Welcome to Case Close Close.

You're listening to Bye-B-Babee, by Kerala Lovering.

Narrated by Helen Laser and Carissa Vacker.

Let's pick up where we left off last week.

Chapter 32

Billy Fall 2007 Billy.

Fall 2007 I see him naked before we've ever spoken.

Becca, as may and I have signed up for figure drawing to fulfill our studio art requirement.

Our preference was intro to ceramics, but we waited too long to enroll, and by the time we visited

the registrar, ceramics was full.

Figured drawing is the only course left that aligns with all three of our schedules. I'm wary of the nude male form. The only man I've seen naked is Wade, and recalling his body makes my stomach turn rancid,

prompts every excruciating memory of the basement to come rushing back,

an old nightmare sinking its teeth in.

I don't tell Becca and Desmee obviously, only Cassie knows about

Wade and I intend to keep it this way. It's just art class, I tell myself I'll have to

grin and bear it.

The studio in Rider Hall is a large space with high ceilings that smells of oil paints and

charcoal pencils.

The wood floor creaks as the model makes his way toward the center of the room, a small platform serving as a makeshift

stage. He sheds his robe, lets it pool on the floor beside his chair. There are at least two dozen

of us in the class, two dozen easels facing this naked stranger.

No one giggles or bristles.

...