lacetoourselves.Wouldyoulikealemonade?"

    Shemightaswellhavebeenwearinganapron,andIsmokingapipe.Shebroughtthedrinksandsatonthecouch.Idrankmineinasingleswigandsatoherseasychair.Wesat;wewaited.Iheardacrashofcymbalsinmymindsear.

    "Whydontyouesitbesideme,Henry?"

    Obedientpup,Itrottedoverwithawaggingtailandlollingtongue.ersinterlocked.Ismiled.Shesmiled.Alongkiss—howlongyoukiss?Myhandonherbarestomaeathherblousetriggeredapent-upprimalurge.Icircledmywaynorth.Shegrabbedmywrist.

    "Henry,Henry.Thisisalltoomuch."Sallypantedandfannedherselfwithherflutteringhands.Irolledaursedmylips,andblew.HowcouldIhavemisinterpretedhersignals?

    SallyundressedsoquicklythatIalmostfailedtonoticethetransition.Asifpushingabutton,offcameherblouseandbra,herskirt,slip,socks,andunderwear.Throughthewholeact,shebrazenlyfacedme,smiliifically.Ididloveher.Ofcourse,Ihadseenpicturesinthemuseum,BettiePagepinupsandFrenchpostcards,butimageslackbreadthah,andartisntlife.Partofmepulledforward,desperatetolaymyhandsuponherskin,butthemerepossibilityheldmeback.Itookastepinherdire.

    "No,no,no.Iveshowedyoumine;nowyouhavetoshowmeyours."

    NotsinceayoungboyattheswimmingholehadItakenoffmyclothesinfrontofanyoneelse,muchlessastranger,andIwasembarrassedattheprospect.Butitishardtorefusewhenanakedgirlmakestherequest.SoIstripped,thewholetimewatgherwatgme.IhadprogressedasfarasmyboxerswhenInoticedthatshehadasmalltriangleofhairatthenotchofher,andIwaspletelybare.Hopingth