A Man Named Dave

“We’ve known for a while, David.”
    Harold said with a crooked smile, “With all those brochures layin’ around and your babblin’ ’bout airplanes this, airplanes that, what else would you be up to?”
    “So, you’re not mad? I mean … ?”
    “Of course not, David. But answer this: Why the service? Three years is a long time,” said Alice.
    “Four years; I’ll be in for four,” I corrected her. “I’m just fed up. I’m tired of living hand to mouth. Working my butt off, for what? For nothing! I’ve been scrimping and slaving away, and I have nothing to show for it. Check it out: In four years I can grow and learn, I can explore and see things beyond any picture of any magazine.” I stopped and lowered my head. “Maybe getting away will help me … help me find my answers …”
    Mrs Turnbough reached over to cup my hand. “David, you may never know. Sometimes, bad things happen. For some things there are no absolutes.”
    “No,” I interrupted, “it’s wrong. I have to know. I have to find out. If I don’t deal with this, all I’m doing is hiding ‘the secret’ like everyone else, and if I do that, then what’s to say I don’t become like her or like my dad? Something made them the way they are. Things do happen for a reason. I want to understand; I want to know. And if I don’t find out and do something, who will? How many kids have you taken in who came from the same kind of homes as me? The problem’s not going to go away by turning our backs or sweeping it underneath the carpet anymore. Every day things happen, and everyone acts as if nothing’s wrong. No one wants to talk about things, let alone deal with the consequences afterward. It’s wrong, and it’s about time to take a stand. Isn’t that what you and everyone else has pounded into my head since I was rescued? Be good, be honest and fair, find something I believe in, work hard and keep the faith no matter how long it takes? Well … ?”
    My foster parents sat in front of me totally mesmerized. In all the years I had known them, they had never seen me so intense, so articulate about my past. I continued in a softer tone. “Listen, it’s going to be okay, I can handle it. I’ll be fine, but please understand, I don’t want to turn out like them. This is something I’ve got to do.”
    I took a moment to compose my thoughts. I did not want to screw up and tell them in the wrong way what I felt in my heart. “You know I love you both very much. You’ve treated me as if I were a real person. But while I’m in the air force, I’m gonna save every dollar I can. I want a home … my home. I want to buy a home in Guerneville, on the Russian River. Ever since kindergarten I knew that’s what I wanted. That’s my lifelong dream. When I lived in Mother’s house, when things were really bad, I’d go inside and dream of a log home by the river with a warm fireplace and the smell of redwood trees. It made me feel safe. Of all the things she did to me, Mother could never get me when I thought about the river. As a kid, that dream gave me something to live for. I want my home.” I hesitated as my throat tightened. Tears began to trickle down the sides of my face. I tried to hold back my emotions, but the years of extreme pressure were just too much.
    “David, what is it? What’s wrong?” Mrs Turnbough whispered.
    I closed my eyes before bursting with a flood of tears. “All his life, all he wanted was to have something…. And now he’s alone, living on the streets, and has nothing. It’s not right.”
    “Who’s alone? Who are you talking about?” Alice probed.
    “My father!” I cried. “I’m gonna buy a house and have Dad live with me. It’s the right thing to do. And,” I said, renewing my vow, “I’m going to find my answers, and when I’m ready, I’m going to do what I can to make a difference.” I wiped my tears away, feeling foolish.
    “So, you’re joining the air force?” Harold asked with a hint of humor. “Do you think you can manage to stay out of the brig? ”
    My smile matched Harold’s. “Yes, sir!” I said. “I’ll make you proud, you watch. One day, you’ll see. I’ll make you proud!”
    “Well,” Alice broke in, “now that you’ve made your decision, when are you going to tell your parents?”
    I took a long, deep breath. As I inhaled, I felt clean. I could feel my entire body relax. I suddenly felt as if I could curl up in a big, soft bed and sleep forever. For the first time in nearly half a year I found myself at peace. In front of me the Turn-boughs sat hand in