Robin, I love this story, and it’s so interesting that you took away from your experience the idea of rebellion. Did you ever have further contact with Little Cathy, or know what became of her? I’m also fascinated about how sisters shape female friendships–especially since I never had a sister. I love that my two daughters have sisters. Twin sisters, I imagine, add yet another dimension. One of my ideas about difficulties in female friendships is that they often arise from problems with differentiation when the “urge to merge” can be so strong among women. One of my friends with a twin sister she adores said she never had these problems because trying to differentiate herself from her twin sister was so much a part of their task from the get-go. Anyway, thanks for writing.

I’m so glad you liked it, Heidi. Female friendships are infinitely fascinating–and formative! Thanks for writing.

My parents moved from the rental to a house of their own in Connecticut two years later. We were bereft as the reality sank in while being driven away in the new red and white Chevrolet. Tears on our faces, we screamed in unison, “My “Little Cathy”!” and she broke free from the constraints of her folks and ran down the streets after us. My father had to stop the car. We reunited briefly to hug each other again, her parents holding her and comforting her.

It was the beginning of the idea of rebellion for me, look at how easy it was to run away and break free. Even a four year old could do it.

Isn’t it funny how random things can so affect the course of our lives!? Though I doubt there was anything random about our teacher pressuring you, rather than me, to continue! Hope your birthday is happy.