My best friend had lots of curls br but wasn’t like the other girls br who stayed dressed up and always clean. br My best friend wore old blue jeans. br br She loved to do things just like me, br like building forts and climbing trees. br She stubbed her toe, and to stop the blood, br we both walked barefoot through the mud. br br She could pitch a baseball, make it fly br much faster than most any guy. br And when she ran, her feet had wings! br My best friend could do anything. br br All summer long we stayed outside br pretending things and riding bikes br or sometimes wading in the creek br where I fell down and skinned my knee. br br One autumn day, I saw her cry. br I felt so sad when she told me why. br The doctors told her she was sick br and she needed treatment, really quick. br br Her parents drove her. I watched them go, br and doctors still don’t really know br just how to cure the thing she had br that made her sick and feel so bad. br br One rainy night she went away br up to heaven where she will stay, br but her memory will never end br ‘cause I’ll always remember br my best friend.br br C.J.