"So am I, kiddo," he said. And he was too. When he had stopped using, he hadn't even really missed it. He had only done it because his friends had been and it seemed cool and rebellious. "I'm glad I never really got addicted either. Would have been horrible." Sure he had had a pretty serious nicotine habit, but it wasn't the same as having a serious heroin habit. "And I was very glad Serenity found me and kept slapping me awake so she could make sure I didn't slip away until it was all out of my system."
"That was a long night," Serenity agreed. "But after it you were much better behaved."
"I don't doubt it," Thomas winked.
"Okay, funny story to lighten the mood," Serenity said quickly. "Hmmm. Probably shouldn't tell a sex one."
Immediately Thomas started laughing and he covered his face. "You don't even have to say anything, I know the one you mean. And no. No you are not telling him that."
Serenity looked coy, but she moved on. "Your father and his stupid, horrible friends used to have a game they played where if you ate something disgusting you would get a certain amount of money based on how horrible it was. So dirt might get you a dollar. That sort of thing. He licked the principal's chair once."
"I got twenty five bucks for that!" Thomas protested. "They paid extra because I had to sneak in."