Inscape 04 FINAL - Pasadena City College

ing he was alone. But the client had already
grabbed Jaden’s hand and pulled him in close. He
was nuzzling Jaden’s face, fondling his crotch.
Great, Jaden thought sarcastically, oldman-smell.
The stale smell of tobacco smoke on
the skin, or last night’s alcohol, combined with
the distinct body odor exclusive to older men.
Not on all of them, but definitely on this one,
unfortunately.
The client’s breathing became heavier,
gustier. “You have such smooth skin,” he
gushed.
“Mm,” Jaden replied vaguely, thinking that
he was told that line almost every time.
He tried not to worry about the boy. He
was probably okay. It didn’t matter, really, as
long as he was being touched. It was better than
nothing.
Heist
Tense with the idea
but wanting to impress.
She was older,
from another state
where distant
cousins come from.
Wasn’t sure
if I liked her much,
if at all.
M. HA YES
The crime scene,
a local drug store.
She was a natural. Giggled,
sprayed me
with cheap perfume,
as I sweated through
my tube socks.
“Your turn!”
She already had two eyeliners,
a candy bar, and a bottle
of nail-polish in the deep
pockets of her jeans.
I reached a hot hand out,
grabbed the closest thing,
pushed it upward with my tallest
finger into my sleeve.
The giddy feeling of getting away
with it faded, like a two dollar tube
of coral lipstick—
I never wore that shade again—
and I was sure
I didn’t like my cousin much,
if at all.
INSCAPE • 40 INSCAPE • 41