Chapter 42

Max was not greeted with the same degree of enthusiasm, nor was he as welcome. Max had been a typical teenager. As one of the ‘town lights’ he and his cronies pretty much ran things to suit. But ... on his 18th birthday, he was summoned to a mysterious meeting at the courthouse.

“Today, you are an adult,” said the sheriff. “When you walk out the back door you can and WILL be charged with assault and intimidation if you so much as look crosswise at a minor. You have gone as far as we’re willing to let you go. If you impregnate a minor you will either be married or became a member of the few, the proud, the Marines ... or the infantry ... if the Marines won’t have you. I highly recommend you choose new friends.”

“The reason we’re giving you this last warning,” said the judge, “You have great potential and this is your chance to take advantage of it ... unlike your buddies from 2 years ago, ‘good ole’ Alex’ and ‘BillyBob’ both of whom ignored their final warning. Alexander has been sentenced to Leavenworth Stockade for disobeying a direct order said disobeyment resulted in the deaths of 3 members of his squad ... I doubt 20 years at hard labor will be sufficient punishment. William Robert was shot dead going AWOL before deployment. Please try and make something of yourself.”