Alex was a well-liked friend of the family, so when he asked me out to see The English Patient, I begged my mom to let me go. Sure I was only 16 and he was 17, but he was trusted. Mom finally relented.



The next night I dressed in my favorite short red skirt and a white sweater. Alex picked me up at 8:00. Mom let me put on earrings, the clip on kind, and lipstick.



My first surprise was that