1980’s Best Friends Were The Best

Even all these years later, I have my half-of-the-heart necklace and charm necklace in my jewelry box.

The day I met my best friend I was 6 years old. I was walking down the street, by myself (my mom was not a hover parent), and she was out for a walk by herself too.

I said, “Hi, my name is ..” and she introduced herself as Vicky. As a side note, I had known many Vicky’s in school — it was a popular name. She seemed lonely and I was too. I had been an only child for 5 years and my new baby sister was taking up my parent’s attention.

Vicky and I started hanging out every day. There was about a block between our homes and we were allowed to walk or ride bikes back and forth. Vicky had a sad family background. She had two brothers, a mom and dad at one point. One day, the brothers were playing in the backyard and one brother got hurt and died on some construction equipment. Her mom moved out, her parents divorced and her dad was distant and didn’t parent.

When I would visit their home, it was always very very quiet. There was no cooking in the kitchen or laughter or talking. Her surviving brother would stay up in his room all the time and not…