Freshman year in high school, the musical was “The Fantastics”, which it really was. I got called back for the female lead of Luisa, but the role went to a junior, which was fine. I was thrilled to be called back. With such a small cast, I worked on make-up. It was a great, friendly environment and, though still rather shy, I gladly went to the cast party in Bud’s basement. We all mingled and had fun. Claire’s older brother, home from college, paid a lot of attention to me. I was flattered and enjoyed the flirtation.

In 9th grade, I wasn’t yet dating. We went to “make-out” parties at friends’ houses, but always in large groups. We sat in darkened rooms, listened to music and mooshed our mouths together. I suppose the more adventurous did more, but I didn’t.

As the cast party wound down, Claire’s brother asked if he could escort me home. I lived literally around the corner, but the offer was too good to refuse, so of course, I didn’t. His car pulled up in front of my house and he pulled me in to him. We started to make out. Suddenly, I felt something push into my mouth. A primitive instinct took over and I bit down, hard. I could taste something salty, which I later realized was the blood coming from the tip of his tongue. He pulled back quickly, like the wounded animal he was. He didn’t take me up to my door. I went up, shamed that this was how I had responded to my first French kiss. I was sick to my stomach. I tasted the blood for days. I never saw the guy again.

Betsy Pfau
Retired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.