Around four, just when she thought about wandering over to the student union for a soft drink and snack, Lauren Devlin-Marks tapped her on the shoulder. Gracie jumped, startled enough to drop her textbook to the floor. “Hi,” Lauren said. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m about to take a break and I wanted to talk to you.” “Okay,” Gracie said. She gathered up her book bag and followed Devlin’s cousin out of the building. They ended up at a table near some vending machines in a different location and as Gracie nibbled at a package of peanut butter crackers, Lauren launched into conversation. “I’m not trying to be nosey but I’m so glad Robert, I mean, Dev has a friend,” she said. She opened her bag of peanut M&M’s and popped several into her mouth. “We grew up together, close as brother and sister, but he’s never been the same since he came home from the Marines. He’s been a lone wolf and refuses to let anyone get close. He must think a lot of you and I can see you’re good for him.”
