Image by Clarence Alford from Pixabay
“If there is anything good to be plucked out of this horror that is descending on the world, it is that we have an opportunity recognize that life is not a horse race or rat race, but it is life, meant to be lived with people as people.”
“Yeah, but, Tom, what's the big difference between the horses and the rats and us … I mean, this society has gotten pretty bad.”
“Horse races are brief, like our lives, but as beautiful as the animals that run them.”
“You didn't delineate the difference between the rats and us, though.”
“No, I did not.”
“And I thought I was feeling grim today, Tom.”
“Glad I could give you some perspective – but go back to what I said at first. Life is not a rat race either, unless we choose to fall into that analogy. That's a choice. We don't have to live like that.”
This was the meat of the conversation between Major Thomas Stepforth Jr. and his ex-brother-in-law, Sgt. Vincent Trent.
Major Stepforth knew what was going on … his ex-brother-in-law was calling and chatting and feeling things out … doing reconnaissance … he had not divorced the major's sister because he had really wanted to do that … Melissa was mentally ill, and none of them had known what was going on and what to do with it … but now that she was in treatment, and recovering, and the situation in the future could be managed, now, Vincent was feeling around.
Vincent and Melissa had been so much in love, and had been married 14 years before things inexplicably began to go wrong … inexplicably until Melissa totally had a break and finally got her diagnosis. But in the meantime, Vincent had still been a supportive and active co-parent, and had looked out for Melissa as much as possible … everybody knew except maybe Melissa that he still loved her.
Like his father, Major Stepforth left the door wide open … he had always liked and empathized with Sgt. Trent.
“Yes, these are good times to get reconnected and fix things up, for those who are into that, Vincent.”
“Well, I took your advice and retired with 23 years of service, so I've got nothing but time and I have to get into something! We soldiers have got to stay busy doing constructive things!”
“Yep. Relationships are a good choice to build on – and, hey, man, I'm glad you got on out. I don't know if you were planning to bring the family this way, but, in terms of veteran's support, you can't beat Lofton County, and we are closing up the gap for Black veterans specifically.”
“I was thinking about it, actually … you know, the kids want to see their mom, and all.”
“Yes, Vincent, I get it.”