Judith Lemmon 215 Uffelman Drive, Clarksville, Tn 37043 jalsmith021@gmail.com                            

Are you coming tonight? Prompt   Introverts and Extroverts

1,781 words

Year: 2018

Place:  Newberry State College in Lewistown, Tennessee

    “Are you coming tonight” I texted Laura. Why am I doing most of the texting? I thought to myself. She seems to like me. “I will be there Rosalin,” she later texted. “It won’t be rager,” I replied, “but should be fun.”  My dorm was celebrating a party for new freshman in the large hall in my dorm.

     My name is Rosalin Garcia and I am named after my grandmother who came from Spain to Ellis Island. Not only do I resemble Grandmother in facial features, but I inherited her thick black hair that falls around my shoulders. At this time I am living as a freshman in Wriggley Dormatory at Newberry State College in Tennessee.

 Leaves crunch under my feet as I walk through the campus; fall had displayed her reds and yellows brilliantly this year. I have been a student here for two months.

    My new roommate, Sylvia, is amicable, but with her nose in a book most of the time. She arrived at Newberry with a gal friend from Madison High School in Grand City, Alabama. Their days involved going to biology classes, studying in the library or attending a few college events together. They seemed to enjoy being alone; and never asked me to join them.  I know a few fellow students but have not met a good friend yet. I am thirsty and lonely.

    Swimming has always tickled my fancy and was a member of the swim team at Morgan High School in McArthursburg, Tennessee.  Laura made her appearance in my life one November morning at Command Hall that held our gucci pool here.  She had the locker next to mine and was wearing a swimsuit I admired.  I asked-- just to make small backchat. “Are you possibly a Freshman swimmer here enjoying these goat lap lanes?” “Dope indeed,” she answered softly. “Where did you go to high school?” I asked.  “Oh, at Charter High School in Marshall City, Tennesee; and you?” she responded. “Oh my God, I am from Fieldstone High in McArthursburg, only 25 miles from you! 

    Discussions then turned to our mutual love of water, water activities we had participated in and our real love - lap swimming. “My blue eyes light up when anyone talks to me about swimming! I told Laura. Samesies-- she said and smiled. We exchanged names – hers being Laura Manford. We walked out together saying our goodbyes for now.

    Squirrels scampered under a bright sun as I walked across campus to Command Hall two days later. There she was -  Laura, doing her flip turn-around in the lane next to me. Later in the locker room we chattered about swim teams, swimsuits and goggles – I was over the moon! This was to be the homegirl I had hoped to meet. After several meetings at Command Hall, the two of us  decided to meet for dinner at Buddys Pizza joint on a Friday evening.

    Laura walked into Buddy’s Pizza and heads turned. Her turquoise tie-front blouse lay over her long jean-clad legs. A Soho bag was slung over her shoulders. Sassy for sure! “Evening Rosalin,” she replied and whispered as she sat down “What in the world do all these people have to chin-wag about on their cellphones?” Oh my God - different than most of my high school friends - I thought to myself.

    After ordering pizza we exchanged information about our fams, lives in high school and why we were here at Newberry State. “We will have to watch the food here,” I exclaimed. “Don’t want to get the freshman fifteen!” Laura laughed, nodding her head and said she  planned on being a statistics major and I am studying to be a dietitian. “I am not crowing, not flexing, but” - I began,  I was homecoming queen in my senior year and cheerleader in sophomore year. “Really Rosalin,” Laura answered. “But I then, I can imagine-- you with your bubbly personality. Damn straight!” she said. “I owe you one, Laura,” I replied, a large grin on my face.

     Laura continued. “My only claims to fame would to be Valedictorian and director for the Junior Play,” Laura stated. I’m chuffed of my accomplishments. However, I can be very shy around large groups of people. I admit I am a real-stay-at home gal. Love being in my own home and sometimes am not comfortable in other’s homes. I know, a real stick in the mud! I spend a lot of time pencil sketching, and of course, I date. We watch old movies,  and just have a quiet evening or hike and bike. Laura let out a sigh of happiness.” “Goat!” I answered but I didn’t mean it. 

    My idea of a favorite date was hanging out at Jim’s Joint in McArthursburg where I boogied  for hours and then went to have an breakfast at a local diner. I can be party girl – a hoot.

     That evening Wriggley Dormatory’s large hall was draped with streamers of our school colors – red and gold; tables were arranged around a setup dance floor. Trophies covered a long table on one side of the room honoring our football team.  Laura picked out a table for the two of us in a quiet corner and we got our drinks.  A Celtic band was playing and dorm hall was filling up with students. After we sat down and got a drink, I asked carefully. “Laura, I wish you would text more,”  “I’ll give it a crack!” she said with a perplexed look on her face. 

    “Howdy Sarah,” I spoke to a girl from my yoga class. “Alright mate?” I called and waved as, Gregg, a swimmer from Command Hall danced by. “Rosalin, I bet you know a lot of people here already – you are so friendly?” “Alrighte!” I replied; “acquaintances yes, not friends yet. But I definitely like knowing all types of people; an extrovert I have been told.”

    Students moved about at the party, and when they came to our table I noticed what a great listener Laura was; several people were very attracted to her wide smile and attentive attitude. That evening I boogied down whenever I had the opportunity.  Laura said she really wasn’t a good dancer, but did converse and laugh with a guy who seemed attracted to her attentiveness.

    The dorm party was just getting started, in my opinion, when Laura whispered; “Rosalin, could we just hit the bricks before long? I am feeling very tired. I’m dead! I am sorry. I am not a social butterfly and it's a bit too noisy and draining.” “What could I say to my new friend. “Roger on that Laura,” I replied.

     A new moon hung low between the trees as we walked back to our dorms.  I was glad I brought my umbrella as a cool drizzle began to fall.   The sidewalks were lined with antique gaslights that guided our way to our dorms. Neither of us had much to say.

    I walked back to my dorm and into my room and plopped down on my couch. Damn, I didn’t feel like a party now – I was shook!  My mind was full of thoughts and confusion. I was bummed! I got up and I walked to the bookcase and took out a photo album. Thumbing through all the family photos I came to a photo of my sister and I and started thinking about my fam. Lilly was a close, funky sister, but quiet and did not like to talk about herself. Her favorite times were the times she spent reading or playing piano for long periods of time.  

    Dad’s brother, Joe, was a strong introvert and was even accused by fam of being isolated at times. He was a kind uncle, very reserved who loved his gardening, and collecting old books, but I had seen him be moody and in his head a lot of the time. He once said, “I am an observer and thinker, Rosalin!” Well, at least he’s self-aware,” I thought to myself. I once heard my mother call my dad an introvert – “Have to pull him out of the house, you know.” she said, laughing.

    My roommate, her friend, Laura, family members –I felt a bit surrounded by introverts! Foolish of me? - of course. There were millions like me; I had just not met them yet at Newberry. Thanks to

God, there are introverts and extroverts like me to navigate their ways in this uncertain world. I began to realize that I may need to take the initiative most of the time with Laura. Her words were clipped and sweet! Yes, she would be a swim friend, a good listener, and a loyal shorty,  but I still needed a friend a little bit more like my stoopy self.

    Two weeks later, Marsha, an acquaintance from the swimming pool stopped me one day in the hall. “Hiya Rosalin” she called, stepping alongside with her boyfriend Clay.” “A friend of Clay’s saw you one day swimming, thought you were a hottie with a supersweet smile and wants to meet you.  Oh Rosalin, he is a real stud; tall, dark curly hair, slim hips.” I thought a moment and inquired. “What is his personality like?” 

    “Well,” Clay spoke this time. “He is a domestic sort. A man of few words, not a lot of chatter! Sometimes I think he enjoys his own scene more than being with others; but he gets lonely like the rest of us. He is a brainiac and a super listener.” He can be a hoot at times and is a loyal guy.

    I looked at both of them. Hadn’t I learned something from my recent experience? Isn’t that was what life was all about, learning who you are and the lifestyle you prefer. “No thank you guys. Cheers! Don’t hurt his feelings Tell him I have  my manfriend at home. But I tend to go for a little more outgoing guys. Find me one of those, will you? – and a looker!” They both laughed. – “Gottcha!” Clay replied.

    As I walked away I thought to myself; There is a chance I may have kept myself from a world of hurt by falling in love with an introvert.  An introvert may be the right man for me someday, but for now I am one cautious lassie!  I walked across the chilly campus and down two steps to Command Hall ready and eager to do my swim laps for the day.

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