Everyday we mighty kindergartners had to make our way through the hall, up the stairs, and past a short gate to the top playground. I had my two best friends at my side every time we had to venture up to the playground. We stuck together; the timid Amber to my right and the defiant Maggie to my left.

One day we embarked on another journey to the top. Down the hall we went with the others; watching out for the dangers of a second grader on the prowl or some sticky gum on the floor. We climbed the stairs with the others and had just reached the top when the unthinkable happened. A huge swarming mob of fifth graders came rushing towards us like waters from a breaking dam. We pushed onward trying to make it out alive and had nearly reached the end of the gate, already a big toe on safe ground, when I glanced left and saw the Maggie was missing.

"Go on with out me", I cried over my shoulder to Amber as I headed back into the hostile swarm of kid eating fifth graders. I reached out my hand as far as I could, grabbed hold of Maggie, and ran till we were absolutely positive that there was grass under our feet. Then we collapsed in a fit of giggles.

Fortunately no friends were harmed in the making of this memory.