The Feb Debs

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 3^rd and Debbey’s on the 12^th. 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.