Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 06:25:07 EDT
From: Writeonjay@aol.com
Subject: Good trip 16

                 "You have to understand,Kevin"I said,"That there is a genetic
disorder something similer to the ones that cause some  children to age
at a very fast rate,often dying of old age at the age of ten,or 12,real
years.What I was born with is just the opposite.I physicaly change at a
rate of about one year every two and a half years.I've been told this
condition has resulted in fairy tales about elves,and others that live
forever,or at least a lot longer than "ordinary'people.I was almost five,
before my parents realized I had the mental ability,and vocabulary,of
my  true age group,but was only begining to walk,and still wore clothes
of a size belonging to a normal two year old."
           "Jesus,"Kevin exclaimed,"Didn't your folks realise something was
wrong before that!
           "From what I've been told,"I explaind,"My parents were somewhat
uneducated,and very low income. We lived out n the country,and it was
only when they tried to enrole me in kindergarden that the authorities
got involved.A big time medical school professor got wind of me,and
apparently convinced the state to take me away from my Mom and Dad
and 'study' me,so I spent the next 10 years living in a goddamn laboratory.I had
a really good education,but, no family life,or love .
             When I was 16,and appeared to be about 7 or 8,I just said "Fuck it",and
walked away one afternoon.All I had was a couple of dollars in change,so I got on a
bus that said 'Downtown Express" on it.I had,of course,been off the school
campus before,but always accompanied by adults,so,just being alone
gave me a big rush.
              When  the bus was passing a ocean beach,I got off at the next stop,and
wandered around for awhile.I began to feel a little hungry,so I stopped at a food
cart,but,quickly realized I didn't have enough money to get anything but a candy
bar,so, shaking my head ,turned around and ran smack into a guy standing
behind me.I mumbled a "Sorry",and step'd around him,but he put his hand on my
shoulder,and said,"Dont rush off.You look like you could use a 'burger and fries.
How about I buy us a couple,and we sit down and get to know each other a bit?"
               He was younger than me in years,(about fourteen),but looked  older
than I did,so I figured why not."Thanks,"I said,"I must have lost my wallet,and I
 am kind of hungry.
            With a cheerfull"No problem'.he order'd for both of us.and while waiting
for the food stuck his hand out and said,"I'm Ned.What do you call yourself?"
           "Ben".I replyd,as the food was handed over the counter,and we walked
over,and past a nearby bench,to a path that led into a grove of trees,and
another bench that was rather secluded.
           Sitting down,Ned commented,"This is a little more private ,just in case
someone might be looking for you,Ben".
            That kind of startled me,and I asked,"What do you mean"?
            "Hell,Kid,I've been following you for the last hour,and a guy your age
stands out down here like a  bunny rabbit in a wolf pack.I'm amazed someone
hasn't hit on you  before now.You really don't know where you are?"
            "I don't understand."I replied."This is the first time I've been to this
beach,or any other one by myself.Did I do something wrong?"
           "No,nothing wrong,"He assured me,"But,this is a place where a lot of
chickenhawks hang out looking for a prime piece of meat like you.So.if you
want i"ll walk over to the bus stop with you,and you can get headed back
where you belong."