Chapter 7 Summary

That night, Rusty-James talks Steve into coming out with him and Motorcycle Boy. It is not hard, since Steve has been weird, reckless, since his mother went in the hospital. The three walk across the bridge, Rusty-James carrying a bottle of sneaky Pete he filled with cherry vodka. Steve does not normally drink, but he does now. Motorcycle Boy does not, saying he likes to stay in control. Steve says that makes good sense, having warned Rusty-James about drinking too much. He is worried Rusty-James will end up like his old man.

They cross into the city, where the strip is lit in neon. Rusty-James loves all the colors and asks Motorcycle Boy how he sees them. Motorcycle Boy says he guesses it is like a black and white TV, though sometimes it seems like he can remember colors, from when he was...