Still Vertical After All These Years

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Folks tell me I was the kind of baby only a mother could love. She didn’t. After only three months she gave me away to an orphanage. It wasn’t because she was poor. She was quite wealthy as she had married and divorced money several times over. It wasn’t due to any shame or guilt. She was admired for her beauty and, with her sizable bank account, was quite attractive to many suitors near and far no matter what her morals were. It was me. 

My father, or at least, the man she said was my father, took no interest in me. I’ve been told he was very vocal in stating how he was just too busy with his career to raise a child on his own. No one, to my knowledge, ever condemned him for abandoning me. He was well respected and over time became a stalwart in his community. There was no need for anyone to criticize him as everyone knew his real reason for turning his back on his son. 

Later in life he did include me in his will. I guess his conscience finally got the best of him. It was somewhat of a thrill to receive notice that I was included in the inheritance. I rode a bus an hour and a half to hear the reading of his will. He left me $1. The dollar amount didn’t matter much to me. What did matter was that he finally, in a small way, admitted that I was his son. His other children didn’t hesitate to show their displeasure at me being included and told me straight out that I was not allowed to attend the funeral. They said it was their father’s wish. It wasn’t. It was me.  

I was an outcast at the orphanage. It was the only home I knew from infancy and over time I became the longest residing resident. Over the years I watched as other children were either adopted or went off to live at a foster home. No matter how hard I smiled or how hard I tried to make myself attractive, I was always left behind. For a while some of the caretakers would try to encourage me to not give up hope, but that soon faded and I was met with only vacant stares when another child was picked and merrily whisked away. In fact, many times, late at night, I could hear them talking in the hallway when they thought I was asleep. Evidently, I scared many of them as they said they were afraid of being alone with me. Most of them said they were looking for another job and would leave the minute they found one. To my face they did their best to not show their true feelings, but we all knew different. 

Nothing changed by the time I entered high school. I was still a resident at the orphanage, as they couldn’t make me leave before I turned eighteen. Every day I boarded the school bus at 6:30 for the ride to school that started classes at eight. At school I was a loner, not by choice, but by circumstance. Every once in a while, someone would start to sit at my table at lunch, but when they realized what they were doing, they quickly moved away. On the day they brought next year’s freshman class over from the junior high to show them around, the lunchroom was completely full. All the tables were full, that is, except mine. Instead of joining me, a group of students, stood with their backs braced against the wall so they could eat their lunch standing up. No one dared join me at my table. 

Three days a week after school I would stop off at a gym on the way back to the orphanage. There an elderly Japanese man named Katsumi taught me to defend myself. At the time he was the only person in the world that showed me the slightest interest. Even then, many times I felt he liked me as a punching bag more than he did as a person. It didn’t matter to me as I was learning jujitsu from him and enjoyed it despite the cuts and bruises and sore muscles. I was only eleven when I started training with him and by the time I reached high school I had earned my brown belt.

Eventually, I earned a black belt and had thoughts of becoming a trainer, but I knew deep in my heart, it would be a miracle if it ever happened. I felt no one would ever want me as their instructor. Katsumi and I knew why. It was me. 

One day after lunch at school I walked out to the courtyard to get some fresh air before the afternoon classes started. I didn’t pay any attention to a group of guys standing over to the side. Later I recognized four of them as being starters on the football team. As I stood there soaking up some sun and breathing in the cool autumn air, one of the guys approached me. I guess he was the designated bully. His name was Clyde. He wasn’t on the football team, so I guess they figured he couldn’t be thrown off the team if he was caught pushing me around. I reckoned he was the dumbest of the bunch. He let the others talk him into doing something they didn’t have the courage to do. Placing his bulky frame directly in front of me he glared directly into my face. We were only inches away from each other and he had one of the most menacing looks I had ever seen. I didn’t know whether to smile, laugh, punch him, kiss him, or simply walk away. 

“What are you doing out here, moron?” he snarled at me. “Maggots like you ain’t allowed out here with us decent folks!” 

Well, I must admit, that I was somewhat taken aback that someone would actually take the time to talk to me even though it was only to ridicule me. I glanced over at the rest of his cronies and they were staring at us with big sheepish grins on their faces. It was quite apparent that I was scheduled to be today’s entertainment. I wasn’t in the mood. 

“Whew!! Don’t you ever brush your teeth, man?” I snorted back at him. “I mean, come on, I can’t be the first to ever tell you this. I’ve got some Breath Savers if you’d like one, or maybe the whole pack!”

He jerked back like he wasn’t expecting such a response, but he quickly gathered his thoughts and almost shouted, “I’m gonna knock your teeth down your throat!!”

“Well, before you try there’s something you need to know,” I quickly inserted.

“What?”

“I have a brown belt in jujitsu and I seriously doubt I’m the one who’s gonna get hurt here,” I explained. “You see, there’s several pressure points that I’m going to punch and you’re gonna be in some terrible pain. Believe me, I know. My teacher, Katsumi, has already practiced them on me and if I were you, I wouldn’t want to have any part of it.”

He stared at me trying to decide if I was telling the truth or not. I stared back. He blinked first, so I continued, “Why don’t you just turn around and rejoin your buddies over there and then I won’t get expelled and you won’t go to the hospital?” 

He stared a little more and then turned to leave before turning back and yelling, “This ain’t over yet!!” I just shrugged and walked back into the school. 

But he was right. It wasn’t over. Two days before the biggest football game of the year with our cross-town rivals, I had left the gym and was walking home on a moonless night. About two blocks from the orphanage, I turned a corner and there he was waiting on me. He was bouncing a baseball bat against the palm of his hand as he licked his lips in anticipation of the beating he was going to give me. As I surveyed the scene, his four football buddies came out of the shadows. So, it was going to be five against one. I didn’t want to fight, but I wanted to back down even less. 

All I could think of saying was, “You guys looking for someone?” That’s when they rushed me. 

The next day the whole school was abuzz with what had happened. All four of the football players were injured too bad to play in the game on Friday night. Two were on crutches, one had a neck brace, and the other was wearing a back brace. Clyde wasn’t able to attend school that day as the doctor had recommend bed rest. As for me, my right hand hurt as I had punched him in the ribs harder than I meant. 

The official police report stated that Clyde and his cronies were viciously attacked by a gang of ten to fifteen bikers. It happened so fast they couldn’t give much of a description except that they were sure they were biker hoodlums. The police said they were lucky to be alive. Of course, there was no way they would admit to what they were really doing and how they were taken down by one person, especially when that one person was me. But, what really happened did get around the student body and many of them noticed me for the first time. That was because they were ready to lynch me for destroying any chance the school had of winning the big game. I believe the only reason they didn’t try to harm me was they all knew I had beaten the baddest guys in the school, and I had done it single-handedly. They didn’t hate me enough to take a chance on getting the same treatment. 

None of that mattered much to me. I hadn’t asked for trouble, and I hadn’t run from it either. No one at school had ever shown the slightest interest in talking to me, much less being friendly with me, for me to care what they thought. I had never tried to impress anyone. I had no reason to. 

One person did muster enough courage to approach me. It was Bruce Nelson. Evidently, he was the one person everyone delighted in picking on. Clyde and his buddies had made it a weekly ritual to knock his books out of his hand, turn over his drink, dump his food tray, or any other thing they could think of to make his life miserable. He came up to me at lunch as I sat alone at my table. He stared at me and then sneered, “Thanks a lot for nothing!!” 

He caught me off guard. I sputtered, “What?!?”

“Oh, I heard what you did to Clyde and the others,” he explained. “Now, they’re gonna take it out on me!”

“I thought they already bullied you,” I said as I tried to figure out his point.

“They do, and now it’ll be ten times worse,” he declared. “When they heal, they’ll be madder than ever, and they’ll come after me!!” 

I had to admit he did have a point. Of course, I never had given that a thought as I was too busy trying to survive their assault on me. After a moment’s reflection I offered, “Well, I could teach you a move or two that you can use to keep them off of you.”

He looked long and hard at me and said, “No thanks.” With that he turned and walked away. Even as scared as he was of the school bullies, he was still willing to face them than be seen with me. 

The next day Clyde’s wounds had healed enough for him to come back to school. After lunch I went out to the courtyard to face him. I walked right up to him and put my face right in front of his. He stood there staring at me with his eyes blinking as he tried to hold back the tears that were just below the surface. Finally, I said, “Don’t you ever get in my face again.”

He kept blinking and humbly replied, “Okay.”

I wasn’t through. “And don’t ever lay a hand on Bruce Nelson again.”

“Huh?” he sputtered with surprise.

“That’s what I want,” I continued. “I want you to be his personal body guard and make sure no one ever hurts him again.”

“Okay.”

“If you let anybody hurt him, I’ll take it personal,” I declared. “I will find you.” 

With that I turned and walked back into the school. Bruce didn’t know what I did, but he and I were never bothered again by any bullies through the rest of high school. I don’t know if I felt sorry for him or just felt like I was on a roll. He hadn’t wanted to have anything to do with me just like everybody else, but I felt good that I was able to stop his torment. 

During my junior year the ladies turned their attention to me. At first, I was uneasy about this newfound attraction they were having for me. As it turned out, my suspicions were justified. They had no romantic interests in me but just wanted to use me to get even with whomever they were mad at. So, they acted friendly toward me to set me up on a blind date with the target of their prank. I only went on one such date and when the girl found out it was me, she slammed her front door in my face. She was made the laughingstock of the whole school by the girls who had set her up. Of course, she was totally humiliated and hated me even more as she felt I was in on the whole thing. I felt really bad about it but no matter how hard I tried to explain it to her it only made matters worse. So, I refused to be set up anymore. I didn’t want to be anyone’s patsy, especially of people who had no regard for other people’s feelings. 

When they figured out I wasn’t willing to play their little game anymore they got mad at me, too. I didn’t care as I was used to such treatment. One day at lunch the leader of the group, Ginny, came up to my table. She wasn’t smiling the way she had been in the past when she was setting me up. I looked up at her and said “Hi.”

“So, I hear you’re not going out on anymore dates,” she asserted.

“That’s right,” I agreed.

“Why not?”

“I don’t feel like being used by a bunch of ill-mannered brats,” I replied. I must admit, I was feeling less than cordial with her as she had trifled with my and other people’s emotions.

“We’re ill-mannered?!?” she gasped. “Why you ungrateful...” She didn’t finish her thoughts as I suppose she was at a loss for words. After gathering herself, she leaned down toward me and whispered, “Why don’t you do us all a favor and go crawl in a hole somewhere and die?”

With that she turned and marched away. I resisted the urge to call after her and offer her a Breath Savers mint. She could’ve used one, though. 

Things got hectic at school during my senior year as everyone in my class started preparing for graduation and what was to come after high school. I was looking for a place to live as I knew I had to leave the orphanage after I finished school. They were supposed to kick me out when I turned eighteen, but someone there actually showed mercy on me and said I could stay until mid-summer. I didn’t know who to thank as no one would admit to making the decision. I was grateful, though. 

Graduation was a little over a month away when I got word the principal wanted to see me in his office. I found this strange as he had never spoken a word to me all through high school, and as I far as I could recall, he hadn’t even once looked my way. But, when the head of the school calls you to his office, you go. What I wasn’t expecting was the superintendent of the whole school district being there, too. 

I politely knocked on the door and the principal opened it for me. His name was Jeremiah Twinks. Over the years the student body had given him a variety of nicknames, but I chose to call him Mr. Twinks. 

He was tall and lanky and the nervous kind. I do believe his hand was shaking when he motioned me to a nearby chair. Behind his desk and sitting in his chair was the superintendent, Mr. Hollis Ogersby. I guess he knew he was in charge and took advantage of it by making himself at home in the principal’s office. He was a large man with what appeared to be a permanent scowl on his face. It would’ve been intimidating if it wasn’t so funny looking. 

He looked me up and down without batting an eye. I smiled at him. Finally, he growled, “Mr. Crosby, thank you for seeing us...” I interrupted him and said, “That’s Crossby, sir.”

He glanced down at some papers and cleared his throat, “Oh, yes, so it is, Mr. Crossby. Well, like I was saying, thank you for coming here to Mr. Twinks’ office. You see, we have a situation developing and we need your help to keep it from escalating into a rather undesirable and unpleasant event.”

“What can I do to help?” I asked. It was the first time anyone had ever asked me for anything and I was excited and more than willing to be of assistance.

“What we need Mr. Crossby, is for you to stay away from the graduation ceremony,” the principal chimed in. My excitement wilted like a flower in the desert sun.

“I see,” I coolly responded.

“Yes,” agreed the superintendent. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a number of students in the senior class object to you being present.”

“So, you’re gonna let a small bunch of people dictate whether I can attend or not,” I sneered back at him.

“Well, it’s not a small bunch by any means,” he shot back at me.

“There’s even more parents than students who are objecting,” Mr. Twinks inserted. “Some of them are quite prominent in the community.”

“So, we think in the best interest of everyone that we give you your diploma in a private setting and not with the rest of your peers,” Mr. Ogersby declared. 

I was starting to get angry at this turn of events and their smug attitudes were not helping. All my life I’d had to work harder than most folks to just stay even with everybody else, and now I was going to be denied my rightful due of walking down the aisle and being handed my diploma in front of the whole world. In fact, my grades were in the top two percentile, and it was due to studying and applying myself as no one else was willing to help me. 

I didn’t like this. I didn’t like it at all. 

“I think I deserve to join the walk through and receive my diploma like every other student,” I said.

“I told you he’d be stubborn,” the principal declared as he threw his hands up in disgust.

The superintendent grabbed a pencil and started bouncing it on the desk. “Now, Mr. Crossby, I think we need to show a measure of reasonableness here,” he said. “Our dilemma is whether we allow you to attend and no one else shows up, or you bow out and everybody else graduates. Do you understand the quandary here?”

“Oh, I understand,” I said as I felt angry at what was being done to me. “I understand you’re trying to deny me my rightful due. Well, you can just forget it. I’m gonna show up and if nobody else does, then that’s your problem, not mine.” 

Mr. Ogersby stood up and glared down at me. “Sir, you will not address your principal and me with such insolence!” he almost yelled. “I forbid you to attend the graduation ceremony!!”

“You can forbid all you want, but I’ll just show up anyway,” I declared. “What you gonna do, expel me? Go ahead and try and I’ll see you in court!” Of course, I was bluffing as I could hardly afford to come to school much less hire a high-priced attorney. That’s assuming one would even be willing to take my case. 

The superintendent started shaking as he fought to maintain control of his anger.  Mr. Twinks bent down and looked me in the face. He smiled and offered, “Surely, Mr. Crossby, there’s something we could do that would change your mind and make you willing to see our point of view.” I wasn’t impressed. I started to offer him a Breath Savers but decided it might not be in my best interest to do so at that particular time. 

“I don’t know,” I cautiously said. Evidently, Mr. Ogersby saw an opportunity open and slouched back down in the principal’s chair. “Well, surely there’s something that we could do for you to help you change your mind,” he said with a smirk. 

So, I gave it a second thought. Maybe we could bargain, and I could get something good out of it. Then it dawned on me. I knew exactly what I wanted, and it was the only way they could get me to skip my graduation. 

I smiled. “Okay, I tell you what. You get me into college and pay for my freshman year, boarding and all, and I’ll stay away from graduation.”

“What?!?” Mr. Twinks yelled. “Why you’re insane young man!!”

Mr. Ogersby bounced the pencil again and said, “Well, now hold on, Jeremiah. We might have something here.”

The principal’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “You can’t be serious,” he stammered.

The superintendent nodded his head and replied, “Okay, Mr. Crossby, we’re talking only your freshman year, right?”

“That’s all I want,” I answered. “All I need is a chance. Give me that one year and I’ll find a way to make it the rest of the way.”

He smirked, “You probably would, wouldn’t you?”

“But, the deal is you provide everything,” I quickly added. “You’ve got to give me tuition, books, boarding...everything I need to make it through my freshman year.”

“I get to pick the college,” he asserted.

“Sure,” I agreed. “But don’t pick a weird one or one that has girls only...on second thought...an all-girls school wouldn’t be too bad.”

He laughed, or at least, I think he laughed as the scowl on his face was still firmly in place. “Okay,” he finally said. “I have enough IOUs out there that I think I can pull this off.” 

Mr. Twinks smiled at me and said, “Well, Mr. Crossby, I think you’ve weaseled your way into college.”

I started to tell him that I didn’t think I was the only weasel in the room, but decided I best quit while I was ahead. So, I simply returned the smile and said, “Yes, I think it’s all turning out all right.” 

We all shook hands to seal the deal. I turned to leave but turned back, “By the way, would either of you like a Breath Savers mint? They’re my favorite flavor, wintergreen.” 

A week before graduation I was called to Mr. Twinks’ office again. His door was closed and I was met by his assistant, Miss Mueller. When I asked for him she said he wasn’t available. She opened a desk drawer and pulled out my diploma and handed it to me. I thought at least Mr. Twinks would have shaken my hand and congratulated me on a job well done. So, I asked, “That’s it?” 

She didn’t even bother to look up from reading a legal pad and replied, “That’s it.”

I shrugged my shoulders and turned to leave when she spoke again, “Mr. Crossby, you’ve got your diploma, so you can go on home now. There’s no need for you to come back to school.” I followed her directions and walked out the front door and I have never gone back. 

So, I was off to college. I was thrilled. To be able to go was beyond what I could ever imagining happening. Now, I know I was only able to go because of some mean spirited people, but I really didn’t mind as I had never known any other kind. At least, this time it worked out to where I could get something out of it. I knew if given half a chance I could make it through college and get a degree. Mr. Ogersby had made it possible for me to make it a quarter of the way and I was determined to do what was necessary to make it the rest of the way. 

I had been saving all the money I could just to afford the bus fare, but the day I was leaving all the orphanage personnel came up to me and handed me a pre-paid ticket. Their kindness almost choked me up as I stood there staring at the ticket. When I looked up with the idea of thanking them, they were carrying my bags to the bus stop at the curb. They timed it perfectly as the bus rolled right up and I got on. I looked back to wave goodbye to them, but they had already gone back inside and closed the door. 

I felt somewhat melancholic as I sank into a seat. The orphanage was the only home I had ever known and now I was leaving it to never live there again. This was a big moment in my life, and I would’ve dwelled more on it, but I was excited about college and what the future had in store for me. 

The Richard Johnson College wasn’t a dump, but it was close. It wasn’t weird but it was a college you would go to if you couldn’t get in anywhere else. I didn’t care as I was just pleased that Ogersby had lived up to his end of the bargain and I was going to college. The school was full of what people would call “nerds” and more older folks than you would think possible. It definitely wasn’t a “jock” school as most of them had scholarships to major universities. In fact, Richard Johnson College had no athletic department at all. That was fine by me as I got enough exercise from my jujitsu classes and had no aspirations for any other sport. 

I arrived early on the first day we could check in. It was a Thursday, and classes didn’t begin until Monday. I checked in and was given directions to my room. It was on the third floor at the end of the hall, the farthest room from the front door. The dormitory was old but maintained. I wasn’t surprised, but I was surprised when I flung open the door and there sat Bruce Nelson on one of the bunks. Evidently, he was going to be my roommate. He was more shocked than I was, and his mouth dropped open and looked like it would’ve dropped to the floor if it could’ve. I just nodded at him and threw my bags on the other bunk across the room. 

As I started unpacking, I could feel his eyes staring a hole through me. Eventually, he cleared his throat and asked, “This is your room, too?”

“Yep,” was all that I would allow myself to say.

He hesitated for the longest time, but finally declared, “Well, this is my side of the room. I’ve already picked it.”

I actually turned around and smiled at him and said, “Yep, that’s why I’m on this side of the room unpacking.” There was no need to start a fight over who had what bunk. I would’ve been glad to take any of them as I was still riding high from just the thought of being able to be there. Besides, we were going to spend a whole year together, and I was sure, if we needed to fight, we could find a lot more interesting things to fight about.

“Who’s taking the other one?” he asked as I returned to unpacking. I shrugged my shoulders and kept unloading my belongings. We may be stuck rooming together, but he’d never given me any reason to take a liking to him. I had felt sorry for the way he’d been treated by the high school bullies, but that was the extent of it. 

We didn’t wonder long who our other roommate was to be. The door flung open and banged against the door stopper before bouncing back halfway. Bruce and I jerked around and there he was, Clyde Ellis. The bully from high school was to bunk with us for the next year. Bruce sank feebly to his bunk. He looked as if he was about to cry. I would’ve thought all this was amusing but I didn’t really care one way or the other. All I wanted was an education. Everything else was immaterial. 

We found out later that all of Clyde’s football buddies had received scholarships to the major universities and had left him behind. He wasn’t smart enough nor rich enough to follow them, so, he settled for RJC. As it turned out, he discovered that once he wasn’t around them to do their dirty deeds for them, their interest in him quickly faded. He was no longer invited to their parties or to hang out with them. 

Standing in the doorway he had the biggest grin on his face. It looked weird as I had seen him sneer before, but I’d never seen him smile. I glanced at Bruce to make sure he was still breathing. He was, barely. 

“Hello, roomies!” Clyde bellowed as he strolled into the room. “Is this a great college or what?”

Bruce jumped to his feet and stammered, “Here Clyde, you can have this bunk. It’s the best in the room.”

That hit me as being wrong. It was first come first served and Bruce was the first one to get there. He should have the first choice. So, I spoke up. “Now, wait a minute, here. Bruce you were the first here and...”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Clyde interrupted. “You stay where you’re at Nelson. I’m the last one to get here so I’ll be happy to take what’s left.” 

I wasn’t expecting that reaction. The Clyde I knew would’ve been ready to take what he wanted and not give a second thought about it. Bruce wasn’t expecting this either and he had the look on his face like he was about to wet his pants. Finally, he blubbered, “Yeah, right.” 

I wasn’t convinced either, so I spoke up. “Clyde, there’s no need for you to come in here and start trouble.”

“What trouble?” he protested. “I said I’ll take the bunk that’s left and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

That went in one of my ears and straight out the other as I continued, “You best behave yourself cause I...”

“Look guys,” he interrupted me. “You’ll not have any trouble out of me. I’m a changed man.” 

Well, that was news to me. I didn’t think he had it in him. Bruce didn’t think so either and sneered again, “Yeah, right.”

“No, it’s true,” Clyde protested. “For the first time in my life I’m at peace with myself and my fellow man.”

“Oh yeah, you say that now,” Bruce sputtered as his voice rose in pitch. “But you just wait, when you don’t get your way, you’ll be just like you were in high school.”

Nobody said anything and it gave me a moment to think. Finally, I broke the silence, “Well, Bruce, he is willing to take the leftover bunk. That is something different.”

“Oh, that’s good,” he almost yelled at me. “Now, you’re gonna take his side. I figured you were just a phony and now I know I was right!” 

I started to object but he appeared to have his mind made up, so I wasn’t going to argue. It would only confirm to him that he was right. So, I kept my mouth shut. 

“Here I am stuck with the two people I never wanted to see again,” he declared. “Well, I’m not going to stand for it! I’ll take this up with the Dean.” 

Clyde and I watched as he made his way to the door. He carefully stayed as close to the wall as he could and still walk as he avoided coming anywhere near Clyde. It would’ve been funny if he hadn’t been so scared. I almost felt sorry for him until I remembered he wanted me to stay out of his business. So, I just flopped down on my bunk and stared at Clyde. 

After Bruce had left the room, Clyde turned to the business of unpacking. I watched him without saying anything and I noticed as he finished unpacking his eyes would dart a glance at me every little bit. It looked like he was trying to decide if he wanted to say something or not. Finally, he did. 

He looked directly at me and declared, “Crossby, I’m telling the truth. I have changed.”

“Well, if you say so,” I offered. “You think Bruce will ever believe you?”

“He will in time,” he replied. “I’ll show him. I know I’ve done some mean things in the past, especially to him. I hung around guys who thought what I did was funny and urged me on. But I’m my own man now. I don’t want to be that person anymore.” 

He was convincing me. That was the most he had ever spoken to me. It was almost the most anyone had ever spoken to me at one time. Besides that, it was a normal conversation and not the arrogant Clyde I’d dealt with before. I liked it. It felt good that someone was actually interested in me enough to talk to me in a normal fashion. I didn’t want it to stop. 

“So, what’s brought about this big change in your life?” I asked. He sat slowly down on his bunk and rubbed his chin with his right hand as he thought about his answer. Then, he leaned back and answered, “I came across the writings of Dr. Micah Horner, and for the first time in my life the world started making sense.”

“Who’s that?”

“Some people think he’s a prophet,” he replied. “I’ve never met him, but his writings were exactly what I needed to find a purpose in my life.”

“Well, he must be a genius if what he’s written changed you,” I said. The sharpness of my words caused him to jerk his head toward me. I smiled at him. He smiled back at me. I believe it was the first time anyone had ever smiled at me in a good way. Clyde and I were having at lot of “firsts” and I was enjoying it.

His eyes blinked for a while, and it appeared he was fighting back tears. “He teaches about the uncertainty of life and how it’s okay to not know every cosmic reason for our existence. We can still be content and make a difference with the ones we come in contact in our lives. In other words, if we practice the Golden Rule then everything else will fall into its natural place. You know the Golden Rule Jesus gave us about treating other people the way we want to be treated. People will still mistreat us, and we will still fail in some of our undertakings, that’s part of being human. But, by concentrating on what’s good in the world and the good we personally accomplish, we will find contentment with all that surrounds us.”

“He sounds like a wise man,” I offered.

“I think he is,” he declared. “It’s like what he teaches in his books, that nature doesn’t like instability. It tries to neutralize everything. When it’s hot, nature tries to cool things down and when it’s cold, it tries to heat things up. So, evil will be replaced with good and good with evil. It’s nature’s way. All we can do is find our inner balance by applying the Golden Rule in everything we do. That’s what I’m trying to do from now on.”

“Well, all I can say is I like it,” I said with another smile.

He smiled back and said, “Thank you, Crossby.” 

The mood was shattered by Bruce storming back into the room hollering and cursing. He pounced on his bed and buried his face in his pillow. Evidently, the Dean denied his request to change rooms. 

The silence hung heavy as each one of us was busy with our own thoughts. Finally, I decided to explore the campus and left to do so. 

The best thing you could say about Richard Johnson College was that it was old. The worst thing was that it was too old. It was old enough to earn some respect for all the years of its existence, but some paint and mortar repair would’ve done wonders. But, I wasn’t complaining as I was still grateful for the opportunity to be there. Nothing could bring me down from my emotional high and I didn’t think anything could take me any higher. Then I saw her. 

Now, as I’ve already stated, my experience with women had not been pleasant. From the condescending attitude of the nurses at the orphanage to the meanness of the girls in high school, I found the fairer sex less than desirable. That is not to say I wasn’t attracted to them from time-to-time. Indeed, I was, but as with all my emotions, I was able to bury the feeling deep inside me and never let it get the upper hand. 

It was different with her. She stirred those hidden feelings and almost made them rush to the surface. It was difficult but I kept them under control, barely. 

I was walking back to the dorm when I spotted a big oak tree. It was such a beautiful day, weather-wise and life-wise, that I decided to camp out under it for a while and soak in the scenery. I’d been sitting there for about fifteen minutes when a group of five girls came strolling by. They were jabbering about who-knows-what and never paid me any attention. I wasn’t expecting any. The girl in the middle was laughing and the sweet sound of her laughter caught my interest. She appeared to be about my height and had curly black hair. I could tell she took pride in it but not to the extreme. When I caught a glimpse of her eyes I was mesmerized. It was as if God had taken two pebbles of black coal and placed each one in the middle of a pure white opal stone. They were the most gorgeous eyes I’d ever seen. 

My fascination caused me to stare too long. She noticed and turned to look at me as she and her friends walked by. I think my face turned red with embarrassment as I suddenly felt a hot flash spread over me. Trying to save face, I quickly looked at the ground and started playing with a blade of grass. It didn’t work. 

I was still pretending to play with the grass when I saw the shadow move over me. It was her. I took a deep breath and looked up.

“Hello,” she said. Her voice was as sweet as her laughter.

“Hello,” I replied. I know that wasn’t too original but it was all I could do at the time.

“Are you a freshman, too?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said between a beautiful smile. “My name’s Angie. What’s yours?” 

Well, this was when the old cautious me reared its ugly head. But, under the circumstances, I’m not sure anyone could blame me. I’d only had one person in my life to treat me normal, and that was Clyde, and he had just started acting that way that very day. Everybody else had always had an ulterior motive. So, instead of being thrilled at the attention I was receiving, I became suspicious. 

“Why do you want to know?” I sharply asked.

The smile left her eyes, and she replied, “I was just trying to make a new acquaintance, that’s all.”

I stared at her. I wasn’t convinced. “So, you just regularly approach strangers and ask their names?”

Her eyes turned cold and she answered, “Yes, I do it a lot.”

“Well, then, you’d better get going as there appears to be a lot of new people around here for you to meet,” I bitterly said. As soon as the words left my mouth I wished to God I could’ve taken them back. This time I was being the jerk and I had no real reason for doing so. In the past, I was always at least cordial until the other person revealed their true colors. I guess Clyde treating me nice caused me to want to be treated that way all the time and to lose patience with anyone I suspected of being less than forthright. 

She shook her head defiantly from side to side and growled, “Well, I guess I will!” Whirling around, she started to storm off but turned back toward me. “I hope Mister Whoever-You-Are that you’ve signed up for Manners 101 cause you sure need to learn some. In fact, why don’t you go back to kindergarten and start all over? With your childish behavior you’d fit right in!” 

I watched as she angrily marched off to join her friends. She never looked back. I didn’t feel good about myself and what I’d done. But I wouldn’t have felt any better if I’d been kinder and she turned out to use me the way all the women in my life had up to that point. 

That night I didn’t sleep well. At first, I thought it might be the new bed I was sleeping in. It was actually softer than what I’d been used to. But, then I started dreaming. I could see a beautiful woman smiling and walking toward me. It was her. As she was about to reach me a monster jumped in and scared her away. That was me. The dream was so vivid it startled me awake. I lay in bed sweating for the longest time. Finally, I drifted off to sleep again only to dream the same nightmare. I deserved it. 

When I dragged myself out of bed the next morning I must have looked a mess. It was mid-morning and Clyde looked at me and laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Man, you look like death warmed over,” he declared. “You must’ve partied hearty last night.”

Bruce pretended he was busy doing everything else but listening to us.

“No,” I said as I rubbed my head. It sure felt heavy. “I just didn’t sleep well.”

“Ah, a guilty conscience,” he surmised.

My mouth was dry but I mumbled, “How’d you know?”

“Hey, you’re talking to the king of guilty consciences,” he laughed. “I know the feeling and I know the look.”

“Yeah, I guess you would,” I agreed.

“So, you wanna talk about it?” he asked.

“No, not really,” I answered. I’d never had anyone to talk things over with before. So, on second thought, I figured I’d give it a try. “Uh, I met this girl yesterday and I acted like a jerk.”

“Yeah, I’m glad that’s never happened to me,” Clyde laughed. “At least, no more than fifteen to twenty times.”

“Well, it was the first time for me,” I offered. “Or it was the first time the girl didn’t deserve it. She was trying to be nice, and I wouldn’t let her.”

Clyde turned serious and slumped down on his bunk. “Hey, Crossby, this girl got to you, didn’t she?”

I snickered, “I think so. She just came right up to me and said ‘Hello.’ I’ve never had anyone be that friendly toward me, especially a stranger.” 

At that, Bruce quit pretending to be busy and turned his attention to us. He narrowed his eyes as if he was trying to figure something out.

“Is she pretty?” Clyde asked.

I didn’t hesitate, “Yeah, she is, very pretty. She has a beautiful smile and eyes like I’ve never seen before. I could look at them all day and never get tired.”

“Uh-oh, you’ve been smitten,” Clyde laughed. “The semester hasn’t even started yet and you’ve been hooked. All she has to do is reel the line in!”

I laughed too at the thought of someone wanting to be with, especially someone like Angie.

Bruce cleared his throat and asked, “What about her eyes?” 

I thought for a moment that maybe Clyde was right, and Bruce was warming up to us. So, I told them how black and beautiful they were. Well, evidently it wasn’t what he wanted to hear as his face looked like all the blood suddenly drained from it. He started wheezing as he gasped for air. Clyde went over to him and patted him on the back. “Come on Bruce, breathe, just relax and breathe.” 

After a little bit it looked like he was going to be okay, so I added, “All I know is her name is Angie.”

Bruce bolted straight up with his arms thrashing about. The force knocked Clyde backwards and he had to catch himself from rolling off of the bunk.

“Crossby, you leave her alone!!” Bruce shouted at me. I didn’t know what to think.

“I wasn’t gonna do anything...”

“No, no, no,” he continued to yell. “Don’t you go near her!!”

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was your girl. I wouldn’t do...”

“She’s not my girl!” he kept shouting. “You just leave her alone!! I forbid you to go near her!!” 

Clyde stood and moved closer to him. His fear of Clyde seemed to help him calm down a bit. After a moment of silence, Clyde calmly said, “Those are some mighty strong words coming from you. I think it best you explain yourself.”

He glanced at me and then back at Clyde and then back at me again. I could tell he was in an uncomfortable position, so I tried to encourage him, “Come on Bruce, if you’ve got something to say then just say it.” 

“She’s my cousin and I don’t want you anywhere near her!” he blurted out.

“Your cousin?!?” Clyde and I said at the same time.

“That’s right,” Bruce asserted. “She’s my uncle’s daughter on my father’s side.”

Well, I was surprised. They didn’t look anything alike. She was beautiful. She must’ve taken after her mother’s side of the family.

“So, she’s Angie Nelson?” I asked.

“Yes, she is,” he replied as he fought to control his emotions.

“Well, well, well,” Clyde laughed. “We’re becoming one big happy family here, aren’t we?”

It seemed okay to me. I’d never had a real family. Bruce thought otherwise. “No!” he shouted again. “Crossby, if you don’t leave her alone then I’ll...I’ll...I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll do something!!” 

Clyde put his arm around Bruce’s shoulder and held him tight. He looked directly into his face, smiled, and said, “Now, Bruce, you really need to think this thing through. There’s no need for you to go and do something stupid and get yourself hurt. There’s no need at all.” He squeezed Bruce’s shoulder causing him to grunt. When Clyde let loose, he started backing toward the door. With his eyes darting back and forth at us he yelled, “You two leave me alone!! Just leave me alone!” Once he got past the door, he took off running down the hall. 

Clyde and I just stared at each other. I’d seen people get upset with me being around them, but I’d never had such a reaction from anyone when it didn’t directly involve them. Either Bruce really loved his cousin or he really didn’t like me. I was betting on the latter. Finally, I broke the silence and said, “So, he might do something stupid and get hurt, huh? I thought you’d given up your bullying ways.”

A big grin spread across his face and he replied, “I never said I’d hurt him. I was just trying to protect him from what you could do to him.” 

Well, I knew what I had to do. I had to find Angie and tell her I was sorry for the way I acted. I didn’t expect she’d forgive me, but I had to apologize. She deserved it. So, Clyde and I walked outside, and he headed to the library as I scoured around the campus. 

Two hours later, I was about to give up and go back to the dorm when I saw the back of a girl’s head that could be her. She was sitting alone on a bench near the marquee water fountain just outside the science lab. I couldn’t see her face, so I wasn’t sure it was Angie. So, I made a wide semicircle around the bench until I recognized her. She was reading a book and didn’t see me. As quietly as I could, I slid onto the bench on the opposite end from her. She ignored me and kept reading. Finally, when I had almost mustered enough courage to say something, she closed the book and turned to look at me. She just stared at me without saying a word. I would’ve felt better if she had thrown the book at me, but, she didn’t. 

I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I acted like a jerk, and you didn’t deserve it.” She kept staring at me without saying anything. So, I nodded my head and stood to leave. 

“Is that it?” she asked. I sat back down.

“Yes,” I meekly replied. “I owed you an apology and...well...I’m sorry.”

She looked somewhat surprised. “So, you’re not going to make an excuse as to why you were so rude? I’m sure you have some imaginative reason that will make my heart just melt and make me forget how crude you were.”

Her sarcasm was biting and stung my pride. I would’ve been impressed if I hadn’t felt so bad about what had happened. So, I just shook my head and replied, “No, there’s no excuse. I was wrong.” 

We sat in silence for a while until I stood to leave again. I had said what I had come to say and was going to go back to the dorm. She stopped me when she said, “The least you could do is tell me your name.” I sat down again. 

“My name is Crossby,” I answered. “Darryl Crossby, but most folks just call me Crossby.”

“Well, Crossby,” she grinned. “As I was going to say before you interrupted me, it’s nice to meet you.” She held out her hand and I had to scoot over closer to her to shake it. It was soft and feminine but there was a firmness that made you realize she was no easy push over. I liked that.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Angie Nelson,” I said. She was pleasantly surprised I knew her name.

“Oh, you went to the trouble to find out my full name?” she asked with her grin looking sneakier all the time.

“Well, your cousin Bruce told me,” I answered. The grin faded.

“Bruce is here?” she said more to herself than to me.

“Yeah, he’s one of my two roommates,” I explained. “In fact, we went to high school together.”

“Hmm,” she pondered. “I haven’t seen him in years. He’s always kept to himself and he never came to any family gatherings.”

“Well, he remembers you very well,” I offered. “He demanded I stay away from you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know,” I replied. “But he’s like most folks, they usually don’t take to me too good. I’m used to it, though.”

“Yeah, well, he’s not the friendliest person,” she declared. “I don’t want to talk bad about him, but sometimes he can be weird.”

“That might be from the way he was treated in school,” I surmised. “Some of the guys picked on him pretty bad. Taking all that bullying couldn’t be good for him.”

“So, he told you to stay away from me, huh?” she grinned again.

“Yeah, he told me he would stop me from even seeing you if he could,” I explained.

“Were you one of the bullies in school?” she asked.

“No, they tried me once, but it didn’t turn out too good for them,” I answered. “I was lucky.” 

We were having a normal conversation, just like Clyde and I had, and I was enjoying it immensely. I didn’t want it to stop, but I had run out of things to say and she wasn’t saying anything either. So, once again, I stood to leave. “Thank you for not throwing your book at me when I sat down here.”

She laughed. It was a good laugh and it made me smile. “Well, I’ve never said I’ve forgiven you,” she teased.

“I know.”

“So, if you want my forgiveness, you’re going to have to take me out and wine and dine me,” she declared.

I was all for that, but my financial resources would not stand much dining, and we were underage, so, there would be no wining even if I could’ve afforded it.

“Okay,” I said. “Where would you like to go?”

“Well, I’m really hungry,” she declared. “How about Burger King? They’ve got some great specials going right now.”

What can I say? She was a woman after my own heart and wallet. I was trying not to fall in love, but she was making it hard. Not only was she pleasant to be around, but she was also the prettiest woman I’d ever seen with her black hair and coal eyes, and she was frugal. What was there not to love? 

We walked about four blocks to Burger King. It was a nice time as we chit-chatted about what courses we were going to take in our freshman year. I was trying to be a chemistry major, and she hadn’t made up her mind yet. 

We arrived at Burger King and placed our orders. I went to pay for hers and she wouldn’t hear of it. When I insisted she asked me if I was rich or something? I lied and said “Yeah.” Ignoring me she handed the cashier her money and then said, “So, that’s why you’re going to Richard Johnson College, cause you’re rich and can go anywhere you want, huh?” I simply smiled and didn’t argue with her anymore. 

After eating in silence for a while she declared, “You know, you really are a nice person.”

“Thank you,” I said. “You’re one of maybe two people who thinks so. Your cousin doesn’t share your viewpoint.”

“Who cares what he thinks?” she said with a sneer. “I think you’ve got a good soul, and between you and me, that’s all that matters.”

“So, where did you go to high school?” I asked. 

Her home was on the opposite side of the county from my home, the orphanage. So, she had attended our rival high school. She described her family, an older brother and a younger sister. Her father had died when she was only ten. It was the lowest time of her life. He died in his sleep from a heart attack. She explained that was one of the reasons she hadn’t been in touch with Bruce lately, as over the years they had seen less and less of her father’s family. It had been hard on her mother raising three children with no husband, but she had managed. Her older brother had joined the army instead of going to college. He was stationed overseas and sent money home when he could. Her mother and he had insisted that she go to college, so that’s how she came to Richard Johnson College. 

I felt for her and her family. Life had been unkind to them, too. I must admit I’d never had much empathy for other folks. It seemed to me that everyone else had it far better than me. But, that wasn’t the case. Other people may have had it better, but that doesn’t mean it was any easier. 

So, she wanted to know my story. I just shrugged and filled her in on my life. It wasn’t anything special, but she took an interest in it. In fact, tears came to her eyes when I told her about how my father’s family didn’t want me to attend his funeral when he had died a year earlier. Then, she got mad when I told her how I was denied attending my high school graduation. 

“That wasn’t right at all!” she declared as anger filled her eyes. “How could they do that to you?”

“I figured it was par for the course,” I replied. “I’m kinda used to it.”

She digested all that for a moment and then said, “No wonder you didn’t trust me when we first met.”

“Well, I shouldn’t have acted that way,” I declared. Then I asked, “Are you always that friendly with strangers?”

She laughed and shook her head. “No, not always. It’s just that sometimes I see someone I don’t know and something inside me says I should get to know them.”

“A little voice inside you?”

“Yeah, I guess,” she laughed again. “It’s never led me wrong, though, I must admit, I thought it had after meeting you. But, it turned out right again. I’ve met a lot of nice and good people along the way. Of course, living in a small community doesn’t give you many opportunities to meet a whole lot of new people.” 

I had to ask. “So, in meeting all those guys, you haven’t found one you’d be interested in?”

She laughed and batted her eyelashes at me. “Why only one.” Even though I knew she was kidding I was flattered enough to turn red from blushing. “Yeah, I’m a real ladies’ man,” I laughed.

“You are cute,” she offered.

“Thank you,” I blushed again. “But, at this table you’ve got the lock on good looks.”

She smiled and then reflected, “Well, I’m not interested in a relationship at this stage of my life. Why, Crossby, we’re young. We’ve got our whole lives ahead of us. I want to enjoy being young. I don’t want to rush into anything. They’ll be time down the road to fall in love and get married and have children and all that stuff. Right now, I want to develop a career and help take care of my family the way they’ve taken care of me.” 

I was impressed with her thinking. In the first place, I’d never dreamed of anyone like her falling for someone like me. In fact, I’d never dreamed of anyone falling for me at all. Secondly, I too wanted to work hard and develop a career. I had to as I was on my own and it was a matter of survival. 

“I can see that,” I agreed. “I’ve got to find my spot in the world, too.”

“But, in the meantime, I like making friends,” she offered. “I guess that’s why I approach strangers every now and then.”

“Well, I’m glad you approached me,” I said.

“Me, too.” 

We finished eating and walked back to the dorms. After some small talk, I felt bold enough to ask, “In the future, you know, way in the future, do you think you could ever be interested in dating someone like me?” I was taking a chance that my heart would be broken right there on the spot, but I felt so comfortable being with her I had let my guard down. 

She pondered my question for a bit and then replied, “Well, I don’t allow myself to really think about those things. It keeps temptation to a minimum, cause if I started thinking about it, then I’d probably meet someone that would make me stray from my plans.” 

I nodded my head in agreement. “I can see that.”

She stopped walking and turned to me. “Crossby, don’t wait on me. I can’t promise anything.”

“I know,” I said.

We started walking again. She smiled and offered, “But, who knows? If you’re still around in a few years, I could see me checking you out.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” 

I don’t remember the rest of the walk back to the college. My mind was swirling with the possibilities of what she had just said. Not only had I finally found a girl who was willing to actually talk to me, but there was a chance, remote as it was that she might want to date me. She didn’t know it, but I made up my mind right there that I would wait on her as long as it took. I couldn’t help it as I was falling in love. 

We said our “goodbyes” and I headed back to my room with plenty to think about. Clyde and Bruce weren’t there so I flopped down in a chair and stared off in the distance to ponder the day’s events. 

It wasn’t long before my thoughts were interrupted as Bruce came to the door. He glared at me with rage in his eyes. I could tell this wasn’t going to be good. He was almost shaking as his emotions rushed to the surface. I just stared at him. 

“I told you to stay away from her!!” he screamed. 

I simply shook my head. In his anger he lunged at me with his fists balled. Before I realized what was happening my training kicked in and I jumped out of my chair, dodged his right hook and quickly placed him in a chin lock. He struggled but I held tight. Without letting go I asked him, “Why don’t you suck on a Breath Savers and chill out?” He just kept trying to break my grip on him. 

I’m not proud of the fact, but for the briefest moment, a faint voice deep inside me said for me to snap his neck. It was dismissed as quickly as it came, but I had never had the inclination to kill anything in my life, even when being treated like dirt. I didn’t even feel that way when Clyde and his bully buddies attacked me. Yes, I did hurt them, some of them more than I meant, but I never gave any thought to taking their lives. Now, with Bruce, the thought came to me even though, thankfully, it quickly left. I’ve thought about this over the years and the only thing I can figure is the feelings I had for Angie caused this. I had never dealt with those types of feelings before and was not prepared to handle any threat to them. I learned from that incident with Bruce and never allowed that little murderous voice to speak again. 

Clyde came strolling into the room when I had Bruce in the chin lock. He stopped in his tracks and surveyed the scene. Even though Bruce’s arms were flying right and left as he struggled to break free, I held him tight. A big grin spread across Clyde’s face, and he offered, “I’ll leave if you two need to be alone.” 

I had to let go of Bruce as I was laughing too hard. He darted to his side of the room and crawled onto his bed. When I finally caught my breath and could speak I asked, “What’s wrong with you, man?” 

Bruce just sat on his bed staring at me and trembling. I had had enough. “Look! I’ve never done anything to you to deserve this!”

“Yeah, he’s even had your back when you didn’t know it,” Clyde chimed in.

“As far as your cousin’s concerned, we’re friends, that’s all,” I continued. “I think you’d realized she’s old enough to decide who her friends are and that she doesn’t need you as some guardian angel watching over her.” 

Bruce was still seething. “It’s not like you had much do with her over the years, anyway,” I declared. “She told me she hasn’t seen you in a long time. So, tell me, Bruce, what have I done to deserve all this hatred you have for me?” 

“Yeah, man, you’re acting weird, that is, even weird for you,” Clyde added. 

Bruce jumped off his bed. I could tell he was still livid, but he didn’t try to attack me again. “I don’t like you,” he shouted again. “In school you were always the one person that people liked less than me! I thought, well at least, I’m not as bad as Crossby. I knew I wasn’t the worst person on the face of the earth. Now, you and Clyde are acting like long lost friends and even relatives of mine are starting to like you. I hate you!! You may fool them but you’re not fooling me! You’re the same scumbag you’ve always been, and I’ll do everything I can to make people see you for what you really are!!” 

Well, now I knew where he was coming from. Once again, it was me. That was the story of my life to that point. 

“Man, you’ve got some serious issues,” Clyde interjected. “I’ve got some books by Dr. Horner that you need to read. I think they’ll help you.” 

Bruce didn’t reply and stomped out of the room. Clyde shook his head and offered, “He’s so full of hate. What a waste.” 

I slid back down into my chair. I felt drained. Bruce’s actions were bothering me more than they should, or at least, more than they would’ve in the past. I guess for me, getting in touch with my feelings and emotions came with a price. Now, I was actually starting to care what people thought of me. It was scary. 

“Well, I see you still got the old moves,” Clyde declared. “You really ought to put them to good use.”

His words brought me back to reality. “What do you mean?”

“Hey, you’re like me. You’re not going to this college because you’re rich,” he suggested. “This is the poor man’s school. So, why not open a place and teach martial arts?”

It was not the first time I’d thought of doing such. “Yeah, but I don’t think anyone would really be interested. Most folks like me about as much as Bruce does.”

“Well, I’ll be your first customer then,” he declared.

“I thought you’d given up your violent ways,” I said.

“That’s right, but you don’t teach violence, do you?” he asked. “You teach how to take care of yourself and that’s what I need.”

“Thanks for the offer, but one customer doesn’t make for a good business,” I objected.

“Oh, you leave that to me,” he smiled. “I’ll get you plenty of customers. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed or not, but I can be quite persuasive. I’m quite a charmer.”

For the first time I thought this might work. I was going to need an income if I was going to spend four years in college. We could make it cheap enough for the students and still make enough to keep me in school. “Okay, you bring the customers and I’ll train them,” I said.

“Good,” he declared. “Of course, being your first client and now your partner, I expect a sizable discount for my training.”

“Of course,” I agreed as we shook hands to seal the deal. 

So, my partner and I set up shop in the grassy lawn in front of the chemistry lab. It was free and that was about the only thing I could afford. True to his word, Clyde convinced four guys and three girls to join my class. Most of them looked eager to learn, but one girl looked like she’d rather be any other place than there. I thought it best not to delve too deeply into Clyde’s recruiting methods. After all, at that time his religious conversion was still somewhat suspect. But I was grateful to him for bringing the business to me. We had seven paying customers, and they worked hard to learn martial arts. Of course, I provided Clyde’s training free of charge. He insisted on paying something, but I wouldn’t hear of it. 

Everyone agreed to three days a week of training. We had to balance our training with our schooling. To my surprise, on the second day, Angie decided to join the class. I couldn’t have been happier. Spending time with her helped me to get to know her even more and she seemed to enjoy being in my company. I would’ve been willing to train her for free as having the chance to be around her was payment enough, but she made me take her money. 

Angie was not the tallest and she was by far not the most muscled girl in the group. The one girl with the sour attitude was bigger. Her name was Marsha. Toward the later of the second week we were practicing some simple joint-locking techniques when I noticed Angie and Marsha were beginning a heated argument. I didn’t really catch what it was about, but it got louder and before anyone could react, Angie threw her leg around Marsha’s, tripped her, and threw her to the ground. I was impressed but rushed over to take control of the situation. Marsha had jumped to her feet and was about to rush Angie when I intervened. 

“Whoa!!” I shouted as I stood between them and held them apart. “We don’t need this.”

“Then tell her to keep her stupid comments to herself,” Angie snorted. Marsha just stood there with a sneer on her face like she had wanted to provoke Angie and it had worked.

“It’s okay,” I said as I turned my attention toward Angie. It appeared she needed help calming down more than Marsha.

“Well, there’s no need for her to get her prostate all in an uproar,” Angie declared. 

Marsha just gave a grunt and started walking away. I smiled more to myself than anything else and quietly said, “Uh, she’s a girl. She doesn’t have a prostate.”

“I know,” Angie agreed. Then loud enough for all to hear she declared, “She doesn’t have any balls either, but that doesn’t keep her from trying to act like she does!” This was enough to make more than one person in our group start snickering. Clyde was barely holding it in. I fought hard not to laugh and did keep it down to a smile. 

Marsha kept walking and yelled back at us, “Forget you! Forget all of you! I quit!!” She didn’t look back. I shouted at her, “There’s no refund!” That was too much for Clyde and he collapsed to the ground convulsing with laughter. Everyone else joined in. This episode actually made our little group tighter as the one dour person among us had removed herself. 

It was a few weeks before Angie finally told me what the ruckus had been about. She was afraid of hurting my feelings. It seems that Marsha had taken up a friendship with Bruce and he had shared his animosity for me with her. So, her real purpose in joining my training class was to create havoc wherever she could and to cause Clyde and my enterprise to crumble. She was making a little headway with a couple folks, telling them all kind of lies about me, until Angie recognized a phrase or two that sounded exactly like something Bruce would say. Smelling a rat, she confronted Marsha, and they argued until she threw her to the ground. Knowing her cover was blown; Marsha took her leave. 

Angie was so sweet when telling me about this. I could tell she was choosing her words carefully as she didn’t want to upset me. Marsha’s and Bruce’s reaction was not new to me, but the way Angie cared about me was. I couldn’t help but think that I could easily get use to her caring about me. 

My freshman year flew by faster than I ever thought it would. I worked hard and was finishing with a GPA of 3.70. Clyde impressed everyone who knew him and wound up with a 3.49. I knew it was difficult for him as he was too busy being a bully in high school to really apply himself to studying. Now, he was putting forth the effort and it paid off. Angie finally decided on a major and chose Business Administration. She was excelling at a 3.65. Bruce was a chemistry major like me and I noticed Marsha had joined him. It was very apparent they were a team and soon started going steady. I was actually happy for him, but I knew he wouldn’t appreciate anything I said to him about it, even if it was an encouraging word. Even after a year in school together and sharing a room he was as distant as ever. I never knew what his grade for the year was as he never shared anything with Clyde and me. 

Before long the season had turned to springtime, and we were facing final exams and the end of our first year. My martial arts training had become quite popular, and I had earned enough money to open a shop two blocks from the campus. I simply named it “Crossby’s Arts.” Clyde continued to be a great recruiter, and we finished that year with twenty-five paying customers. It was enough to support the shop and, with some grants I earned, I had enough money to pay for another year of college. 

We finished our final exams, and I was waiting for my grades when I was summoned to Dean Watson’s office. When I arrived, the secretary ushered me into his office and sitting there with him was Dr. Pierce, my chemistry professor.

Dean Watson was looking at some papers and didn’t look up. “Mr. Crossby, please have a seat.” 

Dr. Pierce had a stern and menacing look on his face. He barely acknowledged me. It made me uneasy as I was perplexed as to what was happening. I had been a model student all year and have never even got close to any kind of trouble. The whole setting made me uncomfortable. I had gotten used to people being nice to me, thanks in large part to Angie and Clyde. Now, the old feeling of “me against the world” was creeping back in. I cautiously slid into a seat beside the professor. 

After a minute, which seemed like an hour, Dean Watson looked up at me and slowly removed his reading glasses. He took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Crossby, we have a serious problem.”

“We do?” I sputtered as my mouth instantly turned dry.

“You cheated on the exam!” Dr. Pierce blurted out.

“I did not!!” I shouted in defense.

“Now, both of you wait a minute,” the dean commanded. “Chad, there’s no need to go accusing him yet as we’re still investigating.”

“There’s no need for any more ‘investigating,’” the professor declared. “You’ve got all the evidence you need right there in your hand. I knew he was no good from the first day I met him. This just confirms it!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked in utter disbelief. “I haven’t cheated on anything.” 

Dean Watson cleared his throat and declared, “I have here a copy of the final chemistry exam that Dr. Pierce gave to you and his class.”

“So?”

“So, we had an anonymous tip yesterday that there had been cheating in Dr. Pierce’s class and that we should do a room-by-room inspection,” he asserted. “When we did this copy of the exam was found between the mattresses of your bed. The appearance of this is not good, Mr. Crossby.”

“You stole a copy of the exam so you could ace my class!” the professor accused.

“I did not!!”

“It was found in your bed, young man,” Dean Watson asserted.

“Well, I don’t know how it got there,” I declared. “I’ve never seen that before, or at least, not until we took the exam in class.”

“Oh, please!” the professor said as he rolled his eyes. “You think you’re the first person to try something like this? There have been plenty of others and they were all smarter than you. I’ve caught every one of them.”

“Well, you’ve picked the wrong person,” I said. “I did not cheat on the exam.”

“Oh, don’t try my patience,” the professor said almost yelling. “Just admit what you’ve done so you can leave and we can get back to teaching honest and decent students.”

“I’m not going to admit to something I didn’t do,” I declared as my surprise started turning to anger. “Professor, you’ll just have to find some other patsy to take your frustrations out on.” 

“Now, that’s enough of that kind of talk, young man,” Dr. Watson sternly said.

“Dean Watson, with all due respect, I have never been one to take kindly to being falsely accused,” I said just as stern. “I’ve never stood for it in the past and I will not stand for it now.” 

The dean slowly put his glasses back on. “You know, Mr. Crossby, Superintendent Ogersby warned me about you last summer when he arranged for you to come here. I think his exact words were, ‘The boy’s nothing but trouble.’ Now, I don’t fully understand the circumstances that allowed for you to come to our college with your first year all neatly paid for, but I do know that it’s highly unusual. It’s enough to make me wonder what other shenanigans are you capable of.” 

How was I to answer such a question? I had learned over the years that I could talk until I was blue in the face and people would still believe what they wanted to believe about me. Even the ones I might convince otherwise were still left with nagging doubts. 

“I didn’t cheat,” I declared again. 

“Well, we’ll see,” the dean simply said. “Like I said earlier, we are investigating, and I wanted to let you know and give you a chance to explain yourself.”

“A total waste of time,” the professor muttered.

“You must realize, Mr. Crossby, these are very serious charges,” the dean continued. “If we find you guilty, not only will you fail Dr. Pierce’s class, but you’ll be facing certain expulsion from our college. That will follow you for the rest of your life and, no doubt, greatly affect any and all career opportunities that might come your way. Now, on the other hand, if you go ahead and admit your guilt today, we can avoid all this investigating work and let you leave our college in a quiet and orderly manner. Your actions will still be part of your permanent record here, but we can arrange for it to be withheld from public scrutiny. So, what would you like for us to do?” 

I could see everything was being neatly stacked against me, but I wasn’t going to back down. “Dean, you and the professor do whatever you need to do,” I declared. “As for me, I’ll never admit to something I didn’t do.”

Dr. Pierce muttered “Christ” under his breath and Dean Watson said, “Very well. You may leave now, and we’ll let you know when the investigation is through.” 

I was numb as I left the dean’s office. In my wildest dreams I had never thought of cheating and had never been accused of such in my life. I was crushed. 

Not thinking of where I was going, I found myself at the bench in front of the chemistry lab. I slumped down on it and buried my head in my hands. All my hard work and all my plans were coming to an end over something I had no control over and no knowledge of. How could this have happened? My emotions rushed to the surface, and I sobbed like a baby. 

After a while I started gaining my composure when I heard a voice beside me. It was Angie. She had seen me sitting on the bench and came over to say hello until she heard me sniffing. “Crossby? What’s wrong?” she asked as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into those dark eyes of hers and felt some comfort.

“I’m sorry,” I blubbered. “Dr. Pierce and the dean think I cheated on the final chemistry exam.”

“What?!?” she almost screamed. “How? Why?”

“Somebody gave them a tip and they found a copy of the exam between the mattresses of my bed,” I explained. 

Her mouth dropped open. She studied my face and then quietly asked, “Did you cheat?”

“No, I didn’t,” I replied. “I’ve never cheated in my life.”

“Does the dean believe you?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I answered. “He says they’re investigating and will let me know the outcome. Dr. Pierce is convinced I’m guilty.”

“He’s a jerk,” she declared.

“Angie, they’re gonna throw me out of college,” I said as I fought the tears back. “I know that’s what they want to do. I could see it in their faces.” 

Off in the distance Clyde was walking toward the dorm. Angie got his attention and motioned for him to come over.

She studied my face again and then her eyes got almost as wide as saucers. “You’ve been setup!!” she declared. “Someone’s trying to frame you!!”

I must admit I hadn’t thought of that. It was obvious and I had missed it. I guess I was too busy having my dreams shattered to think clearly.

“Who?” I sputtered. “Who would do this?”

“Who would do what?” Clyde asked as he approached us. Angie told him what had happened and how I must have been framed.

“Then we’re just gonna have to go and find out who the fink is,” he declared. “I’m sure I can persuade him or her to confess.”

“No,” I protested. “There’s no reason for you two to get involved. It’s my problem and I’m not gonna take a chance that you get caught up in it. They could try to ruin you, too.”

“You’re wrong,” Angie objected. “There’s a very good reason for Clyde and me to get involved.”

“There is?”

“Yep, she’s right, Crossby,” Clyde agreed. “It’s because we’re friends and that’s what friends do for each other. We’ve got your back.” 

This almost moved me to tears again. Those two were real friends and asked nothing in return. It was almost worth going through that awful experience to learn the depth of their friendship, almost but not quiet. 

Whoever had tried to frame me covered their tracks very well. Clyde, Angie, and I must have talked to a hundred people, and no one admitted to knowing anything about how the exam paper ended up in my room and in my bed. It was frustrating. I knew I was innocent, but I knew I had to prove it, too. That part was proving difficult to do. 

Two days later I was summoned to Dean Watson’s office for the final determination of my case. It was a week before the end of school. Angie walked with me and held my hand until we reached the dean’s door. We hadn’t seen Clyde all morning and didn’t know where he was. 

My heart was heavy as I entered the dean’s office. He was sitting behind his desk with Dr. Pierce in a chair to the side of him. Standing in the middle of the room was a deputy sheriff with his arms crossed. The dean motioned to a chair, and I took a seat. 

“Mr. Crossby, thank you for coming on such short notice,” the dean said. “Deputy Morgan will be present with us to determine if any laws have been broken, and if so, take whatever legal actions are needed.” I figured he was also there to ensure the peace and to make sure no one was physically attacked, especially Dean Watson and Dr. Pierce. So, I simply nodded my head at the dean. 

“Well, Mr. Crossby, we’ve done all the investigating we could, and we’ve not found anyone to verify your innocence,” he declared.

“You’re a cheat, Crossby!” Dr. Pierce mumbled at me.

“I didn’t cheat,” I asserted again.

“I’m afraid we can come to no other conclusion with the evidence we have on hand,” the dean continued. “Unless you can present something to the contrary, we’re going to proceed with expelling you from our fair college.” 

Even though this was the verdict I was expecting, it was still a bitter pill to swallow. I shook my head and said, “All I can do is give you my word that I’m innocent.”

“Hmmph,” the professor snorted. “You’re a cheat and a liar.” 

At that moment, Clyde came bursting through the door and yelled, “No, he’s not! You’d better believe him!!”

Dr. Pierce jumped to his feet and shouted, “This is an outrage!! How dare you barge in here with such nonsense!!”

Clyde’s face turned bright red, and he yelled back, “You’d better sit down, little man, while you still can!!”

“Deputy, are you going to allow this to go on?” the dean asked in a pleading voice. 

The deputy looked Clyde up and down and Clyde returned the favor. Finally, Clyde said, “Hello, Uncle Jon.”

“Hello, Clyde,” the deputy responded. “You might want to tone it down a bit.”

Clyde nodded his head and said, “Okay.”

“You two are related?” Dean Watson asked.

“Yep,” the deputy replied. “I’d like to hear what my nephew knows about this, if you don’t mind. Any objections?”

The dean quickly shook his head and answered, “No, none at all. Go ahead, uh, Clyde, and tell us what you know.”

A big grin spread across Clyde’s face, and he declared, “Well, it’s not so much as to what I know as to what the person waiting outside that I brought with me knows. May I bring her in?”

The dean glanced at the deputy and then replied, “Sure.” 

Clyde briefly left the room but quickly returned with Marsha by his side. Angie followed them in. I had no idea what was going on, but I trusted Clyde’s judgment. Even if I hadn’t, I didn’t have any other options available to me. 

Upon seeing Marsha, Dr. Pierce jumped to his feet again and yelled, “This is enough, dean!! You’re allowing him to make a mockery out of this procedure!!”

The deputy crossed him arms and quietly said, “Sit down, professor.” Clyde smiled at his uncle. 

It was quite evident all this was making the dean nervous. He quickly glanced back and forth at the professor and then the deputy. Finally, he meekly asked, “What’s your name young lady?”

“I’m Marsha Hunter,” she replied. Dr. Pierce dropped his head and didn’t look up. I had become so wrapped up in what was happening that, for a moment, I actually forgot my whole future was still in jeopardy. 

The dean cleared his throat and asked, “Do you have anything to say that would be relevant to our hearing here today?”

“I sure do,” she replied.

The professor didn’t raise his head but quietly begged, “Please.”

“Go ahead, what do you want to say?” the deputy asked.

She bit her lower lip and then declared, “I put the exam paper under Crossby’s bed.”

“You did?!?” the dean mouthed barely enough to be heard.

“Yes, I did,” she answered. “Chad, uh, I mean, Dr. Pierce, gave it to me a week before so we could make it look like Crossby had cheated and so he’d get thrown out of college.” 

Well, at that moment, the loudest thing in the room was the silence. I was in shock. It did cross my mind that maybe I should’ve given her a refund when she quit my martial arts classes and maybe she wouldn’t have sought revenge as evidently she had. But, that supposition on my part was wrong.

“Why did he do that?” the deputy asked as Dean Watson had turned as white as a ghost and looked as if he was unable to put enough words together to form a sentence.

“Because I asked him to,” she replied.

“Why would the professor be willing to do what you asked, especially something like that?” the deputy inquired.

Marsha took a deep breath and answered, “Because he enjoyed what he and I had been doing after classes and he was afraid that if he didn’t, I’d rat him out and let everybody know he was having sex with a student.” 

That revelation threw me right back into a state of shock. It wasn’t because a professor was having an affair with a student, but I just couldn’t imagine a rather attractive woman like Marsha being interested in an old man like Dr. Pierce. I don’t mean to be unkind, as I’m sure he was a handsome and debonair man in his time, but those days were long gone. I took a quick glance at Angie, and she just rolled her eyes. 

The deputy continued his inquiry, “So, you have something against Mr. Crossby to wish this on him?”

“No, not really,” she replied. “It was because my boyfriend wanted me to do it.” 

The picture was starting to become clear to me. At hearing this I just slowly shook my head.

“Who’s that?” the deputy asked.

She hesitated and then blurted out, “Bruce Nelson.”

“What’s he got against Crossby?” the deputy continued.

“I don’t know,” she replied. “At the time I would’ve done anything for Bruce. I loved him and I guess I still do. So, I didn’t care why he wanted me to frame Crossby. All that mattered was that he wanted me to do it.”

Dean Watson started fumbling with a pencil on his desk and Dr. Pierce still hadn’t raised his head to look at anyone.

The deputy rubbed his chin as he digested what had been said. Finally, he asked, “So, why come forward now? Your scheme was working.”

“Because I’m pregnant!” Marsha declared. Angie muttered, “Oh, my god!” All I could do was blink and all Clyde could do was smile.

“The good professor doesn’t want to have anything to do with me or the baby he helped make,” she continued. “Clyde helped me see that he’s not worth it. He’s not going to treat me that way! He’s not gonna brush me off and go on living his wonderful life. I’ll tell the whole world what the old fart did!!”

“Gosh, old man, haven’t you ever heard of a condom?” Clyde asked as the professor still refused to make eye contact with anyone.

“I tried to get him to use one, but he refused every time,” Marsha declared.

“Chad?” the dean mouthed.

Dr. Pierce finally looked up and said, “I don’t like them. Who would think a girl on this campus in this day and time wouldn’t be using birth control?”

“I’m allergic to about all of them,” Marsha declared as her voice rose to match her anger. “I tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.” 

“What about Bruce?” Angie asked.

“He acted like a jerk,” Marsha replied. “He said it was my problem as it wasn’t his baby. He wouldn’t even come with me here to clear everything up. I hate myself for ever loving him.” 

Angie put her arm around her and said, “I’m sorry you got caught up with my cousin. He’s proving himself to be no good.” It was enough to move Marsha to tears. 

The deputy stepped closer to the dean’s desk and declared, “Well, Dean Watson, I don’t think you need me here anymore. There’s nothing criminal going on here, but you sure have a huge mess to straighten out.”

The dean just shook his head “Yes” and didn’t say anything. 

Clyde followed his uncle out the door as they started catching up on each other’s families. Marsha looked at me and said, “I’m sorry, Crossby. You didn’t deserve this.”

“It took a lot of courage to come forward and I thank you for that,” I offered. 

The dean cleared his throat again and declared, “Well, Mr. Crossby, in light of this new evidence, this hearing is closed. You are free to return to classes.”

I stood to leave when Angie blurted out, “What?!? That’s it?!? You’re not even going to apologize to him?? What kind of low-down dirty man are you, Watson?”

“That’s enough, young lady!!” he barked back. “You will show me the proper respect!”

“Respect?!?” she almost shouted. “You haven’t earned enough respect for it to even be visible!!”

“How dare you!” the dean yelled.

“How dare you!!” Angie shouted back at him. With that she turned and escorted Marsha out of the room. As they were leaving, I could hear her tell Marsha that she knew some people who would be willing to help her. 

Dean Watson sat at his desk looking as if he was about to blow steam out his ears. Dr. Pierce had bowed his head again and wasn’t looking at anyone. I slowly rose from my seat and started to leave, but then changed my mind and turned around to face the dean. He looked at me and even the professor looked up. “Dean, how long have you known?” I asked. He just stared at me and didn’t say a word. I turned and left the room. 

It wasn’t long before I found Clyde and Angie outside talking to each other. I rushed up to them and gushed, “You guys are the greatest! Thank you so much! I don’t know how I can ever repay you for sticking up for me like that.”

“Ah, Crossby,” Clyde laughed. “I couldn’t let you get thrown out. You still owe me some jujitsu lessons.”

“We all knew you were innocent,” Angie declared as she reached up and kissed me on the cheek. “Besides, you would’ve done the same for us.”

“Yeah, but you’d probably wound up hurting someone,” Clyde declared. “You just don’t have the gentle persuasive powers like I do.” 

We all laughed together and then had a group hug. I had found two people who were not only friends but would be my friends for life. Through their friendship a terrible day had been turned into a good one and my life had been rescued from certain disaster. 

Marsha finished the year at school as we only had a week left. She didn’t return to school the next year. I heard later she had given birth to a beautiful baby boy and eventually married, but that’s all I know about her. 

Bruce never admitted to his part in trying to have me expelled and became almost invisible. He no longer stayed in the dorm room with Clyde and me and the only class I had with him was chemistry. For the last week he would show up for class a minute or two after it started and then he would rush out when it was over. We never spoke. He didn’t come back for another year. Angie told me he went off to another college out of state and we didn’t see him again for some time. 

Dr. Pierce finished the year but never came back again. I heard he had moved to teach at a university in the Midwest. As far as I know, no action was ever taken against him for what he did and what he tried to do to me. Dean Watson retired that year and did not return. 

Clyde decided he wanted to go and spend the summer on Dr. Micah Horner’s farm. He had finishing reading ever book the good doctor had written and he wanted to meet him and learn from him. He had proven he was serious about his religious conversion, and I wished him well in his endeavor. 

Angie went back home for the summer. I hated telling her goodbye, but she had always been up front about how she felt. I respected that.

“I’m really going to miss you,” I declared as we waited for her bus.

“Then, you need to go get you a phone,” she said. “At least, then we could talk to each other every so often.”

“I will one day,” I said. “Right now I’ve got to watch my pennies, but I know your mother’s number.”

“I’m sure you do,” she laughed. “Well, if you don’t get a phone, then this will just have to hold you over until I get back.” With that she grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me to her and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. The bus came and she left. 

I moved out of the dorm as my free year was up and I couldn’t afford to pay to stay there. My shop had a room in back with a shower in the rear. So, I purchased some bedding and made my home there. Business slacked off as most of the students had gone home for the summer, but I did earn enough to keep living there and save for the next year of school. I missed Clyde and everyone else I knew. I especially missed Angie. 

The summer dragged by at a snail’s pace, but it eventually became fall and time to start school again. It wasn’t too soon for me as I was ready to start my sophomore year. For the first time ever, I was paying my way, and I found it exciting. I felt on my own and dependent on no one. 

Clyde and Angie both returned for another year. I sure was glad to see them. Clyde had wanted to stay and live on Horner’s farm, but the good doctor wouldn’t let him. He told him that it was far more important to finish his schooling than it was to come live in his compound. It sounded to me as some good advice. Dr. Horner told him he could come back every summer and he was welcome to come live there after he graduated. He even loaned him some money for tuition. 

Clyde didn’t have enough money to live on campus, so I invited him to live with me. My little bedroom was big enough for another bed, barely, and so Clyde and I became roommates again. I was happy to have someone to talk to, especially since it was Clyde. 

At the farm he had met a young lady and was smitten. Her name was Maggie Weaver. He told me all about her and how they had dated and how she said she would wait on him to return. She was a couple years younger than he was. As he excitedly told me about her, I couldn’t help wondering if part of the reason he had wanted to stay at the farm was to be near her. I could appreciate that, but I was glad he chose to come back to school. 

Angie wrote me and told me what bus she would be arriving on before the start of school. So, I patiently waited at the stop and before long the bus pulled up. I sure was thrilled to see her come down those steps. We hugged and I helped her with her bags. She looked good but she looked a little tired. 

“It’s great to see you,” I blushed.

“Well, you’re looking pretty good yourself,” she said with a weak smile.

I couldn’t help it and asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied. “I’m just tired.” 

She had worked all summer long and didn’t take a break in order to have enough money to come back to college. Most weeks she had worked overtime, and the long hours were taking their toll. 

“You know I’ve been thinking over the summer that you could start teaching some of my classes, if you’re interested,” I offered.

She looked at me and asked, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I replied. “I need the help. I was thinking you could take on the new clients and teach them the basics. That way I can concentrate on the advanced classes.”

“You think I can do that?” she pondered as I caught myself admiring her beauty again. Even tired she was the best thing I’d ever laid eyes on.

“Absolutely,” I declared. “You’re already better than Clyde.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you know his skill is recruiting,” I asserted. “You’re good at the martial arts, with your quickness and low center of gravity. I must admit, there are some days when you even scare me.”

She laughed and said, “Now, you’re just being silly.”

“I can’t help it. You bring the worst out of me,” I said as I joined in her laughter. Then seriously I declared, “Look, you’re good. One of these days you’re gonna be great. I think you have the right personality where you could teach the newcomers and make it fun and interesting for them. I’ll pay you as much as I can and I think you’ll earn enough where you won’t have to work anywhere else.”

She thought it over for a minute and asked, “You really think this will work?”

“I’ve thought about it all summer and I’m sure,” I replied.

“This let’s do it,” she declared. 

For a variety of reasons that turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Financially, it turned out to be a boom. Clyde let everyone know that Angie was one of the teachers and people flocked to our shop. There were quite a few young men who joined for obvious reasons, but there were plenty of ladies, too. Angie’s outgoing personality made her a popular person on campus and it paid off for us. Of course, I wasn’t surprised at all. They were just seeing what I had already come to admire. 

It was funny how, at first, some of the guys wanted to show their macho side and walked into class all puffed up with vim and vigor. I know they were laughing inside at the thought of some petite young pretty lady teaching them how to fight. They weren’t there very long before they were lying on the floor in an arm lock with Angie applying pressure on their bent wrist. Every one of them begged for mercy. She was good. Once she had let them up, she would always declare, “Now, if you think that was something, you hang in here with me, and if you get good enough, I’ll graduate you to where you can work with Crossby. Trust me, he’ll show you the real stuff.” Word quickly spread that you don’t fool around with that little black hair, black eyed girl. She’d hurt you. 

It wasn’t long before Angie started looking like her old self. She was working and studying but she was getting the proper rest. It made a world of difference for her. 

That year went by fast. I made quite a bit of money and moved us to a fairly big gym. It had four rooms adjacent to the gym. We made one into an office and we converted the other three into bedrooms. Clyde and I were able to have our own bedroom and we talked Angie into moving into the other. She was there every evening anyway and it sure saved her a bunch of money not having to live in a dorm anymore. We respected her privacy and never tried to catch her in a compromising situation. I simply named the place “Crossby’s Gym.” 

Business was booming and I was able to pay Clyde and Angie a good wage. It was enough to keep all of us going and in school. If I hadn’t been so bent on getting a college degree I would have surely quit college as money seemed to be flowing freely. But, I wanted more. I wanted to be a chemist. Also, I didn’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. So, all three of us studied hard, worked hard, and had some of the best times of our lives. 

Being as independent as I was, I always relied on cash. I had no interest in credit. Angie urged me to establish a credit line as she thought I would need it sometime down the road. She wanted me to buy a car. I’d never had any need for one as I had always relied on public transportation. She said she’d teach me to drive and so I agreed. I must admit I think she was as interested in driving herself as she was in teaching me.

So, I bought a small Chevy on credit. The only free time we had was on the weekends, so that’s when she’d drive us to a secluded spot where she taught me to drive. Finally, I was ready to test for my license. I was beaming with pride and Angie was just as proud when I passed the driving test. Our Sunday routine became her and me driving around the countryside seeing places we’d never seen. Every once in a while, Clyde asked to borrow the car for a weekend as he wanted to go see Maggie. I was happy to let him borrow it, especially since he always had it washed and waxed before he left. 

The end of the year fast approached, and we all were studying hard for the final exams. A week before exams I took a close look at Clyde and Angie. They looked exhausted. I felt tired. 

“Do I look as tired as you two?” I asked.

Angie stifled a yawn and replied, “You look pretty haggard.”

Clyde smiled and said, “You look a whole lot worse than Angie.” 

So, I decided we should close the gym for the weekend and take the time to relax. They both agreed so we did. 

Angie suggested we fix a picnic and find a quiet place in the country to eat and unwind. I thought it was a great idea. Clyde liked the idea but said he wanted to just lie around and watch TV and write Maggie a letter. So, Angie and I packed a lunch and took off for the countryside. 

We found a beautiful grassy spot overlooking a valley with hills off in the distance. Angie spread a large blanket on the ground, and we settled down for our meal. We ate and indulged in some small talk. Every time we talked, I was amazed at the things I could either learn about her or from her. 

When we finished eating, I reached into my pocket for a pack of Breath Savers. I figured I might need it since my ham and cheese sandwich was loaded with onions. 

“You like Breath Savers?” she asked somewhat surprised. “All this time I’ve known you and I’ve never seen you eat one.”

“They’re my favorite,” I replied as I popped one in my mouth. “Of course, I’ve always been discreet with them. I didn’t want to advertise that I might have bad breath.” She giggled at that so I asked, “Would you like one?”

“I have my own, thank you,” she said as she patted the pocket of her jeans. “I ate one on the drive up here.”

“You did? Why, you’re as sneaky as I am,” I declared and then asserted, “Wintergreen is the best flavor.”

“It is,” she agreed and then said, “Well, go ahead and give me one.”

“Nope.”

This caught her by surprise, and she looked at me with a funny face before asking, “Why not?”

“You’ve got your own,” I smiled. “I’ll save mine.”

She glared at me for a moment and then demanded, “You give me one of them.”

“Nope.”

She squinted her eyes at me in mock anger and said, “Darryl Crossby, you give me one of those mints!”

“Nope.”

“Don’t make me take it from you!” 

I just laughed and she tackled me. We rolled around on the blanket with me keeping the pack of mints just out of her reach. She struggled to get them and we twisted around until she was lying on top of me. With a huff she said, “Just keep your old mints!” She smiled and then reached down and kissed me. This time it wasn’t on the cheek. It was the first time I had ever been kissed like that. It felt good. It felt really good that it was Angie kissing me. Her lips felt as if they had been made to kiss mine and her breath tasted of wintergreen. 

She eventually raised up and looked down at me. I didn’t want the moment to end so I said, “Uh, you can have the whole pack.”

“I’m not that cheap, mister,” she declared.

“How about two packs?” 

With that she kissed me again. Actually, we kissed several times until she rolled off and lay beside me. She let her head rest on my chest as she played with a button on my shirt. I reveled in the moment but finally said, “If I’d known this would happen, I’d offered you a Breath Savers mint a long time ago.”

She sighed and said, “I told you if you hung around long enough, I might have to check you out.”

“Yeah, you did.”

She raised her head to look at me and declared, “Look, I like you a lot. I like being with you, but I’m not ready for a long-term commitment.”

“I understand,” I said.

“I mean, I would really like having a future with you, but I can’t dwell on that now,” she continued. “I want to keep focused on finishing school and starting a career.”

She was actually offering me more than I thought would happen. I’d always thought the best shot I’d have would be after graduation. So, I humbly said, “If that’s what you want, then it’s okay with me. I’m pretty sure I’d wait a long time for you.”

“Oh, it won’t be that long,” she declared as she rested her head on my chest again. “Time flies when you’re having fun.” 

I gently stroked her hair as we lay there. I can’t say that I could’ve died a happy man lying on that blanket with my arms around her. It would be easy to think that, but being with her just made me want to be with her even more. I wanted to devote my life to loving her and having her love me. 

We lay in silence for quite a while. Finally, I said, “Can I ask you a personal question? It’s one I’ve never asked anybody before.”

She looked up at me again and replied, “Sure.”

I cleared my throat to gather my thoughts and then asked, “Why don’t people like me?”

“What do you mean?” she said with surprise. “I like you. I think you should be able to figure that out by now.”

“Yeah, I know,” I agreed.

“And I know Clyde likes you,” she continued. “In fact, I’d say you’re his best friend.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that, too,” I agreed again. “But, you’ve seen how other people treat me. It’s not as bad here as it was in high school and when I was younger. I think some of that is because people are drawn to you and Clyde and they just accept me as part of the group. If it wasn’t for you two, it’d probably be as bad as it’s always been.” 

She lowered her head back down and thought for a minute. Finally, she offered, “Well, maybe you have a demon gene.”

“A demon gene?” I wondered.

“Yeah,” she asserted. “You know, something way down deep inside you that people subconsciously detect and without them knowing it, causes them to fear you.”

“I don’t feel demonic,” I objected.

“Oh, I think you’re a little devil,” she teased. “No, I don’t think people dislike you as much as they’re afraid of you.”

“I’ve never thought of that,” I declared.

“Yeah, it makes sense to me,” she continued. “It doesn’t affect Clyde and me. I’ve never met a stranger no matter how strange they are and Clyde’s got such a deep religious conviction I don’t think anything can rattle him.”

“Hmmph, a demon gene, huh?” I mused.

“Yep, you’re a rare breed, Crossby,” she declared. “That’s what makes you special.”

She reached up and kissed me again.

“Besides, you’ve got a lot to look forward to,” she offered. “Look at what you’ve accomplished so far, and this is just the beginning. You’re gonna be somebody and I’m gonna be proud to be by your side...or, at least, nearby.”

“You make me feel good,” I said as I reached up to give her a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

“You make me feel good, too,” she offered. “Just remember, all you have to do is stay vertical. I know you’re horizontal now, but in life you have to stay vertical to accomplish big things. They don’t bury you so long as you’re vertical.”

“You know, you’re pretty but you’re weird,” I laughed.

She laughed, too, and said, “Come on, let’s get vertical.” 

We stood and started gathering the blanket and basket up to leave. She turned and said, “You said I could have a Breath Savers.” I gave her the whole pack.

I liked her idea about “getting vertical” and told Clyde about it. He liked it too, and it became a catchphrase for us. Any time one of us was moody or depressed the other would tell them to “get vertical” or “stay vertical.” At first, this overuse of her phrase annoyed Angie, which, in turn, just made Clyde and me say it that much more often. Eventually, she came around to our way of thinking and saw the fun in it and used it, too. 

We finished that year of school and took off for the summer. Angie went home and Clyde went back to Dr. Horner’s farm. We all made enough money that Angie and Clyde didn’t have to work while we were out. I stayed around and conducted classes at the gym, but with college out there wasn’t a tremendous amount of work to do. I kept busy and in my spare time I’d call Angie, with the new phone I had installed at the gym, and sometimes we’d talk for an hour or more. 

In late summer we all gathered at the gym in preparation for our junior year at college. I was happy to see them again, especially Angie. It wasn’t long before Clyde was homesick for the farm, or rather, homesick for Maggie. I don’t know which one he missed the most, but I suspected it was Maggie. He did appreciate the phone I had put in and called her when he could. It helped him from becoming too lonely. 

The year pressed on and finally spring break came. It goes without saying that Clyde headed to the farm. I hadn’t made any plans until Angie asked me to do her a favor. 

“Would you drive me home?” she asked. “I’m just tired of the bus and a drive with you might be fun.”

“Sure,” I replied. “I never offered cause I didn’t know if you wanted me to or not.”

“Why wouldn’t I want you to?” she questioned.

I paused for a moment and then declared, “Well, it means I’ll probably meet your family.”

“So?”

“Well, you know how it is with people and me,” I explained. “I don’t want to upset any of your family.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she said as she smiled. “I’m sure you’ll charm their socks off.”

“Yeah, then I’ll be accused of stealing socks,” I deadpanned. 

So, we closed the gym for a long weekend holiday and took off to meet Angie’s family. The drive was a little over an hour and we talked and laughed the whole way there. I think my laughter was from nervousness more than anything else, but I enjoyed the drive, nonetheless. 

We turned onto a long winding driveway, and it seemed we drove a mile before coming to her house. It was a modest two-story framed house, and it was well maintained. I parked the car, and Angie went running to the door. A white-haired lady who looked to be in her mid-forties came rushing out and her and Angie started hugging and crying. I figured that was her mother. They were joined by a young girl who looked no older than fifteen and they all hugged and cried some more. I stood by the car enjoying the scene. 

Finally, Angie dried her eyes and said, “Oh, Mom, I want you and Della to meet someone special.”

The young girl looked at me and declared, “You must be Crossby.”

“That’s me,” I said.

She came running down the steps and gave me a big hug. “Angie’s told me all about you.”

“Well, I hope not everything,” I said in an attempt at humor.

“She says you can beat people up,” she continued.

“I didn’t put it exactly like that,” Angie objected from the porch.

“I bet I can put you down,” Della declared. “Angie’s taught me some moves and I’m looking forward to trying them out.”

She had a serious look on her face, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “That won’t be necessary,” I said. “I think I’ve met my match.”

“Now, Della, you leave Crossby alone,” Angie ordered. “He’s my guest and you will treat him with respect.”

She didn’t take her eyes off of me but said, “Okay sis. I won’t hurt your boyfriend.”

Angie huffed and turned to her mother, “Will she ever grow up?”

“Let’s not stand out here,” her mother declared. “Come on in the house.”

Before Della turned away, she warned, “Don’t make any sudden moves.” Then she skipped away. 

Angie and Della went inside still hugging each other. I made my way up the steps under the glare of Angie’s mother. It was the look I had seen a thousand times before. I had hoped she would like me because I didn’t want anything to come between Angie and me. But it was quite apparent what her mother thought of me. 

I approached her with my hand outstretched and said, “Hello, Mrs. Nelson.” She didn’t take my hand and simply said “Mr. Crossby” before opening the screen door and walking inside. 

We sat in the living room and the three of them caught up on what had happened over the last few months since Angie had been home. Her brother, Ronnie, was still overseas but was due back for a leave before summer. Other than that, I didn’t follow much of what they talked about as I didn’t know the people they mentioned. I was getting sleepy and almost dozed off until Della said Bruce had been by to see them the day before. This got my attention. 

“Bruce is around here?” I asked.

“Yes, he is,” her mother answered. “He’s a fine young man. I told him you two were coming for the weekend.”

“How can you say that, mother, after what he tried to do to Crossby?” Angie asked a little shocked at her mother’s attitude.

“I asked him about that,” she explained. “He said it wasn’t true.”

“And you believe him?” I asked.

“I see no reason not to,” she replied.

“You’d believe him over what I’ve told you?” Angie asked a little more than irritated.

“I say it as I see it,” her mother answered. 

Angie bit her lower lip to keep calm and finally declared, “Well, mother, I think I’ll just go and unpack my bags, then.”

She rose from her seat and Della followed her to the bedroom. Her mother and I sat there staring at each other. Finally, she rose and coldly said, “You haven’t been here an hour, Mr. Crossby, and already trouble’s brewing. You can stay in Ronnie’s room. It’s up the stairs and to the right. Don’t touch anything in there.” 

With that she turned and walked to the kitchen. I leaned my head back against the couch and wished I had stayed at the gym. 

We had a pleasant dinner together, though I suspect it was quieter than it would’ve been if I hadn’t been there. Angie’s mother was a very good cook. Della and Angie headed upstairs to her bedroom still talking sister talk. I was happy she enjoyed being with her family. She was the type of person who thrived on connecting with them. After they left Mrs. Nelson and I sat sizing each other up. Finally, I offered, “May I do the dishes for you?”

I could tell she was surprised at my offer but replied, “No, thank you. Why don’t you go out on the front porch and rest a while?” I wasn’t tired, but I figured if she suggested it, then in the spirit of goodwill I should do it. 

Out front, I leaned against the railing of the fence that enclosed most of the porch. The sun was a couple of hours from setting but the air was already starting to chill. After a while, I decided to go to my car as I really didn’t have much else to do. 

Before I could reach my car, a pickup truck came flying up the driveway. It slid to a stop and two men jumped out of it and another one from the back. They were all carrying baseball bats and heading toward me. My first thought was to run but they quickly circled me, pinning me against the front of my car and closing any escape route. One of the guys, I think it was the driver, starting yelling and cursing at me and calling me all types of vile names. Some of them I wasn’t that familiar with but they sounded awful. It wasn’t long before all three of them were shouting at me as they moved back and forth in a semicircle with the bats swinging threateningly at me. 

The man in the center charged first and I quickly put him on the ground. Seeing this, the other two came at me together. I ducked just as they swung the bats and they hit each other. While one was bent over in pain I worked on the other guy and put him in a submissive hold. I looked up to see the other man getting to his feet and starting to swing the bat. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a person in mid-flight with their right leg outstretched and headed right for the side of the man’s head. It was Della. She had come running across the porch and jumped to my rescue. As the guy I held sunk into unconsciousness I saw Angie running down the steps to help out. Her mother stood on the porch with her arms folded. 

Della’s foot caught the man squarely in his temple and he crumbled to the ground. She landed and yelled, “That was awesome!!” The first man was trying to rise to his feet when Angie grabbed him. I told her, “Let me have him.” She let go of him and I took hold of him. 

“I’m tired of this,” I declared as I put his arm in a lock. He cried with pain as I applied pressure to his bent wrist. Angie mouthed at me, “Don’t, Crossby.” I winked at her and asked the guy, “Where’s he at?”

He was at my mercy but he replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

I pressed his wrist a little more and he cried out and begged me to stop. “You’ve got one more chance to tell me where he’s at or I’m gonna snap your wrist and then I’m gonna start on your legs.”

“Okay, okay,” he surrendered. I let him loose and he fell to the ground clutching his hand.

“Is he a friend of yours?” I asked.

“We’re friends with his brother,” he answered.

“He didn’t tell you I’m a sixth dan jujitsu master, did he?”

“No, he didn’t,” he replied.

“Then you need to ask a few more questions before you ever try something like this again,” I suggested.

“Believe me, we will,” he agreed.

“Now, where is he?” I asked again.

“He was supposed to meet us at Towne Park when we were through,” he answered.

“I know where that is. I saw it on the way up here,” I said more to myself than anyone else. Then, I bent down, put my hand on his shoulder, looked him directly in the face, and asked, “Will you do me a favor?”

It startled him a bit but he said, “Sure.”

“Gather up your buddies, please, and you go on home,” I requested. “Don’t go anywhere else tonight, just go on home.” He nodded his head and so I headed toward my car. 

“What are you going to do?” Angie asked.

“I’m gonna go see Bruce,” I replied.

Della came running up to me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “You’re amazing,” she said as she went running back up the steps to the house. 

I opened the car door and paused to look at Angie’s mother still standing on the porch with her arms folded. She glared down at me. Angie saw me looking at her mother and she glanced quickly back and forth at us. Her face turned to shock, and she yelled at her mother, “You knew about this, didn’t you?” Her mother kept glaring at us and didn’t reply. 

I climbed into my car and Angie jumped in the other side. We headed out toward Towne Park. She was silent for a while but eventually asked, “What are you gonna do?”

“I’m gonna end this, Angie,” I replied. “Bruce is not going to keep doing this. It ends now.”

She didn’t reply, so I offered, “You have to trust me.”

“I do.” 

My first inclination was to inflict a sizable amount of pain on Bruce. But, that would probably only get me sent to prison. So, that was out. For some time I’d been thinking about what Angie had told me when we went on our picnic. She said people didn’t hate me, they were just afraid of me. So, I thought I’d try a different approach with him. I figured it was worth the effort as nothing else had worked. 

It wasn’t long before we pulled up to the park. We could see Bruce sitting on one of the park benches. So, we approached from the rear and Angie sat down beside him on one side and me on the other. When he realized it was us, he was struck with terror. I think he would’ve run off, but he was too scared to move. 

I gently put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Look, Bruce, there’s no need to be afraid.” He was almost in a state of shock. I continued, “No one here is gonna harm you. I promise you that.” He just stared at me with his eyes blinking. So, I kept talking, “I’m not a bad person. I will not harm you. You have no reason to be afraid of me, no reason at all.”

I smiled at him. He gave a very weak smile back at me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a pack of Breath Savers. I broke one off and popped it into my mouth. Offering him the pack, I asked, “Would you like one? They’re very good.” He cautiously took the pack and broke one off.

“Can I have one?” Angie asked.

“Please,” I whispered to Bruce. “She really needs one! We had onion soup for dinner.”

“I heard that!” Angie shouted in mocked disgust. “We did not have onion soup!”

I nudged Bruce and whispered again, “What can a man do?” I really didn’t think it was that funny, but he started snickering and finally gave way to a hearty laugh. Angie and I joined him, and it broke any tension he had. 

Once we regained our composure, I offered, “You know, I wouldn’t mind a milkshake about right now. Are you two up for one? I’ll buy.”

“Well, if you’re buying, there’s a Burger King about four blocks away,” Angie said.

“Good,” I declared. “Come on, you two, I’ll drive.” 

We all loaded into my car and off we went to Burger King. After pulling out of the drive-thru we headed back to the park. We sat on the bench sharing small talk and sucking down our milkshakes. Bruce acted totally different than I had ever seen before. He was relaxed and very soft spoken.

When I had slurped the last drop out of my cup, I declared, “Well, Angie and I have got to be heading back to her mother’s house.” We stood to leave, and I said, “Bruce, you take care of yourself. Don’t be a stranger. Stay in touch.”

When we started to walk away, he called after me. I turned and he said, “Crossby, I’m sorry.” I smiled and nodded my head at him before joining Angie in the car. 

We drove in silence a while and finally Angie declared, “You know, Della’s right.”

“About what?”

“You are amazing,” she said.

I laughed and offered, “If that’s anywhere near being true, then it’s only because of the company I keep.”

“Why, thank you Crossby,” she blushed.

“Uh, I was talking about Clyde,” I teased. She punched me in the arm. 

We pulled into the driveway, and I cut the engine off. I took a deep breath and declared, “Now, I need to talk to your mother.”

“Yes, you do,” she agreed. 

When we walked into the house Angie immediately went upstairs. I went into the kitchen where her mother was sitting in a chair staring out the window. She looked directly at me when I came into the room. 

“What did you do to Bruce?” she asked.

I shrugged and replied, “We shared some milkshakes.”

A puzzled look spread across her face, and I approached her and gently placed my hand on her shoulder. She gave a slight tremble at my touch. I bent over to whisper in her ear. She didn’t look at me. “I’m not a bad guy. You have nothing to fear from me.” At hearing that she looked directly at me. I continued a little louder, “I will not harm you. You have my word.” 

With that I turned and pulled a seat out from the table and sat down. We looked at each other until she finally asked, “You really like Angie, don’t you?”

I smiled and replied, “I love your daughter, Mrs. Nelson.”

She wet her lower lip and then asked, “Are you gonna marry her?”

I chuckled and answered, “You’ll have to ask her that. I’m all for it, not necessarily right now, but anyway, she hasn’t let me in on how she feels about it.”

She smiled at me for the first time, “I think you will one day.”

“Would that be okay with you?” I asked.

She reflected on her answer for a moment and then replied, “Yeah, I think so.” 

Well, I sat there somewhat stunned. Angie had been absolutely right about how people felt about me. I had always thought they didn’t like me, but, now I was finding out that they were only scared of me. They didn’t realize it and when I reassured them they had nothing to fear, they relaxed and treated me like a normal person. I guess Angie knew what she was talking about when she said I had a “demon gene.” 

When we all woke up the next morning, Mrs. Nelson had a big breakfast waiting on us. I couldn’t remember the last time I ate that good. We decided to head back after noon, so we went and packed our bags. 

As we walked out on the front porch to leave the women all hugged each other and gave tearful goodbyes. When they had finished, Della came over to me and gave me a big hug. She backed away a few feet, smiled, and declared, “I still think I can take you out.” I laughed, grabbed her, and gave her another big hug. 

Angie and I started down the steps when her mother said, “Crossby.” I turned and she had her arms outstretched. I went back and we hugged each other. Then she bent my head down and gave me a kiss on the forehead. I told her, “If you or Della ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call. I mean it. If I can help you, I’ll do everything I can.” She kissed me again, this time on the cheek. 

We climbed into my car and drove away. Angie had the sniffles as it was still hard for her to leave her family. I held her hand. We hadn’t driven too far when she smirked, “Aren’t you the charmer?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“First, Bruce, and then my mother,” she explained. “Why, who else will you try to charm?”

“I can’t help it,” I replied. “It’s the devil in me.” We both laughed together and she squeezed my hand. I turned serious and declared, “It was what you said that made me want to try to charm them and it worked. Once again, I owe you.”

“Well, the way I see it, you’ll always owe me,” she said. “That is unless I fall under your charm, too.”

I smiled at her and said, “I can only hope.” 

We got back to the gym in the early afternoon. Since it was closed, I took the opportunity to work out for a while. I worked up a good sweat and decided to take a shower. Angie was heading out the door and asked, “I’m going for a run. You want to tag along?”

“Oh, no thanks,” I replied. “I’m gonna hit the shower.”

She blew me a kiss and said, “See you later.”

I wasn’t in the shower but a couple of minutes when I sensed something on the other side of the curtain. Cautiously I pulled it back and there stood Angie. She had disrobed and declared, “I think I’ll take a shower, too.” I was speechless. She stepped into the stall with me and all I could look at was her beautiful eyes. I knew the rest of her had to be fantastic, but I couldn’t look as her eyes were shining and captivating. As she moved closer, I stammered, “Uh...I’ve never done this before.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her body against mine. “We’ll just have to figure it out together.” She was right. We figured it out together. 

Our junior year at Richard Johnson College came to an end and we all looked forward to the summer break. Once again, Angie went home and Clyde went to the Horner farm. I was left alone at the gym and stayed busy taking care of business. It took my mind off of missing Angie. We enjoyed each other’s company, and I knew I was deeply in love with her, but, we had made no commitment to each other. I knew that was what she wanted at this time and I wouldn’t try to force anything on her. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. She knew what she wanted, a college degree and a career, and she relentlessly worked toward that goal and allowed nothing to interfere. 

On the weekends that Clyde went to the farm, she did come and sleep in my bed with me. But, when he was around she never let on there was anything between us. She focused on work and went about her business. I didn’t say anything to him either. 

The day before they were scheduled to return for our senior year, I received a very interesting letter in the mail. Usually, I just throw the mail to the side until the weekend, but this one caught my attention. I read it and realized I needed to share it with Angie and Clyde.

Angie had taken my car home with her for the summer, and she drove up about the time Clyde got off the bus. I was thrilled to see them, and they told me all about their summer. Clyde was itching to finish school as he and Maggie had become engaged to be married and was planning a June wedding the next year. Not only was I happy for him, but I was a little jealous. I wanted that happiness, too, but I knew I’d have to wait. 

After patting him on the back and Angie giving him a kiss on the cheek he asked, “Well, Crossby, did you have an exciting summer?”

“Well, it was the usual until I received this letter yesterday,” I replied.

“What’s it about?” Angie asked.

“It’s from a lawyer representing a major chain of martial arts gyms,” I explained. “They want to buy our business.”

“Really?” Angie said with surprise.

“Are you thinking about selling?” Clyde asked.

“Yes, I am,” I answered. “They’re offering a tremendous amount of money.”

“How much?” Clyde inquired.

“Now, Clyde, that’s none of our business,” Angie declared.

“Oh, I think you two are as much a part of this as I am,” I disagreed. I showed them the letter and the offer amount. It was funny to see their mouths drop open at the same time.

“I would sell,” Clyde laughed.

“What about all the people that are coming here?” Angie asked. “A lot of them are coming because of us. I wouldn’t want to just up and turn my back on them.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “The lawyer says we can keep working here as their employees as long as we want to make the transition as easy as possible.”

“So, you really are serious about selling?” Clyde asked.

“Yeah,” I answered. “We can take the money and split it three ways. I think that would be enough to do us all for some time.”

“No, that’s not fair,” Angie declared. “You started this and it was you that made it work. I think it should be divided 60-20-20.”

“I get the 60?” Clyde asked with a smirk on his face.

“No,” I objected. “We’ve all contributed and worked hard. We split it evenly or I won’t sell.”

“I see you’ve picked up a stubborn streak, Mr. Crossby,” Angie teased.

“It’s the company I keep,” I laughed. She tried to punch me but I moved out of the way.

“Hey,” Clyde interrupted our fun. “We’re gonna have to find somewhere else to live.”

“Yeah, I guess we’ll have to,” I agreed. “After reading the letter yesterday, I gathered some brochures on some apartments near here. With this money I think all three of us can afford a lot of things we never could before.”

“I like that,” Angie declared. “It’d be nice to have an apartment all to myself.”

“Yeah, and if that doesn’t work out, you two could just go ahead and move in together,” Clyde suggested. “After all, you’re practically living together when I’m not here anyway.”

“Clyde!!” Angie shouted as her face turned a bright red. I was shocked. How did he know? Of course, the idea of us living together was okay with me. In fact, it sounded really good.

Once Angie caught her breath she declared, “You know I can hurt you really bad, Clyde Ellis.”

“I was just stating the obvious, Ms. Angie Nelson,” he shot back at her. I laughed.

She looked at us both and huffed “Men” before turning and walking to her room.

“You have to put up with that?” Clyde asked me with a big grin on his face.

“Yeah, I do,” I replied. “And, I love every minute of it.”

He patted me on the back and declared, “Yeah, I’ve got one of them, too.” 

We talked a little more and then Clyde went to his room to unpack. I knocked on Angie’s door and she said for me to come in. I walked in and said, “I missed you a lot.” She put down the shirts she was pulling out of a bag and came over to me. “I missed you, too,” she said as she kissed me. We lay down on the bed and snuggled for a while. I stroked her hair and whispered, “I love you.” She sighed and said, “It’s good to finally hear you say it. I love you, too.” I smiled and offered, “Well, I have just about from the day I met you. I just never wanted you to feel under any pressure or anything.”

“I know,” she said. “It’s the old heart against the head thing, isn’t it?”

“It is with me,” I agreed.

“Me, too,” she offered. “Will you just hold me for a while?”

“Sure.” 

So, our senior year in college started. It was a light year for all of us as we had worked hard the past three years and we each only had a few subjects left to have enough credits to graduate. This gave us time to find our apartments and move in. As it turned out, we found three vacancies in the same area, so we could live our separate lives and still be close enough to each other to easily hang out together. Clyde and Angie were able to afford their own cars and I bought a newer model. Sometimes Angie and I spent the night at each other’s place, but for the most part, we gave each other plenty of room. 

Selling the gym put a good amount of money in our hands even after splitting it three ways. I must admit, it was tempting to take the money and head off to Europe for a year, but I resisted the urge. Much of that had to do with me not wanting to leave Angie and her determination to finish school rubbed off on me, too. I knew it was the right thing to do and she made it easy to do the right thing. So, we helped out for the rest of the calendar year at the gym and then parted ways with the new owners. It was hard leaving our clients that we had built up over the past three years, but everyone understood and many of them had plans on graduating in the spring and would be leaving anyway. 

Our last year went by fast for me and we approached graduation day. Angie and I had spent the last few months applying for jobs and spreading our resumes around. Clyde knew he was going to go work on Dr. Horner’s farm so didn’t need to look for a job. He was good in helping us look for opportunities. Eventually, I got an offer from Layson Chems, a company in my hometown. Their business was booming and my grades and attitude looked good to them. I was impressed with them as they were willing to hire me without me charming them the way Angie had taught me. 

Angie found a job as an Administrative Assistant at the Beldger Company. It was right up the street from where I was starting work. In my opinion this was great as I really had no desire to be very far away from her. If she would have let me, I would’ve followed her wherever she wanted to go. 

Clyde and Maggie decided to get married on the farm with the good doctor conducting the ceremony. We looked forward to it, as well as, starting our new careers, but first, we needed to finish school and graduate. 

Finally, the day came. I must admit I was nervous. You have in your mind a picture of what will happen, but you can never be really sure it’ll turn out that way. 

It was a week before the end of school, and I asked Angie if she would like to drive up to our favorite spot for a picnic. It was the place where we first went for a picnic and where we first kissed. She was all for it and made us some sandwiches and I packed some slices of German Chocolate cake, which is her favorite. It was a sunny spring day, and we headed out for our grassy spot on the hill. 

We spread a blanket to sit on and settled down for lunch and gave way to small talk about how beautiful the mountains in the distance were. I couldn’t help it and gushed, “They’re not quite as beautiful as you.”

She blushed and shook her head, “You’re such the romantic, aren’t you?” 

It was about that time that Clyde drove up. Angie was surprised to see him and even more surprised when her mother and Della step out of the car with him. She went running to them and they all hugged. Clyde came over to me with the biggest grin on his face and punched me lightly in the arm. As the women walked back toward us, Angie asked, “What’s going on here?” 

When she got back to me, I took her hand, smiled, and bent to one knee. Those beautiful eyes of hers got as big as I had ever seen them. I gently cleared my throat and said, “Angie, I love you more than anything and I want to marry you. Will you be my wife?” She clutched her mouth with her free hand and nodded her head. Her mother laughed and asked, “Is that a ‘Yes?’” Angie pulled me to my feet and answered, “Yes, that’s a yes.” We kissed long and hard and it was the happiest moment of my life. Finally, she broke free and asked, “You all knew about this?”

“Yep,” Della answered. “Crossby planned it and asked us to come.” 

Her mother came over and hugged and kissed her and then did the same with me. She looked me squarely in the eye and warned, “You’d better take good care of my daughter, Crossby. If you don’t, you’ll have to deal with Della.” Della was standing off to the side, staring at me and punching her left palm with her right fist. I laughed and replied, “I promise you I will.” Her mother said, “Good. Now, don’t you have something for her?” 

“Oh, I almost forgot,” I stammered. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. “May I put this on your finger?” I asked Angie. She was starting to tear up and just nodded her head again. “That means yes,” her mother offered. 

I slipped the ring on her finger, and we hugged and kissed again. Clyde started handing out tissues as we all were getting misty eyed. Angie took one and asked, “What would’ve you done if I had said ‘No.’”

“I wouldn’t want to go on living,” I deadpanned. “Clyde had orders to kill me right here on the spot.” Clyde solemnly nodded his head in agreement. She glanced at us and said, “You two are terrible!”

Clyde laughed and said, “Ah, I knew you’d say ‘Yes’ so I didn’t bother to bring my gun.”

“I’m terrible?!?” I shouted. “Okay, give me the ring back. The wedding’s off.”

Angie coldly looked at me and said, “Try to take this ring and you will die.”

We all laughed and there was another round of hugs and kisses. Finally, we all loaded into the cars and headed back to the college. My wife-to-be and I held hands the whole way. 

Graduation came and we received our degrees and headed off into the world to make our mark. Angie and I had a few weeks before we were to start our jobs, so we decided to join Clyde and travel to the farm. We had never met Maggie and thought this would be a good time to do so. 

The farm was great. Maggie was as sweet as she could be, and it was very apparent that she and Clyde were deeply in love. At one point, I was watching them and was amazed at how far he had come. When I first met him, he was the school bully. Now, he was a kind and gentle soul, and he was my best friend. Angie and Maggie took a liking to each other, and we all hit it off. 

We met Dr. Horner and his wife. He was very charismatic, a kind man, who exuded an inner strength and confidence that was easy to admire. I could see how Clyde was drawn to him. He appeared to live the life he taught. It was exactly the kind of influence Clyde had needed. 

After staying at the farm for three days, Angie and I headed back to our apartments. We needed to pack and move back to my hometown. We did and it wasn’t long before we started our new careers. Our heads were full of all the technical things needed to do our jobs, but we had to learn how to apply them in the real world. Thankfully, both of us are quick learners and it wasn’t long until we hit our stride. 

At the end of June, we took a long weekend to drive back to Dr. Horner’s farm and attended Clyde and Maggie’s wedding. It was beautiful. Clyde was beaming and Maggie was radiant. He had asked me to be his best man and I was pleased to be so. After the wedding they took off on a cruise ship for their honeymoon. Angie and I drove back to our new apartments. 

About halfway home I told her, “You know we need to set a date for our wedding.”

“I know,” she agreed. “To be honest, it’s been so busy with the ending of college and our new jobs, that I haven’t taken the time to think it through.”

“Well, we could just elope,” I offered.

“Yeah, we could,” she agreed.

I thought about it for a moment and then declared, “Nah, I want it to be a special day for us.”

“You’re still the romantic,” she teased.

“I guess I’m guilty as charged,” I agreed.

“How about in October?” she offered.

“I like that,” I replied. “It’s my favorite time of year.”

“Then, it’s settled,” she declared. “How would you feel if we asked Dr. Horner to marry us?”

“He’s a good man,” I asserted. “I think that would be nice.” 

So, October came, and we were married on Dr. Horner’s farm. Clyde was my best man, and Della was Angie’s maid of honor. Angie’s brother, Ronnie, came all the way from Germany with his new bride to attend our wedding. Since their father had died years earlier, he filled in and gave the bride away. 

I was far more nervous than I thought I’d be. But when I finally saw Angie in her beautiful white dress my anxiety melted away. To say she was beautiful would be the greatest understatement of all times. Her stunning black hair and gorgeous eyes almost made me swoon. I was one lucky man. 

We had a great reception after the wedding. Angie’s mother couldn’t help it and was boohooing any time she tried to talk. I gathered her in my arms and gave her a big hug. It calmed her down until she tried to speak again. Bruce came to the wedding and wished Angie and me all the best. He had a new girlfriend with him. I shook his hand and whispered to him, “She looks like a winner.” The biggest grin spread across his face and he told me they were moving to the farm to work and learn from Dr. Horner. I was impressed. If the good doctor could help bring stability in Clyde’s life, then I was sure he could help Bruce with any problems he had. 

Angie and I danced our first dance as husband and wife. When we were finished, we pared up with others. Della grabbed me and we danced together. She was growing into quiet a fine young lady and I told her so. 

“Well, Crossby, all I can say is, Angie had better take good care of you,” she offered. “If she doesn’t and you get back on the market, I might have to snatch you up for myself.”

I grinned and said, “Thank you, Della. That’s nice of you to say. Of course, there’s some guy out there that’s gonna steal your heart one of these days, that is, if you don’t kill him first.”

She laughed and offered, “I can be gentle, too, you know.”

“You could’ve fooled me,” I teased. She punched me in the stomach. 

Next, I danced with Angie’s mother. She still had the sniffles but was able to say, “Crossby, I’m happy to have you as my son-in-law.”

“Thank you, Mother Nelson,” I said. “You know you’re the only mother figure I’ve ever had in my life.”

“Well, I hope I’m a good one,” she blubbered.

“You are,” I assured her. “You’re the best.” She cried even more. 

So, Angie and I started our lives together as newlyweds. She wanted to go to Niagara Falls for our honeymoon and so we did. When we returned home I had a surprise for her. I was able to get a line of credit at the local bank to buy a house. She was thrilled and wanted to know if we could build a new one. I agreed and so we did. 

The years started slipping by and we came to our thirties. My life with Angie was the best. Of course, we had our moments as all married couples do, but neither one of us ever doubted for a minute the love we had for each other. It was the oil that kept all the parts of our marriage rolling along smoothly. 

We both were doing well in our employment. Angie had been promoted to a vice-president position and was responsible for many of the successful decisions the Beldger Company made that helped it grow to be the formidable player it is in today’s global market. I progressed to the point of being the second-in-charge of the research department at Layson Chems. We’ve produced some good new products in the field of computer technology. I’m proud to be part of it. 

It wasn’t long after we turned thirty years old; Angie confessed that she felt her biological clock ticking. We had discussed the possibility of starting a family but had mutually agreed to establish our careers first. Besides, we both wanted to have some years together without children. I think this was wise for us as we grew closer to each other without the distraction of worrying about little ones. It gave us a chance to travel and do things that we probably wouldn’t have if we had children. Clyde and Maggie traveled with us some until they started a family. Then they had less time to travel and eventually had three children. Our way of living worked for us but we both ultimately reached the point that we wanted to expand our family.

So, we started trying to get her pregnant. It was fun to come home from work and be attacked by my wife who couldn’t get me into bed fast enough. She almost wore me out, but I would never complain. Why ruin a good thing? 

We kept trying but there was no baby. Eventually Angie started getting frustrated, and I suspect, she secretly thought it was my fault. All I knew was that I was doing all I could to make a baby. It just wasn’t working. 

So, we made an appointment to see Dr. Mong, a gynecologist. We wanted to make sure everything was working right.

He met with us and offered, “Many times couples try too hard.”

“I haven’t complained,” I declared.

“I’m sure you haven’t,” he smirked. “Look, we’ll run some tests to make sure, but the main thing is to relax. Don’t try so hard. Take your time and the next time we meet it may be to confirm you’re pregnant.” 

So, we did try to relax. Even so, Angie kept eyeing me with the weirdest looks. I couldn’t help but think I was being stalked by my own wife. It was exciting. I suggested we get away for a long weekend and we did. But, despite our best efforts, there was still no baby. I really felt bad for Angie as she wanted it so bad and I couldn’t give it to her. She kept her spirits high, but I could tell she was disappointed. 

After a couple of months, we went back to see Dr. Mong. He ran some more extensive tests on both of us. After three days we went back for a consultation. 

“Well, none of the tests have been conclusive,” he revealed. “There is one slight indication that you may have a diminished ovarian reserve, but it’s too early to tell.”

“What does that mean?” Angie asked.

“You may not have enough eggs in your ovaries,” he explained. “But, please, it’s way too early to say for sure. We’d like to go a full year with you trying to get pregnant before we reach that conclusion.”

“So, what do you suggest,” I asked.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” he answered. “I’ve seen many cases where all it takes is time. You’re young and you’ve got plenty of it, so let’s wait and see.” 

So, we did. Each month our hopes ran high, but no baby came. Angie was great and never gave up hope until the year came to a close. I could see the disappointment in her eyes. 

“I think I’ve failed,” she cried the evening before we were scheduled to see Dr. Mong again.

I put my arms around her and tried to soothe her. “You haven’t failed. Some things are not meant to be,” I said. “Maybe, this is one of them.”

“Well, I’ve been thinking,” she sniffed. “If we can’t make a baby then maybe we should adopt.”

I had been so busy trying to make a baby that I hadn’t given much thought to that. “I guess we could,” I mused.

“It seems to me it would be the thing to do,” she continued. “I would have a child and you would have a lot in common with an adopted child.”

“Yeah, I certainly can relate to living in an orphanage,” I asserted. “But let’s not rush into anything. You never know how things can turn out.” 

We ventured back to see Dr. Mong and he did his best to reassure us, but it was becoming evident that we were not going to have a child on our own.

“Well, a year has come and gone,” the doctor asserted. “We can medically conclude that infertility exists.”

Angie started weeping. I put my arms around her to try and comfort her, but I was pretty sad, too.

The doctor continued, “I’m sorry to have to make that statement, but you should know what we’re facing so you can make an informed decision as to what you want to do.”

“We talked last night about adopting,” Angie blubbered.

“Well, that’s an option,” the doctor agreed. “There are some promising medicines being developed that may help, if you’re willing to wait a while longer.”

“No, I don’t want to wait anymore,” Angie declared.

“I was raised in an orphanage,” I said. “It would be nice to save a child from having to go through that.”

“Yes, it would,” he agreed. “But, you want to realize that you could still conceive a child at any time. I’ve seen stranger things. So, you’ll have to weigh the possibility of adoption and then having your own. Will that matter to you if it happens?”

“I think that and a lot of other things we need to discuss to reach a decision,” I offered.

“Good,” the doctor said. “But, if you still want to conceive, then I urge you to keep trying.”

“I’m all for that!” I said with a little more enthusiasm than needed. Angie rolled her eyes and nudged me in the ribs.

Dr. Mong laughed and declared, “Either way you two are going to make great parents.” 

So, we didn’t rush but talked and discussed what we wanted to do over the next few weeks. No matter how we looked at it, Angie wanted a child. I did, too. After some more discussion we decided to adopt. Then we talked as to whether we wanted to adopt a baby or a young child and what gender the child should be. Angie felt she would be more at ease with a child instead of a baby. I agreed with her as I felt down the road we would want to adopt again and, at that time, we probably would want an infant. 

So, we contacted an agency and started the long road to adoption. It wasn’t cheap and there was a mountain of paperwork and extensive background checks on both of us. Sometimes it would be weeks before we heard anything and we couldn’t help but be apprehensive. Then came that wonderful day when we were approved for adoption. I took Angie out to our favorite restaurant to celebrate. Now came finding the child we’d adopt. 

The adoption agency had a list of orphanages with children for us to meet. First on the list, and the one they recommended, was my old home. At first, I found this unsettling. I had too many painful memories of the place to ever want to go back. Angie helped me and talked me through my emotions. She felt it would be therapeutic for me to find our child there as I would be rescuing a child from having to grow up in a place I disliked. 

She arranged for us to join other couples on meet-and-greet day. This way we wouldn’t be by ourselves and thrown into the spotlight, so-to-speak. All I knew for a certainty was that with her by my side I was prepared to face any of my demons from years past. 

The day came and we drove to the orphanage. My first impulse was to go in and have a heart-to-heart with the staff there about the way I was treated when living there. I think Angie sensed my anxiety and she was so sweet holding my hand during the drive. By the time we arrived I had gained complete control over my feelings and promised I wouldn’t do anything to embarrass her and ruin our chances for adoption. I knew there were other orphanages in the area and if word got out I was causing trouble, then we’d probably be blacklisted everywhere. That’s the way things worked back then. 

I was quite nervous as we entered the front door and met by the Administrator. She was different from the one that was there when I lived there. In fact, there were only two people I recognized. This actually put me more at ease as the people that used to mistreat me were no longer there. 

We gathered in her office with three other couples. Most of them were a little younger than Angie and me, but everyone was cordial, and I could see I wasn’t the only nervous one there. We were given instructions on what would take place, and the Administrator emphasized the importance of just making friendly contact with the children. She didn’t want anyone to make a scene over any one child as this could be devastating to the other children. We would have plenty of time to get to know any that we wanted to and could eventually take one or more home for an afternoon. I couldn’t help but wonder why wasn’t she there when I lived there? 

So, we filed out of her office and proceeded to the large dining room where the children were lined up in single file to meet us. There was about thirty of them of all shapes, sizes, colors, and looks. They were beautiful. I wanted to take all of them home with us. Angie told me later she had felt the same way. 

We worked our way done the line meeting Rob, Susan, Frieda, Tom, Seth, and a host of others that I’ve forgotten their names. I found it invigorating to be able to talk to children who were very much like the way I used to be. 

We had finished meeting the ones lined up and was waiting on the other couples to finish when I glanced off into the adjoining room. There sitting in a corner, barely visible from where we were standing, was a little girl playing with a doll all by herself. She looked to be no more than four years old and had curly black hair and fair skin, an adorable young girl. I almost flashed back to when I was there and how I finally stop going to the meet-and-greet because it became obvious it was a waste of time for me. 

I nudged Angie to get her attention and motioned toward the little girl. She immediately recognized the connection and touched my arm and smiled. We left everyone in the dining hall to go see her. 

She was lost in her own little world, playing with her doll, and didn’t see us approach. I sat down on the floor across from her and folded my legs. This got her attention. She looked up at me and I said, “Hello.”

“Hello,” she said back at me with the sweetest voice. I could tell by the look on her face she was surprised and baffled that someone was trying to talk to her. I knew the feeling.

“My name is Crossby,” I offered.

“Cross—ssby,” she sounded it out.

“That’s right,” I encouraged her.

“Crossby,” she said with confidence.

“Very good. And what is your name?” I asked.

“Mya,” she said.

“That’s a very pretty name,” I declared. “And you’re a very pretty girl.” 

She smiled at me and said “Thanks.” My heart almost melted. Angie sat down beside me and I said, “This is Angie.”

“Hello, Angie,” she said still smiling.

“Hello, Mya,” Angie replied. “What’s your doll’s name?”

“Zoey,” she answered. “Would you like to hold her?”

“I certainly would,” Angie replied.

She handed Zoey to Angie and offered, “I was about to comb her hair. It’s a mess.”

“Can I help you?” Angie asked.

“Sure.” Her smile got bigger. She handed Angie the brush she had lying beside her, and Angie brushed the doll’s hair for a while and then handed her back to Mya. She took it and finished combing. 

I looked back toward the dining hall and there was the Administrator standing in the doorway watching us. She had a big grin on her face. 

“Well, it was really nice meeting you, Mya,” I said. “But Angie and I have to leave. May we come back and see you again sometime?”

“Sure,” she replied. Then she stood and came over and gave me a hug. When finished with me she gave Angie one, too. 

We told her goodbye and then joined the Administrator at the door. She looked at us for a moment and then declared, “I didn’t think anyone would ever take an interest in Mya. Everyone else has ignored her.”

“I know,” I said. “I was the same way when I lived here.”

“You used to be here?” she asked with the most astonished look on her face.

“Yes and no one ever adopted me,” I continued. “I know exactly the way she feels.”

“Well, that’s amazing,” she declared. “We can definitely put her on the list for you, if you would like us to.”

“There’s no need to make a list,” Angie offered. “We’ve found the child we want to adopt.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes, we are,” I replied. “You see, she’s like me. She has a demon gene.”

“A demon gene?!?”

“That’s right,” Angie agreed. “We’ll explain it to you if we can go to your office.”

“Okay.”

“And you’ll show us the next steps we need to take for adoption, right?” Angie asked.

“Well, by all means,” she answered as we turned and headed to her office. 

A couple weeks later, after all the paperwork was finalized, we were allowed to bring Mya home for an afternoon. We had the best time together. She proved to be a smart and observant little girl. We went to Burger King and then played in a small park just a couple blocks from our house. My heart weighed heavily when that evening we had to take her back to the orphanage. I hugged Angie as she shed a few tears. 

After a review by the Administrator and her staff we were granted permission for Mya to come and stay all day. Then they approved the final stage which was letting her spend the night with us. If that went well and we were okay with everything, then they would sign the papers to send to the court to finalize the adoption. 

We worked hard to prepare a bedroom for Mya. In talking and getting to know her, Angie had a good idea of what she liked, so, we designed it with her in mind. On the big day we met the Administrator in her office. 

“I spoke with Mya and asked if she would like to come and spend the night with you,” she declared.

“What did she say?” I nervously asked.

“She said, ‘Sure,’” she replied with a smile.

“That seems to be one of her favorite words,” Angie mused.

“So, can we take her home now?” I asked.

The Administrator grinned and replied, “Sure.” 

They had a little bag packed for Mya and we headed home. It felt right. We felt like a family. 

I don’t know who slept the least that night, Angie or me. It was exciting to think that we were getting a daughter. The next morning came the crucial time. We had to find out if Mya was willing to come and live with us. 

Angie fixed a nice breakfast for us. We sat together and shared some small talk. 

“Did you sleep well in that bed?” Angie asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “Zoey liked it, too.”

“Look,” I declared. “Angie and I would like for you and Zoey to come and live with us.”

“All the time?” she asked.

“Yes,” Angie replied. “You can sleep in that room every night.”

“It’ll be your room,” I interjected. “That is, yours and Zoey’s.”

Her eyes got big, and her mouth dropped open. “My room?” she asked in amazement.

“Yes, your room,” I answered. “We want to adopt you and for you to be our little girl.”

“Is that okay with you, honey?” Angie asked.

Her eyes stayed big as she smiled and said, “Sure.” My heart leapt into my throat. I saw Angie brush a tear off her cheek before declaring, “Then, young lady, you and I need to go shopping today. I’m sure we can find you some new clothes and some new pajamas.”

“Don’t forget a toy or two,” I offered. “What would you like to get, Mya?”

She looked up and crunched her face in thought. Finally, she said, “A sister for Zoey!”

“I think we might find one for her,” Angie declared. 

Mya jumped down out of her seat and ran over to me. She hugged me as tight as she could and then asked, “Can I call you ‘Daddy?’”

I could barely choke out, “Sure.” She hugged me again and, when I had gained some composure, I asked her as I nodded my head toward Angie, “What are you gonna call her?” 

She let go of me and took off running to Angie as she yelled “Mommy” before jumping into Angie’s lap and hugging her. Angie kissed her over and over again as tears flowed down her face. I know the tears were there even though I couldn’t see them clearly, as my vision was blurred from my own. 

Two weeks later we went before a judge to finalize the adoption. He studied the paperwork for a while and then looked up and asked, “Mya?”

She stood up from her chair in her new pink dress and shoes. Angie had put her hair up in two pigtails and she looked adorable.

“Yes?” she replied.

“Would you like to live with Mr. and Mrs. Crossby all the time?” he asked.

She didn’t hesitate and answered, “Sure.”

He chuckled and declared, “Well, that’s good enough for me. This adoption is approved.” 

We were a family. 

A couple of years later we adopted a baby boy named Tripp. At first, Mya was proud of her little brother, but as they grew older, they developed the usual sibling rivalries. It was to be expected, but now they’re the best of friends. Angie was the best mother and still is. We never were able to have any of our own, but we have no complaints. Tripp and Mya are all a couple could ask for. To have a loving wife like Angie and watch our two children grow to adulthood and start families of their own is beyond my wildest dreams. 

In their teenage years we helped them trace their family roots. Tripp made contact with his biological parents but never did grow close to them. He told us he was glad to find out who they were, but that Angie and I were his parents and that was all he wanted. Mya didn’t get to see her parents. They had died by the time she went looking for them. We helped her place flowers at their graves, and she seems to be okay with the outcome. Once she told us that they had rejected her for whatever reason, but she knew we picked her out from among all the children at the orphanage when we didn’t have to. She knows we love her, and she loves us. 

Now, Angie and I are into our late sixties and have retired. We have four grandchildren as Tripp has two girls and Mya has a boy and a girl. Mother Nelson is in her late eighties and lives with us now. I like having her with us. Angie is a very good cook, but Mother Nelson is outstanding. Even at her advanced age she insists on cooking when she can. I don’t object. 

It looked for a while that Della would never settle down. One of Clyde’s and Maggie’s sons, Freddie, took an interest in her, but she’s sixteen years his senior and so, she ignored him. When he persisted, she got angry at him. She told him she’d lived into her thirties without a man and she sure wasn’t about to raise a boy as her husband. He didn’t give up so she decided to teach him a lesson. At the first opportunity she yelled at him and went to flip him but wound up on the ground herself. When she looked up at him he was smiling and she fell in love. I taught him that move. He had asked me if I knew anything he could do to make her like him. I knew exactly what he needed to do. They’ve been married for years now and live on the other side of the state where they raised two sons. 

Clyde, Maggie and their children lived on Dr. Horner’s farm until he passed away. After that his followers pretty well disbanded and scattered across the country. This did help spread his teachings even though some of the group twisted them to fit their own whims. When Clyde and Maggie left the farm, they moved into our neighborhood. I was glad to have Clyde nearby as he’s a good friend. 

They live about four blocks away from us. We’re on one side of the little park we first took Mya to, and they live about the same distance on the other side. This works out well as we like to walk when the weather permits. We meet at the park since it’s halfway for both of us. 

Our days now are leisurely days. We can always find something needing to be done, but we take the time to relax and enjoy life. The other day was a typical day as we met at the park. Wooden benches are spread throughout and Clyde and I have our favorite one. On this particular day we both had some of the grandchildren with us. So, Maggie and Angie took them to the swings while we men watched from our bench. 

I breathed in the morning air, and it was relaxing. Turning to Clyde I said, “Angie and I are thinking about driving up to the mountains this weekend. Would you and Maggie like to ride along?”

“That’d be nice,” he replied. “I’ll check with her but you can count us in.”

“We thought about spending the night up there,” I continued. “That is if the weather is good and we feel like it. “You up for that?”

“So long as I don’t have to sleep in the same room with you,” he laughed. “I had enough of that in college.”

“Hmmph, those were the best years of your life,” I teased. “With a roommate like me, what more could you have wanted?”

“I can think of one or maybe a hundred things,” he said still laughing.

“Yeah, I got tired of you, too,” I said joining in the laughter. “But, hey, those were some good days.”

“Yep, they were,” he agreed. 

We sat in silence for a while watching the kids move back and forth in the swings. Angie and Maggie were busy talking between giving them a push to keep them swinging. Those two had become close after they moved near us. I think it’s done them both good to have each other, just like Clyde and me. From the corner of my eye, I saw him turn and look directly at me. I returned the look. 

“Well, Crossby,” he said in his sly manner when he’s trying to be cute. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yep,” I replied. “I feel as good as usual. Why?”

“Oh, I thought you looked like you were moving a little slower than usual,” he observed.

“Yeah, that’s what you wish would happen,” I sneered.

“Yep, you’re getting old, Crossby,” he deadpanned.

“I am old,” I laughed. “If my memory serves me right, you’re two months older than me.”

“Yeah, but I’ve aged well,” he declared.

“Like a fine wine?” I mocked.

“Exactly,” he agreed.

“Yeah, but you’re still old,” I declared.

“Maybe so. Maybe so,” he pondered. “But, I think I’ve got to the point where I can take you out.”

“Yeah?” I sneered. “You and Della working together might get one punch in before you hit the ground.”

“I don’t know, Crossby,” he mused. “You’re slowing down. I bet you struggle to get out of the bed in the mornings. Don’t you?” 

I lowered my head and looked at him over the top of my glasses. Smiling, I declared, “Yeah, but I’m still vertical.”

He chuckled and we both said together, “Yep, after all these years.”

THE END

Copyright ©2014 by Jerry W. Crews