And then, we moved again, and I went from being the most popular kid in fifth and sixth grades to the new, socially awkward and least popular kid in school. Although we’d moved every two years or so until then, this is the place we stayed for six long years. Right there in Grosse Ile, where money and conformity ruled the waves. My ‘inner boy’ went deep, deep underground and was locked securely in that coal cellar, not that I called it that until years later. Occasionally ‘he’ would peek out, and I’d feel whole, but it never seemed safe to him, so he disappeared again. Then I’d miss him very much, even though I never wanted anyone to know about this crazy idea I had about myself. I was ashamed and wondered what was wrong with me. In my heart and spirit I knew, but I had no words for it at a
