the dead man - 10. billy brown

by nick nelson

part ten of 31

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when lucas was in first grade he made the acquaintance of billy brown. billy brown was one of those people who are born knowing how the world works. he had not been in the kindergarten class with lucas, but he was in the first grade class. all the other children noticed him right away. the girls hoped he would like them and pay some attention to them. the boys had to decide whether to challenge him or accept his superiority,. if they did not challenge him, should they accept his leadership or try to pretend it did not exist? of course there was the worst fate of all, to be deemed unworthy of notice by billy or even earning his contempt and therefore be effectively an outcast. and billy had to make his decisions as to whom to admit to his favor, and in what sort of favor. ms perkins, the first grade teacher,. recognized billy immediately. there was a billy in almost every class. billy fastened on lucas as someone who could be a toady of the lowest class - one who would be totally loyal and obedient and totally grateful for notice. next