Casper & Me

Ben is the only child of mine who seems to have inherited the bulk of my physical traits. Looking into Lily and Evan’s eyes is just like looking into Jeff’s, while Ben’s shade of blue/green/gray look far more familiar. He has rough arms just like me and his oval face, hair color and dimples are all mine.

Another gift that he seems to have inherited from me is his complexion. I am pale. P.A.L.E. The shade of powder I use is the lightest one in the palette. After a bout with melanoma, I steer clear of the sun and my skin remains the same pasty shade regardless of the season. Ben is the same way. Every summer at the pool he is by far the palest child in site. While Lily gets a rosy summer glow, Ben’s skin seems to repel the sun.

I (finally) brought him back to school yesterday. After being stuck inside for two weeks recovering he has become an even lighter shade than usual. He’s almost translucent. Two hours after he arrived, I got a call from the director. Ben looks really pale, she said. I don’t think he’s feeling well at all. Worried, I asked how pale is he? Like “death warmed over” she responded as I grabbed Evan and darted over in lightening speed.

I opened the door to his classroom, expecting to find a lethargic, ailing Ben crying out for me. Instead he was sitting at the table happily eating his sandwich. Apparently he had been whining for me and combined with his appearance his teachers were concerned. Because he looked… pale.

We’re both heading to Mystic Tan this weekend.