This morning I had a friend request on Facebook. To preface: Those who've read Kritzerland, the middle book in the trilogy, may recall a character in the last twenty pages called Betty Bremers, someone Benjamin becomes friends with in junior high school, and hangs out with after his only "friend" shines him on. In fact, he shares his first real kiss with Betty in the back row of the Four Star Theater seeing Where the Boys Are. I have, over the years, searched for the real Betty but no luck - and yes, I used her real name for the book.
Well, this morning's friend request was from Betty Breemer - no wonder I've never been able to find her - I'd lost an "e" and added an "s" - the latter probably because of the singer Beverly Bremers. And yes, it was THE Betty. I accepted her friend request, then went to PM her and she'd sent ME a message that had gone to my "other" folder on Facebook - I do not understand the purpose of the "other" folder and find it extremely irritating. She remembered me well and spoke of a date we had seeing West Side Story. I of course remember that, but also reminded her about seeing Where the Boys Are in the back row of the Four Star, leaving out the part regarding the kiss. She wrote back immediately and said she remembered Where the Boys Are, adding "My first kiss." Isn't that funny? We're talking something that happened fifty-five YEARS ago. I told her about the Kritzer books and will be sending her a set.