Real Friends

In Salt Lake City in 1979, Shannon begins kindergarten. She has never had to make friends before and cries when her mom drops her off. Her mom assures her that she will soon feel comfortable in her class. Sure enough, Shannon soon makes friends with a girl in her class named Adrienne. They play many pretend games together. They imagine that they are Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders with animal sidekicks who help them defeat their adoring fans. Shannon’s mother is glad that she has a friend. Shannon reads a book, and in another room, her mother talks on the phone. She expresses concern for Shannon’s older sister, Wendy, implying that Wendy does not have any friends. 

At six years old, Shannon is the middle child. Her two older sisters, Laura and Wendy, are nine and 11, and her younger two siblings, Joseph and Cynthia, are one and two. Shannon feels out of place in her family, without anyone to be close to. Her younger siblings’ games are too childish for her, but her older sisters do not want to include her in their games. She is glad to have Adrienne as her best friend. One day, she is so happy to see Adrienne that she kisses her on the cheek, but Adrienne turns away, looking uncomfortable.