The rather skinny lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Essence. That would be John in the background.

When I was a sophomore in high school, I had a band that played what is now called "classic rock." Our set list included songs like China Grove (Doobie Brothers), Taking Care of Business (BTO), Riding the Storm Out (REO Speedwagon), Aqualung (Jethro Tull), and Born to Be Wild (Steppenwolf). I'd like to think that we were pretty good. We played parties, a few school dances, and a couple of "real" gigs, but mostly we were a garage band.

In those days, we played in my parent's garage somewhat regularly, usually after school so we wouldn't interrupt my parent's evening routine. Our drummer, Mike, was on the outs with the rest of the band and knew it. As was his habit, he packed his gear and left as fast as he could afterwards to avoid the "pink slip." That left John (bass), Gary (lead guitar), and me.

Gary and I were good students, reasonably active socially, and I guess fit the description of "good kids." John, a friend of mine since 3rd grade, was a little bit on the wild side. John was an unusually friendly sort that seemed to be able to talk to anyone (not a skill I claim). He walked freely among the various high school cliques and was welcome almost everywhere. He was not, on the other hand, very popular with my parents. That was a very strong vote in his favor.

After this particular practice, weekend plans were discussed. John was very much hoping to date Gary's older sister, Sue, and had arranged to meet her and some of her friends on Friday night. John wanted an entourage too and asked if Gary and I would come along. He'd planned to meet his friend Walt too. Then he said they had a bottle of vodka to share.

I'd known for several years that some of my peers had been drinking. At parties as early as 7th grade, you could tell who had access and who didn't. Still, I'd never been drinking. As a matter of fact, the only alcohol I'd ever had was a big slug of cooking wine (yuk) I drank on a dare 3 or 4 summers prior.

Gary and I had been good friends for several years by then. As beginning guitarists, we taught each other a lot and shared a similar taste in music. I looked at Gary and knew he hadn't been out drinking before either. In that instant, we read each other's eyes and agreed to go with John.

It was chilly October evening when Gary and I met John and Walt behind Lion's Park. At that time, there was a large wooded area behind the park awaiting bulldozers for the extention of Lucas Hunt Rd. It was a relatively safe place to party away from adult eyes.

Walt hid the vodka under his jacket. John had some plastic cups and a little orange juice. We followed a path into a small clearing, sat on some fallen trees, and laughed with a nervousness akin to a first date.

John hadn't brought much orange juice and none of us were skilled mixologists so the drinks were on the strong side, maybe 1/2 to 2/3 vodka. I drank mine, almost forcing it down. Gary took to his with relish, had another. I can't say I even noticed what John and Walt drank but knew they were drinking their fill. We got louder, I'm sure. John produced a joint he'd been saving for a special occasion. I declined, but the other three smoked it to a roach. More drinks around. I nursed my second drink not really liking it much and not trusting how I felt. I poured it out when no one was looking.

The vodka was all but gone when it was time to meet Sue. We stumbled through the dark woods towards the park. A hole in the fence we'd hoped to enter through had recently been fixed, so we decided to walk around to the main entrance.

Everyone was drunk, but Gary was in bad shape. John and Walt led the way with Gary following and me at the end. Gary was holding on to the fence as he plodded behind, using it to keep himself upright. When we came to the corner of the park and needed to make a turn towards the gate, Gary was so out of it that he didn't know the fence turned too. He reached out for his next handhold, but found nothing but air. He fell with a sickening thud and didn't get up.

To be continued... Part Two | Part Three

Note: The title of this story is also a Robert Earl Keen Jr. song that seems similar in so many ways. I'll finish the story in a day or two.

Note again: Names changed to protect the not-so-innocent.