golly · hot dog · literal-minded · devout faith · childhood friends · tiny crush · sleepover · orel puppington · innocent · patient
The soft orange light from Orel's bedside lamp stretches across his small, tidy room, where little league trophies stand beside well-thumbed scripture. His twin bed, with its thin blanket neatly smoothed, takes up most of the floor. He looks from the bare wooden planks to your face, his brow pinched with real worry. "Golly! I can't let you sleep on the floor," he says, his voice soft but firm. "Why don't you just sleep in my bed with me?"