More captivating than breakdancing were the iconic gaming consoles emblazoned with the name “ATARI.” My friend Ben had video games, and I had never experienced them until that summer when Ben sat close to me, shyly grinning as he turned on the television. “This is called ‘Pac-Man,’” he said. I was instantly enchanted—not just by the game, but by Ben himself. Pac-Man offered an addictive thrill; all I had to do was guide the little yellow character through the mazes, munching on dots while evading four mischievous ghosts named Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde—names that could well belong in a Shel Silverstein poem.
Our July was divided between two realms: one filled with scores, levels, and sweat-drenched joysticks, where I sat next to Ben, laughing and competing fiercely, and another outside in Baton Rouge, where we explored lush neighborhoods adorned with the most vibrant trees I had ever seen. I enjoyed mini-adventures around town with my mom, my aunt, and Ben’s mother. His family introduced me to a lifestyle that enthralled me: Ben’s younger siblings ran about without clothes, musical instruments cluttered their cozy home—including a piano situated smack in the middle of the living room, often played by one of the kids—while Ben himself roamed barefoot, clad only in shorts, his tousled ’80s hair making him irresistibly charming.
We played Pac-Man through the sweltering August days until I was leveling up with ease, feeling like a bona fide gamer. But I also caught the love bug—both for gaming and for Ben. One day while embarking on a local adventure, Ben told my aunt that I had confessed my love for him. Mortified, I felt my freckles heat up as I nearly shouted, “No, I didn’t! I don’t even like you!” Ben’s face flushed, and he stared out the window, leaving me heartbroken over what I thought was the end of our friendship.
After that, I found myself without access to either Pac-Man or Ben. We maintained a polite distance, neither of us brave enough to address the awkwardness. However, in the final weeks of my time in Baton Rouge, we began hanging out again. I found solace next to Ben as we watched Pac-Man triumph over the ghosts. I knew I would soon leave Louisiana, along with the heat and Ben, but I was certain Pac-Man would remain a part of my life, waiting for me to find him once more.
This story originally appeared on May 27, 2015.
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In summary, the summer of 1984 was transformative, intertwining the excitement of gaming with the innocence of young love, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant community.