Jeffrey Siger_Andreas Kaldis 02 Read Online Free PDF

the Kostopoulos residence, but settled in another world, one far more familiar to Andreas. He sat on a straight-back dining room chair in what he knew could be the home’s only living room, facing two boys seated on a plush-cushion bright-red and green floral-pattern couch. The boys looked about to be devoured by the pillows. Kouros sat off to Andreas’ right, at the end of the couch, in another straight-back chair.
    Theo Angelou and George Lambrou were dark-skinned, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and pimply. Theo, at five-feet five inches tall, was noticeably overweight. George, though the thinner of the two, was only an inch or so taller. No doubt blond, blue-eyed, six-foot Sotiris Kostopoulos had been the face-man of this crew. The two struggled to sit up straight on the couch. It was obvious from their faces what was going through their minds: there-but-for-the-grace-of-God-go-I .
    Andreas spoke to them as men, not boys, aiming to create camaraderie and attain a hoped for franker discussion of a very important—stunningly attractive—detail they’d been sheepish to talk about in front of their parents.
    “A taxi driver you knew, from the car service you always used, picked you up at Sotiris’ house and took you straight to the Angel Club off Pireos Street in Gazi?”
    Both nodded.
    “That’s been your hangout for the past four months?”
    More nods.
    “And every weekend night it’s open there’s a specific table reserved just for you whether or not you showed up?” Andreas hoped his tone didn’t show what he thought of high school kids with private tables at one of Athens’ hottest clubs, and of the parents who paid.
    Perhaps he hadn’t masked it well enough or, perhaps, the glamour of claiming such privilege was gone, but the boys didn’t nod. George looked at Theo, then back at Andreas. “Yes, sir, that’s right, but really it was Sotiris who had the table. Everyone knew they could find him there after midnight.”
    “Ever go to any other clubs, like in Kolonaki?” Kolonaki was Athens’ most fashionable and expensive downtown neighborhood, and where Andreas expected these kids to gather, rather than in the dicier clubs of Gazi.
    “Not really, Angel was our place. We didn’t want to hang out in Kolonaki clubs with everyone else from around here. Once in a while, maybe, if there were a special party somewhere else, but most of our friends came to party with us at Angel.”
    He looked at Theo.
    “Yes, sir, that’s right.”
    Andreas paused. He almost was up to what he wanted to cover most, but first, a subject he hadn’t raised in front of their parents. “I understand Sotiris didn’t have a girl friend?”
    “That’s right,” said Theo.
    “Was there some special girl in his life? Anyone?”
    “Not that I knew of.”
    Andreas looked at George. “Did he ever have a girlfriend?”
    “No, sir.”
    “Okay, guys.” Andreas leaned forward. “I’ve got to ask this question. Was he gay?”
    There was genuine surprise, even a flash of anger on Theo’s face. Perhaps because of what the question suggested about the three of them.
    George spoke. “No way, he was the best there was with girls. They were all over him. We’d hang around waiting for the ones he tossed back.”
    Andreas shook his head. “You’re not convincing me, guys. You tell me he had no girlfriend and yet girls were all over him. Doesn’t sound to me that he liked girls.” Andreas knew he was pushing an uncomfortable subject on already traumatized boys and didn’t like it, but he had no choice.
    George stared at a photograph of his parents on the coffee table next to Andreas. “I don’t know what else to tell you. He didn’t have a girlfriend.” The boy paused, as if emphasizing what he was about to say. “None of us did.” Then he looked at Andreas’ eyes. “But Sotiris wasn’t gay. Neither is Theo.” No disclaimer for himself.
    Interesting kid, Andreas thought, he’s implying he might be gay to establish his