The Pretty Girls From the Smallest Towns
“Birthday Boy” is a profound tribute to women who take care of immature men.
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When my mom was 15, she had what she calls her “two red Corvette summer.” Over two glorious months, she dated two guys who drove her dream car: a Texan named Bob, who worked in the nearby oil fields, and a professional football player, Jerrel “Thunderfoot” Wilson.
My mom grew up in Lumberton, MS, population 2,000, so when someone new moved into town, people noticed. She heard tell of Bob before she met him while sitting on the porch shelling field peas. Apparently Bob didn’t leave a big impression, but she remembers Jerrel fondly. He was fun, happy, outgoing, and a gentleman.
Years later, she asked her dad if he ever worried that she was too young to be dating a pro football player. He replied something like, “I knew you’d eventually realize you were too smart for him.” Toward the end of their courtship, Jerrel gave my mom an autographed football and a photo signed, “Truely, Jerrel.”