Chapter 24

They had this really posh apartment over on Sutton Place, Mr and Mrs Anotlini. I used to play tennis with Mr Antolini all the time.

I rang the bell. Mr Antolini answered after the elevator boy finally let me up. Mr Antolini was a pretty heavy drinker. He had a highball in his hand. He was a very sophisticated guy.

I went in and sat down and Mr Antolini offered me a cigarette. We started talking about school and all. He got on my nerves a bit. He kept saying ‘So you and Pencey are no longer one’. It sort of annoys you when people keep saying things like. D.B. does it sometimes.

I followed him to the closet to get some blankets and stuff. He couldn’t reach with that goddam highball in his hand. I helped him take the stuff over to the couch. I got changed in the bathroom. He turned off the light and I fell asleep.

Then something happened. I don’t even like talking about it.

I woke up. I don’t know what time it was but I woke up. I felt something on my head. It scared the hell out of me. I must have jumped about a hundred feet. It was Mr Anotlini sat there, in the dark, petting me on the head. Boy I was nervous. I got my stuff and left. In a hurry.