Two boys run through the backyard, climbing over the steel fence, their hands on the rusted beam, the clang bruising their knees. The first one inside gets a prize.

Two boys run on the sidewalk, near the high school, sweating through their tank tops and shorts, trying to be All-American. One more race to graduation. One more letter to get out of this narrow town.

Two boys run on the subway platform, up the stairs and onto the street. They only know each other here. They’ve learned the code words. They have their tickets. Two boys go underground.