China winked at me, bit her lip; I’d never seen a girl so happy. Her skin was flushed and warm, and I thought, She’s not the slightest bit worried. She’s not scared at all.

I love redheads, he said.

Good for you, I thought, but I didn’t say anything. I kept my eyes down, staring at the shards of glass shining in the shag rug.

She’s shy, China rasped, still using her devil-like Lemmy voice.

I wasn’t shy.

I really liked kissing. I could kiss Dean Black for hours, even though I wasn’t in love at all. When I moved my hand as I lay in the dirt of our garden, I thought of French-kissing a man who touched me so lovingly. But now…

Wanting to imagine I was someone else, but I really couldn’t think of anyone else who would do what we were about to do. Her words came back to me like a warning, too late. I asked other girls and they all said no way.

Behind him, on the bed, I climbed like some scarlet predator.

Lean back, I told the guy, close your eyes.

I knew I should sound seductive, but really, I couldn’t. I sounded as sexy as a piece of wood. I’m surprised he didn’t start to laugh. He just did what I told him, and I quickly leaned down to kiss him before he could change his mind and offer up his own idea of what I was supposed to do.

His lips were clammy and metallic. It was like licking a lock.

I thought he might complain of my cold skin, because his hand rested on my knee. But he didn’t notice the chill that lingered in me.

With my head bent over his, it was hard to see China, but I glimpsed her from the corner of my eye. She was kneeling on the floor before him, as if she was about to pray. Her small hands fumbled with his belt buckle. She brought his jeans down. His pants seemed to swallow up her knees. I didn’t glance at her lips, only at her hands. Her hands. Her hands moved to his pockets swiftly.

Then we were both racing.

I grabbed her coat and my bag, and followed her as she stepped out over the windowsill. The rails of the fire escape were wet, and I almost slipped as I climbed up the side of the King’s Hotel, headed for the roof. China was far ahead of me, laughing and screaming, YesYesYes! I don’t think she heard him, but I did.

I heard what he said.

When I was almost on the top step, I heard.

He must have come over to the window after he dressed. Maybe he yelled while his pants were still on the floor. Either way, I heard the guy. He might as well have had a megaphone.