The Authoritative History: Part III

The First Kiss

Remember that scene in Back to the Future after George McFly won the love of Lorraine by telling Biff to "take his damn hands off her," and they are slow dancing in the Enchantment Under the Sea gymnasium, and they decide they are each other’s destiny ? Then Lorraine says, “Aren’t you gonna kiss me, George?” And George bumbles around like an idiot before finally kissing her and saving future?




“I’ll tell them I was like George--totally awkward.” said Roo one Friday. We were on our way to have dinner with his family before going to see Back to the Future at an outdoor venue, and since in the short time we’d been dating (maybe two weeks) we’d become the source of much good-natured mockery (because we still lived together) we were sure there would be much hounding over whether or not we’d kissed yet. So Roo was preparing an answer to fend them off—even though we hadn’t actually kissed yet.

Maybe you’re wondering how it is that Roo still lived in my house even though we were in love and as good as engaged—how my protective father and conservative mother allowed it. Well, after our trip to California, the four of us got together for a what-do-we-do-now summit. Over chips and salsa, we determined that Roo shouldn’t have to move out—he was just starting a new semester of school, plus we all liked having him around. The parent's trusted us. We laid down some ground rules and steeled ourselves for the raised eyebrows that our situation would cause among neighbors and relatives. Did I mention I was a senior in high school at this point? Except for a few minor snags, this arrangement worked really well. In fact, we were just like every other dating couple except when he picked me up for a date all he had to do was stand in the kitchen and call, “Ready?” And when the date ended at the doorstep, we both went inside and watched the Late Show in our pajamas with a bowl of Chex.

Anyway, that night—the kiss night—we finished dinner and were on our way to the outdoor movie. Roo drove while I was trying to reign in my giddiness, for I was sure Roo was trying to tell me something with all that kiss talk in the car earlier—something like, ‘get the chapstick ready, my love, because tonight is the night.’

Back to the Future is good, but Back to the Future on a giant screen in a park when, despite it being September, the night air is still thick with summer—then it is really good. Watching it with my head resting on Roo’s chest—that made it great.

So as we watched the movie, I was sure that right when Lorraine said, “Aren’t you going to kiss me, George?” Roo would sweep me into his arms and kiss me for the first time.

That part approached.

Annie: [uh oh! I can hear Roo’s heart beating faster! He's getting nervous! Here it comes!]
Back to the Future: [George and Lorraine kiss, Marty doesn’t dissolve away, the dance ends, they go back to 1985, and Biff is waxing George’s car]
Roo: [this movie is dang good. I’m gonna watch it again when we get home.]
Back to the Future: [end credits roll mockingly by]

The park is left crowdless and I remain unkissed as we make our way back to the car.

I was hurriedly putting together a contingency plan. My first strategy was to cuddle up against Roo while we walked, real affectionate and, I think, obvious.

He just keeps walking.

Plan B: I slow down. I start lagging behind with my hand tightly around his. He asks me if I’m okay. Not the reaction I was hoping for so I move on to Plan C.

Plan C: I stop and say smilingly, “Aren’t you going to kiss me, George?”
Roo is taken aback and laughing awkwardly. He bumbled a little then said, “Uh…ok.”

So we kissed for the first time in the dark park, serenaded by Huey Lewis and the rolling credits of the movie.