Chapter 1

Marion’s journey began in the sun-kissed embrace of a tiny beach town in Southern California in the historic year of 1976, the bicentennial celebration marking the nation’s two-hundredth birthday. Born on the 24th of May, in the vibrant spring season, Marion’s parents embraced the joy of having a single, cherished child.

Growing up as the focal point of her parent’s attention, Marion’s mother, the nurturing force, attended to her every need. Both parents, however, instilled in her the values of education and ambition. Raised in the atmosphere of academia, Marion’s mother, herself a teacher, imparted a love for learning and discipline. Public school became the stage for developing social skills. Still, her education was carefully tailored to prepare her for college, a path set before entering high school.

Despite the focus on academics, Marion’s parents allowed her to partake in the quintessential experiences of high school life. Homecomings, spring balls, and proms adorned her teenage years, each event accompanied by the splendor of brand-new dresses. With an athletic spirit, Marion enthusiastically engaged in various sports – a trait nurtured by her mother’s active involvement. The two often found themselves running together, forging a bond that extended beyond the confines of familial ties.

While Marion basked in the normalcy of adolescence, her father’s mysterious profession added an intriguing layer to her family’s story. An engineer for the Navy stationed in San Diego, his work was shrouded in secrecy due to classified projects. His civilian contractor role often took him away for months, serving in submarines. Though the specifics were veiled, Marion, armed with knowledge of his background in nuclear physics, deduced the covert nature of his naval endeavors.

The sacrifices made in service of classified projects translated into financial prosperity for Marion’s family. Their house stood as a testament to their upscale lifestyle, a stark contrast to the modest residences in their community. Marion’s prom nights were adorned with brand-new dresses, symbolizing the affluence her father’s career afforded them.

In the halls of high school, Marion’s popularity bloomed, fueled in part by her family’s wealth. While money may have cast its shadow, Marion navigated the challenges of adolescence with a semblance of normalcy. The occasional cuts and abrasions were the only blemishes on an otherwise charmed existence, with no broken bones or serious injuries marring her youthful vigor.

As Marion’s teenage years unfolded against the backdrop of a privileged upbringing, the foundations of her future immortal journey were laid. The echoes of her seemingly ordinary childhood would reverberate through the corridors of time, influencing the course of her extraordinary, millennia-spanning life.

In the realm of adolescent exploration, Hills (Marion’s childhood clubhouse) hosted more than just innocent gatherings; it became a haven for the multifaceted experiences of growing up, including the delicate dance of flirtation. Nestled in the backyard, the 10 x 10 metal shed with its foam insulation became the epicenter of this transformative journey, where the air buzzed with youthful energy, curiosity, and a subtle undercurrent of burgeoning desires.

The shed, a testament to parental ingenuity, stood as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of teenage camaraderie. Assembled with care by one of their parents, its current residence in the backyard hinted at the shared memories and secrets within its walls. A canvas for self-expression, the group could furnish it as they pleased, turning the humble space into a reflection of their collective personality.

Venturing inside the shed through the sliding door, often left open to welcome the outside breeze, revealed its inner sanctum. Two worn-out couches, a couple of chairs, and a central table created an intimate space where the boundaries between friendship and something more blurred with each passing day. The fan hummed rhythmically, its gentle breeze tempering the occasional warmth, creating an atmosphere ripe for the unfolding tales of adolescence.

Playful flirtation found its place amid the cozy confines of the club. As discussions veered into the realm of relationships, laughter echoed off the metal walls, punctuated by teasing glances and subtle innuendos that added a layer of complexity to the dynamics between Marion and her peers.

“Truth or dare?” someone would propose, igniting a spark of excitement within the group. Dares, once innocent, now held the potential for flirtatious challenges that prompted blushing cheeks and shared laughter. The old fridge, not just a repository for chilled sodas but a silent accomplice to the evolving dynamics, bore witness to Hills’ gradual transformation from a children’s club into a space where the nuances of teenage romance unfolded.

In this unassuming metal shed, the air crackled with the charged energy of adolescence. As friendships deepened and flirtations teased the edges of innocence, Hills became more than a clubhouse; it became an arena of self-discovery, where Marion and her peers learned about each other and the intricate tapestry of emotions that comes with growing up.

One of those subjects was the difference between girls and boys. As Marion recalls, she was in her elementary grade school years, not sure which, but one summer, the discussions got around to sex, and not knowing very much about sex at the time made the debate limited. The first thing they voted for was for all to get undressed and see what they got. They were so naïve then that they did not even close the door. They started getting undressed, and there were three girls and three boys ranging in age from 10 to 11 standing looking at each other, and they were naked. They did not know what else to do, so they paired up and started caressing each other and touching things, touching vaginas and penises and pristine nipples. The boys thought it was funny that the girls did not have a penis, and the girl said it was funny that they did. In the proceedings, the boys all got hard-ons, and the girls laughed at them.

Kids are naïve, and when Marion’s parents come out to check on them, they discover they are naked and tell them to put their clothes on and never do that again. They still met as a club and had discussions but had to do it with the chaperones, so their talks were no longer as intimate as Marion could have hoped. When Marion got her period, her mother brought her a book called The Joy of Sex.

Her mother told her, “Read it cover to cover. If you have questions, I will be glad to answer them for you. But first, you need a concrete foundation of knowledge on the subject to which I can reference.”

Since the book has pictures, Marion spent the rest of the day examining them all. Some diagrams had medical descriptions. Marion found that fascinating and started reading. Marion spent the summer reading that book cover to cover multiple times, and then Marion put it away as a reference for usual sexual encounters. When Marion read the book, she did not have many questions from her mother. Marion had one question: “Mom, why did you give me this book? It seems to be a book more attuned with adults than children.”