Choices - A Love Story Poem by bobby beddoe

Choices - A Love Story

"I wish Joaquin would come back, and stay."
Cassie droned, her eyelids swollen and red,
While nibbling a beef-and-cheese at Subway;
When, in walked Mark. She stayed seated.
.
. "Hi, Cassie, I noticed your Honda out front,
Stopped in to see what you're up to today."
Toying with her iPhone, she said quite blunt,
"Oh, Just Googling scripture on how to pray."
.
. Although Cassie and Mark had only known
Each other a little more than three years,
She realized she's still quite love-prone
Particularly at times when he comes near.
.
. Mark's love for Cassie began to obsess him
To the point where he was growing jealous,
Fearing some guy might take her from him,
For girls like her weren't in the town's surplus.
.
. He had messy blond hair, eyes of brown,
Was 5'-9 1/2" tall, weighed one seventy-seven,
Wore shirtsleeve shirts and jeans around town.
He first met Cassie while both in grade ten.
.
. Since graduating, he entered Seminary College,
And attends night classes to become a minister,
During the day he drives a truck for City Garbage
And then every Sunday he's his churches' usher.
.
. With a wistful note in his adolescent voice,
He stood up and put a hand on her shoulder,
"By the way girl, we're having revival service,
I'd love to see you there - and your mother."
.
. That evening she jumped into the holiday spirit
And bought a nativity scene from Cash Pawn.
She and the other cheerleaders donated it
For Christmas scene on the courthouse lawn.
.
. Cassie led a simple life in Attler town:
Cake walks, fireflies, skating on sidewalks,
Wishing upon a star, supper at six o'clock sound,
Girl Scouts, Hopscotch made with chalks,

. Exchanging valentines, making a new friend,
Parades, climbing the back yard scrub oak tree,
Saving a few dollars for Christmas to spend,
Walking to school, but sometimes Mom's SUV.
.
. "Mom. Joaquin came back! " Cassie blurted.
"And he's crazy about me, and…and me him."
"Bring him by, your dad and I'd be delighted
Since he's back, because we've also missed him."
.
. "Wow, Cassie! " Joaquin exclaimed vivaciously,
"You've really grown up since I last saw you,
I recall you as a small fry in a ponytail, Cassie,
And… and I recall our last goodbye kiss, too."
.
. Cassie, now stood 5'-4", has an hourglass figure
With a face that seemed needed kissed,
A girl, a man would want to carry her picture,
And hopefully change the Miss part - into Mrs!
.
. Her parents, as usual, were the perfect host
As the two hearts together - beat as if one,
Their hands connected, he held her close,
Seated on the love-seat's padded cushion.
.
. Cassie's grandmother's old family Bible
That her parents knew little - what was in it,
Lay collecting dust on the end table;
Reading that, to the caste rich - just holy writ!
.
For, seemed every time when church they attended,
Attler Church preachers gave a ‘Hell/Fire' sermon.
As far as church going - that pretty much ended!
But, at closing hymn - thinking, "Maybe later-on! "
.
.
. The men sat out on the deck shooing flies away,
Watching the Texans and also watching the grill,
Silence. - Joaquin thinking of something to say,
"I like your cap, get that at Goodwill? "
.
. The ladies were whispering in the kitchen:
"Cassie, I hope you don't let Joaquin
Come between you and Mark, or any other men."
"Mother, I don't love Mark, I love Joaquin! "
.
. "If he ever asks me to marry him, I'll accept,
We'll raise a family and have a kid or two,
Or have ten little Indians - all stair-stepped."
"Child! Better think twice about pitching woo! "
.
.Joaquin drove around looking everywhere,
Found her toying with a Wendy's frosty,
And sending Mark's page an emoji from there.
Walking in, he sat by her, after ordering a sodie.
.
. She loved the sound of his Caddo Indian voice,
He's strong, well-built, handsome, and intelligent,
Has long, black hair, combed precise,
Like ancient Native American's, but recent.
.
. It was now in late November, when hiking
Around Deep Lake on the Naked Indian Tail,
Leading to Little Bear Creek. Tenderly holding
Her hand, he pulled her down in easy avail.
.
. "Cassie-Giirrrl, " he stretched out beside her,
"Thought any more about accepting Christ Jesus
As your personal Lord and Savior? "
"Not yet, Joaquin, No! But hey, I'm religious."
.
. She then became silent for a long moment
As if gravely considering his suggestion,
"I haven't the vaguest when; for, it's not urgent! "
She said, nervously - as a dire condition.
.
. His jaws tightened, and teeth began to grind,
"Has it ever occurred to you that within the
Blink of an eye, you might die at any time? "
"Yeah, I know, " She breathed, surly.
.
. "But for now, I promised sister, that I
Will attend her birthday party on the water."
Joaquin was not surprised at her reply;
Like many responsive answers from her.

. She was silent a long moment as she mulled
Over every word in his witnessing, then finally
Wrinkled her nose, and slightly trembled,
"Joaquin, com-on, I'm from a good family! "
.
. "That's a good thing; but, are you really saved? "
"I…I think so." That spawned joy in his heart,
But, knowing her, that iffy answer he expected,
Witnessing to her would be tough from the start!
.
. "Cassie, you and I are doomed to hell
If we reject Jesus, for His decision will prevail;
‘Tis true for America and other nations as well,
For opposing Him, His mighty smite they'll feel!
.
. Observed only by an eight-point buck.
They stopped in front of their ‘vision' house-to-be
On their way back to his ‘new' 2001 truck,
Then by their ‘mirage' hearth pretended to sip tea.
.
. And in the shade of a spreading cedar tree,
"There's something I want to say."
He voiced, knelling on bended knee,
Like he always did when kneeling to pray.
.
. Cassie knew exactly what was on his mind.
She leaned forward, prepared to give her, "Yes."
"Will you marry me and be forever mine? "
"I love you, Joaquin and I'll marry you. Yes! "
.
They walked back, to the truck hand-in-hand,
When in, she scooted beside him - then ne'er.
They headed toward town and with his free hand,
He pulled her close and gave her
.
A warm, sensual kiss;
Then, in pure silence from either - without voice;
A thunder and lightning tumultuous long kiss,
Knowing that they both made the right choice.
.
. When suddenly, his foot hit the brake pedal
Just as a Honduras illegal ran the red light;
Suddenly, the dreadful sound of twisting metal,
And a screeching of brakes around midnight!
.
. BREAKING NEWS… "Been a fatal accident,
A young couple, in a wink, died in a collision!
More details later in this news cast as it's sent
From the Purgatory and Paradise intersection! "