I keep in my mind the picture of a dear girl friend of mine (not sexually), a 15 year old out in our local hiding place, puking from morning sickness, trying to decide if she is going to kill herself, wondering how to find some backstreet abortion, too terrified to tell her parents, and haunted by how much longer she was going to be able to keep on the school swimming team before it got obvious. The year: 1962. The reason: not well liked, and thought "putting out" would get some respect from the high school senior guys. And knew nothing about her own body. Oh, the dance of romance, the glorious vicious early 60's. (I am not saying this kind of thing has stopped, but some parts have changed in a few places, like the abortion part, thank god). Much of the rest is "guy talk" about playing sexual "chicken" in that era -- and I speak as a confirmed romantic.

yours, Peter T.