YOUNG LOVE
I fell in love early, like WAYYY too early for a girl. Some people might
even say “there’s no way that you can fall in love that young.” But I did.
And at the ripe old age of 5 years old, it was love at first sight. His soft
grey and white hair so shiny and clean, his personality relaxed and
insouciant, some would even say flippant, but he had the cleverest wit
and sarcasm. We were a perfect match in every way, except for his
obsession with carrots. I mean I like carrots but not as much as the love
of my life, Bugs Bunny. Ah, Bugs Bunny, the bunny who stole my little
5-year-old heart. I just knew that someday somehow, we were gonna
get married. I worshipped him, watched him on TV every day. He made
me laugh, he intrigued me – he always seemed to be a step ahead of
everybody else. When I was with him, I was taken to a different place,
living a different life, a better reality! A safe and happy existence, no
yelling, no fighting, no moving from house to house and town to town,
trying to make new friends; with Bugs I was living my best life.
And I met him once you know. It was 1994 and mom and her second
husband - my first adopted father Farmer Dean took me and Shirley
god damned Temple to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. I knew he
had to be there, somewhere in this park I was gonna find Bug Bunny.
He wasn’t on the Runaway Train ride - my favorite small rollercoaster
that tells a story while going through a mine shaft. And Bugs wasn’t
near the El Sombrero, a fun ride that goes round and around as you sit
on the brim of a sombrero hat. I did however run into Foghorn Leghorn,
who was no use to me because when I asked him if he’s seen Bugs he
just kept repeating “uh I say, I say uh, Uhh I say”.
As our day at Six Flags was winding down, I still hadn’t seen Bugs. I took
a seat near some flower bushes while everyone else went into a souvenir
shop. I contemplated what our life would be together. Would he wait for
me to turn 18 and then we’d move in together right away? Would he
whisk me away romantically as we traveled the world together? I picked
a small red rose off the flower bush and pressed it to my little nose, ahh
so this is love.
But now, evening had come and still no sign of Bugs Bunny. Mom and
Farmer Dean decided we should go see a country cover band playing at
the small amphitheater in the park before we wrapped up the day. They
were a group of 5 cowboys wearing all black western outfits, black button
up western shirts with red trim down the button line and a red rose on the
left breast pocket. They were good musicians and very handsome, a great
distraction for my longing desire and unfound love. As they played their
last song, the lead singer looked down at me and gave me a wink. I felt
my heart flutter. “What’s this,” I thought, “a new love of my life?” I felt
compelled to react somehow. As the lights faded down, I gathered my
courage, and I threw my small red rose at the lead singer. I don’t know
what came over me! I just threw it as hard as I could, right into his face!
And I heard it hit him with a WACK! As the lights came on, I sobered up.
Oh god, what have I done?! I was ashamed and mom was pissed,
“STEPHANIE, why did you do that?!” she yelled. I don’t know, I don’t
know why I did that. I’d thrown my love rose away, thrown it to another
person? How could I?
My heart was broken as our family of four made our way out of the
small amphitheater, “I give up, it’s over,” I thought as we headed to
the exit gates.
“Steph, look!” Mom shouted. I turned around and there stood the
fuzzy bunny love of my life.
I stood frozen, my cheeks reddened, and an awkward smile raised up
on my face. “It’s Bugs, Steph!” Mom remarked loudly - as if I’d forgotten –
and she pulled me closer to him. When finally met with the love of my
life I was dumbfounded, not knowing what to say or do. Mom took
our picture, with me on one side of Bugs and Shirley god damned
Temple on the other. After the picture he waved and then turned
and headed off into the sunset. And I never saw him again.
Look, I knew even then that it was just some hairy guy in a bunny suit,
that it wasn’t REALLY Bugs Bunny. But I don’t care. My childhood dream
came true that day. I knew I’d never be the same after that, and I knew
I had to grow up. No more fun and games. I thought about him throughout
my life and a tear still comes to my eye when I look at our picture together.
He was the one. He was the bunny that got away.
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