Page 73 of The Corruption of Hollis Brown

Be kind.

“Yeah, that was never going to go the way she wanted. I’m not even slightly interested in her. Anyway, it’s been days, why are you asking me about this now?”

Annie scraped the heels of her boots against the sidewalk as they walked, kicking up little puffs of ice dust.

“Someone recorded it. Didn’t see it till now. You looked cool, Hollis, like someone in a movie.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

It felt strange thinking about that moment with Annie. It felt private now, like telling her about a hookup or something.

For the first time in over seven years, their walk to school was awkward.

Worse than the very first time, when they didn’t know each other at all.

Spare

Can we leave? Walt asked, in the middle of third period. I don’t want to be here anymore.

Like leave school or just this room?

I want to take us somewhere.

They texted Annie, Yulia, and his ma that his stomach hurt and walked out the door.

They headed to the bus stop, and Walt wasted more of Hollis’s money. Rode until the trees cleared and the air smelled like water and river greens. Got off at the last stop.

Michigan

Lake Michigan didn’t freeze all the way. It was too big.

The shards of ice drifted in dark soup, clinking against each other like bells, cracking sharp as a shotgun farther out. Colder than death.

But the sand held on to the sun, warm for the first few inches.

Walt laid them down, soft. Hoodie behind their head, they opened their eyes to the wide gray sky.

You’re lucky you have a bus that goes to the beach, we used to have to walk. Do y’all still fish in here?

Not really. The big fish are closer to the middle of the lake, and only one guy has a fishing boat. The rest of us buy our fish from him.

Hmm.

You’re from here, aren’t you? This is where you grew up . . . ?

Born and raised.

Why did you bring us here, Walt?

He took a full minute to answer.

It’s hard being close to home and not standing in it. Feels lonesome.

Walt gave Hollis his right arm without him having to ask. Hollis placed it over their chest, mitten, coat, and sweater keeping them apart, keeping them from bringing the burning.

Where did you live?

Rose Town.