A poignant memoir of a summer love so beautifully expressed through metaphors and sensory descriptors. This story presents and respects the awkward and delicate feelings of adolescents. It is too precious not to be shared elsewhere for others to savor.
Thank you for your kind remarks, Lora, the best a writer can receive. particularly if I was able to put you in my place of awkward immaturity. Un grande abbraccio.
Once again, you revive embers that I thought were just ashes. First loves lost are the cornerstone of the transition to adolescence. Summer beach romantic fantasies, "cruisin" the streets in your car with friends looking for a carful of girls to chat with, driving cross town to visit your first girlfriend at her parent's home every chance you can get, giving your high school pin to the love of your life. The ability to love is God's underrated gift. I have no regrets about my past, because each step was a learning experience. My wife and I are about to celebrate 45 years of marriage, and I'm still that adolescent grateful to find the love of my life.
Thanks, Larry. You forgot taking a date to the movies. There, I thought something like a kiss might happen, but never did. If you haven't seen "Summer of '42" lately, do so. It encompasses what you beautifully write.
The description of Ann’s body language is captivating. Did she really wink at Ed? It was a Duh moment for me to learn she never showed up. And in the comments I found out that Ed did find her but she was taken.
Another Duh!
Ed is a gifted writer: his descriptions are realistic and flow with unjarring lucidity. Who says all doctors know is practice medicine and make money!
Following up on another Substack post - the 2025 pickled peppers are done. I told mom and dad that you would like some and they would love to share. I can be reached at dsavastano@healthassistcorp.com
As always, your writing took me back to the same memories. I could almost feel the gentle ocean breeze through my hair. I was there. I know of no other outdoor movies in Narragansett back then. Were you speaking of outside Adam's Store, across from Scarborough/Olivo's where I attended with all of my summer friends?
What a wonderful read to start the week off. I have amazing memories of Narragansett, Scarborough beach and Olivo's. We would actually hitch hike to the beach. What on earth were WE thinking??
A poignant memoir of a summer love so beautifully expressed through metaphors and sensory descriptors. This story presents and respects the awkward and delicate feelings of adolescents. It is too precious not to be shared elsewhere for others to savor.
LK
Thank you for your kind remarks, Lora, the best a writer can receive. particularly if I was able to put you in my place of awkward immaturity. Un grande abbraccio.
Enchanting story. A Rhode Island kid discovering new emotions.
Like Gozzano, who wrote “Amai di più la rosa che non colsi,
quella che la beltà d’un dì serbava,
l’illusïon cara che cullava
l’anima mia col suo sogno morente.”
The longing for what never was is more powerful than the love for what truly was.
Grazie, Fabio. Thank you for introducing me to Gozzano.
Once again, you revive embers that I thought were just ashes. First loves lost are the cornerstone of the transition to adolescence. Summer beach romantic fantasies, "cruisin" the streets in your car with friends looking for a carful of girls to chat with, driving cross town to visit your first girlfriend at her parent's home every chance you can get, giving your high school pin to the love of your life. The ability to love is God's underrated gift. I have no regrets about my past, because each step was a learning experience. My wife and I are about to celebrate 45 years of marriage, and I'm still that adolescent grateful to find the love of my life.
Thanks, Larry. You forgot taking a date to the movies. There, I thought something like a kiss might happen, but never did. If you haven't seen "Summer of '42" lately, do so. It encompasses what you beautifully write.
What a romantic story!
The description of Ann’s body language is captivating. Did she really wink at Ed? It was a Duh moment for me to learn she never showed up. And in the comments I found out that Ed did find her but she was taken.
Another Duh!
Ed is a gifted writer: his descriptions are realistic and flow with unjarring lucidity. Who says all doctors know is practice medicine and make money!
Ed defies that type cast
Sattar Memon MD ( ashrambooks.com)
Thank you, my friend. You are most kind.
My pleasure, Ed. I enjoy reading your stories.
So lovely Ed.
Following up on another Substack post - the 2025 pickled peppers are done. I told mom and dad that you would like some and they would love to share. I can be reached at dsavastano@healthassistcorp.com
Exciting. On it!
As always, your writing took me back to the same memories. I could almost feel the gentle ocean breeze through my hair. I was there. I know of no other outdoor movies in Narragansett back then. Were you speaking of outside Adam's Store, across from Scarborough/Olivo's where I attended with all of my summer friends?
Yes, indeed, the movies at Adams' store. Where the mosquitoes had a feast.
But what about citronella? Just saying the word brings back the aroma 😂
I can smell it today. A necessity for the outdoor movie.
For sure it brings back memories. For me, it was the outdoor movies at Adams Store near Lido Beach
What a wonderful read to start the week off. I have amazing memories of Narragansett, Scarborough beach and Olivo's. We would actually hitch hike to the beach. What on earth were WE thinking??
We were safe. We trusted those who gave us the ride. And to those spectacular beaches.
Beautiful! What memories of those days of innocence and aching longing. Wonderfully captured, Ed.
Thanks, Ed. Unrequited love. I met her years later. She was married. Oh well . . .
Cute kid! Wonderful Doctor! Super writer! “Happy Days”! 🥰
Love you. Un grande abbraccio . . . big hug
Ed,
With summers like and memories like that, it will always be an endless summer. Beautiful my friend.
Paul
Thank you, Paul. It was my virgin summer, as were many more to follow. I majored in Virginity for quite a while.
Reminds of the wonderful days spent at our beach house at Mt View. All my best memories come from those summers!
Ain't nostalgia wonderful
What a sweet end of summer read, Ed. Thanks for this one.
Thanks, Leslie.