e really loved her； he probably would’ve saved the e…
mail； or at least answered it； right？
It was a sunny October day in Central Park。 Out in Sheep Meadow
lots of kids were cutting school； just lying in the grass； smoking； or
playing Frisbee。 The trees surrounding the meadow were a blaze of
yellows； oranges； and reds； and beyond the trees loomed the
beautiful old apartment buildings on Central Park West。 A guy was
selling weed； and Anthony Avuldsen bought some to add to what
Nate had picked up at the pizza place yesterday at lunch。 Nate；
Jeremy； Anthony； and Charlie Dern passed an enormous joint
between them as they dribbled a soccer ball around on the grass。
Charlie puffed on the joint and passed it to Jeremy。 Nate shot him
the ball and Charlie tripped over it。 He was six feet tall； and his
head was too big for his body。 People called him Frankenstein。 Ever
the blond athletic one； even when he was stoned； Anthony dove for
the ball； kicked it up in the air and headed it at Jeremy。 It hit Jeremy
in his puny chest and he let it roll to the ground； dribbling it
between his feet。
“Shit； this stuff is strong；” Jeremy said； hitching up his pants。 They
were always sliding down below his skinny hips； no matter how
tightly he buckled his belt。
“Yeah； it is；” Nate agreed。 “I’m all fucked up。” His feet were itchy。 It
felt like the grass was growing through the rubber soles of his
sneakers。
Jeremy stopped dribbling the ball。 “Hey； Nate。 Have you seen
Serena van der Woodsen yet？” he asked。 “I heard she’s back。”
Nate looked at the ball longingly； wishing he had it so he could
dribble it away acros