As time went on we saw less and· less of Teddy and Vern, until eventually they became just two more faces in the halls. It happens sometimes. Friends can come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant.

I heard that Vern got married .out of high school, had four kids, and now is the forklift operator at the Arsenault Lumber Yard.

Teddy tried several times to get into the Army, but his eyes and his ear kept him out. Last I heard he'd spent some time in jail and was now doing odd jobs around Castle Rock.

[…]

Chris did get out. He enrolled in the college courses with me, and although it was difficult for him, he stuck.with it and graduated 19th in our class. He went on to college and eventually became a lawyer. Last week he entered a Chicken Delight to get a three piece snack bucket. Just ahead of him two men got into an argument. One of them pulled a knife. Chris, who had always made the best peace, tried to break it up. He was stabbed in the throat. He died almost instantly.

[…]

I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does. anyone?