In the Beginning...

In the beginning, a little, red-haired girl, wondering if she was adopted, wondering if she was dropped off from Ireland, a lost child of the Gaelic people, stood in front of an old window, in the ranch house purchased for her by her very young parents.  Young at the time they purchased the house, married at 17 and 19, but not so young when they finally were able to conceive her.  No, her mother, the middle school teacher.  Many degrees.  News watching, news following, news consumed.  But, when she arrived all the news around the world became less important, and there was only her.  The teacher, who once enjoyed each morning bell resented having to leave the house to leave her daughter with "Mommy Anne," an old friend.  And, one year was it, and the mother returned home.  There the mother and daughter played together in the yard, sunscreen caked on the toddler's fair skin, large-brimmed hat covering light blue eyes.  Little fingers digging in the sandbox.  The mother watching nearby, reading books at nap time, laying out art projects on the dining room table.  Four years and it was just the two of them.  Best friends.