Going North

A slight man, Jean had never, as far as I knew, mixed with anybody. But as a boxing fan he knew the language and enjoyed salting his speech with an occasional fight reference. It took me years to discover the surprising fact that Jean was somewhat self-conscious about his body. He thought he was too thin , and despite his height had the touchiness of a small man. He saw all forms of beauty dimly, but most particularly his own. The delicacy and grace of form that had been the delight of so many women went unrecognized by the owner. If he´d had the discipline he would have ruined himself by working out with bar bells.


Stop-Time by Frank Conroy