Chapter 7

When Jack had finally walked into the bedroom, however, the phone was back where it belonged, and Ryan was sobbing. “I will never put these dirty clothes on my body again!” Ryan got out dramatically between sobs. He kicked the pile at his feet as he spoke.

Jack thought his roommate might run the back of his hand over his forehead, but he didn’t. Jack wanted to push him onto the bed and make him shut up, or rather, silence him. Instead he picked up the clothes and carried them into the bathroom. He ran the shower and tossed all the clothes, his included, into the bottom of the stall. Then he went back and took Ryan by the arm. “Come on, sweetie, a shower will make you feel better. It did me.” Well, something had.

Ryan continued his monologue in the shower. Jack, seeing his roommate just stand there, joined him and proceeded to wash him, with pleasure, while Ryan continued to pour out his miseries. Every now and then a soap bubble would pop out along with a word.