Can I bum a cigarette?

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    vivian chen

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    Have you ever been a smoker? ___Yes ___No
    How often? For how long?

    Whenever I see those questions on the heath survey you get at the doctor’s office, I never know how to answer. Technically, I did smoke cigarettes… when I was twelve. But does a few cigarettes a week or maybe a few more if I was with friends at Knott’s Berry Farm for the day actually count?

    I started smoking to be “cool” of course. But there was nothing cool about that first time I tried it. My best friend Cynthia and I climbed up onto the platform that counted as our treehouse in my backyard one afternoon with our contraband. Back in the early 80s you could actually sneak into a restaurant and buy a pack of cigarettes from a vending machine. People either didn’t catch us or just looked the other way. And like many a Gen Xer, was also a latchkey kid. A great combination for getting up to no good.

    We huddled over the pack of Marlboros and clumsily pulled one out. How are you supposed to hold this thing? I held the cigarette between my fingers trying to mimic what I’d seen in the movies, while Cynthia tried to strike the match. After a few failed attempts, we finally got a flame. Now, how to light the cigarette? I put it in between my lips and tried to take a puff. Blech, this thing tasted disgusting. I didn’t inhale long enough to get the thing to light.

    “Jie jie! Jie jie!” It was my little brother…

    I’ve run out of time. I’ll have to finish tomorrow.

    6 responses to “Can I bum a cigarette?”

    1. Lainie Levin Avatar
      Lainie Levin

      I recognize this story.

      I actually had a few other friends who smoked – and this was also in junior high! – and I would smoke a cigarette every so often.

      I remember when a friend and I found a pack of cigarettes when we were on a spring break trip with her family. We would go out for walks and smoke a few of them at a time til we ran out.

      Which is pretty strange to me, because both my parents were heavy smokers, my mom especially. I spent my whole life trying to get her to quit. Why did I ever think that I’d want to try it? Ah well.

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    2. arjeha Avatar
      arjeha

      My parents owned a bar that had a cigarette machine. I believe a pack was something like 35 cents. Did I try it? Yes. Am I a smoker? No way. I would rather spend the money on a good meal.

      Liked by 1 person

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    3. pfornale Avatar
      pfornale

      This is all so familiar. Many of us have done this. Such a vivid scene of innocence not quite lost. Well done.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    4. Can I bum a cigarette? (continued) – Ms. Chen in the Middle

      […] don’t think it’s really fair to call this last bit of my story from yesterday a “part 2”. I was near the end already. Here it is […]

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    5. georgiaaustin1 Avatar
      georgiaaustin1

      I think you stole my story; it’s so familiar! My parents owned a liquor store and we had a machine right up front. My brother would steal coins from the register while I distracted my father. Before long, we were splitting a pack of Marlboro Reds!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. vivian chen Avatar
        vivian chen

        What a different time, huh?!

        Liked by 1 person

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