Refreshing Scene

So this morning at 7AM, as I sat wolfing down my eggs and bagel and cream cheese at Borrone, two very pretty high school girls sat down next to me. Prepared to be bored to death by talk of who did what and who is an asshole and which boy is cutest, and prepared to be annoyed by hearing them discuss how fattening their muffins must be and how they just have to have the new Marc Jacobs bag by the holidays, I was pleasantly surprised by their grace.

One was having a birthday today. She told her friend, sitting across from her, how happy she'd been by a joint gift from her mom, dad and brother (a necklace: they told her the chain was from Dad, one charm was from Mom, and the other from her brother, which I thought was very sweet, especially since I grew up with a mom, dad and brother, and I like necklaces). Then she dug into her birthday blueberry scone (my favorite selection at Borrone) and asked the other girl what her favorite gift ever had been (a question I love to ask). I didn't hear that response (I was, after all, trying not to look like the lame older mom at the table nearby who can't help eavesdropping), but soon a third friend rushed in and presented the birthday girl with a gift. Far from the nail polish or cute as a button scarf or tee I probably used to buy my girlfriends in high school, this gift was actually thoughtful.

"I packed your lunch for today!" the friend said. "And I put your favorite fruit snacks in it."

"You are SO nice!" the birthday girl said with sincerity. "That is so thoughtful."

And just from that gesture and response - that one little exchange - my faith in high school girls has been restored. I'm putting out a wish to the universe that these three stay friends for a very long time.