Chapter 36

“He reminded me of how I feel most of the time,” Preston claimed. “How I think I might be, the true me, the one I try hard to not show, because I worry too much what other people might think. You know what I mean?”

“Any gay guy ever born is likely familiar with that feeling.”

“Right? I censor myself a lot. I get the impression Archie never does and that’s cool.”

“Hmm.”

“Even after coming to terms with the gay thing, there’s part of me I try to hide.”

“The tattoo?” I was tired of serious talk.

“Huh?”

“You were naked and that was the first thing you tried to cover.”

“Oh.” Preston rolled over with a splash. This time, he was all smiles when he came up out of the water. “That stupid thing.”

“A strawberry?”

“I wish. Ripe and juicy…good metaphor for its location.”