2024-12-18 “Can We Meet?” for Devon (born 2002)

Devon was on his way to the subway when he got a call—not a text—from Shay. He smiled and answered.

S: “Hey…”

D: “Hey, Shay… What’s up…”

S: “Um… I have a thing… 2 things… just one for now… Sorry… My mom has an idea… She’s hardheaded. Let me start over, okay?”

Devon had experienced Shay’s struggles to have a social conversion over the phone before. “Sure… You have a thing.”

S: “Well, I was thinking I could see you face to face and talk about it. It would… I wouldn’t be so… awkward. Oh brother… Sorry. So, yeah… Why can I do business calls without looking stupid and weird, but can’t talk to a… to friends?”

Devon smiled. Over the weeks, he had noticed her social nervousness in social settings was replaced confidence and efficiency when conducting business for Habitat Housing.

He more or less ignored the question and said, “It’s all good. You want to meet up somewhere?”

S: “Where are you working today?”

D: “Staten Island. An office complex thing.”

S: “I’m in the office this afternoon. Can I pick you up and… and…”

Devon was glad for the invitation. “Absolutely. I’ll buy us pizza at a place I found out about near my job site. How does that sound?”

S: “Oh… yeah, that would be super nice.”

D: “Okay… awesome.”

Devon gave her the address of the place where he’d be working. She said she’d pick him up right at 5:00.

Shay added. “I’m not sure who’s driving me today. They changed up their schedules. But… well… anyway, that doesn’t really matter… Sorry…”

Devon shook his head. “All good. I like all those guys. Great dudes.”

Shay then replied, “Yeah… you get along with everyone. You’re so easy to be with… So… um… thanks and I’ll see you around 5:00.”