Looking BackLooking BackA 1940’s Throwback

Photos By Doel Gonzalez PhotographyPhotos By Doel Gonzalez Photography

By Doel Gonzalez

It was the early ‘40s. A young beautiful woman is getting herself ready and leaving her home to drive her car into Ybor City to her favorite café, The King Corona Cigars Café & Bar.

Finding a parking spot near the front entrance, she got out and quickly walked into the café, unaware that a pair of dark and interested eyes were watching her every move.

Jimmy, a tall, handsome young man leaning against the wall, had seen her drive up and noticed her right away. He was entranced with her beauty, but unsure if he should make a move. She seemed not to notice him, and he wondered if he would be an unwelcome intrusion.

As he thought about this, the young woman seated herself in a soft black leather chair near the window so she could see the street beyond, and peered outside. Jimmy saw that she sat down at the window, but still struggled with whether or not he should approach this beautiful lady.

Still mesmerized, he realized that she had looked out the window and was now catching his eye. Feeling a little encouraged, but still unsure, he walked past, trying to decide what to do.

While Jimmy pondered his next move, the woman went to the bar and ordered a drink. This was the opening that got him moving. He quickly went next door to the flower shop and bought a single rose. As the young lady sat sipping her drink, Jimmy walked into the bar and presented the beautiful flower to her. At first, she hesitated. This was highly unusual as she had never met the man. But as she looked into his kind brown eyes and saw his smile, she took the rose and invited him to sit and chat for a while.

They shared laughs and drinks, and time seemed to fly. But as it was getting later in the day, and it was time to go.

As they made their good-byes, she headed to the door and looked back to see if Jimmy was following. He was indeed, right behind her, and walked her out.

While they were heading toward her car, he thought he might ask for her phone number. He did not want this day to end, but at least perhaps he could call her sometime. As they chatted more and he opened her car door, he decided he definitely should go for it. As he leaned in close to her face to ask, and hopefully sneak a kiss, she smiled at him. Looking back at the camera with a smile for us too, she had stolen Jimmy’s heart and mesmerized us all, and left us wondering; did she give him her number?

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL BELOW:MODELS:JUJHAR SINGHJUJHARSINGHIGILL@GMAIL.COMGATTINA ROSANINAGROCCARD@GMAIL.COMMUA:NEVA DURHAM - DIVA DESIGNS MAKEUPPHOTOGRAPHER:DOEL GONZALEZWWW.DOELGONZALEZPHOTOGRAPHY.COMAUTOMOBILE OWNER:RONNIE BROWN (THE CAR IS FOR SALE)ART DIRECTION:AUSBERTO DOEL GONZALEZAGDJDOEL@GMAIL.COMCREATIVE WRITER:BETTY GRAHAM1ST LOCATION:KING CORONA CIGAR BAR & CAFEYBOR CITY, FLORIDASPECIAL THANKS TO KYLE2ND LOCATION:RONNIE BROWN ESTATETAMPA, FLORIDAGRAPHIC DESIGNER:XAVIER RIVERAXGDESIGN@GMAIL.COM

THANK

YOU

THANK

YOU