Chapter 3: A Walk in Monroeville Park
One cool third Saturday of May 2023, I met up with my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri, as well as some of my other best friends Alex Russo, Justin Evans, Max Greenwald, Carly Shay, and Spencer Puckett, as well as Carly's stepdad, Freddie Benson, at Monroeville Park for a nature walk with Alex's nutrition group. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. While jamming out to Kate Bush and Lizzo, we composed a Childhood Chat in which Elizabeth Mosh discussed taking a dare in 4th grade in Churchill, Natalie Bay discussed having a party with a theme in 7th grade in Edgewood, Abigail Mifflin discussed using her new duffel bag in 7th grade in Forest Hills, Nicole Ellis discussed selling lemonade in 9th grade in Monroeville, Emily Grey discussed coloring in 2nd grade in Oakmont, Hannah Mifflin discussed doing makeovers in 6th grade in Penn Hills, Sarah Ching discussed sporting her new pajama set in 9th grade in Plum, Brianna Shokoko discussed telling a silly story at 22 years old in Swissvale, and Emma Wallace discussed using her new stuffed animal at 20 years old in Wilkinsburg. "I am so happy that the rain stopped," I told my friends. "Even though we do need the rain, but I really wanted to be able to go on our walk today." "I love this time of year because you get to see baseball games, which I really enjoyed taking Sarah and Angel to in high school," James stated. "Spring is okay, but summer not so much," Sarah stated. "It can get really hot really early just like that one day when we were kids and teenagers." "Didn't one of our clients talk about selling lemonade right here in this very neighborhood?" Henri stated. "Yes, she did, Henri," James replied. "I sold lemonade during my freshman year of high school during our super strong El Nino of 2015-2016, which featured our crazy warm December," Nicole stated. "There is a difference between December heat waves and May heat waves, Nicole," Sarah stated. "It was also right here in this very same park," Nicole continued. "But, I love nutrition group just as much as the rest of you guys do." Then, while jamming out to NSYNC and 98 Degrees, we composed another Childhood Chat in which Sophia Cleng discussed watching YouTube videos at 8 years old in Butler County, Julia Robison discussed having a photo shoot at 14 years old in Westmoreland County, and Rachel Luster discussed sporting her new pajama set at 11 years old in Washington County. "I remember taking a nature walk in the spring of my 8th grade year," Carly stated. "It was cloudy, but rather cool at the same time," Spencer stated. "I was so proud of Carly for excelling in science due to this trip," Mr. Benson stated. "Nicole, you are not the one who participated in band in high school, but Kimberly is," Alex told Nicole. "No, but did you have a favorite concert that you performed in?" Nicole asked. "I liked my 11th grade Christmas concert best," Alex stated. "Yes, that was a very good concert," Justin agreed. "Probably one of the best ways to ring in the holiday season," Max stated. "I love the way that you make your favorite foods healthier to eat, Alex," Nicole happily stated. "Like hamburgers, chicken nuggets, cupcakes, etc.!" "I am also making a healthier version of pasta salad for our annual picnic in 2 weeks from tomorrow," Alex stated. "I also plan to share my journal entries from this spring, but good luck to Justin and Max with grilling!" Once the nature walk was over, it was time for all of us to go home. "Thanks for a great day, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Good night, guys!" "Good night!"