J C'S ACCOUNT

 

    CHAPTER ONE

      The past forty years had passed at blinding pace for Dave.  That fast-paced life had affected him in ways that could be felt when he moved.  As he walked slowly around the town, he looked beyond the physical world and into the world he had left four decades ago.  Then his body was moving effortlessly along the sidewalk.  As he ran by the barber shop almost hitting Mr. Smith, he didn't slow down.  "Watch where you're going, you little brat!" yelled Mr. Smith as he shook his fist at Davey.  Davey paid no attention, just laughing as he ran.  He cut across the street to the square, not looking in either direction.  The squealing tires and cussing drivers only excited him more.  Paying no attention to the finger sticks shot at him, he kept running.
     When Davey reached the statue of the solder atop the rocks he stopped and admired it for a while.  He always stopped and stared at the memorial every time he passed by.  While he gazed intently at the statue, he wondered why no one had ever stolen the rifle in his hands.  Just respect was all he could surmise.  Everyone at that time had respect for the sacrifice that some had given for all.  Even Davey.  Leaving there Davey headed to school, going by way of the Thrift Store and Holly's Drug Store.  This was a lively little town with a thriving economy.  Even at this time of day, the  streets were full and several cars were backed up at the light.  No need to go to the cross walk, he just cut across in front of stopped cars.  Don't pay any attention to the drivers showing him their middle finger.  He had seen that sight before.  He had pissed off a lot of them over the years by not looking when he crossed the road.  Just stupid idiots anyway.  If he couldn't whup their butts, he could always outrun them.  He had proved that to Mike several times. 
     Mike was a muscular kid a couple years older than Davey.  Davey was a tall, lanky, skinny kid who could not care less about track and field.  Mike on the other hand wanted to be the fastest kid in school.  The only problem was that Davey could, and did several times, run circles around him.  Mike challenged him several times and lost each time.  Finally Davey said "This is the last time, do your best."  Mike lost again.
     After an uneventful day at school, Davey ran back to town. Town was between school and Davey's house.  Ninety percent of the time he ran wherever he went.  As he rounded the corner by Taylor's barber shop his foot slipped.  He landed flat on his back looking up at the clear blue sky.  Before he could get up, Mr. Taylor ran out and grabbed him up.  "Are you ok" 
     "yeah"  Davey sheepishly replied.
     The ground did not open and swallow him up, so he had to stand there and be laughed at by the patrons.  When they finished, he limped off.  Not because his body hurt, but because of the deep down embarrassment.  After that he still ran, but when he got within a hundred feet of the barber shop, he dropped into a slow deliberate walk.