The First Time (5 Short Stories)
The First Time
(5 Short Stories)
Guild Press
Alexander Goodman
$1.50
Excerpt
“Please don’t go yet. Stay awhile and I’ll take more pictures of you.” The man sounded desperate. “Wait. I’ll give you a dollar if you’ll let me take another picture of you.”
The boy stopped. He thought of the story he might have for Jerry Collins. “How would I get it?” he asked, thinking, I’ll just find out what’s on this guy’s mind. Maybe I’ll learn what Jerry meant when he said this guy was “queer.” Could it mean the funny way he talked about girls?
“Just take off your trunks and let me take a picture.”
“No!” said Jimmy.
It felt strange to have this grown man begging to take a picture of him. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Few grownups, aside from his mother and father had shown more than a passing interest in him. He walked over to get his clothes, but the man rushed to stand in front of them.
“Aw, c’mon, Jimmy. I’m not gonna hurt you. Just let me take one picture. I just want a souvenir of you.”
“No. Let me get my clothes.” There’s something nutty about this guy. I’d better get out of here right now.
“Sure, Jimmy, I’ll let you get your clothes, but don’t be afraid of me. Just let me take one picture. Pull down your trunks and I’ll take it of your back, just your back.”
“No, I told you.” He wanted to run, but he couldn’t without his clothes. How could he ride home in his trunks? How could he explain what happened to his mother?
“Your face won’t even be showing. No one’ll be able to tell it’s you.”
Jimmy took a step toward the rock, but when the man reached out for him, he stepped back again.
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