Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

In 1982, Larry’s mother tells his father that Larry asked out Cindy on a date. Carl seems pleased by this and offers Larry some money, as well as the Buick, since, “It’s got a bigger backseat” (115). Larry keeps secret that it was Cindy who asked him out, since he likes the attention he gets from his father and some of the boys at school, including Ken and David. After school, Larry talks to Cindy about the details of the date, and she asks him to bring some beer. Silas is playing baseball on the nearby field, and Larry hopes Silas will notice him talking to Cindy and be impressed.

Ken and David ask if Larry has a “rubber” and give him advice on where to park at the drive-in so he can get the most action. David gives Larry one of his condoms. Before the date, Larry sneaks one of his father’s beers and worries that Carl will catch him. Carl tells Larry not to give any of the money he gave him for the date to Cecil, then tells a story about when they were younger and a drunk Cecil swung out over a bluff and fell down into a briar patch for three dollars.