"I was in a fog half the time. I didn't know what I was doing."
"You dated all the cool ones."
"No, I didn't. I had one girlfriend my entire junior and senior year, and she dumped me at the senior prom...actually, she dumped me on the way to the prom. Got out at a stoplight and into another guy's car."
"I didn't know that. I thought you were so totally with it.
"Too bad I'm not the person you imagined."
"Raymond, why didn't you come visit me in that so-called juvie rehab center in West Chester they sent me to? They were releasing kids three months early, if somebody bothered to show up and claim them. Mom couldn't deal with any of it. Try counting every hour for three months. Three extra freaking months, Raymond! Three more months doing shit work and trying to keep creepy counselors off me, because you couldn't be bothered to stop by and sign me out." She stared at him until he looked away. "I showed your picture to everyone there. This is my big brother, he's really great, he's going to come and get me out of here just as soon as he can."
"I never dreamed it was that way."
"Buddy you don't know. Someone should have investigated that place. Some psychology grad student set it up with a grant. It was a sham. No rehab went on there. I did ATP just once. That's what the girls called, 'Assume the Position.' This one counselor took a special interest in me because I was the new stuff. That's how they talked, 'Did you get some of that new stuff?' On my first turn, I stood up and kicked him hard. He couldn't move fast enough with his pants down around his hairy ankles. I missed, but I never had to touch him. After that, whenever he looked at me that way I'd chomp my teeth together. He left me alone but made it shit-tough. That's what your little sister was doing while you were skipping down the yellow brick road."
"A nightmare, you're still hurting."
"Every now and then when I'm out on my job, waiting in some law office or something, I'd use my tablet to keep track of the bastard's whereabouts. He moved to Delaware. I know exactly where he lives, even driven past his house. I know his wife's name, kid's names and where he works. If I ever get my law degree, I'm going after him...payback time. I've made that vow to myself for the other girls. It's there in the back of my mind. Sort of like on my permanent to-do list: start cooking, learn French and nail that counselor."