Chapter 2

Tuesday, September 14, 1954

I came downstairs still naked, I had remembered what Mrs. Carney said about doing 'outreach' and planned to walk to school naked.

Dad looked from the newspaper, "looks like you made the front page."

He handed the paper to me and I read the main headline:

President Nixon Orders Marines to Indochina.

"This doesn't have anything to do with me."

"No, below the fold."

I turned the paper over and looked at the headline:

New Sex Education Program Begins in Evanston Schools, Students to Attend Classes in the Nude.

I scanned the article briefly.

"It doesn't mention my name."

"If you ask me the whole thing is ridiculous," Helga remarked, setting a plate of what had once been toast on the table. "what do they think you children will learn from running about all day with your clothes off?"

"Search me, I just do what they tell me."

"Can I go to school naked?" my little brother Gerry asked.

"Not today, but I'm sure they'll still have this program when you're in high school," Dad responded. He looked at his wristwatch. "You boys had better get going."

I took my books and walked to school. When I got there, I wished I'd worn clothes. The lawn in front of the school was covered with protesters of one sort or another. There were members of the Legion of Decency, the Anti-Sex League, the Campaign Against Working Women, and, right in the middle of the crowd, Susie's grandmother.

Dodging insults and a couple of rocks, I found Jerry at the front entrance. He was taking his clothes off, supervised by Mrs. Carney.

"I see you got a head start," he remarked.

"I figured I'd start doing that outreach. Anyway, have you seen Susie?"

"No, why? You think she got scared off by this mob?"

"Look," I pointed out Susie's grandmother, who had stopped to talk to a priest.

"Who's that?" Mrs. Carney asked.

"Susan Aquila's grandmother. Susie lives with here, and you can see what she thinks about this whole thing."

"Oh dear, that's not good at all. The rules of the Program state that participants have to remove their clothes before entering the school. That's why we have these bins." She pointed to wooden boxes at her feet marked with each of our names. Margie West had already deposited her clothing in hers.

"If she sees Susie taking her clothes off..."

"The rules say she has to take her clothes off at the entrance, they don't say which entrance. One of you boys find her and take her around the back. That way the grandmother won't see anything."

Jerry and I went in opposite directions to look for her. I found her cowering behind Brenda Frank and told them both to follow me. I led them to the door to the woodshop class.

"You'll have to take your clothes off out here," I explained. Susie nodded and complied while I turned my back. When she'd finished I took her clothes out front to Mrs. Carney and went to Algebra.

I had made arrangements with the guys on the swimming team to make sure someone walked Susie to every class, so I was sure she wouldn't get harassed anymore.

Brenda stood next to me again in the showers after gym.

"Thanks for helping Susie out."

"Really, it was no problem."

"Are you busy after school?"

"I have swimming practice."

"Excellent, I'll meet you in the locker rooms."

According to the rules of the Naked in School Program, I was required to use the girls' locker room. It was deserted except for Brenda, who watched me shower.

"So what did you have in mind we do?" I asked.

"I was thinking we could go to the drugstore, get a milkshake."

I smiled. Somehow this crazy program had gotten me a date.

"Alright, but I'll need to go home and get dressed first."