Chapter 144

Sliding his back down the trunk of the tree, he waited for Parker to show up for their regular lunchtime rendezvous. He kept looking at his watch, but Parker never showed. Realization began to dawn that things between him and Parker were worse than he’d thought.

As he half-heartedly ate his sandwich, Mason debated with himself about going to the office and reporting sick with a view to going home. He decided to stick things out, a decision he would later come to bitterly regret.

* * * *

Afternoon school followed a similar pattern to the events of the morning. He and Parker shared a study hall during fourth hour, but when Mason pushed open the door to the library, Parker was nowhere in sight. A heavy lump formed in Mason’s chest. Parker was avoiding him.

Lazily scanning the pages of a Sports Illustrated, Mason couldn’t help but think back to another occasion where his and Parker’s relationship experienced yet more bumps in the road.