‘I do not remember the desks being so small,’ said Billy B. ‘At times they seemed quite large,’ he continued. ‘Once there was ink left in the ink well and I got it on my new shirt,’ Billy B mused.

‘The desks with the lids where you could place all your academic gear seemed like my office,’ Chet laughed. ‘I relished the role of scholar,’ said Chet. ‘ The beginning of each school year I determined that this is the year that I set my sights on becoming a doctor, ‘ Chet smiled.

‘It was so hot when we began school,’ Jane observed. ‘I felt as if I would melt,’ she said. ‘ I loved twirling practice which began the first day of class,’ Jane beamed.

‘I do not think our teachers made much money,’ Daryl noted. ‘I recall Mr. Beard brought his lunch in a brown paper sack and that he worked pumping gas in the summer,’ said Daryl. ‘Mr. Beard greeted me one day when Neva J was getting gas for the 57′ Chevy,’ Daryl remarked.

‘The fear of guns never entered my mind in those halcyon days,’ Jane considered. ‘There were a few bullies full of hot air,’ she said. ‘Our school felt sanctuary and safe,’ Jane said with a tear.

‘I remember duck-and-cover,’ Billy B grinned. ‘There were 3 recesses a day,’ he chuckled. ‘The ice-cold milk from the machine was to die for,’ Billy B laughed.

‘I preferred the glue over the paste,’ Chet remarked. ‘I loved when the teacher rolled in the movie projector for a film,’ he smiled broadly. ‘Sometimes I napped a little while the lights were off,’ Chet winked.

‘Remember the day that JFK was assassinated the principal announced it over the speaker system,’ Billy B asked? ‘School was dismissed and I walked home to find Neva J crying,’ Billy B said sadly. ‘The world changed and we were there to witness the transformation,’ Billy B whispered…

‘I still fit at my desk there are my initials carved in the wood,’ Jane exulted! ‘I laughed all the time everyone was my friend,’ Jane said happily…

‘So many of our classmates are gone,’ Chet noted with dignity. ‘We were at the beginning of things now we are at the end,’ he said. ‘I would like to do it again,’ he dreamed…

‘Settle down please, Mrs. K. told the first-grade class at Hillcrest School please tell the class each of your names beginning with the first row,’ she said.

‘My name is Billy B and I know how to write my name on the chalkboard if you want me to show you,’ Billy B proudly announced. ‘I have been writing my name for some time ever before we moved from Chicago,’ Billy B ascertained. ‘Several people have commented on how well I write my name,’ Billy B assured Ms. K.

‘Please come forward and demonstrate your name-writing skill for the class, said Mrs. K. ‘While Billy B is coming forward Chet would you please remove your hat and place it in the Cloak Room,’ Mrs. K asked.

‘Billy B that is not your name but appears similar to Cuneiform Script interesting for further examination,’ Mrs. K. smiled. ‘You may take your seat,’ she said…