Annabelle has had an affinity for a certain little boy at school for a long time. He was in a neighboring kindergarten last year, but they would always play together on the playground during shared outdoor time. This year he is in first grade.
It is the kind of friendship that I hear about more than I see. I receive a lot of comments like, "You really should see them together!" and "Annabelle and Zack* are really something!" Last Spring Annabelle came up to me with important news:
Annabelle :: Mom. When Zack and I are teenagers we are going to go to college together.
Me :: College?
Annabelle :: Yes. Either Berkeley or Stanford.
Me :: (mouth hanging open)
Annabelle :: We don't know which one yet.
Over the summer I had some business at Stanford, so we drove onto campus and got lost looking for the right building. I didn't tell her where we were going ahead of time.
Annabelle :: (with great excitement) WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!?
Me :: This is Stanford.
Annabelle :: I want to come here!
The idea of going to college at Stanford continued to be a regular point of conversation over the summer. Of course, I did tell her that it might also be nice if she thought about going to Mills College, but her very first question was whether or not Zack could come with her. I hadn't thought of that, and the undergraduate program at Mills is only for women. She dismissed the idea immediately.
Yesterday I walked into the aftercare room at school to tell Annabelle that it was time to go home. She was in the loft with Zack. She was laying back in a big pillow ordering him around while he messed about in the play kitchen. I walked up and noticed she had stuffed a small blanket underneath her shirt.
Annabelle :: Mom. I have to tell you something. I'm pregnant.
I covered my mouth with my hands and immediately left the room, laughing. A few minutes later I peeked in to watch the two lovebirds playing together. It really is something quite special to see, the two of them together, and I stood there wondering all sorts of things about them.
I'm sure we will be hearing about Zack more and more...
*Zack is not his actual name.
