Feeling new to the limelight, and wondering how this person in the news could really be me, I began to shy away from the house. It turned out that the town took a second look at my historical concerns, and they found some concerns of their own-some permit problems that would further slow things down. Other zoning issues would keep it safe for a while, and there was a good chance now that the historical background of the house would help save it. Now that the house was safe for a while, with my research on some official-looking government desk, I felt as if I could go back to my real life, which of course was still dateless and boring.
But, that wasn't as easy as it sounded. The situation had changed me and I had to get used to the new, improved me. For a few weeks, the phone rang often.
Friends I had forgotten suddenly remembered me. I talked to people I hadn't seen since grammar school. It was fun, but it all seemed out of place. Why did they remember me now? Did I have to have a brush with notoriety just to get noticed? Karl, who had dared me to go into the house in the first place, called from Okinawa, where he was stationed. He didn't talk long.
I can't imagine how much it cost for the international call. But it was special as he shared his recollections of the house and our teenage years. The warmth in his words was touching. He had to add, with a laugh, "I guess I should watch what I dare people to do."
I don't know how celebrities do it-getting used to the spotlight. I got a lecture from Colleen, who thought I was crazy for avoiding something that obviously had great meaning to me. She was probably right.
"You saved it, Jenna. Don't you care what happens now?" She remarked.
I tried to explain my feelings, but I knew it wouldn't make sense, since I didn't understand them myself. "Of course I care what happens. But, I just feel so weird about it. I can't believe I did it." I still felt a little disbelief, since I really didn't think I could do it, at first. But, I don't regret it for a minute.
I never taped the six o'clock news that featured me.
It just didn't seem right. I didn't want to see myself on camera.
I did keep the clipping from the newspaper, which noted very nicely a quote that I don't remember ever saying. I think it was really from the town: "When historic buildings are torn down or deteriorate, a part of our past disappears forever. When that happens, we lose history that helps us know who we are."
