Ashley Heighton and Kelly Paholsky sidestep their swings, shoes digging into Beechwood Park’s playground dirt.

Thursday, May 04, 2000

Ashley Heighton and Kelly Paholsky sidestep their swings, shoes digging into Beechwood Park’s playground dirt.

They look up. Let go. Swing sideways. Reach out.

For one brief instant, their hands clasp.

The friends giggle and laugh as the swinging chains pull them back.

"We’re trying to touch hands, playing," Kelly says, laughing even more, confident that’s all the explanation needed on a spring day.

Ashley and Kelly became best friends quickly, although they can’t remember when exactly.

Both attend kindergarten at West Ironton School. They go to Central Christian Church daycare, too.

"We like to, like, play with each other, and we talk about stuff we usually do and stuff we want to do," Kelly says.

Like the sleepover they plan for this summer.

"We’re going to sit up all night and eat popcorn and watch TV with each other," Kelly says.

"Actually, we’re going to sleep over outside at my house," Ashley meekly adds.

"Oh, yeah."

Ashley’s a little shy, unless she’s telling stories about the beach, where the seashells hurt her feet, or what she thinks makes up a best friend, like Kelly.

"Ummm," Ashley says, sucking her upper lip. "Because she’s nice to me."

And, she likes Disney movies.

"I like the one where the boy turns into a mer man and he, like, everybody says he has this funny skin on him " Kelly says. "I can’t remember what it’s called ’cause I can’t remember."

"I really like Pocahontas," Ashley says, chiming in. "That’s the bestest movie."

Kelly nods her head, giggling again.

"I’m gonna be a cheerleader."

"I’m gonna be a cheerleader, too," Ashley says, echoing her friend’s laughter.

Both will vacation at the beach this summer, though not together. They’ve never met there before, they say.

"But I know somewhere I saw you Kelly," Ashley says.

"Where?"

"I’m not telling I’m keeping it a secret."

Kelly smiles again, a curious look in her eyes. Ashley laughs.

Then, they turn back to the swingset

As the day lengthens toward sunset, a warm wind blows across the playground. It whips up a little dust, carries a few dandelion seeds to new homes.

And spreads the message of best friends’ hearts just as easily.