Chapter 28

“Do you like me?”

“I’ve always liked you. Even when we were little boys I liked you.”

“Do you like my apartment?”

“I’ve always liked your apartment.”

“Do you know my mother?”

“I do.”

“Do you know my sister?”

“I do. Hush now. You’re tired. You have to sleep.”

I sit him down on the edge of his bed and remove his shoes and socks. I carefully unbutton his dress shirt and pull it away from his beautiful torso. I unbuckle his belt and pull it out of its loops. I unbutton his pants and pull down his fly. No underwear. Why am I surprised by this discovery? I shouldn’t be. Shame on me. I help him out of his pants. I lay him down on his bed like Jesus on the cross: ankles crossed and arms perpendicular to his body. I nicely fold his clothes and place them on a reading chair inside his bedroom. I place his shoes under the reading chair.

My work is just beginning.

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