They Were Innocent For a Moment

They Were Innocent For a Moment

         Dan looked at his watch as the hostess filled his glass to the brim with tea. He smiled at Linda and said, “They’re late. It’s been thirty years since we’ve seen them and it appears that it’s gonna be a little bit longer.” She responded with a simple nod and a smile. He stirred the ice in the tea in a slow circular motion and lost himself in his memories.

         The night was pleasant -- not hot, not cool, pleasant. Dan was excited because of the milestone in his life that was about to be achieved. He had a black gown and a funny cardboard hat with a tassel. In the little rural Oklahoma town graduating seniors were “king of the walk.” They had their lives before them. In their minds they had grown up and were ready for the world. They weren’t; but the world would claim them just the same.

          “The graduating high school class of 1966 welcomes you to this commencement exercise.” Their principal greeted their guests.

         Just three weeks earlier Dan stood in his office receiving the riot act for cutting class. Given the opportunity of writing an extensive research paper or receiving five “licks” from the “board of education” he chose the “board” – again. He had become well acquainted with the “board.” His familiarity, in fact, achieved some degree of notoriety and popularity with his fellow students. But, on that May evening, that was all behind him. He had graduated and was no longer subject to the education requirements of the State of Oklahoma.

         He walked down the aisle of the auditorium; up the stairs; across the stage; collected the diploma and then walked out the door. In one hand was the diploma and in the other was the hand of his high school sweetheart, Linda. Around her neck dangled his high school ring on a chain. Around his uncertain future dangled her heart. They were not wise enough to know that that was a dangerous place for her heart to be.

         They rode in his 1964 Ford Falcon to the place where they could watch the lights of the town and the stars in the sky at the same time. On that pleasant summer night they sat on the hood of that Ford Falcon and talked about the marvelous plans that lay before them. They heard another car and watched for the headlights that soon pulled up along side of them. Dan’s fellow graduate, Mark, jumped out of his 1940’s convertible coup that was his trademark.

          “Hey Dan, we’ve got a case of beer. You want to help us get rid of it? This might be the last time we get to do this. I report Saturday.”

         Mark was always ready to have some fun. It usually didn’t take a case of beer. It always involved some sort of mischief resulting in laughter and slaps on the back. In two days he would report to the Army recruiter in Oklahoma City. They promised him a visit to an exotic tropical paradise called Vietnam. Richard, another classmate, preceded Mark just a few months ago. He remembered the football games and antics that involved both of them all through their school years.

         Dan responded to Mark’s invitation, “Not tonight. I have to leave tomorrow. I’ve got a job out of town and won’t be back until August. Linda and I want to spend a little time tonight.”

          “OK, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” with that Mark was off.

         He held his high school sweetheart in his arms that night four decades ago. In their eyes nothing could hurt them. They began a journey that night that included marriage, children, careers, and a future much different than they had planned. Just the week before they had sat in the movies holding hands and watching Doctor Zhivago. Without a care in the world before them they absorbed the romantic tragedy. That night was theirs. At the end of the summer he would leave Linda and walk onto the campus of the University of Oklahoma.

          “They’re here Danny,” Linda’s voice brought him back to reality and he looked up expectantly. They were indeed there. He arose to his feet and walked past the dining public to greet Alan with a hug.

          “Hey guy, it’s great to see ya.” Dan smiled broadly at his best friend, or at least that was what he had been in high school forty years ago.

         He turned his attention to Alan’s companion. “Connie, you’re still beautiful, kid.” He gave her a hard hug and then kissed her on her cheek. He led them back to the table where the ceremony was repeated with Linda and then they began the small chat that old friends have when they are catching up on past events.

         He really had no idea why he was there. But, there he was, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. Dan was not really sure how he had gotten there. He had achieved a solid position in the bottom third of his high school graduation class. His ACT scores were decent, but not outstanding. Why he would be invited to attend, what he believed to be the premier school of advanced study in the world was beyond him. Dan probably would not have even tried to join their academic ranks had it not been for his best friend Alan. Alan, on the other hand, had a great dream to attend OU. It was his aspiration. Dan simply hooked a ride on Alan’s dream and was surprised to find he had gained a berth on the academic express which was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma.

         Dan’s stay in Norman was one short year. The Vietnam War, poor grades, and a high-school sweetheart worked in coordinated effort to shorten his stay. Needless to say, rooming with your best friend from high-school is probably not the best idea; at least it wasn’t for Dan or for Alan. Without a doubt, they surely enjoyed their stint in college, short as it was. Somewhere on campus young people attended classes and worked towards academic achievement; of that Dan could not be a witness. Although he did sometimes attend classes on the day of testing, which was a testimony to his brilliance. How had he expected to test well when his attendance on non-testing days was sporadic at best? He convinced himself that by some miracle of divine intervention God would provide him the correct answers to the exam. However, it appeared that God did not seem to see it that way. For, if He did, it meant that God was a very poor student.

         It simply did not happen. He earned a much deserved 1.2 grade point his first semester. He also earned a 1A classification in the draft, which almost assured that he would be learning first hand about the environmental characteristics of rice paddies and jungles soon. With fate rushing towards him, he put his mind to the task at hand, which was making a better showing at the conclusion of the next semester. The change was dramatic. His previous 1.2 grade point soared to a lofty 0.5 grade point, which prompted the University to reconsider their generous offer to educate him. He was placed on academic probation.

         He left the University of Oklahoma one early May morning in 1967. His intention was to return to the campus in September with a new fervor for learning and a commitment to academic excellence. Dan never returned. At the end of August, he married his high-school sweetheart.

          “Linda and I went to Washington DC last year,” Dan stated in the midst of their catching up. It was one of those comments that served as a precursor to a major discussion.

         Alan recognized the lead-in and gently prompted, “How’d you like it?”

          “We enjoyed ourselves. It’s a great place to visit. There’s a lot of stuff to see. We saw The Wall.” And just like that, there it was. Those simple words “The Wall” spoken in just that way said volumes.

          “I’ve been there too,” Alan said with complete understanding. Being “there” meant more than standing before that black slate surface etched with thousands of names. Being “there” was more than a place. It was an experience.

          “It took awhile but I found Richard’s name.” Alan nodded, “I found it too.”

          “That was a long time ago,” Dan whispered.

          “It was just yesterday,” Alan returned.

         The conversation rested for a moment. The good friends simply sat there and enjoyed each other’s company, not talking.

          “Delta Flight 1620 for Dallas/Fort Worth now boarding at gate 16B.” The announcement brought the group back to the present, away from distant memories of other times.

          “That’s us Danny,” Linda smiled and arose to her feet.

          “Yup, time’s too short. We need to do this again within the next twenty years at least.” Dan chuckled as he picked up his carry on bag.

         The friends walked to the screening entrance. Alan and Connie would say their good-byes there.

          “Have you heard from Mark?” Dan asked.

          “Years ago I ran into Mark at a party. He’s different now. Being a gunner on a Huey affected him. He saw way too many boys die at his feet and fired that gun too many times from the doorway. He sort of dropped off the earth when he got back.” Alan looked deeply into Dan’s eyes and shook his head slightly.

         The best friends hugged and then shook hands. The world called to them. They had to go. “You remember graduation night?” Dan smiled as he asked.

          “How can I forget? That was a long time ago,” Alan whispered.

          “It was just yesterday,” Dan returned.