the lie

Trevor was a busy and friendly little boy - so much energy, that kid!  He had just recently moved to a new neighborhood, and I suspect he was giving his mother little rest since he didn't know any other kids yet.  Other than his baby sister anyway.

One chilly day in autumn, he was outside with his mom and baby sis when he spied *gasp* another little boy, right about his age, sitting on the steps in front of a house just a few houses away from his own!

"Can we go talk to that little boy!?", he asked his mother, "and see if he can play with me!?"

And so they approached.  The little boy was shy, but that didn't deter Trevor.  He was just so happy to see another kid his age in the new neighborhood!

"Hi little boy, my name's Trevor.  Do you live here?" , he asked the shy kid.

"Yes", was the answer while still seated on the steps.  He was bundled up in a warm jacket handed down from an older brother, a knit hat and gloves, and warm wool pants.

"Would you like to play with me?  What's your name?", Trevor continued.

There was a moment's hesitation from the shy boy, who eventually answered, "John".

About that time, John's mother approached from the front porch, having seen the introduction.  John looked at his mother, but didn't say anything.  Nothing verbal anyway.  But his eyes and body language clearly implored,

"Please Mom.  I'd like him to be my friend.  Please don't tell him."

His mother gave a conspiratorial little smile, talked quietly with Trevor's mother for a bit, and then agreed that yes, the two children could play for a while at Trevor's house.

The two hit it off from the start.  From that day forward, they played together nearly every day.  Their little neighborhood provided many adventures - building forts, learning to ride bicycles, making little cities out of dirt...

In fact, it was on the afternoon of that very first day that John knew he couldn't lie to his new best friend.  Before he left Trevor's house, while they were still alone, he told him.  Told him the truth.

With much relief, Trevor had practically no reaction to this new information.  It was as if he hadn't heard it, or didn't understand the words.  The two best friends just continued on their journey together.

Fall became winter, winter became spring, spring became summer, and the children's happy adventures continued. 

Once in a while, the neighborhood fixit man would come across the two playing, and comment about the truth.   Trevor just ignored him, though, while the shy kid's eyes rolled.

Sadly, Trevor and his family had to move away at the end of that summer.  The two inseparable friends would never see nor hear from each other again.  Their sadness was cushioned by the fact that they both had new beginnings sprouting in each of their lives:  Kindergarten!  And beyond!

Still, however, I often think about Trevor.  I wonder where he is now.  I can barely remember what he looked like other than that he had soft fuzzy brown hair covering a perfectly round head.

And he was my first best friend.  Even after I told him that my name was not really John, and that I was not a little boy, but a girl.

To this day, I wonder.  Did he continue to believe I was a boy?  Did he just not care?  I know one thing, though.

I was wildly in love with him.



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I'm hooking up with Mama Kat again this week, for the prompt:
1.) Have you ever felt that life was getting in the way of a big goal? Did you end up giving up or pressing forward? (inspired by Crissy)


I had a big goal, and I pressed forward! 

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