Rich’s loyalty, support and protection helped to make the worst day of my young life almost tolerable.
I was seven years old, had moved to the second block of the class and had already secured my place at the back right hand desk. Nobody was going to take that away from me, ever!
One morning just after term started I almost saw a funny wiggly thing in my eyes and then, when I looked up I couldn’t read the blackboard. My first reaction was to rub my eyes and have another go but the board was still a vague blur.
Worried, I put my hand up to tell Miss Beevis but at first she thought I was messing around and threatened to send me to the headmaster; desperate and very frightened I took refuge in tears.
Maybe persuaded by Rich’s earnest “I think there’s really something wrong with Malc, Miss” or perhaps just realising that I was in genuine distress, Miss Beevis came to my desk and then led me by the hand to the front of the class.
Even that close to the blackboard and utterly humiliated by having to sit with the six year olds, I still couldn’t make out any writing and started crying again. Accepting that I wouldn’t be able to do any work Miss Beevis took me back to my real place and told me to read quietly until playtime.
I had to literally put my nose on the page to see the words in my book but at least the effort kept me occupied. When morning milk arrived Rich was allowed to bring mine to me, rather than me having to queue up as usual, then we went out for playtime.
I didn’t want to play and sat miserably in a corner of the playground; Rich loyally sat with me and held my hand telling me that everything would be alright. For the rest of the morning I sat at my desk doing my best to read but it gave me a headache.
When dinner time finally came round I got waited on by Rich and two of our friends. The dinner ladies decided that the best way to cheer up a distressed little boy was an extra big helping of pudding. I ate the lot; it took more than not being able to see to ruin my appetite.
After dinner the Headmaster put me in his car, drove me back to Lurgashall and led me by hand all the way to the front door to hand me over to Mummy. For the first time in my life I discovered there were things she couldn’t make better.
All she could do was give me a kiss and a cuddle and tell me that I had to be brave for now; we’d go and see the doctor in the morning. On his way home Rich came round to see how I was feeling so we played together for a while, indoors because I wasn’t allowed out in case I hurt myself.
Rich stayed as long as he could and by the time he left I’d managed to cheer up a bit. I went to bed early that evening because I wasn’t allowed to read so there wasn’t much point in staying up. I was also hoping that a good night’s sleep would make my eyes better again.
Love
Gosh, I can’t imagine what had happened to your eyes so suddenly! Please don’t leave me in suspense too long.
I won’t, I promise.
It’s in times of distress we find who our real friends are. And not. I’m glad you had your Rich.
Much Love
Daniel
I guess that’s the true test of friendship; when things get tough real friends don’t give up. A very special person in my young life.
Love
Malcolm
I had a friend very much like that when I was younger. We had an unconditional sense of loyalty. Unfortunately we drifted apart as we got older. But I will hold on to those memories forever.
That’s the thing isn’t it; that unconditional loyalty? Rich and I eventually drifted apart but not until we were almost out of our teens. He stayed in the village and I needed to get out but whenever I went home for a visit he and I would get together for a couple of beers.