Age of Innocence

With explicit, daring sex scenes bombarding us everywhere we turn, I grieve for the sweet, innocent love of my childhood. I remember a feeling that arose when I was just tossing a ball to a young neighborhood boy. I was around nine or ten years old. Butler and I played together almost every day. We had no special relationship. When the neighborhood gang was playing Monopoly, Butler would always help me out by slipping me money or not charging me when I landed on his property but basically he was just another playmate on the street.

This day was different. We were alone in his living room just tossing a ball back and forth. A sudden silence seemed to engulf the room. The atmosphere changed. I knew Butler was as aware of this feeling as I was. No words were spoken. We just kept looking at each other. Our actions (tossing the ball) seemed locked in slow motion. A sweetness telegraphed itself between us. Maybe there was a small, shy smile. I felt as if I had been removed from my familiar surroundings and was living in enchanted time.

The enchantment was broken when his grandmother entered the room with a tray of cookies but to this day I remember that moment. I think this was my first stirring of romantic feelings.

Butler was also my first “date”. A Saturday matinee that I wanted to see was on at the Princess Theatre. My sister, Gloria, could not go with me that day so I called Butler. Different boys and girls on the street would often go together to the Saturday special. but again this occasion was different. This time it was just the two of us. I don’t remember how we got to the Theater. We probably walked. Butler stepped right up to the ticket window and bought two tickets. I remember it cost 50 cents. As he escorted me down the aisle of the darkened theatre I thought, “This is a real date. This is my first date.”

And,(is it surprising?) Butler also gave me my first kiss. The neighborhood gang was playing “Hide and Seek” and Butler and I found ourselves both hiding in the Hen House. Butler kissed me gently and said “Don’t you dare tell anybody about this.” Until now I never have.