For a Reason and a Season

M approached me by the cafeteria vending machines the first week of high school. Too shy to have done that myself, I was so glad she did. I can’t remember what she said or how we became fast friends but that happened, and our friendship was strong for three years. 

One day, though, she confessed that her boyfriend was pressuring her (by way of a lie) to have sex. Looking back, I’m thinking she may have wanted my blessing, but I saw right through him. I tried to tell her—maybe not forcefully enough—but she didn’t want to hear it. Whether they did have sex or not, I can’t say for certain. What I can assuredly say is that I felt myself growing in a different direction. It wasn’t only that one instance. There were others that had me realizing that I’d become more sure of who I was growing to be. 

While I didn’t break off our friendship, it naturally began to dwindle after we graduated. I found my people at college. (In fact, five of us just met for a girls’ beach trip last weekend; yes, even after decades.)

They say people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. With M, it was the first two. With these friends (plus others; we missed you), it's all three. And I’m grateful. 

Like most (all?) authors, Jody Feldman has written many friends into her books. Who are they? She won't say.