He’s just walking and I’m walking. I look at him. He looks at me. I don’t mean nothing by looking at him close like that, face to face. He doesn’t look like no faggot. So I nod “Hey, man,” and keep on walking. I mean, I want to be civil and shit. He might be able to lay me on to some drugs. But I say what I say, and he nods, and both of us go our separate ways. Easy, see. But damn, man, no sooner do I reach the door to Cuddles’ job where he’s supposed to be waiting but ain’t, than I turn around and see that guy looking at me. He’s watching my ass. Checking me out like you check out a bitch. Like he wants something from me. Needs it. Scheming how he’s gonna get it. But he ain’t making no moves. Cuddles finally comes outside and slaps me on the shoulder. I turn around and the guy is gone. Good thing, too. With Cuddles, I forget about him ’cause we’re gonna get Maxie and Lou and ride around. I don’t give a fuck about that guy looking at me.

Before joining the others, Cuddles and me have a beer where they don’t check IDs. A little predrink drink. Get ready for the night. We always have good times. We tight, Cuddles and me. Cuddles’ father makes him work after school. Trade school. My old man died too soon to make me do nothing. Half the time I live in the streets. I should quit school, get a full-time job. Get the cash Cuddles has most times—where I got to ask my Moms to spot me some coins, mostly for cigarettes. Don’t need no subway fare. Just jump the turnstile soon as the train screeches in. I do the best I can. Cuddles is the one in the money. Ain’t tight-assed about it either, which is why we hang together. I like him better than Maxie or Lou, but I can’t tell them that, not even Cuddles, ’cause he’ll start calling me names and picking on me’cause I’m only fifteen and he’s older. Just a little older.

“Two drafts, what d’ya say?” I tell him.

“Just what I need. Throat’s tight as a damn drum.”

“Mine’s like a hose, man. Only it’s empty.”

“What’s eating you? I been working all day.”

“Shit, man, this dude, you know, like the rest of them in the Village. Always coming on to you, checking you out like you some bitch.”

“They think it’s their turf, Lonny. We just tourists, you know.”

“Yeah. Faggots is everywhere.”

“You ain’t got nothing to worry about, long as they keep a distance.”

“But this dude acted like he wanted it and could get it.”

“He say anything to you, man?”

“Naw, he just kept looking.”