Page 7 of Coming Clean

David started to saysomething else but Jeremy grabbed a few fries and shoved them intoDavid’s mouth before he could. Food was always guaranteed to derailDavid’s train of thought.

“Mmm. These are good.” Itwas only years of friendship that allowed Jeremy to understand whatDavid was saying, since he didn’t bother to finish chewing first.He was impatient to keep talking, as usual.

Jeremy grabbed two beers,opened them, and set one in front of David. “Take these plates intothe den. I spread out a sheet on the floor. We can eat there, sincethe table’s still covered in crap.”

“Not because your auntwould never in a million years have let you eat fried chicken onthe floor in there?”

Jeremy grinned. “Yeah. Thattoo.”

“Please tell me you sliddown the banister when you first got here.”

Jeremy glanced toward themajestic stairway that ended in the entryway. He had certainlythought about it, and then he’d realized he wasn’t ten anymore andwould probably bust his balls on the newel post. “Nah.”

David sat the food down.“Come on. Let’s do it right now.”

“Tell me you haven’t beendrinking already.”

“No, but I’ve been thinkingabout this all day. Remember the time your aunt caughtus?”

Jeremy groaned. “I wasgrounded forever.”

“But that was such a greatday.”

It had been. Jeremy hadlaughed for the first time since his mom died. Jeremy almost neverinvited anyone over, but knowing his aunt and uncle would be at anart auction, he’d asked David to come home with him. They’d raidedthe kitchen and then watched a movie in his uncle’s den, fightingover the recliner. His aunt and uncle came home early, opening thedoor just as Jeremy came flying down the banister, stopping himselfjust in time to prevent smacking against the newel post.

“Come on,” David urgedagain before racing up the stairs. His enthusiasm won Jeremy overand he followed David. Just as he reached the top step, David swunghis leg over the railing. “I get the first turn.”

Jeremy stuck his tongue outat his friend. David really was taking him back to his childhood.David managed to slide down without injuring himself, and Jeremyprayed he could do the same as he straddled the banister. The woodwas as highly polished as it had been when he was a kid, as if itwere made for sliding. Jeremy picked up speed, nearly losing hisbalance as he whirled around the curve at the second floor landing.He gripped the railing tighter, desperate to slow himself before hereached the bottom. He squeezed his eyes shut as if that wouldsomehow block the pain of a hard hit from the thick post at thebottom. Finally, he came to a hand-burning stop.

Laughing wildly, he jumpedto the floor. David pulled him into a tight hug. “See. You neededthat.” He patted Jeremy’s back. “Almost as much as you—”

“Need to get laid?” Jeremyhad no doubt that was what he was going to say. “Seriously, stayout of my sex life.”

“What sex life?”

“There’s Sparky’s in thekitchen. Maybe I should eat your share too.” Jeremy took offrunning. Halfway to the kitchen, David caught him and grabbed hisshirt, trying to yank him back. Jeremy struggled, finally managingto pull himself loose and reach the counter first.

“You are so not eating mychicken.” David snatched the bag from him.

“Then take the food intothe den like I said before. I’ll get us some utensils.”

David followed instructionsthis time, and Jeremy found him settled on the blanket breathingdeeply of the spicy scent coming from the bag. Jeremy reached inand grabbed his container filled with chicken tenders before itcould be pilfered. Then he handed David his own chicken and set outthe sides between them so they could serve themselves. Severalminutes passed before either of them was up for more than eatingand praising the food. Jeremy had forgotten just how good Sparky’swas. Crispy, spicy, chicken-y heaven.

Once David slowed down, hesaid, “I found someone to clean your house.”

“You did?”

“Yep. Rita, the accountantwho lives next door, hired someone recently and she’s been verypleased. She says it’s the best service she’s everused.”

David always got to knowhis neighbors and they loved him no matter how different they were.He had that uncanny ability to get along with anyone. Even Jeremy’saunt and uncle hadn’t minded him, except when he was sailing downtheir banister. Jeremy often wished he had that quality too. But heseemed to be better at sticking his foot in his mouth or appearingaloof and difficult to talk to. He didn’t mean to, it justhappened.

“Can you text me hernumber?”

“Rita’s?” David askedbetween bites.

“No, the woman who’scleaning her house, smartass.”

“It’s a man actually, or atleast the company is run by a man. It’s called Spit ShineClean.”