Chapter 12

Speaking of which: “So how doyou two know each other?” Derrick asked.

Chad refilled his glass. Reaching out to fill Lee’s, he said, “It’s your story; it’s up to you if you want to tell it.”

Lee shrugged. “He already knows part of it,” he said.

I do? Derrick wondered. It was starting to feel like the only thing he actually knew about Lee was the face he made right before he ejaculated -- what could he possibly know about this mysterious relationship?

“So, remember how I was telling you I left my brother’s house after my dad died?” Lee said. Derrick nodded, and Lee carried on. “I was just a kid, I don’t know where I thought I was gonna go. For three or four nights I slept at school. Stayed late, hid from the janitor, then I’d go sleep in the gym, 'cuz at least there were mats. Some vice principal found me in the gym one morning, called the cops, and along came this guy,” he said, jerking his thumb at Chad.

“And you guys remember each other from that?” Derrick asked.