Independence Day

I sat at my desk, drumming my pencil on the test paper in front of me. I looked up at the clock, which told me that I had 15 minutes left until noon recess. I looked back down at my paper and checked my answers once again. The test was on the American Revolution, a subject which we seemed to cover endlessly in the fourth grade. I knew the information so well, that I was practically on a first name basis with most of the Founding Fathers. When my teacher announced that those who were done could leave, I sprang out of my seat and launched the paper towards her desk so carelessly that it almost landed on the floor. My teacher cleared her throat and I knew that the sound was intended for me. “Billy, you forgot the date”, she said in a hushed tone and slid the paper towards me. I scribbled, “April 22, 1978” at the top and raced out of the room.

Walking down the hallway towards the cafeteria, I was filled with excitement and nerves. My friend, Bruce, came up behind me and I almost jumped out of my skin. “Ready to go?” he asked and I nodded. In retrospect, I was agreeing to abandon the life that I knew before and open a brand knew chapter from which there would be no return. As we passed the library, my feet were beginning to feel like cement. Bruce and I entered the cafeteria, but instead of taking a seat at our assigned table, we tossed out our brown bags containing wilted bologna sandwiches and carrot sticks and headed out the cafeteria door into the short, dark passageway that led to the playground.

“Where do you think you guys are going?” a voice boomed from the darkness. A mop blocked our path as Frank, the janitor, stepped into the light. He had a muscular build and a military haircut. Despite some loose skin, thick glasses and a stomach which hung over his belt, he was still a figure to be feared in his dark, green jumpsuit. Bruce thought quickly and blurted out, “We left something on the playground.” I though our plan was surely doomed, but a smile suddenly broke out on Frank’s face as he returned the mop to its bucket and began to laugh, “Yeah, right!” Without looking back, we burst open the outer door and the light of the midday sun made us squint. It felt strange to be alone on the playground, but we weren’t in the clear yet. We stayed close to the fence so that the staff in the Principal’s office would not see us. Passing the monkey bars and the swing set with all of the broken swings, we made it to the corner of the playground and out onto the sidewalk.

As we walked down the street, my nervous, short steps turned into a relaxed stride, even a cool swagger. I realized for the first time in my life that nobody, except Bruce, knew where I was. I was truly UNSUPERVISED! This experience alone would have been enough to last me many years into the future, but we continued further down the street to the pizza place. Dano’s was a classic establishment that produced some of the best Italian food that I have ever tasted. My family had ordered pizza from them many times, and as we entered the shop, I panicked for a moment thinking that someone in there might recognize me. I looked down as I ordered a plain slice and a coke from the man behind the counter. He was sweating as the heat radiated out from the ovens behind him.

With every bite of pizza, I was enjoying the sweet taste of freedom. I was ready for my independence and I knew exactly how the Founding Fathers must have felt at that crucial moment. I searched my pockets and realized that I only had another $1.25 to fund my revolution. One quarter went to playing the video game in the corner, which would actually shake when the racing car crashed. With the last dollar, I bought Italian ices and we enjoyed them thoroughly as we headed back to school.

Recess was just coming to a close as I joined my class lining up on the playground. I was dying to share the secret of what I had done with the others, but I kept it to myself. I didn’t say a word, fearing that the cherry red coloration of my tongue would give me away. What I had committed that day was nothing short of high treason. But there was no escaping the fact that I had been liberated and there was no turning back. It was a brand knew world and I was a brand new person, ready to take on all the challenges that were in front of me ... as long as my parents didn’t find out.
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This story describes one of my earliest adventures as an independent creature roaming this planet. From these humble beginnings, my thirst for excitement has never fully been quenched. This week, I will be heading south of the border. For those of you with your minds in the gutter, I am referring to Mexico. I can already see the bewildered facial expressions on the unsuspecting locals as I unleash my own brand of Spanglish on them. Of course, I will be writing down every single detail of this journey for the sole purpose of your amusement. Keep an eye on “The Best Medicine” and see if a white boy from the Upper East Side with a weak stomach and delicate skin can survive the hot deserts and tropical rain forests of Mexico, not to mention the tequila.