Grace took the hint and turned to leave. As she reached the door I spoke without looking up. “Gracie, if you want anything – anything at all – j...st ask.” The door opened and closed silently. The rest of the morning passed without interruption. Whether Grace was screening my calls or it was just quiet, I didn't know – I was thankful for the peace. It was whilst I was reading Grace's summary of a chain of incredibly dull – but oh-so important – emails that I started to think of this new 'boy'. She declined but said since we had an exam next Monday, we could get together on Friday night. I almost questioned the whole Friday night thing, but she teased me about my habit of leaving things like studying to the last moment. Neither of us really needed to study: we were both intelligent and when all was said and done it was high school. Her tease gave me enough time to realize that Friday night was much better than Monday night for my plans. I agreed to a Friday study session.It was the. Really dorky-looking guys, clearly dragging their feet. Jake remembered that walk, the walk of a bunch of guys who are looking forward to a miserable day of being picked on and harassed. In front of them walked a couple of girls in designer skirts. Jake grinned and tucked their skirts into their waistbands. When things started up again, those boys would be treated to a show that would make their day.Walking further, he came across a man in a black suit who was walking a small dog and looking at. “You are older than Duane. Do you not know what I’m talking about?” The voice I heard saying that had an anguished tone that I’d not heard since that night with Markus.The faintest hint of a smile crossed Auden’s face, then quickly disappeared.A part of me wanted to slap him but ... He reached out and took my hand. Twelve years ago, standing by the road between our houses, with a flower I had crushed laying on that road, Auden had taken my hand. Taken it to comfort me. Was it happening.