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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Beyond the Gates” cc&d (v252) (the Nov./Dec. 2014 Issue) You can also order this 6"x9" issue as a paperback book:

Order this writing in the book One Solitary Word the cc&d July - Dec. 2014 collection book		get the 402 page July - Dec. 2014 cc&d magazine issue collection 6" x 9" ISBN# paperback book:

A Skinny Dipping Experience Turns into an Opportunity for Personal Growth

Dr. (Ms.) Michael S. Whitt

    Manda paced between Jen’s bed and dresser. She twirled a lock of her long curly reddish-brown hair around an index finger. Jen was on the bed filing her nails. Daphne and Carol were looking at Jen’s records for a Bruce Springsteen CD to play when Don Henley’s was finished.
    “Do you think your folks are asleep?” Manda whispered
    “I believe so, Manda. It’s 11:20.”
    “Surely we can escape if we’re quiet,” suggested Daphne.
    “Let’s give it a try,” Carolyn agreed.
    Jen unhooked the screen on a window and slipped out. Manda sat on the sill and jumped down. The two waited for Daphne and Carolyn to follow. Manda and Jen tiptoed across the yard. Carolyn and Daphne, giggling softly, followed. When the quartet reached the street they were a short walk from Lake Silver.
    Manda whispered, “Let’s run, Jen.”
    Manda and Jen ran followed by their two friends. They were soon at the lake. Some of the lake property belonged to Carolyn’s family. They could have gone swimming there, but Manda suggested, “Let’s not go in at your place, Carolyn. We need the dock next door.”
    “I agree.” Daphne responded. “If we put them there, we can get them if someone comes.” Jen and Carolyn agreed. They shed their clothes and frolicked in the water.
    “I love skinny dipping!” Manda exclaimed as she emerged from an underwater swim. She propelled her tall form above the water. “I love it as much as I love playing basketball. Manda splashed water on Carolyn’s long blonde hair.
    Carolyn splashed Manda and said, “Manda, we’re going to be the best ever. And you’re going to be the only sophomore on the first string.”
    “We are,” Manda agreed. “With you, Daphne, me, and our other teammates on the A-String, I doubt that we’ll lose any games.” With that Manda splashed water on Daphne’s shiny black hair. Daphne giggled as her slender body disappeared under water.
    In seconds Jen shrieked, “Ouch! What is that?”
    “It’s me,” Daphne replied as she surfaced laughing.
    “She pinched you, didn’t she, Jen?” Manda asked. “When we’re cheerleading together we will have to watch that brat.”
    “You’d better watch what you’re saying, Manda Blake!” Daphne exclaimed. “Otherwise, when I’m the senior yearbook editor and you’re the assistant editor and a junior, I’ll work you to death.” She giggled showing that she was joking. The girls were gleefully wrapped up in their swim. Nothing outside their circle of friendship entered their awareness; nothing until they heard a male voice from the dock near shore.
    It chuckled and asked, “Well, what is this?”
    They looked up and saw his form moving toward their clothes. Each girl rushed toward the dock, grabbed her garments, and frantically began to dress. While Manda was struggling to put hers on, she discovered with horror her bra was missing. She looked up and saw the intruder, John J. Harris III, walking to his car with her bra. She must have missed the bra, leaving it the sole item on the dock.
    “Johnny has my bra!” Manda gasped. She had a nauseous feeling in her stomach. Amanda thought this would happen to me. I have the smallest boobs of anyone here. I wear a padded bra because I don’t want to look flat. Now Johnny has that bra, and everyone will know. She looked at her breasts and thought, they are too small. That they were shaped like lovely teacups did not enter her perceptions. She realized she had to do something. She began to feel more desperate. She thought if Jen asked for the bra, he would think it was hers. Although Manda knew Jen had grapefruit sized breasts, she did not see this would make it obvious the bra wasn’t hers.
    “Jen, please go get it for me. Tell him it’s yours.”
    “Manda, do you think that’ll work?”
    “Yes, no, yes, I don’t know. Oh Jen, please try. I’m more embarrassed than I’ve ever been.” She could feel her face getting warm. She was weeping.
    “Manda, I’m going. Try not to be upset,” Jen said. Jen sauntered up to Johnny’s car and demanded the bra.
    Johnny chuckled and replied, “This isn’t your bra. I want this bra’s owner to come get it.”
    Jen did her best. Manda had no choice but to walk to his car. Her uncomfortable state was worsened when she saw her bra hanging from his mirror. Manda wished that she could disappear.
    “Give me my bra.” Manda requested in a calm voice, although she did not feel serene. She was grateful that the water dripping down her face hid her tears.
    Johnny smiled at Manda and handed it to her, “Okay, Manda. Congratulations on being elected cheerleader; I know Daphne and Jen are glad you’re on the squad.”
    “Thanks Johnny,” Manda responded. She could feel her face hot from blushing. She was where she almost wished she was dead.
    Until Sunday Amanda anguished about the teasing her small breasts and bra would receive from Johnny’s school friends. She followed an impulse to remove her top and bra. Manda looked at her breasts in her mirror. For the first time since she had started comparing them to others, they looked good.
    “I’m small, but I’m not flat. My boobs are pretty,” She said aloud. “No more bras for you. Jen needs one of the uncomfortable things. I don’t!”
    She went to school braless Monday for the first time since mid-seventh grade. She was still in a state of dread regarding the teasing. Much to Manda’s surprise none occurred.
    “Hi Johnny,” Manda said to him as she walked up to him at his locker, “Bless you.”
    “Hi Good Looking,” Johnny said.“Did I ever tell you that you have the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen? And your blessings are welcome, but what are you blessing me for?”
    “You are a great guy and I like you,” Amanda responded with a smile.
    It was Johnny’s turn to blush. He looked at her with wide eyes, an enormous grin, and gushed, “Gosh, thanks. That means a lot to me, Manda.”
    Later Amanda realized that he did not know why she was blessing him. It never occurred to him to tell anyone about Friday evening’s events. Manda felt happy and relieved. She thought Johnny is a boy with true possibilities. He’ll probably ask me out, and if he doesn’t, I’ll ask him. What ever the case when we do go out, I’ll thank him for making me realize I don’t need a bra.
    As Manda moved to class, she realized she had some important realizations. She had learned sometimes when a situation seems terrible, it turns out good. I was horrified at the time about my bra, but it turned into experiences in which I learned important things. In her last interaction with Johnny, she discovered she had strong feelings for him. She felt his feelings toward her. She never knew she could feel that strongly. She was learning to love her body. She realized she was brainwashed that she couldn’t be considered attractive if the of her breasts’ sizes did not fit a rigid definition. This knowledge was important to her.

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