Golden Girl

“Golden Girl” — was written by my grandpa about my granny, his wife.

After Alisha’s passing in 1948, he felt defeated and felt like he’d never love again- well, he soon met my granny, and there, a romance blossomed and he married her after only 3 months of dating, and I know that’s short, but he didn’t want to lose her, after he lost Alisha.

Granny, I know that’s southern, but that’s what she wanted to be called when she had grandchildren. She only had two: My brother and myself.

Granny at the time, was living in Galveston, working as a secretary at the Santa Fe Building, which is now the Galveston Railroad Museum and other businesses. But, at the time, especially in the 1950’s, that’s what the building was. Granny, I’m not sure when she began working there, but she had a lot of men “wanting her.” She was a beautiful woman, so why not? She had many men who wanted to date her, and to sleep with her, but she wasn’t looking for that, she was looking for a husband.

My grandpa, getting over the death of Alisha (read the story, Alisha to find out about her), was told by a girl on the beach (that’s the story of the Girl and the Sea- which I’ll be posting soon!), that he would soon find “the key to his heart,” and a few days later, he spotted my grandmother, outside the Santa Fe builiding. He saw that she was beautiful and he didn’t know if he even had a chance of loving her, but as my granny got to know my grandpa over three months, she knew right then and there, that he was the man for her.

Grandpa, as my granny said, “Didn’t say a whole lot, but he made up for in other ways.” My grandpa, according to Granny, was a man of “very few words, but when he did say something, it was important!”

My grandpa wrote the story of Granny, in almost the same fashion as he did with Alisha, so it might be just as long, but not too long.

Alisha, he had a LOT of ground to cover! With Golden Girl, he wrote that as a way to say to Granny, that he loved her.

With that being said,

I present to you the UNCUT and UNEDITED Version, of Golden Girl

I am a man of a lot of words, a lot of expressions. I don’t know where to start. When you walked into my life, I felt like I was able to love again. I know you didn’t know this, but there was someone before you and I lost her, now, I know that 50 years on, I didn’t lose you.

When I first arrived, I was alone, I didn’t have anyone. You had, as from what I understood, had many people, who wanted you.

When I first saw you outside the building- smoking a cigarette- the red lipstick, my breathing stopped . I am not a man of many words, as you have said.

I tend to keep them- but my words for you, are never ending. My Golden Girl- I love you and I have for the past 50 years.

When I met you- I was shy and I didn’t think I had a chance.

I saw you- outside- smoke escaping your lips- the way you noticed me- but we didn’t speak. I hadn’t really spoken to a woman in quite a while. I walk into the building. I see you- we both wait for the elevator- we go in.

You are on floor 3, and I am on 6.

You get off- I breathe, how could I have not said, “Hello?” I get off and I am immediately met by Manager, who hands me a manilla folder.

“Take this to floor 3,” He says. I breathe- I know you’re there.

I walk down to your floor. I am scared- a nervous wreck.

I quickly hand you the folder and I hardly say anything. Again, I’m a nervous wreck. I haven’t spoken to a woman properly since 1948- and I got nervous. You are so beautiful- and yet I can hardly speak. When I’m at home- I try not to see you- but I do- and you’re outside with your friends and you are happy. The next day- I am again in your presence. You smoking- outside- and I just stare at you.

I am trying not to panic. I am then handing you another folder. I touch your hand- and I see you — with friends- and you’re always happy.

A very different view from her. You have dates, friends — and you’re able to speak. I try to talk, but when I open my mouth — nothing comes out. I am worried- I’ll be rejected- but if I don’t speak- I’ll never know.

I recall the day I did say something.

“Hello, can you pass this too-” I am cut off by you saying:

“Of course, thank you.” I leave and I am still feeling hopeless.

I go home and I look at the radio and I turn it on . I try not to see you- but I do- you’re beautiful and I can’t seem to stop breathing heavily.

There’s something different between you and her.

You weren’t hurt- like she was. You seem happy, and overall cheerful. I am falling for you, and I don’t really know you, yet we work in the same building. I’m a good man, and I prayed I could show you.

The next day, I saw you, and you looked stunning- that yellow dress -your black heels — burned into me. I swallowed my pride- and I try to speak- but nothing came out.

I’m stumped again. I’m on the outside looking in, I felt alone.

That night- I went to the becach. I didn’t know what I was doing there? I began to cry and then I heard your voice:

“You know, if you’re gonna die, you should take your suit off first- but you’ll float back up here anyways.”

I turned around- you were standing there- you there in your white blouse and blue skirt- but you’re barefoot. Your hair is lovely. I told you that I wasn’t going to die, but you didn’t believe me.

“You work at Santa Fe, right?” You ask. I nod.

“Yes, I’m. Bob,”I say.

“I’m Barbara,” You reply. I walk closer to you.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” You ask.

I’m trembling.

“Yes, I’m ok!” You smilke.

I am trembling with fear.

“Did you drive here?” You ask. I nod.

“Ok, hope you have a good night,” You say, as you leave. My heart is both beating and breaking. I knew I’d never have a chance.

The next day, you say “Hello,” and I say “Hello” back. You shake my hand and I see you- getting ready and godammit I try not to lose my breath.

“You ok there Bob?” You ask. I nod. My mind is thinking of you. I’m falling for you- but I just met you. I go out to lunch- and my mind is on you. That afternoon, I knew I needed to make my move. I got to the 3rd floor after lunch- and yes! You’re there.

“Barbara,” I say. You look up.

“Hi Bob!” You said.

“What are you doing friday night?” I ask. I said something, finally!

“Nothing! What did you have in mind?” You say, with a smile.

“Dinner! Maybe a picture?” I say. You nod.

“Yes!”

“It’s a date!” I say, as I leave. Anxiety- I try not to let the pressure get to my head. I try to figure out what to wear? What picture do I take you to? I can’t recall where we went, but all I recall was that I was with you!

My life starts with you- I am a new man. I know you said I shook so much- I was so nervous. I thought I had blown it, but you didn’t think so. You said you had a great time- and I loved that.

We went out again, this time, just a picture, no dinner. You held my hand and I felt the sparks between us. Your heart is pure as gold. My Golden Girl, you have taught me to be a better man- and what it meant to be pure as gold. You are Golden, no matter how rough you think you are. I knew after those months, I needed you- I’d never let you go.

I got down on that knee, shaking and you said you’d spend forever with me. Forever, seems like an eternity- love never ends. You showed me what that meant. I am forever grateful. I will admit, I was nervous but I knew I loved you and I wasn’t going to let any man take you- not this time. I know I’m everything to you- your body is magic, but your heart is what I long for- and it’s gold. I hate it when I’m away from you. We built a life together- and we have a beautiful family. Nothing will ever tear us apart-not ever.

You are connected to me, as I am to you. Your strength I know, is a lot- and I know sometimes you are tired. You help me and I’m thankful. Loving you has been my greatest gift. It’s something I’ll never figure out why you love me? In reality, my heart would break if something were to happen to you. I love you — and I always have. We learned each other’s bodies and souls. You are the wind, sea and the earth. I can’t live without you, and I don’t think I ever will. I know one of us will go first, but the other won’t be too far behind. My darling Golden Girl, I am so in love with you and I never will stop.

The way you let me make love to you- it’ll always be part of me. The way we built a life- will always amaze me. Times were both easy and hard- but I can assure you- it’s everything I ever wanted. Just being with you- is everything I want- it’s all I ever want.

50 years?! Wow! We made it! Love, will always endure and you and I will be together eternally.

The day we got married, I was so nervous, yet I knew that you were mine and I was yours. The way I took those vows, I meant every word- and I promised I’d never break those vows- not ever.

I will protect you- and I will always love you. Loving you has always been for my benefit and no one else is gonna take that away from me. I love you my Golden girl and I will till the day I die.