Felicity's Secret 1960

My mother is taking me away from here, Felicity said as we crossed the bomb site beside Meadow Row; we ‘d been to the cinema to see a western film. When and where are you going?I asked. Don’t know when or where, yet, Felicity said, but Mum told me we must go. She said she can’t take any more of my Dad’s ways and his strict religious views, and threatened to take us away from her because she was deemed to go to hell and he said he won’t allow his children to be ruined by her non religious ways, Felicity said. We walked down Arch Street towards Meadow Row. She paused and looked back across the bomb site and watched the traffic pass by on the New Kent Road. What about your young brothers? I asked. She walked on, Mum said she would have to leave them behind, because it would be difficult to find somewhere with them, too, Felicity said, and it would be easier with just her and me, and if he had the boys to look after, he wouldn't be able to go on his religious retreats as he was wont to do. We walked past the pub on the corner and walked down Meadow Row. I couldn’t believe I wouldn't see her again for a long time. We had known each other since infant school and she lived on the floor above mine in the flats. We crossed Rockingham Street once a car went past and up the slope towards the Square.  You mustn’t tell anyone, Felicity said, it’s our little secret. I promised to tell no one. We walked into the Square and towards our block of flats. I had to tell someone, Felicity said, you are the only one I trust to say nothing, because if my dad found out he would stop us. I nodded and we went up the stairs of the flats. We kept silent until we came to my floor. We stood there facing each other. Our secret, Felicity said. I nodded and she leaned forward and kissed me on the lips, then ran up the stairs to her floor above. I stood there sensing her lips still, feeling really alive, as I had never thought I would ever feel.

Reviews

[Vol]

Hmmm,
had a similar thing happen when I was in the nineth grade. We were moving, again, and the lady across the street called me over... it was only the once... I have no idea how old she was, she was an adult, I was fourteen, and got my soul seared in ways I'd had no idea about... when she was through with me, she kissed my lips and promised not to tell on me, and I sure didn't want to tell on her... I don't remember if she had a husband, I'd never noticed, we had only moved there a few months before... I never really think about it, but when I do it's pretty vivid and I have to pause.
Vol