Reggie turns and shuffles to the door. A memory descends on him like a bird, and he welcomes it. He was fifteen years old. It was the day he met Ida, a spitfire farm girl, one year older. He had moved to Vacca Vale from Gary, Indiana, one week before. Ida’s mother sought his after Mass one Sunday, took her hand, and welcomed her to town. The dads bashfully attempted conversation near the doughnuts and coffee, which left Reggie to stare at Ida, terrified. Puberty was a time of mysterious anguish and constant humiliation. Why am I visible? he wondered every day. But Ida liked being visible, and
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