The first time I saw her was the first day of school, 7th grade 1959. They drove up dropped her and drove off.
She was a tiny little thing fighting back tears and wishing she was not here. I ran up to her and said don’t be scared, I grabbed her hand and shoulder to shoulder we walked right in.
I told her my name and she said you don’t look like a Beverly to me, I’m gonna call you BJ and its been that way even until today.
We have had a million memories over the years, most were laughter some were tears.
We have been hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder for over sixty years. We’ve had marriages, kids, divorces, loss of parents, brothers and friends.
We’ve danced on bars, driven dirt track race cars, spent a summer in Wyoming on a cattle drive. Best friend doesn’t even to begin to describe.
I got a call a couple of years ago, she had been lost and couldn’t remember where to go. She was scared and said for a while she couldn’t remember her name. I told her not to worry, don’t be scared I’ll be right here.
We’ve had good days since then and some were bad but none will compare to the one we just had.
Her daughter called today, said mom has taken a turn, no need to go over she’s not going to remember who you are. I told her, oh my darling you don’t understand, I told her not to worry and don’t be scared, I’m gonna head right on over there.
I struggled as I walked through the door, there was no “I’ve missed you, where have you been or I think I know you aren’t we friends” just my precious friend curled up in a ball, a blank stare and a guttural sound I didn’t recognize at all.
I lay down beside her and stroked her hair and talked to her about all the escapades we have shared. At one point she brushed my cheek with her hand, I hope she was telling me not to worry I’m not scared I know you’re right here.
Sweet Jesus please let her remember me when we meet again way out there.