Chapter 35
“Coop,” he said, placing his other hand on his shoulder. “How you holdin’ up?”
Derrick had been close to Larry growing up, especially after his father had died. He had known Derrick was gay even before Derrick had realized it. He had been a huge support for him when he had tried to come out to his parents.
Cooper closed his eyes for a moment then looked at Larry.
“I’m…ah…I’m okay.”
“Don’t you think they did a good job with him?” Mrs. Fredricks interrupted.
Derrick sensed she needed to move on from the suggestions the men’s conversation might be bringing her.
“He looks so natural. Don’t you think?”
Derrick finally looked down at himself lying on the satin cushions. His face was pale, his lips were drawn in a tight line with just a hint of lipstick. There was heavy make-up on his forehead where an abrasion hid the internal trauma that had apparently caused his death when the air bag failed to deploy.