Meet the characters
Bible

It had been a wonderful birthday. Simon's parents had bought him a master’s guide to Karate in a three-DVD-set—he had no idea how they’d found it, and it must have cost over $100—as well as the really cool pair of running shoes that he was now wearing.  Aunt Jodi had given him a popular science book, with the explanation, ‘This should help you with your AP.’ He had smiled indulgently—it would not—but he would enjoy reading it nonetheless.

And the best was yet to come. Peter had ridden over on his bike mid-afternoon, early for the planned to sleep over, and told Simon that he’d stopped off on the way and left his present in the tree house. Simon had wanted to rush over but Peter said he’d have to wait till after dinner. The look in his eye told Simon it would be something special.

Simon let Peter take the lead and studied his smaller friend from behind with great affection. They had been inseparable for as long as Simon could remember, and they shared everything: they started at Wilkeston Elementary School on the same day and were baptized into the First Holy Church of Wilkeston on the same day. Peter ate half his meals at the Cassells’ house, and slept as often at Simon’s house as his own.

Peter was Simon’s only close friend.

Occasionally Simon wondered about the affection he felt for Peter’s elegant, slender fingers, about his fondness for the way Peter’s black hair curled up and to the left just above his collar, or for the way his friend cocked his head, at once an act of curiosity and of surrender. But mostly Simon felt blessed to have a companion to make up for the brother he never had.