were not at all broad. In fact, they were more girl- ish appearing than some girls'. I also had become aware that my breasts were, while not by any means the size of a girl's, still loose and slightly extended.

Still, it had never occurred to me that Debbie- surely not Debbie-would ever notice or care about such things. She had always been so seemingly otherwise attracted to me. But here she was actually being sar- castic.

I awakened to hear her say, "Merrill, I had never really appreciated how much you look like a girl. Some of the girls have mentioned it to me, but I hadn't paid much attention with your male clothing on and hiding your figure.

11

I managed to stumble out, "Golly, Debbie, I-I-.. It was lost to Debbie's further comments, "Really, Honey, I think your measurements would even be better than mine, and I'm rather proud of my 36-22-36." She laughed as she said, "And you could use a bra for those, pointing to my breasts.

I blurted out the best I could, "Heck, Debbie. I can't help it." And she sympathetically, but tin hidden sarcasm said, "Of course you can't, doll; neith- er can I help my figure. With that she said, "Come on, lets us girls race out across the river to the other side."

11

I stood there a moment, reflecting on her remarks. Debbie was already at the water's edge and called to me to hurry up. "I'll even give you a head start, she said. With this encouragement, I hurried down, anticipating showing her up in this test of swimming strength.

As I went past her, something made me stick my hands out and push Debbie off balance and on her back into the river. I set off across the water, self- satisfied that I would have such a lead. But I heard Debbie come up from her submerged awkward position, fighting mad and yelling, "Wait till I catch you, young lady!"

21.