INCHES

Our family moved, from Maine, to Virginia, in 1951, when I was 4.
One of the first families we met, I will call the "Claymoors.": Hus-
band "Gerald," wife "Shelley,' and 4-year-old daughter, "Patsy."
Being the same age, Patsy and I were soon fast friends. Our fami-
lies became so close, that Patsy and I began refering to each
other as "cousin."

From the beginning, Paty was taller than me, as well as weighing
more. She was (according to her parents,) "a healthy girl." I, on
the other hand, was a short, skinny, and asthmatic, little boy.

Prior to starting school, Patsy and I were with our mothers all
day. Occasionally, if we got unusually dirty, or if we were "going
visiting," we would be bathed--------------together. While not pleased
to be naked, in the company of a naked girl, I withstood the ordeal
stoically, until Patsy decided that it was her responsibility to wash
ME-----------"everywhere." I managed to avoid this "hands-on"
gesture of friendship.

In first grade, Patsy was placed in the "boys'" group, and I was
placed in the "girls'" group, during chorus. Our mothers maintained
an on-going height and weight management regimen, for Patsy
and me. Patsy, typically, stood 1 or 2 inches taller. Patsy obtained
a tape measure, and supervised frequent "height checks," for us.
At one point, she suggested that other, intimate, areas of my anat-
omy, be measured. I demurred.

When I was 13, I joined my parents,on a vacation trip to Florida.
When we started, I was 5' 2", and"tubby." At this point, I outweighed
Patsy, but she was still taller.

By the mid-point of the vacation, I noticed that my clothes did not fit
properly. My shirts and pants seemed to have shrunk. Out came the
trusty tape measure. Lo and Behold: I had gained 3" in height, I was
no longer short or tubby.

When we arrived home, my parents went to their bedroom, to rest.
After I unloaded and washed the car, I called Paty. Once I completed
my report, regarding what I had done and seen, I said, "Something
strange happened; I grew 3 inches." In an excited voice, Patsy asked, "WHERE"?

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