Best Friends For Life

“What if they don’t like me?”

“They’ll love you!”

“What if they stare?”

“If they stare, it’s only because they’re curious, but too scared to talk.”

“What if I don’t make a friend?”

“Honey, stop worrying.  Everything will be alright.  I’m sure there will be one special person that will want to be your friend.”

Cheyenne looked at her mom and smiled.  She could always make her feel better with a few comforting words.  As nervous as Cheyenne was, she was going to need them. 

Today was Cheyenne’s first day back to school after the accident and the move.  She didn’t want to go, fearing the looks she would get because of her arm.  She was still getting used to the metal hook that replaced her hand.  Cheyenne hated the hook; it just reminded her of the night of the accident that took both her dad and her arm.

As Cheyenne entered the fifth grade classroom, everyone became silent. 

“Class, this is Cheyenne.  She just moved from New York and is your new classmate. You remember how you felt on your first day, so please make her feel welcome.”

Cheyenne walked to the only vacant desk located near the middle of the room and felt the eyes watching her.  She pulled her sleeve down to hide the shiny hook and kept her head down.  Her pencil slid off of her desk and onto the floor.  When she bent to retrieve it, her hook peaked out and gleamed in the light.  Frozen into place, Cheyenne glanced around to see if anyone saw.  A small boy with black hair and deep blue eyes stared back at her in wonder.  She quickly sat up and stared straight ahead until it was time for recess.

Sitting on the swing, Cheyenne started daydreaming about her dad, when the boy with the deep blue eyes sat beside her.  Instead of trying to hide her hook, she just stared back at him and noticed the scar that tilted his lip.

He said, “What happened to your hand?”

“I was in a really bad car accident.  What happened to your mouth?”

“I was born this way.  Mama says that I have a cleft lip.  I’m Daniel.”

“I’m Cheyenne.”  A few moments pass by as Cheyenne considers this boy that’s different, just like her.

“You know, I think your hook is pretty cool.  Can I touch it?”

Hesitantly, Cheyenne nods silently.

Daniel gently touches the cold metal and whispers, “Cool!” He looks up at her and says, “Since, you’re new in town, do you want to be my friend?” 

“Sure!” Smiling at her new friend, Cheyenne feels hope for the first time that things will get better.


Looking back on that day, now old with wrinkles, she still remembers it with clarity.  As she looks at Daniel, her lifetime friend and partner, she can't imagine what her life would have been like if the deep blue-eyed boy hadn't sat beside her on the swings.