Chapter 40
“You dufus. Course they ain’t black people. It don’t mean the same as the ‘N’ word, It means something different, but just as bad,” Eddie said.
Tyler’s heart sank. “Where did you hear that word?” he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.
“Tommy Erlich says his dad says that’s what you and Ward are.”
Tommy was the son of Hank Erlich, who worked at the mill and had almost walked in on Ward and Tyler several times when their horniness had gotten the upper hand. Maybe he’d seen more than Tyler had thought.
“Tell Tommy to shut his piehole,” Eddie said.
“When did Tommy say this?” Tyler asked, still trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.
“At lunch. I told my friends that you wore Ward’s dog tags and Tommy said that’s because you and Ward are fags. Is it bad to wear Ward’s tags?”
“No, Dad’s wearing ‘em cuz dad and Ward are friends, that’s all.” Eddie’s voice was matter-of-fact.
“I got lotsa friends,” Jack said. “Does that mean I’m a fag?”