Numbers

Prologue

"Naomi, sweetheart, comedown for breakfast." A small, hyper young girl bounced her way down the stairs at her father's request. "Daddy, what's today's date?" She asked as she took her seat at the island in the kitchen. "It is September fifth." He replied, passing her a plate of pancakes. "No, like in numbers." She took a big forkful of pancakes and shoved them in her mouth. "Nine five." She jumped out of her seat in response. "That's my number!" She ran around the island, tripping over her feet. "Naomi dear, don't hurt yourself." Mr. Marvin had called over from the kitchen table. "Daddy, why doesn't Mr. Marvin have a number like us?" She asked, her hazel eyes peering up at her father. "What you're going to learn today is that not everyone has a number. Most mommies and daddies decide they don't want their kids to have numbers, so the doctors take them off when they're babies." He said. Naomi instantly grabbed her wrist and shouted, much louder than she meant to, "Doesn't that hurt!?" Her father just chuckled and put the frying pan in the sink. "Naomi, love, you're going to be late for your first day of kindergarten. Hurry up and get in the car." Mr. Marvin said whilst going into the garage. Naomi grabbed her purple backpack and matching lunchbox and ran out the door. "Love you daddy!"

"Okay young ones, everyone go over to the rainbow carpet." A crowd of five-year-old stampeded across the colorful classroom. "We're going to take turns introducing ourselves. My name is Mrs. Malli, my favorite color is pink and I like Neapolitan ice cream. Who wants to introduce themselves next?" At least a dozen tiny hands shot up. Mrs. Malli pointed to a young boy in the middle of the carpet. He was taller than the rest of the children, and had caramel colored skin. His hair stood up off of his head in a Marge Simpson fashion. "I'm Nick!" He practically shouted. "I'm five, and I like red, and chocolate ice cream, and... I have a number!" He plopped himself down with a childish grin on his face. Naomi shot up next. "I'm Naomi. I'm four and I'll be five soon and I like blue and I like pizza but not ice cream. Oh! And I have a number too!" She smiled over at Nick and sat back down.

After all the students introduced themselves, Mrs. Malli let them have free time to meet each other. "Hi Nick! I'm Naomi." He immediately grabbed for her wrist and read out loud the numbers. "Nine, five, zero, two." He started laughing. "We have the same number. And so does Chealsee." "And so does Thomas." They pretty blond girl, Chealsee, added. On the floor, a mop-topped little boy rolled around with another student. As soon as Mrs. Malli saw them 'play-fighting' she separated the two. "Thomas, let go of Chase!" Mrs. Malli shouted. Thomas got up and stood next to Chealsee. "Me and Chealsee are getting married. Who wants to go to the wedding?" He said. Naomi giggled, knowing the two were too young to get married. "Who's this girl?" Thomas asked, tugging on one of Naomi's pig tails. Before she could introduce herself, Chealsee spoke up. "She's my bridesmaid, Naomi." She smiled. "Naomi's pretty, maybe I'll get married to her." Nick stated. "When is the wedding?" Naomi asked. "Tomorrow during recess. Everyone will be there to celebrate our holy mattress-tony." Everyone laughed at that.

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