Chapter 15: The Unforgettable

MAY 9, 1980

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

"So Kirst…after school today…shopping for prom dresses…you in?" Kelly asked her as the two were eating lunch together.

Kirsten looked up from her food that she had been pushing around her plate and said, "Um, yeah, sure…not that I'll be going, though."

"I thought you and Jimmy were trying to work things out," Kelly replied.

"I don't know…I really haven't talked to him all that much…I mean, I wouldn't talk to him for over a week after it happened…and then it was spring break and I was gone…and I really haven't had the desire to talk to him since then…we've tried to talk a few times, but I still feel like I need some space away from him…" Kirsten rambled.

"So are you guys officially broken up?"

"I don't even know…I guess we're on a break or something…I would say that prom is doubtful at this point."

"So, what did Jimmy tell you?" Kelly asked.

"He said that she kissed him…that she started the whole thing…I saw them, and I agree that she started it, but my problem is that he made no attempt to end it immediately…and I think he kissed her back. He swears that she's gone for good…the problem is that's the same thing that he said when she showed up on Valentine's Day and then she shows up a month and a half later at the wedding and kisses him…so, it's hard for me to believe that she won't show up again," Kirsten told her.

"What if he asks you to prom? Will you go with him?" Kelly asked.

Kirsten thought for a moment and then answered, "Um, yeah, I guess I will…but I am not assuming that we're going together. If he wants to go with me, he has to ask me. If another guy asks me before Jimmy, then I'll go with him."

Kelly eyed her for a second, "Wait, I didn't know you were considering going with another guy."

"Why not?" Kirsten answered. "I mean, we're kind of on a break…I think the gossip mill has gotten around to everyone that we're not exactly on the best of terms right now…so, yeah, if another guy asks me first, I'll go with him."

"So, South Coast after school?" Kelly confirmed.

"Sounds great," Kirsten replied.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to ask you. I was thinking about going surfing tomorrow…suppose to be a really good swell coming in…do you want to come?" Kelly asked.

Kirsten tensed up at the idea of surfing. She hadn't really thought about it since her post-accident nightmares had disappeared. But the thought of even going brought all the memories back. But she didn't really want anyone, including her best friend, knowing that the surfing accident had affected her that much.

Kirsten forced a smile and said, "Um, yeah…sounds good."

"Great! I have to get to class, but I'll catch up with you after school. See ya later!" Kelly said.

"Bye!" Kirsten told her friend as she walked away.

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Kirsten was lying on her surfboard, watching her friends surf. Yesterday, Kirsten had found the perfect dress for prom. Now if only I had a date, she thought as she sighed to herself.

"Yo, Kirsten!" Kelly yelled over. "Aren't you going to surf at all!"

Kirsten shuttered at the words. This was the first time she had gone out with her surfboard at all since her accident last Labor Day, and quite honestly, she didn't really want to be out there at the moment. With every great wave that approached her, she told herself that she was going to catch it. But every time, she pulled out at the last minute, with memories of the accident rushing to her head.

"Earth to Kirsten!" Kelly called out again.

"What! Oh, right…yeah…just waiting for the right wave," Kirsten lied.

Kelly looked at her skeptically and said, "Kirst, you've been out here for like half an hour…and you haven't caught a single wave…I've caught like five already, and you're a better surfer than I am."

"Well, um…" Kirsten started, but no words seem to come to her.

"You know, the waves are a lot smaller than they were the day of your accident…" Kelly reminded.

"Yeah I know…I just…" Kirsten trailed off. Suddenly an idea hit her. She hung her foot in the water and then suddenly yelled, "Ouch! Shit!"

"What is it!" Kelly asked.

"I think a fish like nibbled on me or something…you know I never did like all the fish…I think I'll just go in…" Kirsten said and started paddling away before Kelly could stop her.

Damn it Kirsten! Kelly thought. Why are you making excuses….you just need to get back on the horse.

After Kirsten made her way to shore, she sat down on her towel, watching everyone surf, and thought about how much of a coward she was. Why couldn't I just do it…just get over this fear…I just need to catch one wave…

Kirsten's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of her friend, Brad, who said, "Is this seat next to you taken?"

Kirsten looked up to him and smiled, "Now it is."

"So, you had it with the surfing today?" Brad asked as he sat down.

Kirsten nodded and said, "Yeah, just wasn't feeling it today."

"I know the feeling," Brad said.

Then a moment of silence passed between them. Kirsten was watching the water, but she almost felt like Brad's eyes were staring at her. She didn't really want to look to find out, though. She wasn't used to this from other guys…only from Jimmy.

Brad broke the silence when he said, "So, are you doing okay?" When Kirsten glanced at him, he continued, "Well, I heard about you and Jimmy…you're on a break right?"

Kirsten let out a quick laugh and said, "Yeah, I guess…honestly, I don't really know for sure…I just know I'm not really talking to him right now."

"Well, I don't know if this would be out of place to ask or not…and I apologize in advance if it is…but I was wondering if you wanted to go to prom with me. I wanted to make up for leaving you alone at cotillion last summer when I was sick," Brad said.

Kirsten gave him a look and said, "Is that the only reason why you're asking me? To say 'sorry' for cotillion?"

"No, of course not. I want to take you. We can go as friends," Brad said.

"'Friends'?" Kirsten asked.

"Well, I'll admit…I always have liked you…but it can just be as friends."

Kirsten thought for a moment, and then answered, "Yes, Brad. I'll go with you to prom."

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Just as dinner was finishing at the Nichol house later that evening, the doorbell rang.

"Let me get it!" Hailey called and chased towards the door. Kirsten walked after her, but stopped momentarily when she heard a 'Hey Kiddo!' coming from the person at the front door. She knew it was Jimmy.

However, she continued walking toward the door…she had known that she would have to face him one on one sooner or later. When she reached the door, she saw Jimmy standing with bouquet of bright colored flowers of various types. It was tied with a satin ribbon.

"Hi Kirsten," Jimmy said when she appeared in the doorway.

"Hi," Kirsten said softly. Then she turned to her little sister and said, "Hailey, I need to talk to Jimmy alone…can you go play in the house for me?"

"Can I say 'bye' to Jimmy before he leaves?" Hailey asked.

Kirsten nodded and Hailey turned and ran back into the family room to play with her toys. Kirsten walked out the front door and closed it behind her. "So, what brings you here, Jimmy?" she asked somewhat bluntly, although she had a pretty good idea what it was going to be about already.

"Well, these are for you," Jimmy said and he handed her the bouquet.

Kirsten took them in her hands and said, "They're beautiful…thank you."

Jimmy started again, "And I wanted to ask if you would go to prom with me? I've been stupid and selfish about what happened at my sister's wedding. But I promise you, besides that kiss, nothing ever happened between us."

Kirsten was looking down at the flowers, but finally looked up to meet his eyes and said, "You're too late. Brad already asked me to go and I said, 'yes'…since I thought we were taking a break or whatever. It's just as friends. I just need some more time, Jimmy. I know I've had a lot, but I need more. And I hate to say it, but you said nothing happened with Cami at Valentine's Day and then look what happened at the wedding. It's going to take more than that line to convince me."

There was an uncomfortable silence between them, before Kirsten finally continued, "Look, Jimmy…I do want to try to work things out…I do…I just need space."

All Jimmy could do was nod. Kirsten could tell that he was furious at her…but if he expected her to just take him back after just that, he was dead wrong. Finally, he spoke, "I'm going to go in and say 'bye' to Hailey before I leave, if that's okay."

Kirsten moved out of the way and watched Jimmy walked toward the family room where Hailey was playing. Instead of waiting for him to come back to the door, Kirsten went upstairs to her room. By the time she reached the window in her bedroom, she spotted Jimmy getting into his car and pulling away from the house.

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MAY 24, 1980

NEWPORT BEACH, CA

Kirsten smiled at Brad as they broke from their embrace after the song ended. Kirsten was having the best time at the dance…she wasn't sure that she would enjoy herself, but everything with Brad was going great…and the whole, 'just as friends' thing seemed to be working out great.

Kirsten also loved the dress that she had picked out to wear to the dance. The dress was a halter dress that was made out of pink satin with a meshlike black fabric that covered the pink to give it a nice fabric layered look. It looked gorgeous on her with her hair falling loosely in curls around her face.

"Hey, Kirst. Do you want to go on a carriage ride?" Brad asked. One of the features at prom was a 'romantic' carriage ride outside. Kirsten hesitated for a moment…thinking that he might be trying to move past the whole 'friends' thing. But Brad eliminated this when he said, "Just as friends."

Kirsten smiled and said, "Then, of course!"

Brad led Kirsten toward the carriage area and opened the door for her to get in. But before Brad could get in, the carriage started moving away. Kirsten was about to yell at the horseman to stop when she saw Jimmy sitting in the carriage with her.

"What are you doing!" Kirsten practically yelled at him.

"I needed to talk to you," Jimmy started. "I've been going crazy not being with you…not talking to you. And I'm here to get you back."

Kirsten was silent and gave him a look that told him it was okay to continue.

"Kirsten, you are the world to me…and whether you believe it or not, you are the only one. I know I said that to you on Valentine's Day and I broke that commitment to you at my sister's wedding. But, if I learned anything from the past month and a half that I spent without you, is that you really are the only one for me. I never stopped thinking about you. The truth is that I have never known anyone like you. You are amazing in so many ways…you're gorgeous, smart, talented, artistic, kind…and honestly, I don't know if I can live without you…Cami is absolutely nothing compared to you. I love you, Kirsten. I have always loved you, since the moment I laid eyes on you. And always will love you."

Kirsten felt her eyes growing watery, and she could tell that she was about to start crying as the emotion of Jimmy's words were bringing her own emotions out. She really wanted to believe him...I do believe him, she thought. But what if it happens again…

"I really want to believe you, Jimmy. But how do I know this won't happen again?" Kirsten said in a cracking voice.

"All I can do is promise you, Kirsten. I promise that I will never, ever cheat on you…ever again…even just a kiss…you have my word…and as a token of my sincerity, I want to give you this. He handed her a small box and inside was an open silver heart that was attached to a silver necklace chain.

"Oh my God, Jimmy. It's beautiful!" Kirsten exclaimed.

"It's to show you my love for you…the heart for love…look, I know it might take a little while to earn back your trust, but I love you and I will never hurt you ever again…especially in this way."

The tears in Kirsten's eyes that she had been containing for so long finally fell.

"Are you okay?" Jimmy asked, concerned.

Kirsten smiled and said, "Yeah," and threw her arms around Jimmy, a signal that she was accepting him back into her life. After the long hug ended, Jimmy pulled her back into a passionate kiss that continued until the carriage ride was over.

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