Noam felt his stomach lurch. “What do you mean?”

“You think I sent you to the store just to swipe some skins?”

That was exactly what Noam thought.

“I got bigger things in mind,” Hersh said.

Noam paused, waited for Hersh to explain. But he didn’t.

“What things?” Noam asked.

And there it was. The weird, lopsided smile. Only it didn’t really look happy now. It looked scary and mean.

Hersh plopped back down on the bed. “Fold the laundry and start packin’. We’re movin’ on, Nick-O.”

Noam stared at him. “Where we going?”

“Does it matter?”

“No—”

“So what you askin’ me all these questions?”

“I’m just curious—”

Hersh sprang up, drew his neck in another headlock. But this one hurt.

“You shouldn’t be curious, Nick-O. It’s a very dangerous thing to do.”

“I just meant—”

“Shut up,” Hersh said, squeezing.

“Ouch, you’re hurting me—”

Hersh let go with a push. Noam fell against the bed.

“You bug me with your questions, know that, Nick-O?”

Noam felt the tears come back. He forced himself to blink them gone.

“Just pack and don’t ask questions,” Hersh said.

Noam didn’t answer. The tears kept coming so he buried his head in his hands. Then he felt an arm pat his shoulder.

That was the thing with Hersh. You never knew.

“Don’t ask me no questions,” Hersh said, softly. “I don’t like it.”

Noam nodded.

“Now pack,” Hersh said.

“Okay.” Noam’s voice was barely audible. He sat down in the corner and began to fold the laundry.

“We’re movin’ to someplace better,” Hersh said.

Noam nodded.

“I mean, you don’t want to stay in a dump like this, do you?”

Noam shook his head no.

“So we’ll go someplace better.”

“Okay.”

“I mean I got plans, Nick-O. You gonna be able to handle my plans?”

Noam forced out, “I can handle your plans.”

“Good,” Hersh said. “I was hopin’ you’d say that.”

“I can handle them,” Noam said. Trying to say it with more confidence.

“So then I’ll tell you part of the plans.”

Noam waited and folded a shirt.

“Plan number one,” Hersh said, “I get laid tonight, Nick-O. I’m gonna order up a broad. Now if you want a piece of her ass, hey, it’s on me. You don’t, you wait in the bathroom. Understand?”

Noam nodded.

“Think you might want some action?” Hersh said.

Noam shook his head.

“Hey, it’ll put hair on your face,” Hersh said.

Again, Noam shook his head.

“Fine,” Hersh sulked. “Suit yourself.”

Noam didn’t answer. He resumed folding the laundry.

“Hey, aren’t you gonna ask what the rest of my plans are?” Hersh said.

Noam closed his eyes. Just a minute ago, Hersh had almost bitten off his head for asking too many questions. Now he was all mad at him for not asking enough questions.