my homework with him. We would listen to music he
downloaded over the computer and do my math and
science problems. With his skills I had the world's
best libraries practically at my fingertips-- or his. I
should say.
Barry came on Saturday to take me to dinner, as
he had promised. We had spoken on the phone a
number of times during the week. I could tell from the
way he held back when I asked that I had been a topic
of discussion at school for a while. What he didn't tell
me until we met was how many arguments he had had
and the trouble he had gotten himself into defending
me.
Mommy and Charlotte had left for Atlanta
before Barry's arrival on Saturday. Evan was very
nervous about meeting him. On Friday, he told me not
to bother bringing him to his room for an introduction. "He's not here to see me." he said. "and I'll only
present a problem for you. How do you explain in and
all? Why bother coming up with anything? Just go out
and have a good time." he said. but I wouldn't hear of
it.
"Barry's very nice, Evan. You'll see," I said, but
he was so nervous about it that he kept his door closed
on Saturday and pretended to be asleep when the hour
of Barry's arrival drew closer.
I was happier to see Barry than I realized I
would be. It was as though he brought with him all the
good memories I had from the one place we had been for the longest time, a place I could call home. When he drove up, I ran out to embrace him. He kissed me on the cheek. but I held onto him and he looked into my eyes, smiled, and then kissed me again softly on
the lips.
"Hi," he said, happy with my big greeting. "It's