Anek

Then after Anek and I smoked the last of the cigarettes, we climbed down from the roof.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

But Anek just put an arm around my shoulder and said, “Maybe next time.”

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

YEARS LATER, I would ask Anek if he remembered this night.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

We were wearing our best clothes again that night, the same old outfits: Anek in his blue jeans and white polo shirt, me in my khakis and red button-down.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

I stood sniveling by a urinal while Anek leaned over a sink and dashed water on his face.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

Anek looked at me the whole time he blew, his eyes growing wider and wider.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

Or perhaps I wanted to retrieve Anek before he did whatever it was I thought he might do.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

I saw the girl standing in the hallway behind Anek, a towel wrapped loosely around her small body.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

After Pa died, Ma wanted to sell the bike, but Anek convinced her not to.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007

Anek kept tilting back in his seat, dilating his eyes.

The Worst Years of Your Life Mark Jude Poirier 2007