His father drank.
His mother never spoke.
His brother used to hit him.
A lot.
He was too smart.
The other kids hated him.
The teachers were afraid to be nice to him.
Ever.
He had one friend.
They were either fighting or hanging out.
His priest thought he was gay.
Really close.
He made it to college.
Lost his friend along the way.
Lost his brother to another guy, and AIDS.
Almost alone.
He met her at a party.
She smiled at him, really smiled.
He raped her in her bedroom.
An excuse?
*****
M.A. Mohanraj
November 7, 1992