Tilly and Elmer FlashbackX (5) - Prom Night and Spanish Olives

If you’ve read any of the short stories in the Tilly and Elmer series, you may have wondered how much more adventuresome Tilly and Elmer must have been as teenagers. Now it can be revealed! In the Tilly and Elmer FlashbackX series, our favorite sexagenarians describe, in sometimes hilarious and sometimes scandalous detail, their slow motion coming of age in the Midwest in the early sixties. From their clumsy first date to the first time they go “all the way” (on the second try), you’ll gasp at Elmer’s inexperience, smile at Tilly’s (real or faked?) innocence, and perhaps shed a tear of empathy at the blundering beauty of their first time.

In Book 5, Prom Night and Spanish Olives, Tilly and Elmer attend the prom, the most anticipated event of the year at South Branch High. Each planned activity of the evening produces its share of delightful anticipation and unspoken anxiety. The prom is everything they hope for, but by the end of the night they are too tired for the legendary sexual frenzy. They are fully rested however, for an intimate picnic they have planned for the next afternoon, and both Tilly and Elmer get a taste of something new. Something new and delicious. Something new and delicious and worrisome.

“The pre-prom dinner went well, especially since Tilly was obviously having a wonderful time. Elmer had to ask her why they had far more silverware than seemed necessary, what ”Foie gras“ was, and why the waiter brought him a tiny fork with his shrimp cocktail. Tilly explained everything, and then put her hand lovingly on his thigh, causing him to forget the entire lesson. Their relationship had progressed to the point where Tilly would sometimes rub the front of his pants when she was in a playful mood, but this never happened in public. Until now. The diners were seated at a long table with a linen tablecloth, which reached to lap level, so her hand location was not obvious to anyone else, but the bright red color of Elmer’s face was obvious, and when Linda asked what was wrong, he had to explain to her that there had been a piece of very hot pepper in his ”Spicy Tomato Soup“. At the conclusion of the dinner, Elmer ostentatiously placed his crisp $20 bill on the little tray that held the check. Tilly was impressed; not only was Elmer the best looking and sweetest boy at the table, he was rich as well.”