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Chet cleared his throat noisily “Uh school?”

“Oh, yeah? Who taught you? I thought your folks were scientists like you”

“They hired a tutor I spent a lot of tie, so I was usually alone or hatever parent wasn’t traveling for work Thankfully I liked my tutor He was a funny old man who’d worked for NASA in the seventies”

“Huh But I don’t like that you were alone Why would they leave you?”

He smiled “I was perfectly fine In fact, I was probably safer here than at school The bully situation was bad and—”

“Bully? Who bullied you?” I glowered, ready to kick ass for a fifteen-year-old offense

Chet waved dis-headed jocks and ruffians It was the typical scenario I was too smart and looked like a skinnier version of my current self…with braces Supposedly, I dressed funny too And let’s not forget that I’ay and I’ve been out et if I tried I couldn’t fit in It didn’t e social cues I never really learned how to talk about popular music or cool television shows I just tried to be nice and hope for the best It never worked out well”

“Those fucking fucktards,” I growled

“It was a long ti his hand over et nervous around kids and teenagers Lincoln is great, of course, but we have a common interest”

“Me”

Chet chuckled “Science But yes…we have you too For now”

I studied his features in the glow froer than he seeh and unlike me, he’d never let the BS life dealt him harden his heart He went out of his way to be kind and thoughtful…even when it scared him

He huood in the world beyond Linc and the insular bubble I’d created

I didn’t kno to voice

So I took the easy way out and changed the subject, reaching for the set of cards on the shelf under the coffee table

“Want to play a game?”

He put his bon and shifted to face me “Sure What is it?”

“Cards Against Huae friends recently It’s hysterical”

“We can’t play this one It’s for three or more people”

“We’ll make our own rules We’ll deal the cards and each lay down the best response The funniest one wins”

Chet pulled the deck out and exaold “This looks rather crude I saw a checkerboard in the—”

“Let’s try this If you hate it, we’ll o first” I cleared my throat loudly and read, “I’m in the prime of my life and filled with…blank”

He bit his bottom lip as he chose a card “Just one?”

“Yep” I set mine down as I leaned in to read his “Rainbows? Really?”

“And yours says…a big dick?”