Jack And Jeff Discuss The Past.

Jack And Jeff Discuss The Past. 

When Jack visited Jack’s house they were pretty much left alone for most of the weekend, because Helen was visiting their daughter during a school break at the University Of Texas.

Sitting on the large, covered front porch, Jeff turned to Jack and smiled. 

“We’ve covered pretty much all of our family, friends and our past, so what else is left?,” he asked.”

“You and I were very close growing up, so, is it okay to talk about more personal things, things I never mentioned to the others before, things like regrets or misunderstandings or poor choices made?”

“Of course,

“There was no Sex Education taught in high school back and our folks never told about the changers that happen when we become teenagers.”

“That’s true, Jack, but why bring in up?”

“But the thing was, I didn’t have my first erection, my first boner, until I was seventeen and it scared me and caused me to have my first panic attack.”

“You never mentioned to me, Jack.”

“I was too embarrassed to bring it up. And embarrassed to learn about it from the School Nurse.”

“I understand that and years later I asked Dad why he didn’t explain the changes and, believe it or not, he said we would learn about that soon enough, likely from other classmates at school or from reading Playboy.”

“Weird hearing that. But, I’m sure our Mom had the conversation with Joyce.”

“I’m sure she talked to sis. So, anything else?”

“Yes. About something that troubled me a lot in high school. I don’t blame Mom about the food we ate because she did fine on a middle income budget that included us six kids, Still, back then it seemed like everything was fried this or fried that. And though DNA plays a large part on it, I had a bad case of acne and was over weight, and got teased a lot in school by classmates with clear skin.”

“Yes, I remember that. And remember telling those jerks to leave you alone.”

“I remember you doing that, but I don’t think I ever admitted directly that one of the best thing that happened to me back then, at least to me, was when I enlisted. And when going through Boot Camp, I lost most of  that extra weight and with the healthy, but bland diet, my complection quickly cleared up.”                                                                                                                                       

“I still remember how buff you looked when you came home on  leave. But, like you said about DNA, I never had that complexion problem.”

                                                                                                                                                     

“That’s true. Except Joyce, Dad and I the rest of you didn’t have Red or Sandy looking hair, lighter skin and freckles everywhere.”

“That came from our Grandfathers side because he was born in Scotland. Our Grandmother’s side was part German, Welsh and part Native American. And Ross, Jimmy and I have dark hair and few freckles. So, anything else you want to talk about, Jack?”

“Really,  just one more thing I consider personal. Something I didn’t really explain to Jimmy, Ross or Joey. When I told our folks Alice and I were getting married, Dad insisted that we talk in private.”

“He did the same with me.”

“I’m sure he did, Jeff, but first he asked me it we love other. And I, of course, said yes. Then he asked if we really like each other, adding that really liking someone was just as important as we got older. And I didn’t really understand that at first.”

“That’s likely why some married people stay together and some don’t.”

“And some of us don’t learn that until it’s too late to learn that.” 

“Yes, I know, and both Helen and I liked Alice when we met her..”

“But one of the major problems, at least to me, was the stress of spending a tour in a war zone, and after I safely returned home, I didn’t won’t any more stress in my life. So I read a lot, and started writing humorous stories. But another part of our problems was, at least to me, how our folks were tolerant and didn’t care what skin color their long time friends were. And their political leanings were very moderate. But in Alice’s family, she told me, while growing up her parents were too often critical, and they were critical of the way I was raised. Another problem was I didn’t fully understand the differences between our personalities. Alice, at least to me, was too judgmental towards those who disagreed with her beliefs and I didn’t want to admit this at first because I assumed things would change over time.”

“That’s true, and I noticed that after you returned safely. It wasn’t quickly but, within a few years, Helen and I noticed it soon enough. And we started avoiding her when we could. But, at least your daughter, Leigh, sided with you and our parents.”  

“Yes, and, as soon as she could, after she got her degree in Teaching, she moved to another town   in West Texas, and rarely talks to her Mother, except the twice a month phone calls. Leigh is a wonderful young woman. When not teaching, she is coach of an all Teenage’s Soccer Team.”

“Yes, she is. So, anything more you want to discuss?”

“Not now, because I want to focus on the setting Sun, a reminder, at least to me, that there will     be a tomorrow for many years to come.”