23
During his second year at Meadowbrook, while he was on his knees praying, he was assaulted by Vincent, who up until then had been satisfied to threaten him with words and gestures. It was after lunch, and he was alone in his cell. He heard footsteps behind him which sounded heavier than Reuben’s and before he had a chance to turn around, someone had seized hold of his hair, lifting him to his feet and then onto his tiptoes. “I have a message for you from our mutual friend.” Gershwin could feel Vincent’s breath against the back of his neck. “He says I’m allowed to hurt you as much as I want, whenever I want, as long as I don’t kill you. He wants to save that pleasure for himself.” Gershwin was trying to find his voice so he could scream and his strength so he could pry open the fingers
