A BOAT NAMED "MY FIRST KISS"

On my morning walk (well, it was just past noon) around the Marina, I noticed a boat named "My First Kiss". This inspired an immediate Proust moment when I actually remembered my first kiss. (Oh that I could remember what I had for lunch yesterday, or even if we had lunch).

It was when I was in the first grade (teacher: Miss Bliven), and I had a rather large crush on Georgie. My so called girlfriends made it known to the boys' side of the playground, and I soon got the message that he too was somewhat smitten.

I do not remember the exact time frame - I think I'm doing pretty good as it is - but I most certainly do remember that soon after, when the school bell rang at 3 o'clock and I was going down the steps to leave, Georgie dashed up the stairs and planted a hard smooch - right on my lips!

Everyone around me went into fits of giggles, but I was struck down with shock, horror, and deep shame, certain I had just committed a grave sin. Remember, this was long before TV, and little kids didn't go to movies - no, my only reference to such things was listening with my grandmother to "Our Gal Sunday" on the radio.

On my long, lonely walk home, with each step my guilt increased, until when I finally got there I was desperate to confess. I ran into my mother's arms, tears flowing, babbling "A boy just kissed me - on the mouth!!!"

Dear mother tried to console me, pointing out that no, it definitely wasn't a sin, neither major nor minor, and actually, this is what most boys and girls do eventually, that is when they are older, of course. Really? Ugh!

It was difficult for me to go to school the next day, but I did. The Georgie crush was definitely stopped in its tracks, and with head bowed, I dedicated myself completely and with great fervor to my studies.

And now that I think of it, I probably owe Georgie a great debt. Because instead of spending my class time scribbling "G loves C", I tended diligently to my sums, and as you know once one gets a reputation as a diligent student, one is obligated, if not forced, to sustain this image.

All of which leads me at this very late date to wonder......would I have been quite so dedicated a student if Georgie hadn't kissed me in Miss Bliven's first grade class?

Cimadb