Harold and Kevin

Back in my younger days, I was a little rambunctious ... OK, maybe I was hyper or spastic or a little psychotic. Whatever it was kept people guessing. I could go on and on about stories from high school but I won't bore you with such trivial, useless rantings from the old days ... OK, you twisted my arm ... just one story from high school.

It was the week following our graduation and I was hanging out with friends in Gulf Shores. A few of us stayed at a friend's house. Harold Britt, Jimmy Doan, Steve Prescott, Jerry Waller and Tony Acuff, and me ... Hopefully, I haven't forgotten anyone. A few other friends were staying at a condo somewhere close. If I remember right it was within walking distance from Harold's place.

One day ... Harold and I had the bright idea to walk to the condo where Scott Chavers, Kevin Savoy and maybe someone else were staying. Now that you know the background .... I'll begin the story.

Light gray clouds parted as the bright afternoon sun made its presence known to its mass of sand-stricken worshippers. The Gulf had never looked better. We had played and celebrated the end of an era and in anticipation of a new beginning. Strolling past the Hangout toward Papa Rocco's, Harold and I talked about what we should do and where we should go once we picked up Savoy from the condo. The walk seemed to take forever in the bright heat of the day. Fortunately, I wore jet black wayfarer's ... I think they were out of style but the good news is they're back. I'm sure I still have mine. Anyway, where was I?

Fearing something may be wrong we slowly eased the condo door open. The creaking sound startled me. I'm sure Harold laughed. You see, just before we knocked, we noticed the door was cracked. Kevin or Scott or the person I can't remember could be in trouble or hurt or .... murdered. Alright, this isn't a suspense thriller. We realized Kevin had not closed the door all the way and was taking a shower. Did you know that opportunity only presents itself a few times? When it does .... Run full speed ahead. You'll love it.

We figured out which room was Kevin's and strategically hid in the closet. At this time in our young lives, we thought it was cool to smoke Hav-a-Tampa skinny cigars. You know, the one's with the wood tip. Maybe it was Swisher Sweets. Either way, Harold and I lit up and puffed like crazy. By the time Kevin finished his shower .... the closet was full of smoke. We could see him through the slats in the wooden bi-fold closet door.

While drying, we heard the first of many sniffs. Immediately, like a bloodhound on the trail of an escaped con, Kevin frantically looked for the source of what he thought was a fire. The trail led him to the closet door. Wearing only a towel, he sniffed .... and as he reached for the closet door, we sprung into action jerking the door open rushing out of the closet, screaming like a band of Indians.

WOW! I have to tell you it was an adrenaline rush ... Oh, not for me and Harold. For Kevin. Did you know it is actually medically possible to scare someone to death? In that moment we realized our joke nearly gave Kevin a heart attack. Needles to say, I don't recall Kevin finding the humor.

I'm not sure what reminded me of this but I hope I've remembered it accurately.