Part I
Chapter 1 – Summer 1998
Pops wasn’t around long enough to stop insecurity from bogarting my sexual peak. Do normal people say bogart? I hear it all the time here in Memphis but never came across it in SAT prep. Anyway, the “bogart” happened at a sleepover when I was eight. Two boys. Three girls: only one counted. Though unfamiliar with my own breasts – no, we got acquainted years later outside of Mrs. Lester’s classroom– that night I became familiar with theirs.
Granted, that’s likely more detail than the medical form requested when it asked if I’m sexually active. But this form, this appointment, hell, even clocks are all ganging up on me to keep me from my date with Kelly this Saturday.
“Here you go, all done.”
“Thank you, I’ll call you back up in a minute.”
See, peaking that early ruined me. Fear and anxiety that night with Michelle created the perfect blueprint for my fumbling Kelly. That’s why she was tonguing down someone else at Audubon Park a few months ago. And me selling out Eddie to impress Michelle is why fate made sure my best friend was at that park with Kelly, too.
“You’re here to see Dr. Dotson. Do you have your insurance card?”
“Ummm…”
“Oh wait, you’re Shirley’s son. I gotcha. Have a seat. We’ll call you back in a few.”
I mean, I’m probably exaggerating by saying “sexual peak,” but I tend to do that. You know, build up things bigger in my head? Sadly, it’s probably the peak so far, though.