Best Friends


By Marcia K. Leaser

September 1, 2011

 

       Tammy stood looking down the hall toward her locker where she was supposed to be gathering her books for home-work that night, but seeing Dawn and Debbie giggling and

talking didn't exactly put her in the mood for studying. It wasn't fair!  She used to be Dawn's best friend, and she was the one who shared Dawn's darkest secrets.  Now it was as if she were invisible.  Ever since that Debbie Lopez came along.  Why did she have to pick Harris High to come to

anyhow?

       The feeling Tammy had made her sick inside and the more she watched, the angrier she became.  It hadn't been that bad at first, but when Dawn started saving Debbie a place at their lunch table and she was included less and less in the conversation, Tammy got the message.

       The final bell ringing for dismissal brought Tammy back to the present.

       "Suddenly Dawn exclaimed in a shrill loud voice.  "You didn't really tell Scott I Wanted him to call me?   How will I ever be able to sit across from him in science?"  Picking up her books she ran after Debbie.  "Just wait until I catch You." she threatened as both girls ran laughing and

giggling past Tammy down the hall.

       "They didn't even notice me."  Tammy thought sadly, as she made her way slowly down the hall toward her locker. "Oh well, what's the difference, She said half out loud, I don't like Dawn anymore anyway."  She kicked at her locker door.

       "What's the matter Tam?" The voice startled her as she turned quickly to find Jodi standing a few feet away. "Oh, hi, Jodi.  What do you mean what's the matter? Nothing's the matter.  What could be the matter?"  She replied hurriedly.

       "Don't ask me?  You're the one standing here in the empty hall instead of going home."  The young girl responded.

       "And what makes you think I was just standing here anyway?  I have better things to do then..."

       "Forget it!" Jodi said bluntly. "I saw you."

       "Oh," Tammy said in a weak voice.  Maybe I just don't feel like going home right now."

       "It's Debbie, isn't it?"  Jodi asked in a concerned tone.

       "And what makes you think Debbie Lopez has anything to do with anything?" Tammy asked defensively, as she turned and began walking briskly down the hall.

       "Because I know exactly how you feel."  The petite blond said boldly, hurrying to catch up with her friend.

       "Oh yeah, well I doubt that!"  Tammy challenged.

       "Are you forgetting I was your best friend in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades?"  She asked, staring directly at Tammy.  "That is before Dawn Cooper came along.  I hated Dawn so bad I thought I'd die.  You had no more idea what I was feeling then Dawn is aware of your feelings right now.  I felt awful inside.  I couldn't even pray about it, because every time I tried I would wind up asking God to send Dawn back wherever it was she came from."

       The girls walked along silently for a few minutes.  Finally Tammy spoke in a weak voice.

       "I didn't know you felt like that, Jodi.  It sure makes a difference when you're the one being hurt doesn't it?"

       "That's for sure," Jodi agreed, "but do you know what got me over my bad feelings for Dawn?"

       Tammy shook her head no.

       "It was when I realized that I was the one being hurt the most.  You and Dawn were having too much fun to even notice old sourpuss here.  I couldn't think of anything else except the fact Dawn had taken you away from me.  I would sit across from you two at lunch and secretly wish

she'd spill grape juice all over her yellow sweater... you remember the one she always thought made her eyes look so brown?  Personally, I thought it made them look like two mud-holes."

       Both girls snickered.

       "I think the same thing about Debbie," Tammy admitted with a grin.  "But seriously," she continued.  "I want to know what made you get over it."

       "Well, do you remember Miss Willey?"

       "Sort of," Tammy responded meekly. Then thought deeper "Oh, yeah, isn't she the one that always told those great Bible stories and made you feel like you were a part of them?"

       "That's the one, Jodi grinned.  "Well, this one Sunday she told a story about when Jesus called people to follow Him.  How He never forced them to go.  He never became angry when they didn't respond to Him the way He wanted them to.  They always had a choice.  People are not processions Miss Willey had said, we do not own them!  She looked directly at me when she said it.  It was like she knew...  I felt embarrassed for feeling the way I did and asked God to help me learn to like Dawn.  It worked!!!  When I stopped being jealous of her because you and her were friends, I could like her too...Make sense?"

       "I guess," Tammy reasoned.  "But why didn't you tell me this before?"

       "That was the strangest part of all," the little blond confided.  "After I asked Jesus to help me like Dawn...it was as if it didn't matter that you wanted her as your best friend instead of me.".

       "Man, that's weird."

       "But you really have to mean it," she added with a wink.  Glancing at her watch she yelled over her shoulder as she sprinted away.  "Gotta go, Mom's gonna be mad at me if I miss her special stew supper, see ya in the morning."

       "Yeah, see ya, Oh and thanks, thanks a lot." Tammy called after her.

       Tammy walked slowly toward home, her mind whirling.  She knew this feeling was not good, and she knew Jodi was right.  She was the one being hurt the most.  She wanted to overcome this hatred she felt for Debbie, and she knew there was only one way.  Closing her eyes as she walked... she prayed."Jesus, please take away this feeling I have and help me accept Dawn and Debbie's friendship.  Thank You."

       Jodi had said she had to mean it and much to her own surprise she realized she really did.  Opening her eyes, she quickly glanced around her to see if anyone had been watching.  No one was, and she chuckled to herself thinking how foolish she must have looked. 

       "It's a good thing I didn't walk into a tree or something," she giggled.

       "Hey, Tam, Got a minute?"

       She spun around to see Dawn running breathlessly up to her.

       "Hi, I tried calling, and when your Mom said you weren't home yet, I figured you'd come through the park. Is there anything wrong?  That's about the only time you come this way." Dawn said all in one breath.

       "Oh, not really, Tammy hedged, I just have a lot on my mind.  What do you need?"

       "Well, I was wondering if I could borrow your beige sweater, Deb and I are going to youth meeting tonight."

       "Sure, why not?" Tammy shrugged.

       "Thanks a lot, you're the best friend anyone could ever have.  Gotta run...I'll stop by later for the sweater.  Thanks again."

       Tammy watched as Dawn scooted away.  Her heart beat heavy in her chest.  The feeling was still there...but it was different this time.  It was like now she knew her feelings were normal and that at least Jodi and Jesus understood, and neither of them hated her for feeling this way.  She also knew now, through prayer, she could overcome it.  She took a deep breath and smiled a secret smile.  Picking up her pace she continued on her way home.  Jodi was a good friend for talking to her like she did, and Tammy had a warm glowing feeling deep inside that told her tomorrow would be a whole lot better.



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