Chapter 19

Then—the moment comes back to me now—I undressed and lay on top of him, propped above his back. I remember the heat radiating from him and the medicine-sweet smell of the cream. I remember rubbing my dick between his buttocks, slowly at first, until he lifted his ass beneath me and moaned, “Please.” I remember easing into him, my length slick from the tingling cream. Noxzema

I replace the lid, closing it tightly. The scent lingers; I rub at my nose to make it go away. The blue jar looks cool, inviting, the memory of us trapped inside.

Before I can think about it, I drop the jar into the trashcan and mutter, “Goodbye.”

Our Song

I’m at the counter paying for my Slurpee and the lottery ticket I know isn’t a winner when I hear the opening chords of the song on the radio behind the cashier. My song, our song, the one that played the first time you ever kissed me, all those years ago.