Author's Note: Because it's me, and I always mix up Ash (gleek06216)'s birthday with my friend Carol's birthday (Ash's is Feb 16, Carol's is Feb 21), I was so sure I still had a week before I had to edit and post this. But then Carol, some of her friends and I started discussing birthdays, and she mentioned hers is on the 21st, so I kinda panicked and had to scrape the entire idea I had for Ash's birthday gift (it was gonna be long and angsty and have I said long?).

Also, because it's me, I lost my flashdrive on the day before Ash's bday and had given up on finding it again when my husband found it on the floor of our car while cleaning it to have it washed.

Anyways, this is for Ash's birthday. She asked for Puckleberry love with Changerman/Cherry friendships, and since I love Cherry, I'm all for it. Ash, happy (late) birthday, doll! I love you and I wish you all the happiness in the world because you deserves it!

Disclaimer: 'Glee' belongs to FOX and Ryan Murphy. The song belongs to Disney; it's from their latest animated masterpiece 'Frozen' (which has Jonathan Groff – my baby! - and Idina Menzel. Why wasn't Lea Michele cast as well?).

tales of hot, talented Jews

#26: back to the beginning (when we were children)

Lima being the tiny dot of a city that it was, basically everyone knew everything about everyone else. It was common for friendships to be passed from generation to generation, young couples moving in neighborhoods and becoming friends with other young couples and such friendships passing on to their children, and grandchildren, and so on.

With the Puckermans, the Berry family and the Changs it wasn't different. Hiram Berry went to school with Anne Puckerman (née Klein) and Ken Chang, and the two Jewish kids, bullied by their peers, developed a close bond with the young Asian boy, victim of bullying because of his smarts and his dedication to his studies. Their closeness lasted through high school, then college, and only strengthened when they all returned to Ohio and settled down. Hiram was Ken's best man when he married Alyson Lee, with Anne as a bridesmaid. It was Ken who then introduced Anne to Nate Puckerman, a friend from college. And when Hiram Berry had a commitment ceremony with Leroy Powell, Anne and Ken stood as witnesses.

Surprisingly, all three friends had children of their own within months of each other. Anne and Nate welcomed baby son Noah Aaron first, in March, followed by Alyson and Ken's son Michael Alexander in July. Hiram and Leroy were the last, welcoming their little princess Rachel Barbara in December. The three children grew up together, so close that it was impossible to find one without the other two being right behind.

Of course, it all changed the day Nate Puckerman bailed for good on his wife of six years, his five-year-old son and his unborn daughter. Noah missed class that day, much to the concern of his best friends; and once they were dropped off by the bus on the corner of their street, Mike and Rachel raced to the front door of the Puckerman house. "Do you think he's sick?" Rachel anxiously asked as they ran as fast as their little legs carried them.

"I dunno, B," Mike replied, a concerned frown marring his tiny forehead. "He was fine yesterday, we played catch. We all hung out together, remember?"

Rachel nodded, recalling how she played with her pink bejeweled toy microphone, singing to the boys while they played their game. Still, she couldn't help but feel something was terribly wrong with someone in Noah's house: he rarely missed school, Mrs. Puckerman was too strict on him having the best education available to allow him to lose a day of classes unless he was seriously ill.

Finally the duo reached the front yard of the Puckerman residence. Nana Connie, Anne's mother-in-law, was sitting on a bench in the yard, Anne by her side, with her face hidden in her hands. The two children looked scared at each other before racing up towards them. "Is there anything wrong, Mrs. Puckerman?" Rachel asked timidly, putting her little hand on Anne's knee. She then added politely, "Good afternoon, Nana Connie."

Nana Connie smiled weakly at the two children in front of them. "Good afternoon, Rachel. Michael," she added. "Are you looking for Noah?" She squeezed her daughter-in-law's hand and stood up, leading the kids away into the house. Rachel looked uneasily at Anne before reluctantly following Mike and Connie in.

"He wasn't at school," Mike replied, his dark eyes sparkling with childish concern. "And we had take your favorite toy to school day today and he never misses that!"

"Really?" Connie asked, looking interested. "Well, Noah was a little under the weather today, so we called him in sick. He's in his room, and I'm sure he'll be very happy to see you two." She gently pushed Mike and Rachel by their shoulders towards the staircase. "Don't forget to knock before you enter," she told them lightly, and the two kiddies grinned toothlessly at her before skipping up the stairs.

Rachel and Mike stood shoulder by shoulder in front of Noah's closed door, and the little boy looked at Rachel. "Ready?" He whispered. She nodded and together they took a deep breath, knocking loudly at the wooden door.

"Go away!" Noah yelled from inside. His voice was rough and thick, and Rachel felt a spike of fear.

"Noah?" She shyly called out. "It's us. Rachel and Mikey. Can we come in?"

There was silence for a moment, before the door clicked open. Rachel lit up, and Mike grinned, and together the two of them pushed in, Mike carefully closing the door behind them and Rachel hopping in Noah's bed. His eyes were puffy and red, and his nose runny. A clearly concerned Rachel placed her tiny hand on his forehead and then his cheeks, like her daddies did to her when she was sick. "Are you feeling fine, Noah?"

Noah leaned in her touch for a moment before his mind yelled at him that girls had cooties, even if Nana Connie had given Rachel a cootie shot just the other day. He then puffed up his little chest. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, rolling his eyes. "You're still safe with your cootie shot, right?" He asked Rachel.

She glared at him. "Don't be silly, Noah. Of course I am!"

"Your mommy is crying downstairs," Mike quickly cut in. He always had to play peacemaker with Noah and Rachel. "Is everything okay?" He frowned quickly. "It's not the baby, is it?"

"The baby's fine. Dad left today on a gig," Noah replied. "She's just sad because he promised he was not going to until the baby was born."

"You're sure you're fine?" Rachel asked. When Noah rolled his eyes and nodded, she brightened up. "Can you come over to play then? Daddy bought the new Disney movie!"

Noah lit up immediately. "The Tigger Movie?"

Rachel nodded vigorously, her dark pigtails bobbing along. "Yeah! And he said we can have pizza for dinner! Dad is gonna make it!"

Noah's stomach grumbled and he licked his lips. Mr. Berry's pizza was better than the pizzas from their favorite pizza place, and more often than not he let him, Mike and Rachel help adding the toppings. "I'm in," he announced clearly, shoving off the blankets and hopping out of the bed. "Let's just tell mama and Nana Connie."

"Yay!" Mike and Rachel cheered in unison, and the three children ran out together, playing and laughing. But before they could run off to Rachel's house, Connie stepped up and put a gentle, but firm hand on Noah's shoulder.

"Where are you going, bubbala?"

"To Rach's house," he said excitedly. "We're gonna see a movie and eat pizza!"

Anne and Connie looked at each other, and when Anne nodded unstably, Connie turned to her grandson. "I'm sorry, Noah, but not today, alright? Your mom and I have to talk to you." The older lady turned to her grandson's friends. "Your daddy called, Rachel. He asked me to tell you to go home. So did your mother, Michael."

The three children looked at each other, confusion clear at their young faces, and Noah opened up his mouth to whine and complain, but a firm look from Connie quieted him. He unhappily turned to Rachel, and grumbled, "Sorry, Rae. Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," Rachel nodded firmly before pressing a sloppy kiss to her cheek. She then ran to Anne, hugging her tightly. "It's gonna be fine, Mrs. Puckerman!"

Anne gave the little girl a wet smile, and then Rachel and Mike said 'bye' in unison before racing away to their homes. Noah turned to his mother, an angry scowl on his face. "What's going on?"

Connie sighed. "Noah, sweetie, we have to talk."

The next morning, Rachel didn't even wait for Mike to arrive before walking up to the Puckerman residence. Happily skipping up the driveway, she politely pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to come answer the door, her hand holding tightly to the movie case. It was Connie who appeared when the door opened, and the tiny girl smiled brightly up at her. "Good morning, Nana Connie! I brought the movie for me and Mikey to watch with Noah!"

Connie looked around, frowning playfully. "Michael? Where is he?"

"He's on his way. Is Noah awake?" Rachel replied.

The older lady hesitated. "Yes, he is, but I don't think-"

"Nana, who is it?" Noah said gruffly from the inside, and Connie's heart clenched and melted at the light that appeared in Rachel's face by listening to his voice. Her grandson appeared behind her, and if possible his scowl grew deeper when he saw Rachel. "Ah, it's you," he said frostily, and Connie frowned.

Rachel, however, didn't seem to notice Noah's coldness and smiled happily at him. "Hi, Noah! I brought the movie for us to see – you, me and Mikey!" She waved the movie case at him.

"I don't wanna. Go away," Noah replied, and Rachel blinked, confused.

"Noah? What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just don't wanna be friends with you anymore," he replied, and the little girl gaped at him.

"W-what?" She stammered. "W-why?" Confusion was giving way to hurt in her expressive face, and Noah clenched his fists and his jaw against the onset of regret he felt at seeing Rachel hurt.

"I just don't wanna! Leave me alone!" He yelled, pushing her away. Caught by surprise, Rachel lost her balance and fell, crying out in shock as her skin came in touch with the hard, cool cement.

"Rachel!" Mike yelled, racing up towards her, eyes wide and angry as they focused on Noah.

"Noah!" Connie reprimanded, her face hard. "Apologize! Now!"

"No!" Noah yelled again, storming back in. "Leave me alone!"

Blinking in stunned disbelief as shocked tears filled her eyes, Rachel flinched when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Mike's concerned face looking at her, anxiously trying to see if she was hurt. "Are you okay?" He whispered, as Connie went back in and came back with a first aid kit. Looking down at her, he saw the nasty scrape on her knee and widened his eyes. "Wow, you're bleeding! That's so cool!"

Connie crouched down next to Rachel, her voice soothing. "Don't worry, sweetheart. It's just a bruise. You're gonna be fine." As the older lady cleaned and taped her injury, Rachel began to cry softly, Michael's hand firm between hers. Somehow, she felt nothing would be the same again.

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Come on, let's go and play

I barely see you anymore

Come out the door

It's like you've gone away

We used to be best buddies, and now we're not

I wish you'd tell me why

Do you wanna build a snowman?

It doesn't have to be a snowman

Go away, Anna!

Okay, bye...