Moonbeam Walker had a magnetic personality, he sort of drew you to him then put your best foot first. He was very attractive with loose dark hair and fascinating slate blue eyes that twinkled and could brighten up the darkest day. He always wore a smile, always said it hurt to frown. He never thought about what he said, just said it. Our school had a certain dress code, Moonbeam had his own dress code, he never thought about what he wore it appeared, but he actually spent a lot of time selecting his clothes. I believe that deep down Moonbeam Walker was a truly caring person. That’s why he and James were friends.

Homer Johnson was the school nerd. He dressed very neatly but everything he wore was out of style and date. He wore glasses and had a sloped nose. He wore braces until his 18th birthday. Homer was sensitive and caring. He always got the ‘A’. They got along perfectly, Homer and James, and could talk about anything, he thought. Homer was the best friend James ever had.

David Smith, on the other hand, was a bum, in the eyes of the House Mother. He was a hood. He always wore leather pants and jacket, a white t-shirt, leather boots and a bandanna. He drove a motorcycle and always made trouble. David took a lot of chances. It was funny the way he was because even though he grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, he and James were a lot alike. They could relate and they understood.

It must have been hard on Homer, David, and Moonbeam when James ran away and was killed. I know it was hard on me. Moonbeam knew James was running away, as did Homer and David. I don’t think they understood his death. I know I didn’t.

All these boys are special to me now because of what they were to James. The four of us were inseparable for the longest time then Moonbeam went and joined the Air Force and now is an Officer in Training. Soon afterward, the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, David, went away to Medical school, and Homer, good old Homer, went into politics.

As for me… I write, and I think… and I wonder if James is looking forward to our reunion one day. Who knows, maybe it won’t be as far away as everyone seems to think…