Down That Lonesome Road

"What is this, a wake?"

"Try. Maybe it's me who needs to know."

"Oh, hell, Mitch, all I can remember was telling myself not to piss or shit."

"Try some more."

"Damn, you are an uppity Nigger."

Mitch laughed. "Yeah, the Admiral thought so, too."

"Well. H'mm. Oh, hell: examples from my family and some from the war. Then you and Caroline about Nancy. Susan comin' back after the miscarriage wanting to try again. Maggie gettin' hit on, The Reverend -and Marsh. They all just keep coming on...."

"This is getting morbid...got to lighten it up. I don't know how it was with you when you were a plebe, but some of us after Plebe Summer made us a slogan."

Cat laughed.

"Silly, I suppose, and probably not very original, but it kept us going-hell, still does."

Cat laughed again. "Run-Run and I had it printed up pretty and kept it on our desk. Every Saturday Inspection the Officer would tell us to take it off. Finally he gave up."

Mitch knew what it was; had seen it in Run-Run's car. But he asked. "Finish it."

"Don't let the bastards grind you down."

Mitch had a memory it was time to share. Pay-back time.

"You know what Mr. Hank said to me after the last time you came down?"

Cat shook his head.

"For a white boy, you make a pretty tough Fightin' Nigger."

They smiled into each other's eyes, pushed up, and started for the door. Mitch turned back to leave a tip and watched the waitress take the untouched drinks over to the two women. He heard the conversation.

"Well, that's a first. I've seen Navy pilots leave the water, but never the booze."

The waitress looked back at Mitch and then said:

"Treasure it, friend, treasure it."

Mitch caught Cat hailing a cab.

"You missed it, Cat."

"What's that?"

"The lady in there said to treasure it -Treasure It."

"Yeah. You find a job you can find my hospital."

"You want a ride?"

"Think I'll walk, it's not too far. Need some time to treasure it. Gonna need that down the road."

Table of Contents

• Introduction

1. Maggie and Mr. Hank
2. The Reverend
3. Squalls Along the Flight Line
4. Flying Home to Church
5. A Visit with The Judge
6. Communion
7. Afterthoughts
8. Monday Morning With The Admiral
9. Into the Dining Room
10. On Toward Walking the Streets
11. Glimpses of An Election
12. The Dream and The Reality of Violence
13. The Admiral Loses More Than a Few Good Men
14. Down That Lonesome Road

• Cast of Characters
• Credits and Acknowledgements