In the beginning there were only two Debs—Debbie Jacobs and Debbey
Johnson, who were sat together in the first class of first grade. They quickly
recognized the “it” quality in one another, and rather than become enemies, decided
to be the most powerful duo in the school.
Not only did they share a first name, they also had
birthdays in February, Debbie’s on the 3rd and Debbey’s on the 12th.
They convinced their mothers to bake red and white cupcakes to be given out on
Valentine’s Day. The two girls received stacks of individualized cards
decorated with hearts and glitter.
It was during this odd party which Ms. McIntyre felt had got
away from her that she announced there was another “February sweetheart” and
pointed to Jessica Meyers, who rather than try to make herself invisible as
most would have done, rolled her eyes and pretended to gag. The two Debs,
secretly hating having to smile and be nice to all those creepy and boring
kids, found Jessica hysterical and at the next recess, the three found one
another and were instantly inseparable.
For the next couple of days, the girls began and ended each
recess by marching around the entire playground, arms linked. They surrounded
small groups jumping rope, playing marbles or hopscotch. At first they would
smile sweetly and ask to join in the fun, but soon enough, hats were knocked
off, braids and barrettes pulled out, and marbles and jump ropes were tossed
asunder. Jessica, who now went by “Deb 3” and doing the work at the bidding of
the other two, felt both a hot lash of shame and a jolt of excitement. But then
the two Debs would daintily pick up and hand back the objects with a smile and
a “just kidding”.
A few days later, a clearly nervous Ms. McIntyre addressed
the room. “Children, I made a big mistake during our February Sweetheart party.
We have another student who has a birthday soon. Isn’t that right, Erin? What
day is your birthday?”
Erin, who had thought she had escaped, turned red and
stuttered. “Tw-tw-tw-twenty-nine”.
Some kid in the back shouted, “There’s no February 29,
Brainless!”
Ms. McIntyre, always happy for a teachable moment jumped to
board, “Why, yes there is, Jason. Every four years we have an extra day on Feb.
29. It’s called Leap Year.”
“She only got a birthday every four years. So she’s 2 years
old! Baby!!”
The class dissolved into hysterics and Erin, who hadn’t
fathomed this level of embarrassment, felt the familiar sting behind her eyes
and her throat close.
“That’s enough! Erin, we will have a special Leap Year party
and if you would like to bring treats, feel free. Ok, now let’s get out our
social studies books.”
Erin and her best friend Beth had managed to avoid the Debs
by changing location often and if the horrible Jim Carter wasn’t in charge, joining
the kickball game. The next few days, though, began a campaign that began and
ended with the school bells. The three girls, wearing matching pink bandanas,
held one out to Erin.
“Come on. Be a Feb Deb like us.”
Arms linked, they danced a circle around Beth and Erin,
chanting, “We are the Debs, the local celebs!” They passed her notes in class
that read, “Do you want to be a Deb? Circle yes or no.”
Erin politely said “No, thanks” to the gifts and didn’t pass
any notes back. She hated the look on Beth’s face that was both fear and
sadness. When she woke in the morning, she felt like throwing up and dreaded
going to school. What she didn’t want to admit was that she wanted to be a Deb.
More than anything.
After a few days, the Debs realized that to get to Erin they
needed to get her away from Beth. They passed her a note: “Meet us by the slide
after school. Come alone.” Many years later, Erin would still wonder why she
lied to Beth and stayed behind after school that day.
They were waiting, today in matching jean jackets and orange
headbands. “We’re having a secret Feb Debs party on your birthday at recess. We’ll
bring a present for everyone in the group. And after that we’ll officially be
the Four Feb Debs. We really like you Erin, but you have to be a Deb.”
Erin, suddenly connected to these girls and imagined a future
of boundless friendship with them. Though she knew it was wrong and could ruin
everything, she asked, “What about Beth?”
“Duh! She doesn’t have a birthday in February!”
“And she’s kinda weird. You are way cooler and prettier. Being
with us will be so much more fun. You’ll see.”
That weekend, Erin took all her saved allowance money and
went to the mall, emerging four hours later with carefully selected items for
each girl—a set of flavoured chapsticks for Debbie, who always was using them;
a tiny purple journal with a lock and key for Debbey; and a set of sparkly
bangles for Jessica who wore jewellery more than the others.
On that February 29, Erin told her best friend she couldn’t
be friends anymore. As Beth stood on the playground dumbstruck and hurt, Erin
went to a corner of a playground near some shrubs and sat down with a group of
giggling girls. She pulled out the beautifully wrapped gifts from her pockets
and placed them in the middle with the others. Debbie announced they would open
their gifts in the order of their birthdays. So emerged from the pile, keychains,
stickers, and polish.
And when it was time for Erin to unwrap three neatly wrapped
boxes, she imagined earrings, barrettes, or a locket. Instead, each box was
empty, except for the last, which contained a small, folded pink heart bearing four
little words.
“We don’t like you!”
And is if on cue, the girls jumped up and ran, their
laughter echoing for years to come.
