ONE STORY

I should probably start with a disclaimer: that’s not a picture of me. Well, it is me but it’s not ME me. I’m not like that at all. First of all, check out the hair. That’s a bucket worth of peroxide and baking soda and then a whole lot of teasing. This was the getup for some high school play where they needed a sexy flirt in one of the scenes. I got roped into the role but I think they did it as a joke because it was the total opposite of me. I was the shy studious type, always with my nose in a book. You could count on one hand the number of dates I had. However, during the play, I discovered that I actually had that side to me. It was really fun–but it didn’t last long. Once the play was over it was buried again, never to see the light of day.

Although it was more than 20 years ago, I’ve kept the picture for a reason. I mean, my life’s been a good life. I’ve married a great guy, have a wonderful daughter and a stable, secure job as a paralegal. But it’s all serious stuff–no one gets wild and crazy in a law office.

Some nights, after a glass of wine, I look at the picture and start thinking–what if I hadn’t been such a serious, well-behaved kid in school? What if I’d let that other side come out? I know my life would have been different, I just wonder if it would have been better. Just a little bit.

Story by Will Conway