I am working on writing a Timeline of Friendships that explains me. This is the first post in my "Midnight Snack" series. It focuses on Junior High and the amazing and under-appreciated people group known by most as children or tweens.

Timeline of Friendships
September 1994 First days in Vance Junior High School
October 1994 Becoming acquainted with my third team of Odyssey of the Mind
December 1994 First (Anonymous A)non-family-approved “best friend” ties my shoe laces together while Mrs. Green shows our class “A Christmas Carol” film
February 1995 Friend Anonymous A begins her downward spiral of self medicating by feeding her Alcoholism. After a bad time hanging out with her while she liberally samples the alcohol cabinet of the child she babysits. Later I walk to the mayor’s Mardi Gras party, with a breath mint to mask the taste of my own sampling endeavors. Distinct memory of sitting on a porch swing with a little girl named Maya, watching her eat jambalaya, and and beginning my first promise to myself.
I cannot let myself be like my best friend. I have to keep the child in me, like Maya.
November 1995 I become a vegetarian on Thanksgiving day. Children can be saints. I am barely 13. My best friend is self mutilating in ways I know and in other ways I will never be aware of.

I will never, NEVER, hurt myself. I will never drink alcohol again. I will never eat meat. I will never smoke cigarettes or do illegal drugs.

August 1996 Anonymous A prevails in encouraging me to sneak out of the house in the night, to attend a party with stoned older teenagers. Demand Anonymous A not drink that beer and that we leave right now or “I am done with her.” Somehow I prevail, but ultimately the law prevails. My saintliness is not rewarded when the police startle us back at my parent’s house.

August 1996 Later in the month, we are interrogated by some sort of juvenile legal counsel person.

September 1996 Anonymous A goes to rehab. I put my foot down somehow and step back from our friendship.

September 1996 First days at Tennessee High School