Day Three of Jay home late.

Blecheroo. Tonight is night class for Papa Forderer. I keep looking at the clock. Seven fifteen means I can legitimately put Monty down. Then Lula at eight-thirty. Then Sam at nine.

Then me. On the couch. Like a slug.

I think I may watch "Ray" tonight. I can't believe I am so unprepared for the Academy Awards this year. Usually I make it my job to see most of the best pictures. I think I have actually gone to maybe three movies in the past year. Probably my worst stat since I was like fourteen and didn't have any money for the movies.

When I was eleven I remember going with my big sis Jen and her friend Rosanna D'ariano to the movies. I can't remember which movie we were SUPPOSED to see, because we didn't see that one. We went to see "Little Darlings" with Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neill.

I had hardly a clue what they were talking about in that movie. The big 'losing the virginity' contest was completely lost on me. I did (like every other girl on the planet) fall in love with Matt Dillon that day. A one sided romance that lasted at least until The Flamingo Kid.

I kept asking Jen what are they talking about? She shh'd me and told me to watch the movie. After on the bus home I kept asking her questions about the movie. She told me not to worry about it. AND NOT TO TELL MOM WE WENT TO SEE LITTLE DARLINGS. I am pretty sure I kept the secret. Even though my lack of knowledge burned a hole in my young head.

The hole didn't burn for long, though. A few months later Jen had a copy of the book "Forever" by Judy Blume between her mattresses and I got a hold of that puppy and learned myself all there was to know.

And then some.

Big sisters.... The best source of info if you know how to spy.

A.