Sheila came to convince me to give in and go swimming. She told me I was so lucky ? that I was naturally slim and had a body that the other boys would... kill for. I should be proud of the way I look and shouldn't be embarrassed. Then she asked me where my bathing suits were. I told her that I wouldn't wear them. She said she didn't expect me to; she just wanted to see them. I opened the drawer and pulled out the bag. She looked through the bag and pulled one out. It was a simple one-piece suit. And we were set to sail on the morning of my birthday.It took 7 hours to reach Mangalore. All the trucks with our stuff were standing in front of a double story building. In front of the gate was a fat man with an ugly face. He seemed to be somewhat 50 years old man. My dad and the old fat man talked and shook hands. The fat man handed the keys to my dad and was off upstairs. I asked the workers to get all our stuff in place and we were all set in our new home by 12 noon. My dad rushed, saying. Before you can answer I blurt out “34C!” which makes both of you laugh as I blush. The saleswoman tells us she thinks they still have that size in stock and asks you if you want to try it on. With a big grin you say “yeah I do!” to which the enchanting redhead tells us to wait for her at the changing booths. As you walk in front of me my hands slightly touch your waist as my fingers tickle you teasingly. Soon after we arrive at the booths the saleswoman re-appears with the set in her. "I probably sound pathetic. Don't I?" I said, looking up into his face, which was still faintly smiling; and his eyes searching my face. It felt naked in front of him, and I liked how that felt."Your not pathetic at all," he replied."Yeah, right," I said, swirling the dregs of my latte."No," he said. "Really. Your not pathetic. Your," and he paused as if searching for the right word, and then added: "lonely. Neglected. Overlooked. Taken for granted. Ignored."We made eye contact. His word choice.
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