“Listen, y’like, real  s e x y, but there’s somethin’ real goddamn familiar about’chu.”

“Can you keep a secret?”

     “I mean, y’welcome t’stay here ‘til ‘e gets back,” Dmitri offered. Stephen’s rigorous hike was an excuse to walk their puppy, and his father was prone to be gone for a couple of hours at a time. But the teenager had seen younger-versions of this man in photos and knew scattered details about him, so it only made sense to let him stay. “What was y’name again?”

    “Whaddaya lookin’ at me f’, huh?” Dmitri looked the stranger up and down. “Like what’cha see?”

“Bitch: tell me y’gonna celebrate my birthday this year.”

     “A mega-sized slushie at Quick Mart jus’ ‘round th’ corner,” Dmitri said, not giving her enough time to answer. “You should totally buy me one.”

“Are y’sayin’ you’ve never seen a mall cop b’fore?” Dmitri asked, trying not to laugh.