"I hadn't so much as spoken to a boy or man, other than my father, in more than a year. Then I met you. Your family came to welcome us to the neighborhood. I watched from the stairs for a long time. Staring at you. You were different. I couldn't explain it. I still can't. But I knew you were different."

"I didn't know you had seen me until you slipped past my parents and up the stairs. 'Hi, I am David. I am so glad you're here. We are the only kids on this whole block. We can be friends and walk to school together. You are going to...