and growing affection. Karen met Steve’s large family, who welcomed her warmly, and he joined her family for several dinners, fitting in seamlessly.
Two days before Steve returned to the Air Force base, they sat in his Mustang at the Dog ‘n Suds, waiting for their chili dogs and root beers. Steve reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. "I got you something."
"Oh, I haven’t had time to get you anything!" Her heart quivered as she saw the box, surprise and embarrassment mingling through her. "You didn’t have to…"
Steve beamed, opening the lid to reveal a tiny gold ring shaped with the infinity symbol with a sparkling diamond chip in the center. "It’s a promise ring. Promise me you’ll wait for me. You said you like writing. Maybe we can write letters back and forth while I’m gone. You’ll be a senior next year. Maybe after graduation, we can see what happens next?"
Surprise hitched in her voice as the diamond winked at her in the dashboard lights. "I’ll wait for you, Steve. I promise."
A warm kiss sealed their Christmas moment, promising a future filled with love and hope.
THE END
Author's Note: I dedicate my story to all of my sweet, silly, and wonderful girlfriends during our Junior year in high school. We had such a blast and I'll never forget all of you! With love & Merry Christmas!
