The two children grew
quickly and time passed ever so fast. Maria became closer to Michael. They
shared everything birthdays, holidays, even visits to the doctor. When Michael
started Kindergarten Maria cried. Even Michael was a little bit sad to leave his
best friend. On the day before school started the two women took the children to
their favorite place the park.
They brought a picnic lunch
and wanted to make it a fun day for both kids knowing that the next few days
were going to be very hard on them. The kids played on the slide as their
mothers' set out lunch. Jenny turned to Greta and said, "They are so cute
together the way they both look out for each other." Greta smiled, and
said," I hope that they get over being separated for a short time quickly it
breaks my heart when they cry." Deep down both women knew they would get over
it like all kids do.
The next day Jenny got
Michael ready for his first day of school. He was excited that he was going to
do something new but was worried about his friend. Jenny explained that she
would be ok and would be waiting for him when he got home. He asked if she could
walk with them to the school so she would know where he was and Jenny smiled and
said she already asked and they would go and get her on the way. Michael smiled
and ran to get his lunchbox. He ran out the door and across the lawn to the
house next door.
He never ever knocked when
he went in he always just ran inside, today was no exception. Maria was in the
bathroom with her mother doing her hair. She was wearing her favorite pink
overalls and her mom was putting in her pigtails. Michael ran thru the house
yelling, " Mom, Maria where are you?" "In here", called back Greta.
Michael was so very proud of himself he was a big boy now and was going to
school. Maria wasn't very happy this morning she knew her friend was going to
be gone most of the day and she was going to miss him. With her hair finished
they stepped out of the bathroom. Michael looked at Maria and said, "I'm
ready to go." She looked up at her mom and said, " Can I go too?" Greta
explained that she would be walking Michael to and from school with his mom, and
that he would be home just after lunch. Sadly she said," Ok" as she went to
grab her jacket. Jenny came in and said her hellos and looked at the two
children. Maria looked so very sad and Michael was so terribly excited. She
shook her head and said it was time to go. Michael took Maria's hand and told
her that he was going to learn how to write his name. She looked at him and told
him that she was going to play with her dolls till he came home.
When they got to the school
Michael was afraid. He looked up and down the big building and wanted to go
home. His mother reassured him that he would be fine that there were lots of
boys and girls here just like him. They found his classroom and stood outside
the door. Michael peered in and saw all the other kids playing and having fun.
He looked up at his mom and said, "I will be ok." He then looked at Maria,
gave her a hug and said," See you after lunch." Maria said, "Ok" Michael
went into the classroom, looked over his shoulder and waved. The teacher shut
the door and they couldn't see anymore. Jenny looked at the little girl and
knelt down and gave her a hug. They walked back to the house and Maria went into
her room. On her bed was big bear her most favorite toy. She hugged him and
decided that she was going to play school.
On her little table she put
her crayons, paper and sat big bear in a chair. She drew a picture of herself,
Michael and big bear and was telling a story about the picture to her bear. The
two women heard her talking and went to see what she was doing. From outside the
door way they heard her telling her bear that she was going to be just as smart
as Michael and was going to learn her ABC's. The two women chuckled and
decided to help her. They went into the room and sat at the little table with
her and asked what she was doing. She looked up at them and said she was going
to learn her letters and be like Michael. Greta took a piece of paper and wrote
the alphabet on it and showed it to Maria. Jenny smiled and went into the
kitchen to fix lunch for the three of them. Maria held her crayon determined to
get things right. She wanted to prove to her friend that she was just as good as
he was.
Maria worked hard until
lunch and then was ready to go and get Michael from school. She was very proud
of herself she was able to write a few letters on her own after lunch and wanted
to show him. Jenny came and got Maria and they walked to the school. When they
got inside the stood near the classroom door waiting for the bell to ring. When
it rang the door opened and a flood of children spilled out into the hallway.
Michael walked out slowly and looked and spotted his mother. He ran over and
gave her a big hug. He took Maria's hand and brought her into the classroom.
He showed her where he kept his lunchbox, coat, and a picture that he made of
him and her. They left the school and walked back home.
Maria went over to Michaels' house this time and they went
to play in the backyard on the swings. Michael pushed Maria and she squealed for
him to push her higher. The laughed and played until it was time for dinner.
Michael walked Maria to her house and then came home. Tomorrow would be another
day for them to have fun after school.
