A New Friend For Jennie

Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.

“WE’RE MOVING.”

Jennie’s heart sank the moment the words came out of her best friend’s mouth. She wanted to stick her fingers in her ears and hum like she did when she was little, but she was twelve now and knew that ignoring something didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen. Even if she could block out the heartbreaking words, she couldn’t un-see the stack of moving boxes in the corner of Darcy’s living room.

The truth was unavoidable. The person she had called her best friend for as long as she could remember—the girl who lived across the street from her, the one whom she had played with, shared secrets with, and pretended was her sister—was moving three states away. And in a world before email, texts, and social media, Darcy might as well have been moving to another country.

Loud meowing interrupted the girls’ conversation. Darcy’s outdoor cat—one of the many pets her family had rescued over the years—was not so subtly asking for her dinner. Darcy’s dad had brought the affectionate gray tabby cat home three years earlier after finding her foraging in the dumpster behind his medical office. She had been nothing more than skin and bones, and Darcy and Jennie had been more than happy to feed her and shower her with affection. Soon the little cat they named DJ was at a healthy weight and making her gratefulness known through a weekly rodent offering at the back door.

Since Jennie’s parents were allergic to cats, Darcy and her parents agreed to keep DJ and let Jennie play with him anytime she wanted. Jennie had loved the arrangement. She felt like she finally had a pet! But now it made the thought of Darcy moving that much more painful. Both of her dear companions would soon be gone.

Over the next two weeks, Jennie smiled through her heartache as she helped her friend pack up the room they had spent countless hours in. She feigned excitement for the new adventures Darcy would have—without her. And she tried to savor every moment with DJ.

Jennie fought back tears the night the two families gathered for the last dinner they would share as close friends and neighbors. Jennie didn’t want to cry in front of everyone, and yet the burning in her throat was becoming unbearable. How would she survive high school without her best friend? How would she get ready for dances and dates without Darcy’s makeup know-how? How would she ever get to rescue another animal again? Jennie was about to flee to the bathroom to cry in private. However, as she prepared to excuse herself from the table, Darcy’s dad cleared his throat.

“Jennie, I have an important question to ask you.”

Confusion replaced Jennie’s rising panic.

“Oh, um, okay,” she said, sitting back in her chair.

“I’ve talked with your mom and dad about this already. But we wanted to see if you would do something for us,” he said, nodding to Darcy and her mom.

Jennie couldn’t imagine what Darcy’s dad was going to say next. She looked quickly at Darcy. Why is Darcy smiling? she wondered, quickly turning her attention back to Mr. Smith.

“We don’t think DJ will be happy trapped in a cat carrier for two days as we drive to our new house. And we fear she might run away once we get there and try to find her way back here. So we’re hoping we could leave DJ with you.”

What? What! Is he serious? Were her parents really on board with this?

“As long as DJ remains an outdoor cat, we are good with it,” her mom clarified. Both of her parents were smiling.

“Are you sure?” Jennie whispered to Darcy—wanting so badly to have a cat of her own, but not if it made Darcy sad.

Darcy got up and hugged Jennie.

“I am one hundred percent sure! Besides, knowing Dad, I’ll have five new cats in a week anyway!” She laughed. “And I want you to keep DJ. It will be like a little part of me gets to stay with you.”

Jennie didn’t even try to stop her tears now. And she wasn’t the only one crying.

Three days later as Jennie waved goodbye to Darcy, the tears fell again. Her best friend was gone. Jennie retreated under the tree she and Darcy had climbed as little kids, trying hard not to feel so alone.

Meow.

DJ! The little tabby cat rubbed her head against Jennie’s leg, and jade-green eyes looked up at her. Jennie ran her hand down DJ’s back and began relating stories of her adventures with Darcy. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have as much fun with anyone else.” DJ snuggled next to Jennie’s leg and purred, and Jennie realized another best friend was lying right beside her.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

What are some encouraging words people have spoken to you? How did their words help? To whom do you turn when your heart is weighed down by anxiety? Can you recall some of God’s words that might cheer your heart when you are feeling weighed down? Who could you speak kind words to today?

Paws & Pray

Lord, you know I often become anxious about things I can’t change or control. I believe you have the best plan for me. Thank you for the gift of your Word, which reminds me of who you are and how precious I am to you. Help me to recall your promises and give me courage to speak kind words to others who need encouragement.