Dewalt lived at the top of a six-floor walk-up. A throbbing, vile chant was playing as Neal climbed the stairs. It got louder, then assaulted Neal as Dewalt opened the door.
‘Wasup all you niggas in da house’
Dewalt was topless, wearing a pair of white boxers and an orange oven mitt, his gold teeth glistening. He smiled, then grabbed Neal and kissed him, a wet, long sloppy mouth kiss in the hallway of the building. Neal imagined angry, homophobic neighbors, or those religious hat-wearing Sunday woman. This date, he decided, was likely to be a disaster though he was enjoying the salty taste of Dewalt’s tongue and the metal tang from his gold teeth.
Keeping his mouth on Neal’s, Dewalt pulled him into the apartment, then swung the door shut, notched three locks, and pushed Neal against t
