"They lapsed into silence again, broken only by Al's, "Turn left at the next light," or "turn into the driveway on your left," until they reached Al's...apartment. Now it was Lt. Slavens turn to be surprised. He looked over the old warehouse they had pulled in beside, then at Al. "This is where you live?"Al laughed at the lieutenant's consternation. "It sure doesn't look like much, but it's home."They got out of the car, and Al walked over to a man-sized door, set next to an old-fashioned freight. . and eventually, in the costume again. His protestations aside, he obviously enjoyed thoseopportunities. I didn't understand it then, but his demeanorbespoke something bordering on rapture.Mome even talked to him, and his mother, about signing up forreal lessons at the ballet studio.But eventually summer came, and he was soon gone.We met again in our sophomore year, when we started high school.But something had changed. We shared two classes our first year -English and Latin - and I had tried. Yuri came out, saw me and said, "Мой товарищ (My Comrade – A common Russian joke calling someone a comrade after the fall of socialism), it is good to see you. I tried to tell the lieutenant not to fire on you but he would not listen. You know officers, they are not worth a damn and never listen to their sergeants."I shushed him, "Save your strength." Then I began to treat his wounds.Jack brought out another casualty and I asked, "Did someone call the Captain?"He replied, "Shit, I didn't think. "Eventually the kids ran out of energy and went down for a nap. Devlin took her leave and went shopping for something for the buffet. She had mixed emotions about the coming night. Krissi had assured her that she didn't act like a lesbian, but how did a lesbian act? It wasn't like they walked around with their preferences tattooed on their foreheads. She figured, what with one thing and another, that she'd find a couple, take care of the guy, and then find out from the woman.Seven hours later.