Runner Up: Deb Kincaid
Vancouver, WA
Congratulations, Deb!
Deb's Bio:
Deb Kincaid is a freelance writer living in Vancouver, WA, and she loves the Northwest. She and her family recently relocated from Scottsdale, AZ. This is her first published short story.
Game Over
By Deb Kincaid
In the kitchen, she lapsed into the rapid, uncontrollable blinking that betrayed her anxiousness. Her hands, resting lightly on the top edges of the opened gift box, began to tremble.
Who...how...where did it come from? There was no sender's name or address, not even a postmark. Kassity gently touched the paper pompom, unsure of its condition after, what? Ten years? The once vibrant green and gold Leilehua High School colors had faded, but not the memories. Baffled, she walked over to the sink, and through the window saw a squirrel stealing from the birdfeeder Toshio had made. God, I miss you.
She turned to face the table, and with arms crossed, leaned against the counter. She felt the box staring at her. The last time she'd seen that pompom was after the football championship game. It had disappeared later that night. Someone has kept it all this time. Why? And how did it get from Wahiawa, Hawaii to Vancouver, Washington?
The night of the game had also been the night of her infamous date. Badgered by her Army dad, seventeen-year-old Kassity had agreed to go out with his transportation clerk--twenty-two-year-old Corporal Steven Harrison from Texas. Her dad was hell-bent to get her married into the military, and the corporal fit the bill. Of course, you knew I wasn't looking for a boyfriend, especially not a military one. Steve, so polite and solicitous: not what I wanted at seventeen. But, now?
After the movie, Steve had wanted to eat teriyaki at Dot's in Wahiawa, but I made the 'research paper' excuse. Once home, I changed into my drill team uniform and made it to the football field on schedule. I didn't invite him; I didn't need some GI following me around. Not cool. But since then, I've regretted treating him that way. Often.
Kassity stepped over to the box and lifted the pompom to see if a card or note was underneath. There was.
"Dear Ms. Tanigawa,
While interviewing for a teaching position at Clark College, I noticed your photo displayed on the faculty wall in the lobby. You and I met about ten years ago when I was a clerk for Chief Williams. Perhaps you remember me. After my enlistment was up, I obtained a master's degree in history, sought a position in the northwest, and have applied at Clark.
I am returning this to you. You see, I also attended the game that night since my date went home early. It wasn't right of me to take it. I hope you won't think me insensitive to your tragic loss two years ago, but I was hoping we could get that teriyaki. If you are willing, my phone number is below. I'd love to see you.
Sincerely,
Steven P. Harrison"
Picking up her phone as she walked to the sink window, Kassity watched the finches peck at the seed. Breathe in, breathe out. A smile spilled over her disconcerted face, and she began to dial.
***