13 Comments
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Elaine Kasket's avatar

Oh my lord, you actually wrote a note confessing to the whole thing?! I didn't expect you to say that...that's extremely conscientious behaviour, considering the nature of the situation. Great piece, Hal!

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you, Elaine. Yes... A little voice must've spoken to me that said honesty is the best policy. I'm glad for that ending to the story. H

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Janet's avatar

Who is this young thirteen-year-old boy we are talking about here? I myself, have never met him. The only wild thing a son of mine was guilty of was ‘skipping school’ and hanging out at the ping ball machine store on Mantua. Other than that, he was a dutiful, kind-hearted, honor roll student, (Petersons’🤗) charming and loving son! ❤️❤️❤️ Ma

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Hal Walker's avatar

Believe what you will, ma. ❤️

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Tricia Gourley's avatar

Yes totally a rite of passage for teenagers in the 70s! Not just the boys. I remember finding them in my uncles basement when babysitting my niece and nephew. And peeking through them. Your story took me back to those feelings of curiosity, excitement and shame.

Hope you enjoy this beautiful day.

Love ❤️

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Hal Walker's avatar

Hi Tricia! Thank you. :). H

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Betsy Zajko's avatar

Great story, Hal! Peeking at a Playboy purloined from a neighborhood dad must have been a rite of passage for kids who grew up in the 70's. You sparked some memories for me. How innocent those days were that at the time felt terribly naughty and shameful.

I was at Lakeside in Marblehead last weekend and heard about the party. I wish I could have been there, it would have been lovely to see Jeff, Julie, David, Margot and you.

xo B

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Hal Walker's avatar

Hi Betsy. Thanks so much for your comment. I was so glad to get out of the house and be among friends. I look forward to seeing you the next time. H

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Howard Hobbs's avatar

When our oldest son was in 5th or 6th grade, we bought a copy of “Our Bodies, Ourselves “ and gave it him to read, look at the pictures, etc. It was an up-to-date, non-judgemental source of sexual information…he wasn’t interested. We never saw him read it, and after awhile it disappeared. Oh well…so much for modern sex education. Months later (or was it years?) we found the book under his mattress.

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Hal Walker's avatar

This is hilarious, Howard. I love it. H

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Puck's avatar

I laughed so hard reading this! I also remember when a certain sister discovered a little boy who will remain unnamed’s copy of a Victoria Secret catalog under the mattress when the boy was about four or five while helping to clean bedrooms. How did that precocious boy know that was the hiding spot?!

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Hal Walker's avatar

Lol. The adjustable bed that I'm in today doesn't have a mattress to put anything under. It's just one unit... I have nothing to hide though, so it's ok. :). H

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Emma Kitchen's avatar

💫📕

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