My Best Friend

A New Friend

Thomas sat at his usual spot at the dining room table at home. Uncle Monty and Charlie sat on the opposite side of the table. Luda Mae passed out bowls of stew for dinner.

"So, Tommy", she said sitting down. "How was school?"

Thomas looked at her and smiled.

"It was good? Did ya make any friends?"

He nodded as he continued to smile. Charlie chuckled as he slurped a spoonful of stew.

"Did ya meet a girl there, boy?" he asked.

Thomas nodded again. Luda Mae gasped as she dropped her spoon. He began fidgeting in his chair. He wasn't sure if he was in trouble or not. They never told him if having a friend who's a girl was wrong or not.

"Was this girl nice to you?" Luda Mae asked.

Thomas nodded. He wrapped his arms around himself and hugged himself. Everyone watched trying to understand.

"She hugged ya?" Uncle Monty asked.

Thomas nodded again. Luda Mae smiled as she got up and hugged him.

"It's about time my boy made a friend!" she said. "I think I'd like to meet this girl, Tommy."

"I agree, Mama", Charlie said. "I wanna see how purty this girl is."

"Charlie!" she exclaimed smacking his arm. "She's Tommy's friend. She's not for you!"

Thomas looked at Charlie nervously. He didn't like it when he joked about that kind of stuff. He never knew if he was serious or not and he didn't want to find out if he was joking about Mindy.

----------------------------------------------

Mindy looked at her parents in disgust. She tried to ignore their love-dovey attitude toward each other and focused on something more important like homework. For some reason, instead of focusing on homework, her mind kept wandering to Thomas. Mindy wondered if he was alright. Was his family taking care of him? Did he tell them what happened at school?

"Mindy!"

Mindy looked up to see her parents looking at her.

"Your father asked you a question", her mother said.

"Jeremy? I'm sorry, I guess I didn't hear him over your smooching."

"Don't get smart with me. Answer your father."

"What was the question?"

"I asked if you like your new school", Jeremy said.

"Oh", Mindy said. "Yes, I like school. I met someone there."

"A boy?" her mother asked. "Was he nice?"

"He's very nice", she answered. "He's also very shy."

"Does he have a name?"

"His name is Thomas."

"Thomas, eh?" Jeremy asked. "How did you meet him?"

"I saved him from some bullies", Mindy answered. "It wasn't fair, it was three against one. Poor boy didn't stand a chance."

"You didn't start a fight with those boys, did you?" her mother asked.

"No, Mama."

"Good. Getting into fights is so unlady-like."

Mindy sighed. Her mother would never understand her. She didn't want to be a lady like her mother. The last thing she ever wanted was to grow up like her. Mindy went to her room and opened her journal to today's entry. She looked over what she wrote and smiled. She picked up a pencil and added something at the end.

P.S. I met a boy today. His name is Thomas Hewitt. As of today, he's officially my best friend. People think he's a freak because of his face, but I don't. I like him the way he is...especially his eyes. They make up for whatever's wrong with his face. He may not be able to talk, but I can understand him perfectly. I can't wait to see him tomorrow. I think I'm going to love it here in this town.