Most of us have lost touch with our childhood imaginary playmates. But for one Rebecca Webber, quarantine has been an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend.
“Everyone thinks Facebook is so great ‘cause you can reach out to people you haven’t seen in years. But thanks to the pandemic, I don’t need virtual or, God forbid, real friends anymore. My imaginary friend Nadine is back in town. No masks or Zoom calls—we split a bottle of wine and a Xanax, and it’s girls’ night!
“I’m not gonna lie—it hasn’t been easy. We grew apart at four-and-a-half years old when she drowned my cat in the bathtub. I’ve managed to forgive her, but don’t listen to my therapist when he says I’m just desperate for self-absolution during a crisis.”
Child development specialists say most imaginary friends disappear by age eleven, but Webber insists that Nadine’s back for good.
“It’s been really great seeing her again, and I think she’ll stick around after my vaccination. She even has a friend Kurt she’s trying to set me up with.”
We tried to reach out to Nadine for a comment, but couldn’t seem to find her.