Her name was Ann Lavigne, my best friend in fifth grade. We attended St. Monica's Catholic Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both of us were shy, introverted nerds and skinny as reeds. I don't remember exactly when or how we became friends. I think our friendship started in class because we both excelled in all of our subjects. I think the commonality of being nerds made us bond to become close friends.

Looking back, I was a gifted child but didn't know it. I got straight A's in every su...