Sal couldn't keep his tears in as his dad loaded the last box into the car.
They were going back to New Jersey.
Henry said Sal could stay one more day before they left.
Have one more night with Larry..
So they never left each others side that day. They were never more than an inch apart at all times..
"Alright Sal. We leave noon tomorrow.", Henry said, slamming the trunk shut.
Sal just wiped his eyes and nodded.
He didn't want to leave.
He had so many memories of this place. So many people who cared about him..
Someone who loved him.
Back in Jersey there's nothing but nightmares.. his mom's death.. the attack.. all the time his dad spent alone and crying.. the bullying.. no friends.. no Larry.....
"Come on, Sal... we need to fill up this day with whatever the fuck we want."
"Alright. Let's go be stupid teenagers for one more time.. together."
"Together forever."
They both held up a hand, pinkies raised, and linked them together.
They walked to Wendigo Lake like that.
They layed in the soft grass by the old tree like that.
They dangled their feet in the water like that.
They looked at eachother like that.
They laughed together like that.
They never let go.
They never wanted to let go.
But they knew they'd have to.
Otherwise it would hurt more than it already does.
"Larry..?", Sal said.. combing his fingers the taller ones dark, silky hair.
"Yeah..?", Larry replied, gently caressing Sal's cheek.
"What are you gonna do when I'm gone..?"
"Cry and dye my hair black. They cut it all off.. then grow it out again, dye it blue, and always keep it up in pigtails. Oh, and I'll get a tattoo of your name on my collar bone."
"Then I'll get a tattoo of your name on my collar bone. But I'll also get another tattoo."
"A tattoo of what?"
"My heart. But there's a Larry sized hole in it."
"I won't need a tattoo for people to know I miss you.."
"..I know you won't.."
It was getting late.
They still didn't let go.
They walked back to Larry's apartment, and set up camp on the floor.
They layed there.. pinkies locked together between them.
Sharing ear buds.. and listening to some old time favorites.
"I'm gonna miss you Sal..", Larry said.. his voice shakey.. and a tear rolling down his cheek..
"I'm gonna miss you more.. greaseball..", Sal's voice was quiet, because if he spoke any louder, no doubt, he would start to cry.
"Smurf...", Larry chuckled, but it slowly turned into sobs.
So, they got closer, and fell asleep hugging eachother.
They cried, pinkies locked.
They slept, pinkies locked.
They woke up, pinkies locked.
They walked, pinkies locked.
They cried again.. pinkies locked.
"...Promise you'll keep in touch..?", Larry said, struggling to hold back his tears.
"Everyday.. I promise.."
They said goodbye... and for the first time in 12 hours....
They let go.