The first week of high school,
freshman year,
I sat next to J___
–a tall, overweight, dark-skinned geek–
who had a Nintendo shirt,
or some other flag I identified with.

In Japanese class, he told me about an anime
where large-breasted girls performed sex acts.
I stopped sitting with him after that
and ignored him for nearly four years.

But in the last semester of high school,
senior year,
I couldn’t handle my emotions
and went to The Ridge.
On my last day there, J___ showed up,
just a few hours before I left,
and I asked him, 
“Could you not tell anyone
you saw me here?”

He said Yeah.
Sure.

I told everyone I had the flu for two weeks,
and as far as I know,
they bought it.
So to J___,
I want you to know
that I appreciate the favor
even though I’m pretty sure
17-year-old me
would never
have done it
for you.