Chapter 2

Howie was given two years of science credits for his paramedic license. He entered as a freshman. When he signed up for the fourth course, his status changed from special to full time student.

Wednesday, he went to the Phi Gamma Delta house for his pledging ceremony. His father was invited and pinned Howie's pledge star on him.

Howie listened to the words of the pledge ceremony. Dad was right. It is very much like the Kiowa. Of course, the Kiowa never spoke of Robert E. Lee or the southern gentleman, but it is very similar in context.

Howie ate lunch and dinner at the FIJI house, but he did not move in or sleep there. He joined a pledge class that had pledged in the fall. They seem so young. Yet, they are my age.

At the first pledge meeting, the other pledges asked a lot of questions. Howie answered every one.

Was he Professor Randolph's son? Yes.

Was he really an Indian chief? Yes.

Did Penn State offer him a football scholarship? No.

Was he All State in football? Yes.

Was he really a medic? Yes.

Had he been in the Army? No.

Did he have to take ROTC? No.

Had he really been shot? Yes.

Had he killed the people? Yes.

Did he really study a lot? Yes.

Was he their age? Yes.

Is that really his mother in his art classes? Yes. I am very protective of her, though she doesn't need it.

He was held in awe by all the pledges and most of the actives.

He had no less than an A on any paper, project or examination. He demanded that pledges take their studies seriously and allowed no fooling around in their study hall. He was not intimidated by pledge or active.

One of the pledges taught guitar lessons. Howie tried it but he wasn't good at the guitar.

He went on pledge swaps with all the sororities, but he didn't date. Pledges were required to invite a woman to Sunday dinner. The women that came to Sunday dinner with him were among the best in his class. But he didn't ask the same one twice.

In February he began light workouts. He did the exercises that Black Eagle taught him. And he worked very hard in all his classes. He spent a great deal of time in the studio practicing painting.

Becky sent him a letter. "I haven't met anyone that I would rather take me to the pledge formal."

Howie sent her a single rose and his acceptance. "I look forward to meeting your pledge sisters and us having a good time."

Howie had regained some of his weight. He looked handsome in his tux.

Becky had moved into her sorority's house. The formal was in their living and dining room. Some of the pledges had dates that were FIJIs on the Penn State football team. They invited him to stay with them at the FIJI house. Some had played against Howie in high school and remembered him well.

He had eyes only for Becky and she felt really special. They danced and danced. He danced with her and her three roommates. One said, "Becky talks about you a lot. I hope you will come up more."

He said, "She is a very special lady."

Becky was radiant and Howie thought very beautiful. "I really had a good time, a great time," she said.

Howie said, "Anyone that wouldn't have a great time with you wasn't trying."

He kissed her and started to leave.

"I wish you weren't so far away," Becky said.

"There are plenty of good men here. You will have a blast," he said.

Becky thought, What is wrong? Why doesn't he like me? I mean, most guys pester me to be with them. He wants me to have fun with other guys. And it isn't a game. He means it.

He got back home very late. His mother waited up. "How was it?"

Howie said, "As you would expect. Very nice. Becky was beautiful. Her sisters were pretty and nice. The band was nice and the dance fun. And no mom, I didn't sleep with her."

"Howie, I didn't ask."

"But that is what you wanted to know. I have liked Becky since the fifth grade, but I am not ready for a romance now," he said.

"You are not going out either," she said.

"Mom, I go to the pledge swaps and to Sunday dinner with girls," he said.

"And you escort the Star a lot too, don't you?" she asked.

(The Star was what they called the fraternity sweetheart. She was usually pinned or engaged coed. She was escorted to every function, but no one hit on her.) "Yes."

"I am surprised she doesn't break up with her fiancé," she said.

"She knows I don't date. And I have never touched her," he said.

"I bet you leave them frustrated," she said.

"Mom, where are you going with this?" he said.

"It is not normal," she said.

"Mom, it hasn't been six months. And mom, Little Doe and Little Flower hurried because I was in the hospital. I was partly responsible. And I really miss Little Doe. And my children miss their mother and aunt mama."

"Is it that or is it that you miss being the Chief?" she asked.

"I felt I was helping. I miss that part, but that's not the reason," he said.

She hugged him. "Howie, have some fun. Little Doe and Little Flower won't want you to mope," she said.

"I don't mope," he said.

"The hell you don't," she said.

"Mom, you cursed," he said.

"Have some fun," she said.

"Yes maam."

Howie went up and went to bed. He had a hard time sleeping. He took Little Doe and Little Flower's sacred things and went to Caledonia. At sunrise, he performed the ceremony for the dead.

Howie called a very pretty senior that was in his investment class. He heard that she had broken up with her long time boyfriend. She was almost majestic. She had dark hair and blue eyes. She had a beautiful face and a muscular body. She had nice breasts that jiggled sometimes when she walked. And he felt she wasn't happy.

"Dorothy, this is Howie Randolph," he said.

"Howie, what a pleasant surprise," she said.

"I was out of town and just returned. I hadn't planned to be back and didn't have a date for Sunday dinner. I thought I might take a chance that you weren't too busy to fit me in to your schedule," Howie said.

"I do have an opening and would love to go. Will you pick me up?" she asked.

"I certainly will. I have a pickup truck. Maybe we can take a little ride after dinner?"

"We will see," Dorothy said.

Howie went to her dorm. He called up for her and waited in the lobby.

When she came down, Howie gave her a red rose.

"How nice," she said.

Howie noticed that she signed out with the dorm mother until eleven.

"You look even more beautiful than usual. Your eyes sparkle. How about you and I skipping dinner and going some place where we can be alone," he said.

"I think dinner, Howie," she said.

The house was clean; the tablecloths were pressed and white. Everyone was in Brooks Brothers blazers, white shirts and gray wool trousers. Dorothy asked, "The FIJI uniform?"

Howie was charming to everyone at the table. Dorothy had never been to Sunday dinner a FIJI. So Howie stood, "Guests, brothers and pledges, I have the honor of presenting Dorothy Smith."

As he walked her to the car, she asked, "Do you think everyone thought I was desperate to come with a freshman pledge?"

"You are not a normal coed and I am not a normal freshman pledge. I think the members of my fraternity were envious of me for having the best looking date," Howie said.

"Howie, don't you think you are laying it on a bit thick?" she asked.

"Dorothy, I am not good a lying. You are very beautiful and nice too," Howie said.

Dorothy said, "I heard girls talk about what went on here. Thanks for asking me. Dinner was very nice and you were nicer."

"I thought we might look at the moon in the park," he said.

She got in the pickup and didn't say anything.

He drove to the park.

He kissed her. The more he kissed, the more passionate his kisses became.