LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
It was Thanksgiving Day, the weather was freezing, and the sky was clear as could be. The bleachers on both sides of the football field were packed, as were the standing areas behind the end zone fences.
This was a big day for several guys on our team, including me. Not only was it the last game of the season, but it was the last game most of us would be playing for Asbury Park High School.
From inside the locker room, we could hear the band playing to the cheers of the loaded stadium. Above the noise, we heard the ambulance's siren while positioning itself on the track near the end zone.
The intensity in the locker room was electric. We were all staring at each other while some of us were jumping up and down to keep warm and to release our tension.
We all started to move toward the tunnel exit in the stadium's center, leading us onto the field. We were crammed tight in the tunnel waiting for the door to fly open so we could explode into public view.
The band played louder, the fans were cheering, and the loudspeaker blared out, “and now the Asbury Park Blue Bishops.”
The door flew open, and I was the first out of the tunnel. I was yelling and screaming like a frenzie caged animal escaping captivity. I ran across the cinder track and hurdled over the visitor’s bench, still savagely screaming when my right foot landed in a water bucket on the other side hidden by the bench. I landed right on my fucking face in front of the lines of cheerleaders, flag girls, twirlers, and the like. Worst of all, in front of the current love of my life.
I immediately sprang to my original position as quickly as I could in stride. I thought to avoid being trampled or causing a major pile-up. When we arrived at the home side of the field, not a single word was mentioned regarding my mishap. That was a good thing because if it were, I would have easily crumbled from embarrassment. I felt I had moved with such agility and speed that the fall had gone unnoticed.
Years had passed at least thirty when I renewed a friendship with a girl from the old days. Liz was very ill and lived in Florida. I had known her since I was ten years old. I never had anything going with her, even though I wish I had. She was a beautiful woman and always clever.
We were having a fun discussion this day, and I found Liz knew more about me than I had thought. I was amazed. I wondered how and why she knew so much. She even knew about my misstep on the field of valor. I thought it had gone undetected. Oh my God, everybody must have seen it, but out of kindness, it was never mentioned to my face.
It turns out that Liz was at a party when the subject of Warren stories emerged well over a year before our conversation.
As luck would have it, this one particular incident was re-enacted for the crowd. There were many told, but this one took the cake. Liz learned a lot about me at that party. I was proud that so many people thought so highly of me that they would tell my stories in my absence. I considered it a compliment after all these years.
Liz passed away shortly after our chat. I received an email from one of her sons informing me of her death. I am so glad I had the opportunity to renew our friendship. To this day, I think about Liz. She was one of the most intelligent and insightful people I had ever known. I enjoyed her so much.
