The Slap

by Christos Tsiolkas

He knew that his friend was happier than at any other moment in his life. Bilal no longer lost himself in destructive rages, no longer hurt himself or dared death. But Hector also missed those nights of drinking and laughing and listening to music and being high. He wished he could split his mate into two: mostly he wanted him to be Bilal, but sometimes he wanted a night with Terry. It had been a long time since such a night.

She was so young. It suddenly repelled him.

acting like a silly self-loathing whore

Only a man could write words like that. The authors failing.