The Good Old Days

June 1990 (The Bar Mitzvah)

Two years had gone by since graduating from Barkley Boulevard and the friends were all approaching the end of seventh grade. Adam was the first of the four to have his thirteenth birthday, now becoming the only teenager among them. Today was his Bar Mitzvah to celebrate this transition in his life.

As the Rabbi spoke, Adam's eyes quickly darted around the room. Adam tended to be unable to focus on any one thing most days, but it was especially bad when he knew he needed to, such as today. He tried to pay attention to what the Rabbi was saying, but he struggled to as his thoughts were bouncing off the walls. That is, until he looked at Daisy in the crowd. He became less restless as he fixed his eyes on her. She always had a sort of calming effect on him. He managed to return his attention to the Torah in front of him, and began to read from its pages just as he had practiced many times leading up to tonight.

A short while later, the ceremony was over, and the party was ready to start. Adam hopped down off the stage that was set up and went over and hugged his parents. His mother was holding his new baby brother, Stephen, who was just seven months old.

 "You did amazing Peanut," Ann said to her eldest son, "Stevie is proud of you too!"

Ann wiggled the infant's chubby little arm to make him wave at Adam.

Adam just smiled and laughed at it. After he accepted his mom's kiss on his cheek and told her he loved her, he was off running. He found his way over to his three friends.

"Mazel tov!" Daisy congratulated, "You did great!"

"So," Melissa said, "How is the adult life?"

Adam rolled his eyes, "Please... I may be considered one but I don't feel it."

"Hush old man," Mel said, "Can't keep up with the kids anymore!"

"Soooo funny," Adam laughed, "Let's go get in line for the food, then we can pick a table to sit at."

Cathy and Melissa ran ahead to the buffet line and right before Adam was about to run after them, Daisy stopped him by grabbing his shoulder. Just her touch made his stomach feel funny. He turned around and looked at her. She was holding a gift bag that he didn't notice before.

"Wait, I want to give you your present now," she said.

"O-ooh," Adam replied, "thanksss."

She handed it to him and watched him pull apart the tissue paper. He reached into the bag and pulled out the gift inside. It was a digital watch from Nintendog that also let you play a game on it. It was so cool, he had never seen anything like it.

"Wowww!! Thank you so much!" Adam said, turning the box around to read all about it.

"I knew you'd like it," Daisy shared with a giggle.

Then she hugged him, which caused Adam to blush, he tried not to let her see it. When she let go of him, he opened the plastic packaging with his teeth and put the watch on his wrist. After thanking her one more time, the two kids joined the rest of the friends on line.