Once upon a time, in Miss Agee’s Kindergarten class at Towne Acres Elementary, two little girls named Missy and Debra got in trouble for doing the unthinkable, playing with the Abacus when they were supposed to be sitting down. That was the day the universe said, “These two are going to be partners in mischief for life.”
Their friendship was sealed in elementary school, even when life threw a little twist and Missy moved away for a year. When she came back, she walked into third grade, spotted a familiar face at the water fountain, and blurted out, “Are you Debra Brown?” And just like that, the duo was back in action, as if no time had passed.
That was the year they were snowflakes in the winter play at Towne Acres. Missy in her ballet tutu, and Debra in her white turtleneck and skirt were the cutest snowflakes in the school play. They used to love crawling through the bushes by the playground, sitting in the grass making flower crowns, and playing on the jungle gym. Some of the kids made fun of them, but that didn’t matter because they always had each other.
There was the infamous Mr. Hartman’s bench in the 9th grade, the time “Duncan” kicked Missy in the shin at Liberty Bell because they were making fun of him, Missy’s cousin “Scarf head,” the boyfriend who resembled a mailbox, Missy’s poodle hair phase, and that whole Ichabod Crane name that they called that poor guy at Liberty Bell because he wore a black trench coat. There was also the time they snuck and smoked Missy’s aunt’s cigarettes at her grandmothers house, and then doused one another in Campho Phenique to cover the smell. Even Missy’s Grandmother wasn’t stupid enough to not know they had been smoking!
From there, the stories only got wilder. By the time they were in their teens, they cruised for hours around AMC like they owned the parking lot, wandered the mall as if it were a second home, and somehow always ended up at parties they absolutely should not have been at. Thank goodness there was no social media back then, because if there had been, they would both still be in hiding.
Bones and Skeletor. Little Caesars and The Witch. Ahahaha. Memories.
By the time they turned 18, they chased the Georgia Satellites into a parking lot at Garden Plaza like starstruck groupies and once even drove all the way to South Carolina on Christmas Eve just to drop off Stabbin the Cat at a bus stop. Because why not?
One Christmas Eve, two broke 18 year olds coasted down the Asheville mountain with barely enough gas, and even less sense, but somehow made it home to Tennessee. They learned the hard way about not getting in the car with drunk drivers when they were in a bad car crash on Oakland Avenue. They tried to drive Debra’s sister’s stick shift car, which they had to sneak out of the driveway, while both were injured, Missy with cracked ribs tried to manage the gas, brake and clutch and Debra with a cracked neck tried to change the gears, but they couldn’t make it half a block before pain and laughter forced them to stop.
Then there was that freezing walk across Johnson City in the middle of a snowstorm, just to avoid getting in a car with two drunk co-workers after work. Walking from The Pub Outback to North Johnson City! They huddled in the only gas station bathroom and the only bank they could find to keep warm along the way, proving once again that their friendship could survive anything, including frostbite. That was certainly a long, cold walk home!
When Missy’s father was dying in 1997, Debra was there in the way only a true friend can be. Without hesitation, she dropped everything to make sure Missy could get from Florida to Tennessee in time to say goodbye. It wasn’t just about miles or logistics, it was about love, loyalty, and knowing when your best friend needs you most. Because of Debra, Missy made it home to see her dad one last time, a gift she will never forget and one that forever deepened the bond they’ve shared since that fateful day with the Abacus.
Sure, they’ve had their fights, one in high school when Debra called Missy a goody goody, and another as adults that had them both seeing red. Both fights were ridiculous, and Missy doesn’t even remember why they happened! Time, laughter, and love always patch things up, because real friendship doesn’t fade, it just waits patiently for the next ridiculous adventure.
Fifty years later, Missy still smiles thinking of that little girl in Miss Agee’s class, her lifelong friend, her sister in every way that matters. No matter how long they go without talking (which Missy hates), they always pick up right where they left off, as if the Abacus never stopped clicking.
After fifty years of friendship, laughter, adventures, and a few unforgettable moments of chaos, one thing has always remained the same, and that’s the the bond that began with that little Abacus in Miss Agee’s Kindergarten class. Who would have thought that two girls caught playing when they shouldn’t have been would still be laughing about it half a century later? Through heartbreaks, inside jokes, and cross-country trips, the Abacus has kept on clicking—counting not beads, but memories, love, and loyalty that have stood the test of time. And today, as Debra celebrates her birthday, the world feels just right again because she’s finally as old as Missy once more! The Abacus clicks on, marking another year of friendship, laughter, and two hearts that have never stopped counting on each other.
Happy Birthday, Debra. Thank you for fifty years of memories, laughter, tears, and love. Here’s to the next fifty-ish years! I love you so much and miss you beyond anything, my forever friend.
Leave a Reply