Ida hated her name.  She told her sister, Marsha, that Ida sounded like the name of an old rabbi’s wife.  She wanted a more modern name, something that reflected her personality.  Ida did not have a steady boy friend but she dated a lot.  She did not want a steady.  She told Marsha that she had an “electric” taste for men.  She meant eclectic but she wasn’t far wrong when she said “electric”.  Everyone got to first base with Ida; some got to second, fewer to third and only Spencer Harris, a  starting forward on the basket team  got home.  That happened when Ida was a junior and Spencer a senior in high school.  Ida did not love Spencer,  but,  as she explained to Marsha, she really, really liked him.  And she felt it was time.  She was thinking of going steady with Spencer; he had asked her several times.  Alas, for Spencer, that was not to be, even though Spencer came up with the new name, Mona.

Ida and Spencer were watching the submarine races at Marine Parkway after a Saturday night movie at the College theater.  They were in the back seat of Spencer’s fathers 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.  Ida’s sweater and bra were on the floor of the car seat.  As Ida hears Spencer unzip his pants she says to him “You have to help me”.  Spencer thinks, what does she mean?  He “scored” two weeks ago;  he is thinking is she pregnant?  Ida sees the look on his face and tells him it’s nothing like that.  “I need a new name.  Ida is a terrible name.  You have to help me pick a new name.  I can’t be Ida for another week.”  Spencer is relieved.  He shakes his head up and down, indicating yes, he will help her.  He doesn’t say anything because he is thinking.  Mona sees that and does not say anything.  Without realizing it he slowly and continuously brushes his finger tips on Ida’s upper inner thigh.  Ida begins to make whimpering sounds.  After about a minute a smile comes to Spencer’s  face.  He says to Ida “Your name is Mona, definitely, Mona.”  Ida thinks about it for 30 seconds and says to Spencer as she raises her skirt and removes her panties, “That’s a great name.  I love it.  It sounds a little Spanish and sexy.  How did you ever come up with it? Oh god, I love you.”  And she did love him for the next 30 minutes.

The next day, Sunday, Mona announced to her family that her new name was Mona and that’s what everyone should call her.  She made the same announcement in school and to her friends on Monday.  Ida was now gone, replaced by Mona.  Mona had a new name but Spencer did not have a steady girlfriend.  Mona still did not want a steady boyfriend.  For the next month she did give Spencer some memorable dates just before they broke up.

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