WWII veteran one of three surviving Greenwood VFW charter members

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

Sixty-three years later, shrapnel is still lodged in Wally Richardson’s cheek. That tiny piece of steel — about the size of buckshot — became a part of his life, as present and somehow as natural as Richardson’s slow grin. At 89 years old, Richardson readily recalls the specifics of a war that took so many lives yet saved so many, all at the same time. There are many memories, he said. Most of them, he will talk about. Some of them he won’t. Richardson dropped his head for a moment, to close his tear-rimmed eyes. He will not speak of the concentration camps, Richardson said.

“I played a small part — a very small part — in defeating Adolf Hitler.” -Wally Richardson

Richardson carefully unrolls a map and traces various areas with a trembling finger. Someone long ago inked this path, made by Richardson and the other members of Company A 47th Regiment 9th Infantry Division. “We walked it, you know,” Richardson said. “We were infantry. We walked all the way across France. Belgium wasn’t too big. But Germany was quite a ways.” During that journey, Richardson was hit by shrapnel one month after arriving in Germany. He speaks of living for three weeks in trenches outside of a small town in Germany. “There was five foot of snow. The warmest it got was 18 below zero.” He said. All soldiers followed a buddy system, Richardson said. “You didn’t go anywhere without your buddy.” Richardson’s buddy was a soldier named McCulley from Missouri. “McCulley’s feet froze,” Richardson said. “They had to take both feet off. I survived those three weeks. But I don’t know how.” Richardson tells of another harrowing experience, crossing the Erft River in Germany. “At midnight, we waded through the river, up to our shoulders,” he said. “Then we laid on a railroad track til daylight. Our uniforms were frozen.” “Ten — maybe 12 — days later, you didn’t count the days, I was hit 13 times by a German 88th artillery,” Richardson said. “Six guys in my company were killed. When I came to, I was on a hospital train somewhere in France.” Forty five days later, Richardson left a military hospital to recuperate at the 9th Replacement Depot in France. That’s where he was when the war ended. [caption id="attachment_2647" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="“The VFW brings men together,” Richardson said. “They respect and love each other. They’re Americans and they fought for America.”"][/caption]He tried to march in a parade, to be part of the celebration, Richardson said. “But I couldn’t make it,” he said. “My leg wouldn’t make it. They had to haul me in.” Two years and nine months of his life and two purple hearts later, Richardson left Company A 47th Regiment 9th Infantry Division. And yet he didn’t. Because he couldn’t. Those years of his life had become as much a part of Richardson as everything he left behind in Russell Springs, Ky. After Richardson went home to his family, he opened a body shop but frequently traveled a few miles east to Somerset, Ky., to be involved in the VFW post. It was important to spend time with men who shared his memories, he said. “We fought a dictator for so long,” Richardson said. “I was proud to be a member of the VFW. I played a small part — a very small part — in defeating Adolf Hitler.” In 1970, Richardson leased the body shop and said goodbye to friends at the VFW. He moved to Greenwood, to be closer to his only child, Wanda Rhoten. During the next six years, Richardson, also an auctioneer, built a successful used furniture business, which is still located on Main Street in Olde Town Greenwood. His granddaughter, Gloria Straub, manages the store these days. In 1976, Richardson was invited to help launch VFW post 5864 in Greenwood. “On April 26, 1976, we organized a new post with 39 men on the charter,” he said. ”That original charter is hanging in the post to this day. There’s three of that 39 still living.” Through the years, Richardson received numerous awards and accolades for serving in various roles to benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has saved every certificate, every pin, every hat and newspaper article. These are the parts of his life that give meaning and allegiance to that piece of shrapnel in his cheek. “The VFW brings men together,” Richardson said. “They respect and love each other. They’re Americans and they fought for America.”

Turning expenses into education

By Sara Gentry

When Dick Turner was born in Fountain Square, there was no such thing as financial aid. Most people, he said, couldn't afford college, and if they decided to go, they worked for a semester, saved, attended a semester and so on. Turner worked in the meat-packing industry to save college money, but he was drafted before he could meet his goals. While in the military, he found a way to spend his free time: taking college courses. He took courses in marketing and business, and when his professor told him that finding a better, cheaper way to use funds that a company has already allocated for a certain purpose made you an invaluable employee, it stuck with him. Turner was in the service for three years, and when he was discharged, he got married and went into the restaurant business, opening Burger Chefs across the south. H & H Green Stamps were big then, and one of his clients mused on how nice it was that a number of stamps equaled a lamp or a toaster for someone. And wasn't it too bad that stamps couldn't be redeemed for a college education? That also stuck with Turner. A number of years later, Turner returned to Indiana and was working as a recruiter for ITT. His job was both to convince the individuals to attend and to collect a $100 fee from them. Financial aid was available — they'd get $2,500 in assistance — but they had to first fork over the $100. Turner was astonished at the number of people who wanted to go to college but couldn't scrape together the small fee. A newspaper ad with coupons for Jack's Pizza caught his eye and reminded him of his client's lament about the stamps. "So I put together a presentation," he said. "I went to Jack's Pizza and asked them if they gave donations to schools." Many establishments didn't donate to schools, saying that if they donated to one, others would expect the same. But what they did do was coupon. What if a $1 coupon could mean 50 cents for a local school and 50 cents in a college fund? In his studies, Turner learned that $330 billion per year was spent on coupons just for grocery stores. He decided to present the idea to one of his friends, an attorney. "I have found $330 billion to tap into for education," he told his friend. That meeting led to a number of other meetings, and the idea, now called PEP, grew. If the coupon-user wasn't a parent with school-aged children, the voucher could be used to pay off student loans or to save for retirement. Eventually Turner got in touch with the late Michael Carroll, an executive for Lilly Endowment, who began setting up conference calls with big names like Procter & Gamble and Pepsi. Carroll also informed Turner that because of the nature of what he was trying to do, Turner would need to quit ITT and wait seven years to continue pursuing his idea. During that time, in 1992, Carroll and Frank McKinney (who was also involved in the program) were killed in a plane crash. When Turner tried to access Carroll's PEP files, he found that they had been sealed. Carroll's wife, however, told Turner to press on. These days, Turner is nearing his goal. To get the major contracts he's hoping for, 200,000 families need to sign up for PEP. His goal is for families to be able to scan a card at major stores, and every time a family purchases a product from a participating company, a dollar of the purchase will be put toward the program. The companies won't spend money on coupons, but customers will have an incentive to buy their products. Smaller stores have paper vouchers that can be redeemed online, where participating families can also see their progress and find out where else they can save. Real estate companies have shown interest, too, offering $50 toward PEP to list a house and $400 when it sells. To sign up, and to see the complete breakdown of where your funds will go, visit www.pepfunds.org or www.tmisavings4u.com. It's free to sign up, and when registered, school districts can be specified for funds to be channeled to; locally, both Beech Grove and IPS have given consent for pilot programs. Interested businesses can contact PEP at pepedfunds@att.net.

Franklin Central High School selects new head football coach

By Submission For The Southside Times

[caption id="attachment_2638" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="Mike Karpinski"][/caption] Franklin Central High School recently announced that the Flashes have a new head football coach, Mike Karpinski. Karpinski is a Health and Physical Education teacher in his 9th year at Franklin Central. During his time at FCHS, he’s been involved with the football program, serving as assistant coach at many levels. Previous to his time at FCHS, Karpinski coached football at the University of Indianapolis for six years. An alum of Hillsdale College in Michigan, Karpinski said he is “very excited for this opportunity and is looking forward to the challenge” of coaching the FC Flashes. Franklin Central Principal Mr. Kevin Koers added that Karpinski will bring a lot of enthusiasm to the program. “We’re looking forward to having him with us for a long time.”

Obituaries for the week of 03.26.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Rosemary Clark, 60, died March 18, 2009. She was born in Indianapolis on March 5, 1949, to Walter & Margaret (Edwards) Adams who preceded her in death. She is survived by companion Earl G. Hafley; son, Donald Duvall; brothers, Bobby (Angie), William (Brenda), Ricky (Darlene), Harry Adams; sisters, Ruth Anne Duff, Corrina (Jack) Pinkston, April (Vernon) Eversole. Burial was held March 23 at New Crown Cemetery. Robert Lee Garriott, 81, of Indianapolis, died March 13, 2009. He was a WWII Navy veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Hattie Garriott; a sister, Betty LaFara, and a son, James. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Dorothy Garriott; son, Michael (Brenda) Garriott; daughter, Kathy Lindsey; sister, Mary Prtteus; brother, William Garriott; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Services were held on March 18, at Flanner and Buchanan Community Life Center. Burial took place at Washington Park East Cemetery. Marianna Keim, 68, of Indianapolis, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009. She was born October 20, 1940, in Indianapolis to the late Pete and Florence Peters. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Walter Keim; sons, Brian (Darlena), Jeff (Sheryl); grandchildren, Kirsten (Daniel) Rayer, Heather Keim, Cameron Keim, Chelsie Keim; great grandchild, Ambry Lynn Rayer. Funeral services were held on March 21 at the Little & Sons Funeral Home. Mary Barbara Padgett, 66, of Greenwood, died March 23, 2009. She was born in Beech Grove on August 11, 1942, to the late Robert and Mary Smith Padgett. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Jim Padgett. Mary is survived by her brothers, Bernard and Robert Padgett; sister, Judy Whalen; sister-in-law, Judy Padgett and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be March 26, 2009 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home and on Friday from 10 – 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Greenwood Church immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Leroy Smith, 71, of Indianapolis died March 21, 2009. He was born February 16, 1938, in Manchester, Ky., to Tom and Cleo (Lason) Smith who preceded him in death. Survivors include wife Brenda Kay (Byers) Smith; son, Billy Ray Smith; daughter, Carolynn Kay (Christopher) Craighill; half-sister, Brenda Warren, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren. Burial was held March 15 at Washington Park North Cemetery.

At Play Calendar for the week of 03.26.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

The Easter Bunny • Everybody’s favorite bunny is making his long-awaited arrival in Indianapolis and he’s not coming alone! Despereaux, The World’s Bravest Mouse, will join the Easter Bunny as children young and old wait anxiously to get their picture taken with the terrific twosome. | When: March 21 – April 11 | Where: The Greenwood Park Mall. | Info: Call 881-6758. Easter Egg Hunt • When: April 11, activities begin at 11 a.m., hunt at noon | Where: Outreach Community Church, 3091 S. Honey Creek Rd., Greenwood. Hello Love • Chris Tomlin is bringing his Hello Love Tour to Indianapolis. Tomlin has just released his seventh studio album of the same name and was named the Artist of the Year in 2007 and 2008 at the Gospel Music Awards. | When: March 27 at 6:30 p.m. | Where: Conseco Fieldhouse | Cost: $29.50, $27.50 | Info: Call 239-5151. UIndy Faculty Artist Series • The 28th season of the University of Indianapolis Faculty Artist Series will end it’s run with a musical adaptation that captures the spirit from multiple different countries. | When: March 30 at 7:30 p.m. | Where: The Christel Dehaan Fine Arts Center | Cost: Free | Info: Call 788-3255. Go Baby Go! • Babies and an adult are invited for an American Sign Language storytime session. Developmental Education Specialist Amanda McFarland and Speech Pathologist Julie Weaver will be residing over the reading. | When: March 26 at 10:15 a.m. | Where: The Franklin Road Branch Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4380 to register. Intro to Cartooning • Local artists Daryl Pyle and Justin Barnes are here to put their expert sketching skills to work. If you have ever had an interest in drawling and want to enjoy the hobby in the company of others and learn some new tricks, then this is for you! | When: March 28 at 1 p.m. | Where: The Fountain Square Branch Library | Cost: Free | Call 275-4390. This event is open to anyone ages 6 and up. Everyone should bring a pencil, eraser and a little imagination. April Fools Fun • This program is going to be filled with all sorts of tricks, including a silly movie, tricky crafts and a load of fun. | When: April 1 at 2 p.m. | Where: The Clark Pleasant Branch Library | Cost: Free | Info: Recommended for grades K-5. Call 535-6206. Wild Game Day • You don’t have to be in Florida to have a fun spring break. Instead, bring your friends and family and learn to play a new board or card game. | When: April 1 from 3 – 5 p.m. | Where: The Franklin Branch Library | Cost: Free | Call 738-2098 for reservations. Art Mix: Kites • Hope for good weather and try your hand at making a kite that you will be able to take outside and fly. | When: April 2 from 3 – 4 p.m. | Where: The Trafalgar Branch Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 878-9560 for reservations. Rummage Sale • Search through hundreds of gently items such as: clothing, purses, shoes, linens, books, toys, electronics and you may just find something beyond your wildest imagination. | When: March 27 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Where: At St. Paul Hermitage | Cost: Free | Info: St. Paul Hermitage is located at 501 N. 17th Ave. in Beech Grove. Call 885-5098 with questions. All proceeds will benefit the residents of St. Paul Heritage. Good Eats • The American Legion Riders Chapter 252 of Greenwood would like to invited everybody out for a good hardy breakfast in the name of a good cause. They will be serving eggs cooked to order, biscuits, sausage gravy, bacon, tater tots and coffee, milk or juice. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to support Clothe-A-Child and the American Legacy Scholarship. | When: March 28 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Where: The Greenwood American Legion post 252 | Cost: $5 | Info: Call Frank Brown at 626-1256. The Legion is located at 334 US HWY 31 South. Monsters VS Aliens • Many stars, including Reese Witherspoon, led their vocal talents to this child-friendly, animated movie. To make the viewing experience even more enjoyable, the IMAX Theater in Indianapolis will be showing the movie for your convenience. | When: Starting March 27 | Where: The IMAX Theater in Indianapolis | Cost: $13.50 adult, $11 senior, $10 children 12 and younger | Info: Call 233-IMAX. Fireproof • The public is welcome to view Fireproof, which stars Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea. They play a couple whose paths grow apart, but have to somehow find a way to keep their love alive. Hotdogs and popcorn will be provided. | When: April 3 at 7 p.m. | Where: The Center United Methodist Church | Cost: Free | Info: The church is located at 5445 Bluff Road. Call 352-1111 for questions. [ad#single-post]When Elmo Grows Up • Sesame Street has been around forever, so treat your kids to the same kind of good-hearted entertainment that you had as a child, with a one-of-a-kind show.| When: April 2 – 5. Show times vary. | Where: The Murat Theatre | Cost: $13, $17, $23, $28. | Info: Call 231-0000. A Funny Bunch • Premiere comedians Steve Trevino and Dan Levy will be laying it on thick as they headline at Crackers Comedy Club. Trevino is a writer on the Carlos Mencia show, while Levy won the title of Funniest College Comedian in America at the HBO US Comedy Arts Festival. | When: Trevino will be March 26 – 28. Levy will be April 1 - 4. Show times vary. | Where: Crackers Comedy Club Downtown | Cost: $8 - $18 | Info: Call 255-4211. Perry Township Democrat Club • The club will meet to discuss a plethora of topics and will also have State Representative, John Barnes, speak on behalf of District 89. | When: March 26 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. | Where: The Communication Workers of America building | Cost: Free | Info: The building is located at 1130 East Epler Ave. Troubled Teens • Parents are invited for an informational meeting on how to set boundaries and rules with your teen and how to help your child make better decisions and stay out of trouble. | When: April 1 at 6:45 p.m. | Where: Rosegate Village | Cost: Free | Info: Rosegate Village is located at 7525 Rosegate Drive. Call 812-353-5720 for reservations. Meet the Mayor • If you have questions, then come meet the mayor and get your answer. | When: April 2 | Where: Christ United Methodist Church | Cost: Free | Info: Call 327-4838. The church is located at 8540 US 31 South. Jewelry Show • The 11th Annual Spring bead, gem, mineral and jewelry show is going on now at the Indiana State Fair. | When: March 27 – 29. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Where: the Ag/Hort Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. | Cost: $5 for three days and children 16 and younger are free. | Info: Call Van Wimmer at 540-384-6074. Car Show • The Super Sunday Indy Automotive Swap Meet and Car Sale is a great way to meet and great other car enthusiast and even make a purchase or two. | When: March 28 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Where: The West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fair | Cost: $6, children 12 and younger are free with an adult. | Info: Call Mid America Promotions at 708-563-4300.

Some 25-year-olds are already miserable, old cranks

By Mike Redmond

A young friend of mine, who says we Baby Boomers® got all the good stuff and had all the fun before everything started to go you-know-where in a handbasket, recently forwarded an article intended to put Boomers® in our place. “Old Age Begins At 27,” was the headline. “Our mental abilities start to decline at age 27, after peaking at 22,” said the article, from Asylum.com. “Researchers from the University of Virginia gave a series of mental tests to 2,000 men and women over a seven-year period. They found that in nine of the 12 tests, the top score was achieved at age 22, and that 27 was the first age at which some of the abilities – including reasoning and speed of thought – began to decline significantly.” Well, hold on there, Baba Looey. I think this article contains a certain amount of what we shall, in the name of politeness, call manure. Let me put my dentures back in and I’ll explain what I mean. If I can remember it, that is. After all, I passed 27 a while back. I’m 54. I’m ancient. I don’t have a 2,000-person, seven-year study to back it up. I just have lives, mine and my male friends’. And we’re all pretty much in agreement that at age 22, we were morons. We were selfish, boorish clods, for the most part, who were doing our level best to destroy our cognitive abilities one brain cell at a time. We may have been fast thinkers, but all we really thought about was the next beer, the next paycheck, the next pizza and the next evening of high adventure. At age 27? Still morons. From my observation, men don’t really start to get a handle on maturity until age 35, and even then it’s a tenuous grip at best. It isn’t until we’re crowding 40 that we begin to figure out the whole maturity thing. Lucky for us, most women – who reach the same level of maturity at about 19 – are by nature patient enough to wait for us. And it’s maturity – wisdom – that really counts. A 22-year-old may have a 500-horsepower brain, but if he’s just wasting it, what’s the point? Wisdom (and I am by no means suggesting I’ve acquired all that much) takes time, lots of it. And it’s wisdom that quite literally separates the men from the boys. When does old age start? I don’t think you can realistically pinpoint it. Age isn’t about the brain; it’s about the mind. You get old when you decide to BE old. I’ve met 80-year-olds who still haven’t made the decision. I’ve also met 25-year-olds who made the decision too soon, and were miserable old cranks far too early. So let the University of Virginia have its study. If my synapses aren’t firing as fast as they did when I was 22, so be it. It’s not like I was doing anything productive with them. And to my young friend, I say thanks for the article, but it doesn’t change the fact that we Boomers® did, in fact, get all the good stuff and have all the fun before we became mature human beings. That’s right. We’ve matured. And in this mature spirit, with all the wisdom that comes with it, I say to you: Neener-neener-neener.

I remember a different Beech Grove

By Submission For The Southside Times

Editor: Remember when Beech Grove had the best city services? When the mayor’s office was in City Hall and had an open door policy? When our snow removal set the standard for the state? When you could drive through Sarah Bolton Park? Remember when Main Street business buildings were all fully occupied? When City Council Meetings were conveniently held at City Hall and shown live on BGTV? When city intersections looked sharp with brightly painted curbs and cross walks? Remember when Beech Grove had free trash pick-up? When Beech Grove was a choice city to live in, and sold signs went up more quickly than for sale signs? When businesses were supported, not hounded for zoning problems? When alleys were graded and maintained? Remember when citizens were able to raise questions at council meetings without a vote of approval – and get answers? When city employees were valued and not living in fear of losing their jobs? When the city had updated equipment and took care of it? When the city did not own a trash dump, leaking methane gas and disguised as a park? When all city council members listened to the voters and not just the mayor? Remember when we could disagree but all still work together for what was best for Beech Grove? Those were the days and I would welcome their return. Ed Bell Beech Grove City Council District 2

Top ten signs you shouldn’t have joined the police force

By Torry Stiles

10. All your best friends are your best customers. 9. “You have the right to remain silent, so please shut up.” 8. You’re using Mace-scented cologne. 7. “Don’t bother me with another robbery alarm call ... it’s time for ‘Dancing with the Stars.’” 6. There’s another disciplinary letter in your file for dotting your “i’s” with smiley faces on your traffic tickets. 5. Your wife gets mixed up and keeps sewing your kids’ Boy Scout patches on your uniform. 4. The guys at the motor pool refuse to paint your cruiser to look like Dale Earnhart’s Goodwrench #3. 3. The other officers are complaining about your cape and utility belt. 2. You find yourself arguing that Barney Fife was merely misunderstood. 1. During the driver training you can’t stop making the “Woo-woo!” siren noise.

Canada geese: Nuisance or terrorists?

By Kevin Kane

Homeland Security has been looking in the wrong direction. For the past several years, this department has sought after bad guys and any evildoers seeking to threaten our American way of life. We enjoy a particular lifestyle, and they want to preserve it. But while monitoring terrorist groups and identifying shady individuals, Homeland Security completely missed one of the American public’s traditional foes: Canada geese. And yes, it’s Canada, even though Canadian sounds so right, but there’s nothing right or nice about these winged thugs. They impose themselves upon us this time every year, moving on our land like Manifest Destiny and doing so with an attitude of “What are you going to do about it?” With ganders in our yards and eggs in our mulch beds, they lay claim to our properties and will duel to death in their defense. But it could be naivety to assume that these long-necked Canadian imports are little more than nuisances. At the least, they’re bullies who harass us for amusement. How many times have you seen them stand in the same place for hours only to waddle into the street when you drive up, blocking traffic in both directions? Then there’s their incessant honking, which seems to serve the same purpose as a baby’s rattle. Though they are undoubtedly obnoxious, their actions do not always stop at mere vexation. With their tendencies to travel in packs and aggressively defend territory, Canada geese are more like the Crips and Bloods of the bird world. Walking too close to their turf is equivalent to a death wish, and these thugs don’t discriminate. Toddlers, elderly women – any and all comers are sure to receive honks and hisses if not all-out beat downs. By the way, don’t hiss back at them. I’ve seen that end badly. Every year we hear stories of frightened children and mauled pedestrians who suffer beak bites and wing slaps from these feathered hell raisers. Recently my friend’s grandmother was attacked after leaving a retail store, injuring her arm and perhaps ending her tennis days. They strike with little warning and even less reason, and perhaps “gang” is their best-fitting classification. However, it may be possible to bump Canada geese up to the highest level of anarchy: Terrorism. It’s a stretch, but think about it. Few groups – either human or animal – are responsible for more attacks, and sometimes their actions negatively affect our daily lives as we’re forced to change our courses to avoid them or stop entering certain areas altogether. And they don’t limit their efforts to the ground. There are videos on the Internet of geese attacking boaters, stories about them crashing into cars, and they notoriously brought down Chesley Sullenburger’s U.S. Airways plane two months ago. That last act was considered an accident, but if Canada geese are smart enough to adapt for different seasons, fly cross-country in a perfect “V” and successfully take over our neighborhoods, how are they suddenly too stupid to get out of the way of a commercial jet? No, that was no mistake, and these are the worst winged menaces this country has seen since the monkeys from “The Wizard of Oz.” I don’t know if they’re trying to take over the country or just antagonize for a little fun. But I do know that as long as Canada geese are around Central Indiana, our Threat Level should never dip below orange.

Facebook: Connecting former foes

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

A few weeks ago, I joined Facebook. Every time I visit the site, I feel like I’m attending a mini reunion. But I don’t have to worry about what I’m wearing or how I plan to avoid people I never liked. Yesterday, I got a Facebook message from someone I hadn’t spoken to since I got my first training bra. For privacy, we’ll call her Bertha. Shall we? Can’t tell you how shocked I was to read an apology from Bertha. Yep, after all these years, she actually told me she was sorry for making my life horrible, every single day during the 27-minute bus ride home from school, for several months of my 8th grade year. [ad#single-post]Well, let me rephrase that. Bertha made my life horrible until the day I beat her butt off. Opening that apology took me back immediately to that afternoon when my temper got the best of me. After months of being called names, months of being bullied, months of bawling my head off because this girl hated my guts but I honestly didn’t know why, I reached my limit. “In 10 minutes, I’ll meet you at the ditch,” I said. “I’m going to beat your hind-end for you and shut your mouth. You better show up.” I said it like I was a boxer in training, like I was in the habit of slugging anybody any time. I said it without the slightest tremor in my voice. “Oh don’t worry,” Bertha said with a sneer. “I’ll be there.” Uh-oh. I flew into my house, grabbed every single turn-your-finger-green ring I had from my ballerina jewelry box and turned my shaky hands into dime store-value brass knuckles. Then I raced back up the road, while my mom stood on porch yelling, “Sherri, get back here. Girls don’t fight. You’re not fighting that girl.” My mind was made up, though. My dignity was at stake here. There was no turning back. When I reached the ditch, which bordered my aunt’s house and the neighbor’s, I very boldly offered Bertha the first punch, which she gladly accepted. The fight officially began with her right hook clipping my left eye. We went down, rolling, punching, yelling. I tried to recall some wrestling moves — maybe a headlock. But you can’t do much when you’re face down in dirt with someone’s knee on the back of your neck, you know. As we rolled around in the ditch, I tried to stay focused. How exactly does a fight go? Shouldn’t I make her bleed somewhere so I can say I’m the winner? How can I possibly take aim for a vulnerable area — say her big, smart mouth — when she’s yanking my hair out by the roots? When the fight ended, Bertha’s entire mouth print was imprinted on my left arm, since she had alligator teeth. I snagged her down the side of the face with my big, gaudy butterfly ring and the gash was bleeding, which, in my book, made me the champion. Bertha hadn’t said one more tiny word to me after the ditch fight — until yesterday, when I got that apology. And I simply smiled and wrote back, “How have you been the last 35 years?”