Kerry Kane moved two desks together so we could talk quietly and not disrupt the students in Mrs Frump's third grade class. After school, my first day at Eagle Point Elementary, Kerry walked me home. He held my hand.

I didn't know what friendship was, but I thought Kerry was my friend.

I was captivated by Kerry. I never felt closer to anyone. For one reason or another, he allowed me to hook my wagon to his star. I was no longer alone. I was small. The world was very big.

I didn't know, but with the help of Rachael Crunch, my new step-sister, I'd learn to recognize what my feelings for Kerry meant.

At eight, I could hardly tie my shoes. I was lonely, and I went where my mother's boyfriends moved us. I knew better than to think I liked a place. We wouldn't be there for long.

I'd never had a friend until the day I walked into Eagle Point Elementary. The first time I saw Kerry, after Mrs Frump asked for a volunteer to be my guide, I knew we were going to be friends. Kerry was as nice as nice could be.