What I did yesterday

What I did yesterday after my departure from a Chemistry lecture. As I began to make my way back to the parking lot for me short jaunt home I ran into, in a manner of speaking, Rusty, he’s also an Air Force Retiree. It’s not only the retiree status we have in common, we filled many of the same positions during our tenure some him before I and others were inverted, we also worked together I as his supervisor despite the fact he began his career much earlier. Strange how things work out sometimes – we were friends but as we neared retirement we began to bond, we were both about to undergo a complete upheaval in what we knew as day to day life. Now he led the way – he retired one month prior to me and he showed me the ropes. Our friendship grew, we keep in touch quite often, and yesterday was one of those occasions. He was working, setting up a perimeter to protect students as team of workmen install a new standby generator. We chatted about the usual stuff, school, veterans benefits, medical care – perhaps it’s the unusual stuff, but that’s what bonds us – we support each other – we’re navigating a whole new world that others take for granted. As we talked and laughed he directed the more that occasional student around the coned area that they seemed oblivious to. How strange we thought can’t they see the cones, but of course they can. We are used to world of discipline breaking a barrier in the military leads to serious consequences; no one likes to be jacked-up (thrown to the ground, by an overzealous young security policeman, and then have an M-16 thrust into your back); soon you’ll be interrogated on you misdeed – ignorance is no excuse so save the, “I didn’t see the cones, excuse for someone else” they’ll have none of it. It seems so simple; the cones are there for a reason the polite WSU Police Officer is too, so why try to push through. I shocked by the lack of respect for authority – it’s not my war. I chuckled quietly as he directs another obstinate nonconformist to the safe route. This cat and mouse game went on for short while as the generator was slowly craned into position; as it settled into it resting place and cones were retrieved I bid my friend ado and went on my way.