Getting to the Happily Ever After - 1. Denton, TX

It’s funny how your life can change in an instant. One event can change everything that comes after.

 

That moment arrived for Randy Austin Taylor, affectionately known as “Rat” to his friends at Denton Academy, on a sunny Tuesday afternoon during his fifth period Geometry class on May 16, 1978.

 

He was summoned to the office by one of the girls who worked there. His anxiety was heightened by the way she spoke quietly to his teacher and looked at him sideways. That look spoke volumes.

 

As he took the long walk to the office he tried to think of anything he might have done to merit the attention of Vice Principal Maxwell. His primary duty was to tend to disciplinary matters at the Academy which he did with gusto. A large paddle nicknamed Old Hickory with which he tended to such matters was prominently displayed in his office.

 

When he arrived at the main office, he was greeted warmly by the school secretary Mrs. Shannon and was directed to Principal Van Zant’s Office. For a moment he felt better about matters. Van Zant never bothered with disciplinary matters except in his own Civics and Texas History classes. His role was “good cop” in contrast to Maxwell.

 

Everything changed when he walked into Van Zant’s office.

 

Mr. Van Zant was sitting behind his desk with a somber expression.

 

Sitting in chairs around the room was his father’s law partner Brad Miloy, a uniformed Texas Ranger and the school nurse, Shelly McBride.

Van Zant rose and said, “Randy, please take a seat. I’m afraid we have the worst kind of news for you.”

 

Randy’s mind was racing as he sat down in the big chair.

 

Brad Miloy said, “Get hold of yourself, Randy. This is as bad as it gets. I got here as soon as I could.”

 

Randy was really shaken up by this point and said, “What has happened?”

 

The Texas State Trooper said, “I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this son. Today at a little past one, your mother and father were headed north to Denton on I-35 when traffic slowed for construction. They were rear ended and killed instantly by a tractor-trailer.”

 

There was a pause for a moment as Randy processed the information. There was nothing to say or do. A single tear rolled down his face.

 

Miloy said, “Your father had a plan in case of emergency. You and your older brother are well taken care of. We have your grandparents from Mississippi flying in. We have someone picking them up at the airport, and they will be here by seven. We have someone from the Houston Office on the way to contact your brother at Texas Tech.”

 

Randy said, “What is going to happen?”

 

Miloy’s voice cracked when he spoke, “Some of it your dad had planned out. Other decisions will have to wait until your grandparents arrive.”

 

Randy nodded. Being fifteen going on sixteen, he knew that much of what was going to happen was out of his hands, and none of it was real for him yet.

 

Miloy spoke again, “Randy, your father was my best friend since we were kids younger than you are now. We built up the firm together. I will make sure that you… don’t go through this alone.”

 

Tears were rolling down Miloy’s cheeks. In an instant Randy remembered all of the times that he and his Dad had spent with Brad Miloy and his son Lee, of the hunting trips, football games, baseball games, fishing and skiing out West. He remembered how much his father and Brad had acted just like bigger kids and he knew: Brad had lost his best friend too. He wasn’t alone with his loss.

 

They hugged and sobbed and Randy lost track of time.

 

Everything seemed to blur. Mr. Miloy took Randy to his home in Lewisville. When they arrived, June MIloy and her son Lee both hugged Randy fiercely.

 

Randy was drifting. He knew he was probably in shock. People were talking and things were happening but it was like he wasn’t even there.

 

He realized he had zoned out for a bit and then forced himself to come back. There were things he had to do. He asked, “Mrs. Miloy, if I’m staying here for a few days, I need to go home and pack up a few things. Could Lee drive me up?”

 

She said, “Are you sure? Going back in that house is going to hit you hard.”

 

“I’ve got to do it. It’s not like I can borrow stuff from Lee. He’s three times my size.”

 

She said, “OK, just be careful.” She rummaged in her purse and came up with a twenty. “Stop by that barbecue place y’all like and pick us up some supper.”

 

Before Lee could get out of the kitchen she said quietly, “Take care of him Lee. When he goes back into that house….”

 

Lee nodded and followed Randy outside.

 

Lee’s truck was a big blue Chevy— a few years old but in great shape. He fired it up and headed north toward Denton. The radio was on a local album rock station and they caught Van Halen’s You Really Got Me Now right in the middle. The next song was Dust in the Wind by Kansas.

 

Randy said, “You mind? I really can’t handle Kansas right now.”

 

Lee nodded and hit his pre-set and caught a Rangers game.

 

They drove in a tense silence. Randy’s mind was a million miles away. Lee had his own struggle to say and do the right thing and avoid the all the wrong things. The pair had been friends since they were both little despite Lee being a year and some months older.

 

All he could think to do was to reach out with his right arm and put it around Randy’s shoulder. Apparently it was the right thing because Randy leaned into him.

 

It took about twenty minutes to get to the Taylor residence. It was a big two story on a hill surrounded by ten acres of scrub oak and fields.

Randy caught himself looking for his Dad’s car.

 

It hit him in the kitchen. His mother had dinner thawing out. There was a note on the counter for him to put something in the oven. The tears blinded him, and he lost it. All his composure and bravery collapsed.

 

When Randy gathered his wits, he was on the sofa and Lee was holding him as he sobbed. It occurred to him this was a gentler, more sensitive and mature side of Lee than he had ever seen.

 

The crisis passed, and Randy gathered himself. “Thank you, Lee.”

 

Lee simply nodded and let go of his friend. “Tell me what you need.”

 

Randy said, “Clothes, toothbrush… stuff like that.”

 

Lee stood and headed for the stairs, and Randy reluctantly followed.

 

When Randy walked into his room it felt strange. All of his stuff was kids’ stuff. The Dallas Cowboys poster signed by Danny White, the Texas Rangers bat, the Texas Longhorns poster with an Aggie dangling from the horn were all a part of his childhood that had just abruptly ended.

 

He reached into his closet and pulled out a duffle bag he used to take his clothes to summer camp and an overnight bag he used for short trips.

 

Lee asked, “Can I help?”

 

Randy sighed and said, “This is something I’ve just got to do for myself. I know where everything is.”

 

“Bet I know where most of it is.”

 

Randy grinned and said, “Come to think of it, you probably do.”

 

It took them about fifteen minutes to load up Randy’s bags.

 

When they were almost finished, Randy said, “I think we’re going to need a few of these.”

 

He pulled a cigar box out of his closet and opened it revealing a number of airport liquor bottles. He said, “Dibs on the Canadian Club. What do you want, Lee?”

 

“There’s a Jack and an Evan Williams. We can’t get too sloshed, or my mom will beat us both to death.”

 

Randy said, “I can’t imagine a more appropriate day for a drink.” Just outside Lee’s sight, Randy put two bottles of Johnny Walker in his kit. He knew that

it was Lee’s favorite, and he wouldn’t ask for it.

 

Lee said, “No shit. We’ll just have to wait until later. Is there anything else?”

 

Randy thought hard for a moment and said, “Yeah. My dad left me something in case of emergency. I suppose now is the time. Wait for me here, would you?”

 

Lee nodded and Randy went to do what he had been dreading.

 

He entered his parents’ room. Everything was in perfect order. His mom was that way. The bed was made, and any dirty clothes were out of sight. The sun was low, now bathing the room in a golden glow.

 

It felt very strange being there without them.

 

He went to the bookcase and selected the book his father had told him to find. The binder said The Iliad by Homer. It was really a safe.

 

Randy opened the book and manipulated the lock. It was his birthday: 060464. The lock opened with a snick to reveal a letter sized envelope with a metal clasp. He looked inside and found all sorts of papers arranged in a folio and; another envelope. He flipped through the documents: an Instrument

of Trust, Account Numbers, College Fund, a life Insurance policy from Texas Life & Casualty. Dad really did plan for emergencies.

 

The envelope had a note that said Open only in case of emergency. He opened it and found ten one hundred dollar bills and a note: If you’re reading this, it had better be an emergency— Dad.

 

Randy put the cash in his wallet and took the folio. It was stuff he was supposed to have. He knew there would be another one somewhere for his older brother Rod. He guessed it was in the companion volume, The Odyssey. His dad’s thinking had symmetry like that.

 

He collected his things, locked the house, and Lee drove them back to the Miloy house.

 

*             *             *

His maternal grandparents were in awful shape when they arrived. Grandma Jordan had obviously been crying, and his grandfather was stoic.

 

They fussed and tutted over Randy, but he was more concerned with them. They looked their age and very tired from their abrupt trip.

 

They ate dinner and settled down. It was much too soon to talk business. It was all about how soon will you be sixteen? You know in Mississippi you can get your license at fifteen. We’re so proud of your grades. We’ll need to get you a haircut before the funeral.

 

Thankfully the grandparents wound down around 9:30, excused themselves, and toddled off to bed.

 

Mrs. Miloy sat beside him and said, “You are amazing.”

 

Randy said, “What?”

 

“With everything you’ve been through today, you handled you grandparents like a diplomat. Your folks would be proud of you.”

 

“I’ve got to take care of them. They and my brother are the only family I’ve got left.”

 

She put her hand on his hand and looked in his eyes. “You’re wrong about that, you know.”

 

“I know. I meant blood family. Thanks for everything.”

 

She said goodnight, kissed him on the forehead, and went upstairs to bed.

 

Lee came out of the kitchen with a couple of canned cokes, and they headed up to his bedroom.

 

They changed into shorts and t-shirts, turned on the TV and sat on the couch in Lee’s room.

 

Randy asked, “Starsky and Hutch?”

 

Lee grinned and said, “The car is the star of the show. News will be on shortly.”

 

After the events of the day, they were both happy to veg out on some mindless entertainment.

 

Randy asked, “What is that, a Charger?”

 

Lee said, “Most everybody thinks so. Would you believe it’s a Ford Grand Torino?”

 

“I’m sure you don’t get that package in the showroom,” Randy groused as on the screen, Starsky boiled the tires chasing a bad guy down a busy street while fishtailing.

 

The last part of the little morality play turned out just as they expected: there was a car crash, a shoot-out with the bad guys, and they had a few laughs with Huggy Bear the pimp.

 

Eyewitness News is next: In tonight’s top story prominent attorney Rodney Taylor of Denton was killed today in an accident on I-35…

 

Lee moved to change the channel, but Randy raised his hand to stop it. Suddenly; on the screen was his father’s Mercedes, crushed like an accordion under the front of an 18-wheeler.

 

Randy gasped, and Lee did turn it off. “I’m sorry Randy. You didn’t need to see that.”

 

All Randy could do was nod. He had not needed to see his father’s car in that condition. The thought of his mother and father in that crumpled coffin made his stomach lurch. He felt like he was going to throw up but actually had nothing in his stomach. He had managed to avoid the food earlier.

Lee asked quietly, “Are you all right?”

 

“I’ve got a feeling I’m not going to be all right for a long time. A few hours ago I knew and under stood my world. My biggest worry was geometry. Now I know I’m going to have to leave everything and everyone that I know and go live with my grandparents.”

 

Lee nodded, and said, “Just remember that it’s only a couple of years and then there’s college.”

 

Randy nodded. He sat on the couch feeling very small and afraid.

 

After a moment, Lee said, “Look. There’s something else you haven’t been told yet. They’re waiting until tomorrow, but I don’t think you need any more surprises.”

 

Randy sighed and said, “This shit this gets better and better all the time. Tell me— I don’t want them to blind-side me with it.”

 

Lee leaned forward and said, “The first Denton county deputy sheriff on the scene noticed the trucker wasn’t acting right. He searched the truck and found a bunch of speed. They arrested him and are waiting to get the blood tests back to charge him with two counts of vehicular homicide. The mutt that caused this is going away for a very long time.”

 

Randy asked, “Why wait to tell me?”

 

Lee said, “They wanted to be sure. The lab work takes a while to process, and Dad didn’t want to say anything about it until they were sure.”

 

Randy didn’t like it, but he could see the sense in it. He asked, “Is there anything else that might blind-side me?”

 

Lee shook his head.

 

Randy said, “Then I think I’m ready for that drink now.”

 

Lee produced a couple of glasses with ice and the canned cokes while Randy rummaged through his bags. He took the Canadian Club and handed the Jack Daniels to Lee.

 

They mixed their drinks and Lee offered a toast, “To better days.”

 

Randy belted his down and started mixing another.

 

Lee took his time with his and said, “You might want to slow down. Now’s not the time for a roaring drunk.”

 

Randy nodded his head in agreement as he grimaced against the fire of the whiskey. He said, “That’s why I only brought four bottles. I didn’t want to get carried away.”

 

“Good idea. Mom left one of her little blue pills in the bathroom for you if you need it.”

 

“Valium?”

 

“Probably. I don’t know pills.”

 

“Think I’ll skip it. I heard that mixing booze and valium is what happened to that Karen Ann Quinlan girl. My day has been bad enough.”

 

Lee chuckled and said, “It was probably a handful of pills and a lot more booze than you’ve got, but you’re right. That’s something I’ve always liked about you, Rat. You party, but you don’t get out of hand with it. You aren’t a dumb ass about it like some of our friends.”

 

Randy said, “Thanks.”

 

Lee blushed and grinned and Randy began to notice a nice warm feeling from the whiskey. He stretched and said, “Ready for our next round?”

 

Lee popped the top on another coke. Randy rummaged through his bag and said, “I had been saving these two. I know it’s your favorite.”

 

Lee’s eyebrows rose, and he said, “Johnny Walker? Dude, you’re rad!”

 

Randy pulled the two little bottles out of his kit and handed one to his friend. They mixed their drinks and finished the last of their alcohol.

 

Lee asked, “Where do you get these anyway?”

 

Randy said, “There’s a convenience store run by Mexicans back in Denton. They’ll sell to anybody with cash. Every time I’m by there, I buy one or two for my collection.”

 

“How many do you have?”

 

“Twenty-something; I collect more than I drink.”

 

Lee stretched and his muscles in his arms and legs stood up. He said, “Good plan. That way you have a little when you need it.”

 

“Damned glad I had it. If not, I think I would have taken your mom’s pill.”

 

Lee got up and rummaged through his routine preparing for bed and brushing his teeth.

 

Before he sat down on the couch, Lee turned the lights off and turned on a black light, bathing the room in a warm purple glow.

 

Randy asked, “Could we have some music?”

 

“Sure. What do you want to hear?”

 

“How about Pink Floyd— Wish You Were Here?”

 

Lee dug through his cassettes and put one in the stereo and the haunting sounds of Rick Wright’s synthesizer filled the room. When he was done, he sat down beside Randy and put his arm around him.

 

Lee put his head against Randy’s. When they were forehead-to-forehead he said, “Randy- there’s something I have to tell you. It took me a couple of belts to get the courage.”

 

Randy said, “You know you can tell me anything. Somewhere in this room, there are pictures of both of us in diapers.”

 

Lee said, “I thought there would be time… I thought we had time, but we don’t now, and I’ve got to say it.”

 

“Dude you’re scaring me a little.”

 

“Don’t be scared, and I hope you’re not mad because it would kill me. Randy… I love you.”

 

Randy snorted and said, “Lee, I know that.”

 

Lee sighed and said, “Wait; I mean love you, like think about you all the time, dream about you all the time and want to be with you all the time love you.”

 

It took Randy’s breath away. Words, Randy, think of the words he thought. He looked at Lee and saw his anxiety rise the longer he was speechless. All he could think of, all he wanted to do was kiss that sweet face.

 

Lee started to look away, but Randy raised his hand and gently touched his face. When their eyes met, there was understanding, and they kissed for the first time.

 

Randy laughed when they broke the kiss. Lee’s eyebrows rose, and he looked confused.

 

Randy said, “That’s exactly the same thing I’ve wanted to say to you for years, Lee. I love you and I want to be with you, too.”

 

Lee engulfed Randy in a hug as big and passionate as Texas and Randy felt his sobs of joy and relief. Lee choked and said, “I was so afraid….”

 

“Afraid that I wouldn’t love you too? How could that happen?”

 

Lee said, “We’re going to have to wait, but it’s only a couple of years. What do you say— you and me at UT when you graduate?”

 

“I’m there if you can stand living with a freshman.”

 

Lee kissed Randy this time, settling the matter.