34
Out beyond the soccer and recreation fields, behind a line of trees, was a small embankment. It ran down to a babbling stream. It was quiet and shallow. A pastel rainbow of pebbles beneath the surface. A long-dead tree log connecting one bank to the other. The log was flat and smooth on top. Ideal for high school kids to dangle their legs awhile and skip a class, unseen. Alice knew the spot well. She'd been there many times with Ray. Kissing, holding hands, lying on top of him as he rested his back flat against the log.
Alice took out the joint and lighter she'd stolen from Ray's stash.
"Man, this is informal," Jason said.
Alice shrugged and lit the joint. She took a small drag and passed it to the left, to Kaitlin, who blew out a line of smoke and let Jason have his turn.
"Man, th
