My first crush introduced me to racial issues that I hadn’t faced before in childhood. I lived in Connecticut at the time and white girls in the 60’s didn’t date black boys. I only knew he made me laugh and we enjoyed so many things in common. Not once did the ten year old realize his skin color was different than hers. I miss our friendship Jimmy, you were my very first young love.
I was 10 yrs old, stupid, silly and with a head full of imagination. I was hanging on my gate on a summer vacation afternoon and saw a family move their stuff the house next to mine. I watched with feigned disinterest as the furniture was moved in. By evening the family that was going to reside in that house came in a Maruti 800. Out came the mum, dad and three sons. I watched their procession inside the house, holding their suitcases, bedding, baskets and bags. All three sons were dashing, smart and adolescent Punjabi boys. The parents moved in snobbish, and so did the sons, but my eyes were fixed on the youngest one.
He was dribbling a basketball with loads of attitude as he went inside. My heart fluttered, and I didn’t know what this feeling is called. Time went by, and their home became a fortress…
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lyncrain 