A Bond For Life
I was born in the same hospital within hours of my best friend. When we were three or four months old we were both entrusted to our eldest brothers who were, and still are, best friends. From what I understand, this was a duty that they performed with admirable enthusiasm. They were eight at the time. They pushed us around in our prams, wiped our noses, cleaned our bums, and changed our soiled nappies. They pooled their resources by taking turns to look after us while the other one joined the other boys in their games. We were never left alone. In this way a unique four-way bond was formed that would last a life time.They taught us to fight the boys and, to my mother’s disgust, to stand and pee. By the time I was ten I had my mind made up about who I’m going to marry. He broke my heart when I was fourteen. He married somebody else. When he divorced five years later, I saw my chance. I was nineteen, itchy and ready for him. I wanted him to be the first and the only. He told me to have a cold shower. He refused to see me as anything but a sister. Sometimes I’m sorry he did not take me that day. It would have changed our lives completely. Other times I’m glad that he refused me. Sex has a way to kill friendships.
The bond between two old school friends and their two baby sisters is still as strong as ever. It is wonderful to know that if I stumble, I will have no less than three super heroes who will exceed themselves to get me up and running again.
