Blue Eyes Black Coral

Chapter 1

September, 1984. Lipscomb Hall. University of Georgia. Athens, Georgia. Six months earlier. Athens, Georgia. My first trip. My new home. Athens was a small country town where locals, faculty, and college students lived side-by-side in a neighborly truce. A quick stroll downtown would take you past Farmers Hardware, the county courthouse, the college bursar’s office, fraternity houses, and dozens of bars—all coexisting in a delicate balance. I’d spend my freshman year caught in that balance. I rode in the back seat, staring at the city zipping by my window. We got a quick bite downtown, then walked through the campus. Crossing under the famous arch, we strolled between ivy-covered, red-brick buildings from the 1800s, on sidewalks criss-crossing lush fescue and Bermuda, and surrounded by massive oaks and magnolias. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the treetops. The wind picked up, whistling through the branches. My parents were captivated by the beautiful campus. I was glancing at my watch. Tucker was waiting. As clouds moved in, we hurried to find my dorm. Lipscomb Hall was a four-story rectangle built in 1961. Ugly, utilitarian, and designed by Soviet bureaucrats—or so it looked. After unloading my stuff, we stood together in the parking lot. Mom told me not to worry. She was sure I’d like my new roommate. I didn’t share her confidence. He hadn’t moved in yet, but the RA—the boss of our hallway—had taped a note to our door: Robby Summers. Chattanooga, TN Benton Wilkes. Lookout Mountain, TN “And you’ve always got Tuck,” Dad said. My best friend, Tucker, had moved into a different dorm an hour earlier. Mom held my face in her hands, eyes welling with tears. “Listen, Benton. I hope you find what you’re looking for, but don’t forget us. Promise me.” I narrowed my eyes. “I’m not looking for anything, Mom.” Dad slapped my shoulder. “Mother’s intuition.” “I just want—” I stopped. What did I want? “I know,” Dad said. “Adventure.” Mom handed me a bag of snacks and stationery. Dad blinked and looked away. Then I hugged them and walked to my dorm as slow as my excitement would allow. They told me later that when I turned the corner, I never looked back. I dropped off the package and jogged in the drizzling rain to Tucker’s dorm. His lobby was packed with kids, parents, and carts snaking from the elevator. I skipped the line and bolted up the stairs. Smoke hung overhead as I walked down the hall, people floating from room to room. Tucker’s was at the end. With a cigarette dangling from his lips, he was cramming t-shirts into a cardboard box. “Hey,” he said. His bland response was odd considering the year we’d planned. “Why haven’t you unpacked?” I asked. “Change of plans.” He shoved a stack of records into another box. “What are you doing? Did they move you?” “Nope.” His face was red. “Tucker, what’s going on?” He looked up. “Jenny called. She’s pregnant. I’m going home.” I felt blood draining from my face. “Pregnant? What are you gonna do? When are you coming back?” “I’m not. We’re getting married.” I didn’t say anything. I wanted to sit down. He pocketed his keys. “Grab those two boxes. I’m leaving tonight.” Before closing the door, he surveyed the room he’d lived in for one hour. In the elevator, I asked if he was okay. Silence. After loading his trunk, he slammed it shut. I mustered some false excitement and slapped him on the back. “You’re gonna be a dad.” “Yeah.” He shook my hand. His eyes were wet. “You’re on your own, Benton. Have fun. Don’t forget me.” “It won’t be the same,” I said. “Good luck, Tuck.” He got in and rolled down the window. “Wanna buy my bike? It’s locked in the rack. Sixty bucks.” I checked my wallet. “I only have twelve.” “Keep it and mail me a check. The combo is 0-0-0-0.” He pulled away. I stood there until his taillights disappeared. Then I turned back toward the dorm.