She fronted the band, twirling her baton,
For football games and Memorial parade.
We hung out … high school proms … so time moved on.
Little could we predict our final grade.

I saved for college, scooped ice cream my chore,
Part-time during school, all day in summer.
Beaming a smile she’d enter the parlor.
Time on the beach, radiant tan upon her.

As summer faded our college approached.
Her to a campus. Me study at home.
An awkward discussion had to be broached.
Distance relationship or go it alone?

Had to make a decision: Do we date?
Have we agency? Or subject to fate?

© 2026 I. B. Vonnet. All rights reserved.

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Welcome! This is the fifth of thirty-six in the series Vonnets in an Airport Lounge. Please join us for 14 lines every Friday for 36 weeks.

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Radiant Tan (5/36)