Junior and Man
by James Ebb Huggins, Jr.Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a young white boy named Junior and a young black boy named Man. Junior and Man rambled the rolling hills of the East Texas Oil Field. Neither considered the color of the other's skin because they never thought of it - plus they did not have time. There were just too many other more exciting things to do.
There were cars and airplanes to build from apple boxs, bicycles to fabricate from salvaged parts, swings to build from grape vines, and a thousand other things left undone. The only time race was considered was when Mother would announce, "Dinner is ready!". Then there was a real race issue, i.e. who could get to the table first. We were both pretty fast - but Man usually won.
Things were not always friendly. I complained when Man would have me pump the bicycle while he sat on the seat and steered and when he refused to help me when I got stuck in a sticker burr patch, barefooted. He said something about "You got yourself in; get yourself out". I got myself out and soon all thoughts of hostility were gone. Only a strong pair of legs and a huge respect for "sticker burr patches" remained.
Man is gone now. Only positive memories, and lessons, linger. Race and the color of our skin certainly was never an issue. We just never had time to think about things like that. After all, we were just two young East Texas Oil Field boys enjoying the wonders of the God's sweet earth, together.