literature

Memory Four

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Literature Text

I first came across the concept of puberty through my neighbour, Ben. I was 9 years old at the time. His brother, Shaun, was 8.

What I noticed about Ben's changes was not the timbre of his voice or the hairiness of his chest, rather it was the way he suddenly began to withdraw inside himself. His room became a fortress. Playtime was non-existent. My once close friend had now evolved into an empty shell, discarding our childish ways and retiring to the depths of his own mind.

I figured that what was good enough for Ben was good enough for me, so I decided to do the same. I climbed the highest tree in our yard, placed 'branch barriers' all around my proximity and stayed up there until Shaun came over. I did not look as he approached.

“What are you doing?” he yelled, turning his gaze upward.
“I'm maturing.” I replied in my deepest, most sophisticated voice.
“Oh. Can I mature too?”
I turned my head in what I hoped was a regal manner, and flicked my hand lazily toward him in a dismissive gesture. He ran home.

Later, when his mother returned from work, I heard him tell her all about it.
“Mum, Caitlin is maturing. Did you know that?”
1998.
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Lessthantomorrow's avatar
LOL a hairy chest, at 9 years old?? What do kids eat over there?