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''You're not a freak. You just have a problem we're going to fix." |
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"I've got hair down there like Daddy," he said. "And I'm big. Next year in junior high we're gonna have to take showers for swimming. Everybody will laugh at me. Matty with the gorilla dick." He dropped his eyes to the teeth in the box again. "How come it happened to me?" |
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Terry was struggling to sound composed. "I don't know, but it happens to other boys, too, and they get fixed. That's why you have to have more tests. We'll go together Saturday." |
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"What are they going to do to me?" |
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"You're going to have a physical." |
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"Will I have to take my clothes off?" |
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"It's the only way he can examine you." |
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Matty continued to stare into the box of teeth. |
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"Then they're going to take X-rays to see where the problem is. It won't hurt and you can keep your clothes on. I promise, and I'll be right by your side. Okay?" |
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He nodded again. Terry put her arm around him, and when he didn't push her away, she felt a rush of relief. For a minute or so they just sat there quietly, then, in a soft voice, Matty said, "Mom, would you get mad if I used Dad's razor?" |
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"A razor? What for?" But even as she said it, she noticed the dark shadow of sideburns begin to make a line down the sides of his face. Also, wispy hairs were beginning to define a mustache. |
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Matty stood up, and before she knew it, he had pulled off his turtleneck. "This is why." |
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Terry had to bite her tongue from gasping. His chest was a mat of black hair. |
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"See? I'm a freak." Tears filled his eyes. "Say it," he shouted. "Say I'm a freak." |
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"You're not a freak, damn it. Your hormones are out of balance. It happens to other kids, too." |
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"Not like this," he said. His tears were flowing now. "Not like this. I belong in a damn zoo." |
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"Matty, stop it," she said. She could hear the ripple of panic in her voice. "I'm telling you what Dr. Tojian said. It's a condition lots of boys have. You can be cured. You have to believe that." |
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