Page 88 of Summer Lessons

“No.”

Oh c’mon, kid, give me something to work with.

“Tech school?”

“No.”

“Your master’s degree on ancient religions?”

Rudy looked at him suspiciously. “Are you making fun of me?”

Oh hell. “No—I’m just trying to make friends. Terry—”

“Jefferson.”

“Icall him Terry. He’s special to me, and you’re his friend. I’d like to get to know you, that’s all.”

“I’m twenty-two, and you’re too old for me.”

“Rudy, would you like some popcorn? I’d like some popcorn. I think Dane brought some popcorn. Let’s make everybody popcorn.”

Mason made his way from the corner of the living room, where Rudy had just finished setting up the television and DVR, to the kitchen, where Terry and Dane were debating the best place to put the glasses.

Terry barely looked at him. “So you think the plastic thirty-two-ounce cups will fit here?” he pondered.

“How’s it going, Mace?” Dane said, looking at Mason carefully.

“Peachy. I’m going to make popcorn.” Mason tried not to give a death’s-head grin as he said it.

“Why popcorn?”

“Because popcorn was the first word to come out of my mouth a minute ago and I’m grateful it wasn’tpenis.”

Terry looked up then just as Dane guffawed. “Penis?”

“Yeah,” Mason said grimly, looking out into the living room, where Rudy was apparently having a grand ol’ time with Richie and Cooper. “It’s another word for dick.”

HE MADEpopcorn, people snacked, and everybody—including Rudy—eventually left, and Mason sank to the couch with Terry in his arms. Once the people were gone, the air-conditioning kicked on, and it made the apartment suddenly sweet and cozy instead of stifling.

“Nice of everyone to come out,” Terry mumbled, falling asleep on Mason’s chest. “What’ya think I should do to say thank you?”

Mason thought of Terry’s tight finances. “Thank-you cards are nice,” he said thoughtfully. “Old-fashioned, but nice. And if you tell people ‘Thanks, and let me return the favor,’ then they’ll call on you for help. It’s a nice cycle.”

“Mm… you know how to be a grown-up in the best ways,” Terry mumbled. “I’ll buy some cards on….” He sat up, putting his elbow in Mason’s stomach.

That quickly he was standing in the middle of his apartment, turning a full circle.

“That’s so weird,” he said in wonder. “Thisis my home. And I can get here as late as I want on Monday. And leave whenever I want to. I don’t have to askanyone’spermission to go to your house and stay the night.Nobodyhas to know where I am.Nobodycares.”

“I do,” Mason couldn’t help but say. “But only so I don’t worry.”

Terry turned toward him. “Worry about what?”

“Worry about you getting home safe. Having enough to eat. Wearing clothes that aren’t too hot or too cold or too full of holes.” Mason’s voice caught. “Being scared during thunderstorms.”

The aching realization on Terry’s face was hard to watch. “Being alone,” he said softly. “Dealing with his brother without anyone to make sure he’s okay. Thinking he’s a big dork when he’s really just….” Terry bit his lip. “Kind,” he said at last. “The kindest person I’ve ever met.”

Mason smiled crookedly. “You’re easy to be nice to.”