Cracker Jack Proposal
By Suzanne Baginskie (True Romance, February 2010)

During my senior year of high school, I rode a public bus each day to the girl’s Voc Tech. My friend, Betty, who attended St. Mary’s High School, always saved me a seat. She liked a student from another high school—he boarded the bus six blocks after me. He always stood near us, holding a ceiling strap. Every time the bus slowed or stopped, he’d sway in the crowded quarters.
Betty had confided in me about her crush on him. So when I rose for my school’s stop, I’d motion for him to take my seat. He never refused. Her dark eyes would brighten, but she couldn’t bring herself to utter a word. Each morning I’d encourage her, but on the return trip she made excuses for not speaking to him. So he never knew.







