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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