I was dangling my feet off the bar. I was glad Momma had set me up to watch. She poured the steaming water into the coffee maker. I was aware of someone beside me, toying with my curls.
I turned to look at who it was. The boy, again. He looked at me, and grinned sheepishly, releasing my hair. His face turned a half shade pinker. I smiled, and took his hand. I didn't want my best friend to be embarrassed around me. He had no reason to be.
"It's otay," I said, and patted his hand. He nodded, and relaxed. I began to count his pudgy baby fingers.
"You have five fingers, too," I said. "Just like me." He grinned from ear to ear. His face lit up like fireworks.
"Just like you," he repeated after me, and then he rested his head on my shoulder. I could smell the soap and shampoo my mother had used to give us our baths. I liked the smell. Clean and…