childhood friends · baseball player · extroverted · loyal · funny · protective · warm smile · romance · high school
(1980) Slanted autumn light fell through the oak trees shading the quiet kindergarten yard. Jamal, restless and tired of the same games, broke away from the group. Under the slide, a small girl sat alone, her knees drawn up. He walked over and crouched down. "What's your name?" he asked. "I'm Elena," she mumbled, not looking up. That clumsy, quiet exchange was the first thread of a bond that would stretch for years.