Chapter 15 Chapter Fourteen

August 14, 1952, was the thirteenth birthday of Josephine Zinski.She accepted an invitation from Mary Roe Kennevan to go to a ball.It was also Mary Roe Kennevan's birthday.Josephine's mother forbade her to go. "Those are horrible people," Mrs. Zinski advised her daughter. "It's much better that you stay home and study the Bible." However, Josephine did not want to stay at home.Her friends are not scary.She hoped that through some things, her mother would understand this.As soon as her mother left the house, Josephine took the five dollars she had earned from babysitting, and went to town.In town she bought a beautiful white bathing suit, and then went straight to Mary Roe's house.She had a hunch it was going to be a wonderful day.

Mary Roe Kennivan lived in one of the prettiest houses in the oil world.Her home is filled with ancient relics, valuable ornaments, tapestries and beautiful paintings.The grounds include guest houses, stables, a tennis court, a landing strip for private jets and two swimming pools.The big pool, for the Kennivans and their guests - and the smaller one in the back, for the staff. Mary Rowe has an older brother named David.Josephine saw him often.He was one of the prettiest boys Josephine had ever seen.He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had lovely gray eyes.He is an American football linebacker and received a Rhodes scholarship.Mary Rowe also had a sister named Bette.She died when Josephine was very young.

Today, at this ball, Josephine is always looking around, hoping to find David, but can't find it.David had stopped to talk to her several times in the past, but each time she stood there blushing and said nothing. The dance was a great success.There are fourteen boys and girls.They had a good lunch of roast beef, chicken, potato salad with dried peppers, and lemonade, which were brought out on the verandah by liveried waiters and maids.After dinner, Mary Rowe and Josephine opened their presents, while everyone stood around and commented on them. Mary Rowe said, "Let's all go swimming."

Everyone hurried to the locker room, which is next to the swimming pool.After Josephine changed into her new bathing suit, she felt that she had never been happier.She is spending this beautiful day with her friends.She became one of them, sharing the beauty of everything around her.There is nothing uncomfortable about it.She wanted to stop time, to freeze the day so that it would never end. Josephine came out and walked in the sun.As she made her way to the pool, she began to notice that everyone was watching her.Girls stare with open envy; boys stealthily steal their eyes.In recent months, Josephine's figure has grown visibly.Her breasts were firm and full, holding her bathing suit high.Her buttocks showed the soft curves of a girl.

Josephine plunged into the water and swam with the others. "Let's play Marco Polo," one person yelled. Josephine loves to play this game.She loves swimming in warm water with her eyes closed.She yelled, "Marco!" and the others would answer, "Polo!" Then Josephine would follow their cries, diving in until she caught one, before they swam away.After that, the person who was caught went to catch others. They start playing the game.Sasse Topping called "Marco" first.She likes Bob Jackson.She chased after him, but she couldn't catch him.As a result, she caught Josephine.Josephine closed her eyes tightly and listened to the sound of water being splashed.

"Marco!" she called. All they heard was shouting in unison: "Polo!" She swooped down and grabbed the voice closest to her.She fumbled around under the water and couldn't find anyone. "Marco!" she called again. This time it was another "Polo!" She blindly grabbed again, but it was empty again.They swam faster than she did and she didn't care.She just wanted this game to go on forever, just like she hoped that this day would never end. She stood still, listening for splashes and chuckles, or even a little grunt.With her eyes closed and her hands outstretched, she swam in the pool until she reached the steps.She climbed a step to silence her own splashing.

"Marco!" she called. No answer.She stood there motionless. "Mark!" silence.It seemed that she was standing alone in a warm and humid desert.They set a trap for her.Everyone said well, and no one answered her. Josephine smiled and opened her eyes. Standing alone on the steps of the swimming pool, she felt something was wrong with her body, so she lowered her head to check. The lower part of her white swimsuit was stained red, and a thin stream of blood was dripping down between her two thighs.The children were all standing by the edge of the pool, watching her.She looked up at them with great distress.

"I—" She didn't continue, not knowing what to say.She walked quickly down the steps and into the water to cover her shame. "We don't do that in the pool," said Mary Rowe. "That's what the Poles do," someone said with a laugh. "Hey, let's go take a shower." "Yeah, I find it annoying too." "Who wants to swim in 'the' again?" Josephine closed her eyes and let them go to the shower, leaving her alone.She stood there with her eyes closed, her legs clamped together, trying to hold back the shameful flow of blood.She had never menstruated before and this time was completely unexpected.They might come back in a while and tell her they were just joking around.They were still her friends and happiness never ceased.They'll come back and say it was just a game.Maybe they're back and ready to play.With her eyes closed, she murmured, "Marco!" Her echo died in the afternoon air.She didn't know how long she stood in the water with her eyes closed.

"We don't do that in the pool." "That's what Poles do." Her head started to hurt, very badly.She felt a little nauseous, and suddenly her stomach cramped up.But Josephine knew she would have to stand there with her eyes closed, waiting for them to turn back and tell her they were joking. She heard footsteps and clattering above her.She knew that everything would be fine again.They are back.She opened her eyes and looked up. David, Mary Lou's brother, was standing at the edge of the pool, holding a terry bathrobe. "I'm sorry for them," he said, his voice serious.He handed over the bathrobe. "Come on, put this dress on."

But Josephine stood there with her eyes closed.A little stiff.She wanted to die, the sooner the better.