Devan

"Well now, it's great to meet you, Devan," she hands me a glass of lemonade. "Katie's told me all about you."

I can't believe I'm here, in Katie's house. I can't believe she told her grandmother about me. What did she tell her? I clear my throat and shift on the couch, holding the glass in both hands so it won't shake.

Her grandmother sits in the chair across from me and smiles.

Whatever Katie told her, I guess it wasn't all bad. I mean, even with my cuts and bruises, her grandmother isn't looking at me like I'm some kind of thug.

"They should be here any minute," she says looking at her watch and smiling. "Her father's coming home from the hospital today. The cancer is in remission."

I didn't even know her dad was sick. "Maybe I should just come some other time. I don't want to be in the way—"

A car door slams.

"Oh, there they are now." She stands up and pats my arm. "Katie will be glad to see you."

Only I'm not so sure. I feel like I might puke.

"I'm hooo-oome!" a man's voice calls as he comes in the living room. He gives Katie's grandmother a hug and then looks at me.

"John, this is Devan. Katie's friend," her grandmother says.

I stand up, spilling lemonade. "Oh, I ... uh—"

"Nice to finally meet you, Devan," he puts out his hand. I wipe mine on my pants and shake hands, hoping he thinks it's wet from lemonade and not clammy from nerves.

Then she walks in the room. She sees me. Her mouth drops open and her cheeks go all red, like she can't believe I'm here. I can't tell how she's feeling, other than shocked. To be honest, I'm a little shocked I'm here myself.

I had practiced what I wanted to say a million times. It was totally cool. But all I get out is, "Hey."

"Why don't you let me take that for you?" her grandmother says. My glass is half empty and I haven't even taken a sip. I'm standing there, still spilling it as I look at Katie.

"Oh, right." I give it to her and shove my hands in my pockets. "Sorry about that."

"Come on now, John," her grandmother says leading him out of the room. "I'll help you unpack."

The door clicks behind them, leaving Katie and me still standing in the middle of the room.

I take a deep breath. "So ... uh ... how are you?"