I've got this Irish-Polish skin that burns 
if I stand to close to a microwave.  All 
the other kids loved the sun.  I was into 
the world under rocks.

My favorite day at the beach:  
   a July fourth weekend, it was windy and 
   drizzling all day.  Five or six of us 
   huddled under our beach blankets, joking 
   about what a great day we were having.
   Except I really was having a great day.  

But for melanin, I could have been a social animal.