Chapter 33

“Do you like ice cream?”

“Who doesn’t like ice cream? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone on the planet who dislikes it.”

“Except for those who are allergic to dairy.”

“You mean lactose intolerant.”

“Yes, those people.”

I didn’t know why we laughed, but we did. Eventually, the laughter dissipated, and he turned on one of the lights within the small room. He climbed out of bed and fetched a ceramic bowl and a spoon. He filled the bowl with butterscotch ice cream from his small freezer and returned to the bed.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing this with me.”

“I was hoping you only got one spoon.” I faced him on the bed’s puffy surface, Indian-style, just as he was sitting. We looked like teenagers at a slumber party.

“Do you like butterscotch?” he asked.

I nodded. “I’ll eat any flavor of ice cream given to me.”