RELUCTANT PRESS

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RUFFLES & CURLES

By Kammi Morton

was bright red and this time I was not so ladylike as I quickly jumped into the car.

"Are you all right, dear?"

"Ah, yes...it was just a little warm in the sun."

"Sorry. You know how it is when you run out. It's not something you can put off very long, is it? By the way, how are your periods? Light or heavy? Regular?" she asked matter of factly.

Oh boy! How was I to handle this little conversation? I had just a slight idea about menstruation but certainly not enough to have a deep discussion with someone intimately acquainted with the subject.

"Ah, they're OK, sometimes heavy," I bluffed, having no idea whether this made sense.

"Yes, Linda's the same. You'll find that as you get older it tends to straighten out into a more regular routine. Do you use napkins or tampons?"

"Ah, napkins," I answered, remembering that was what was on the box in my mother's closet. In fact, I would not have known the difference between the two if they were placed right in front of me, never having actually seen either

one.

"Yes, that's probably best for someone your age. Do you douche?"

Now she had me! What the hell was that, I wondered. Was it a good thing or bad?

"Sometimes," I answered, hoping that this was a satisfactory answer and hoping even more that we could get away from this conversation.

In my uneasiness, I did not notice that we were turning onto Susie's street where I had agreed to go after my "transformation". This saved me from any more questions about a topic I felt very squeamish discussing.

"Here you are, dear. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, Mrs. Baker, it was wonderful. Thank you so much for everything. I loved it!" I answered truthfully.

My instincts made me reach out to shake her hand, but I saw that she was leaning her cheek toward me and so I kissed her there and left.

"Say hello to Diane and Susie for me. Bye, DANNY BOY!" she called out the window as I walked up the driveway.

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