There's a bit of magic in everything and a bit of loss to even things out. (Lou Reed)

She forgot about her family, his family, her embarrassment, her future. She forgot about everything except Tommy.

“Yes.”

He pulled her up on the table and kissed her, hugged her, spun her around. Her hair got caught on the chandelier but the joy that surged through her veins dismissed the pain that occurred as her hair was pulled from its root. She was consumed by the fact that Tommy would be hers and she would be his ‘til death did them part, as long as they both shall live.

Penny spent a lot of time at Tommy’s house that summer. She never spent the night but she spent pretty much every waking moment there. Tommy’s every-waking-moment was different than Penny’s. Tommy didn’t sleep. From time to time he would pass out here or there but for the most part he didn’t sleep. From a scientific perspective, it didn’t make sense. The human body needs rest to recuperate and recharge but Tommy was awake all night and all day. The insane amount of heroin that he put into his body helped to keep him wired chemically and his fear or hate of sleeping alone kept him awake mentally.

Early on in the summer Tommy was getting ready to go pick Penny up and drive her to one of her last exams before her summer vacation began. The sun was up, the sky was blue, birds were chirping, and Senior had just had breakfast delivered to the house. The smell of bacon wafted through the air drawing the boys to the kitchen.

“Have you seen my car keys?” Tommy quizzed everyone as they walked in.

He demolished a cup of black coffee and tossed the mug in the sink with a loud clink against the other dishes that were piling up since Penny had been away studying for exams.

“Where is Vince?”

No one had an answer so Tommy ran a hand through his slick hair and tore upstairs to find him. He barged into his room but Vincent’s bed was made and he was nowhere to be seen.

“Shit!” Tommy said and scuffled through Vincent’s stuff trying to find his keys amongst the mess. He heard something and stopped cold. He listened and heard murmurs from the next room.

“Whore,” he muttered. He darted out and with a heavy fist banged on Ricky’s door until the lock popped and the door flew open.

“Who do you think you are bringing –”

Tommy froze.