Thank you to my reviewers. There are a few new names on the lists, I am happy to hear from you!

This is a short chapter, but is a bridge piece.

Chapter 37

Destiny

The summer was finally a week away. I had worked hard with Coach Devers getting the track teams ready since last March, and they had shown lots of improvement since my first glances of them as I ran by the school so long ago. None of them qualified for competitions, save the local meets they went to. There were no regional or state runners in this group of kids, not like back at my school in Tulsa where it was all about being the best and having the fastest times, but these kids tried hard and had fun. None of them could keep up with me, obviously. I had school records back home for lots of the meets I went to, my fleeting moments of glory, probably now gone to someone else. But I was still fast, and my speed amazed them. It was my secret that I was the same age as most of the kids here that I was supposed to be helping. As the last class ended, they all smiled and vowed to work harder, to come back the next year and outrun me.

"We'll see." I told them.

My first college class was set to start Monday. I was taking one summer class, math 101, in order to get it out of the way, be that far ahead. Meeting the counselor was interesting. She just kept looking at me, disbelief that I was old enough to be coming to college. I couldn't tell her that I couldn't believe it either, but I just smiled instead. She went over what I wanted to do, what majors interested me. I leaned heavily into the journalism curriculum, and finally she assigned me an advisor for that major. That was it. Now I was a journalism student.

A few mornings ago, I had woken up to an unfamiliar feeling. One I had given up thinking would happen. Oh, I knew it would happen, someday, I just had forgotten to think on it with so much else going on in my life. I reached over to scratch my face in the bleariness of the early morning, and felt the tiniest of roughness on my chin and jawline. My brain processed what it was and my eyes shot wide open.

Scrambling out of the sheets and blankets to the bathroom, I searched my face in the mirror and found it. A stubble of facial hair. My mind went back to a time long ago, asking Soda when he started to shave. Fifteen, I remember him saying. Darry started at thirteen. And here I was at the tale end of sixteen finally having that rite of passage occur. Dad had bought both Darry and Soda their first razors, I would have to buy my own. I was growing up, leaving my youth further and further behind me. I regretted not having anyone to tell who would understand the significance of it. I was no longer the "kid" as Two-Bit often called me, and yet I couldn't tell them either. Still, I was relieved. Time moves on for all of us.

My car, a 1963 Ford Falcoln was parked behind the garage, out of the way of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts's cars. I bought it last week so I could get to college and back. It was used but the previous owner, one of the high school teachers, wanted to upgrade and sold it to me at a steal. I loved it. It was red with a black stripe down the sides. Hardtop. Not too big and yet not some tiny Stingray- like car either.

I took it out for a drive in the country, just enjoying the freedom, the wide open roads. I kept my speed in check. Even though I managed to get my license without that cop checking my background, I didn't need any tickets either. I headed out toward the college where I parked and wandered around on foot. It was a place I felt welcomed to, belonged to. It was still very quiet, not many students around now, but next week it would be bustling with activity. Classes would start and I would have something to fill my days with.

I sat on a bench between the arts building and the science hall, and watched a man who's picture I had become familiar with approach. All the professors had their pictures and specialties listed in the school catalog. I recognized him, he was the head of the arts department and I would be taking one of his classes in the fall.

"Hello, Dr. Benning!" I called out. He stopped walking and turned to me.

"Yes, son?"

"Sorry to bother you, sir. I've signed up for your Introduction to Art class this fall. Just thought I'd say hello."

Dr. Benning looked at the young man. He looked awful young, too young to be going to college yet. He couldn't be eighteen, doubted he was even seventeen. Kids just seem younger every year. But his eyes were eager for school, and that was good.

"You're here mighty early then, aren't you? Here, help me carry these in." He handed me a couple boxes of notepads. I took them and followed him inside.

"I'm coming for the summer session too. Math 101. Thought I'd get an early start."

"I see. What's your major, or have you picked one yet?"

"Language arts. I like to write. I draw too, but figured there was a better market in journalism."

"What do you draw?" Dr. Benning looked at me skeptically.

"What do you want me to draw? I'm pretty good at anything."

"Where's your portfolio?"

I looked at him, blank as a deer in the headlights.

"Your artwork. Samples. Anything?"

I shook my head.

"Well, here..." He handed me a blank pad and a handful of pencils, then pointed to a chair. "You say you can draw, so draw. Something from nature. Lets see how good you are on the spot."

I took a seat and began. Bald Eagles were my favorite, ever since my train ride up, I had eagles down pat. Every now and then he would come over and look over my shoulder, never saying a word but seemed impressed.

I had drawn the eagle in profile while in flight against a blue sky background. In his talons was a fish, freshly caught in the lake below him. A few drops of water still falling from its scales. Finally, I finished it and handed it to him.

He stared at it, then at me.

"What's your name, son?"

"Michael Curtis," I replied.

"How old are you?" he finally asked.

"Eighteen. I'll be nineteen in a few weeks." I lied. I'd be seventeen soon.

"And you're sure you want to be a journalist? I think your real talent is art." His eyes still hadn't left my drawing.

"Well, if writing doesn't work for me, I'll have something to fall back on then, right, sir?"

"Fall back on? Oh yeah, right. Say, Michael, can I keep this, show it to some people I know."

"Sure, Dr. Benning, if that's what you want to do." I had plenty of eagle drawings back at my place, with much better detail.

"Great! Can I get your name and address on it, don't want anyone thinking I stole it."

I put my information on it, thanked him and walked back outside. The campus was empty. I got back in my car and headed back toward Wolf Creek. I had no idea the surprises that lay in front of me, just around the corner. Destiny had already met me, I just didn't know it yet.

XXX

Congratulations, President Obama!