Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
A Short Story
Bob Smith
January 31, 2019
Waldenwood Kennel
The Home of Bob and Harriet Smith,
Cleburne County, Alabama
Dedicated to my grandson, Captain Caleb Cook, United States Air Force
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
John F. Kennedy
November 2005
“Are you still up for the trip to Cincinnati tomorrow? The weather looks bad. A storm is forecast, thunderstorms, heavy rain, getting cold in Cincy?” Bob asked his wife Harriet.
“I saw the forecast. We’ve never let a little thing like weather stop us before. I’m ready to go if you’re up to it,”
“I’m on. Let’s take a chance. What’s the worst that can happen?” Bob replied. “Are you taking any dogs?”
“Hannah wants to see the puppies, I am taking Ruby and three puppies. They are just now getting so cute at six weeks. Hannah will love them.”
“OK, that’s fine with me,” Bob said. “I am looking forward to seeing Caleb most of all. I have not spent too much time with him and I’m afraid he does not like me. He will be graduating from high school this year. Who knows what he will do then?”
“He likes you, but it would not hurt for you and he to spend some time together. I know he is going to run the 10K Thursday morning. Maybe you could go with him just to watch.” Harriet replied.
Wednesday morning, they packed the car with dark clouds from the west approaching.
“It looks threatening. Let’s get on the road and maybe we can miss the worst of it.”
An hour down the road, they ran into the thunderstorm, the worst they had ever traveled in—heavy rain, strong winds, low visibility. Scary. Bob maintained 60 miles an hour. Harriet sat quietly but holding on for dear life.
Eight hours later, Bob and Harriet, Ruby and three six-week-old Sheltie puppies arrived in Cincinnati, no worse for the storm. It was cold and windy with a forecast of snow for Thanksgiving Day. Hannah loved the puppies but so did Bob’s daughter, Catherine. Rick, Bob’s son-in-law, was not as enthusiastic, but he welcomed the family anyway. Caleb greeted them at the car. Quiet.
Thanksgiving
Bob and Caleb drove to the Thanksgiving Race. It was 28 degrees at 9 a.m. when the gun sounded to start the race. About 10,000 people were there to run the 10K.
It was the tradition in Catherine Good’s family for her to cook the Thanksgiving Dinner for the family and a few guests. This year Catherine expected 18 people and she was cooking a 20-pound turnkey with all the trimmings. Rick set up two tables with ten seats each in the dining room overflowing into the livingroom. Nobody minded.
On the way to the race, Thursday morning, “Tell me about the race,” Grandpa asked Caleb.
“I’m running 10K. In the past they have had 10,000 runners. I don’t expect to win but I will be in the upper third. Winner will probably make it in under 30 minutes. It will be cold. I hope you are dressed because you will just be standing on the sidelines.”
“I’ll be fine. Try to wave as you go by. I’ll plan to meet you where we came into the Stadium after the race.”
Caleb finished the race in 40 minutes, 11 seconds. He was tired but not bad. Bob and Caleb found each other with no problem and headed for the house where the dinner was being prepared for 6 p.m.
On the way home, Bob said, “Catherine has two tickets to the Bengals game on Sunday. Want to go with me?”
“Sure, what time is it?”
“Kickoff is at 1 p.m. We should plan to be there about 12 p.m. or a little after.” Bob said.
“Ok, I can drive if you want me to.” Caleb replied.
“Sure, I knew you had your license. I would be happy to let you drive. Let’s leave about 11:15 a.m. to allow for traffic.”
Bob and Caleb to Bengals Game on Sunday Nov. 27
Driving to the stadium Sunday afternoon:
“Have you made up your mind about college?” Bob asked.
“I may go to Ohio University, or Ohio State or maybe University of Washington.
“Wow, that’s in Seattle. What made you think of that?”
“Didn’t you get your master’s degree there?”
“I did but I did not expect that to influence your decision. I was Assistant Professor of Naval Science, teaching freshmen at the NROTC. Have you given any thought to trying to get a NROTC scholarship?”
“I’ve thought of it and the Air Force ROTC. I am leaning towards the Air Force.”
“I don’t really care which you choose, but frankly I would be happy to see you in the Navy. Seattle is a long way off. Is your mom ok with that?”
“We haven’t talked about it much, but this is my decision so I am hoping I can talk her and my dad into whatever I decide to do.”
“The Bengals are playing Baltimore this afternoon. Who do you think will win?” Bob asked, changing the subject.
“I hope the Bengals win but they are not always that good, so I won’t be surprised if the Ravens pull it off.”
“I don’t follow the NFL much but since I am here, I will pull for the Bengals.”
“How did you like the Navy?” Caleb asked.
“I loved it even though I probably bitched about it while I was there. I had 9 years of active duty and another five years in the Naval Reserves. Very exciting stuff but I did not like being away from Harriet and the kids for the long cruises.”
When I was in the NROTC, the Navy paid my tuition, gave me $50 per month during the school year and provided all my books and lab equipment. It was a good deal plus I got two summer cruises, one to Rio de Janeiro on the Missouri and the other to Europe on a destroyer. That’s when I decided to be an Aviator. I did not like the destroyer that well.
The Air Force now has those kinds of scholarships if you think you would rather be in that branch of service.
“I liked JFK and have a strong since of patriotism. That’s why I enjoyed his inauguration speech so much: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country. I really believe in that although I know some people might think it’s a bit corny. That’s another reason I am enthusiastic about your getting in the service, but I really don’t care whether it’s Navy or Air Force.
Bengals 42 v. Ravens 29
The seats in the stadium were good, about the 40-yard line and a third of the way up. Bob and Caleb got hot dogs and fries and a drink. Bob had a beer and Caleb a Coca Cola. They both rooted for the Bengals who won the game 42-29. They had a lot of fun and were happy to hear their side win.
Caleb Driving Home
“Grandpa, thank you for coming to watch the race this morning and taking me to the game. I had a really good time and was happy to hear about your Navy days.
“I haven’t been a very attentive grandfather, but I want you to know I am very proud of you and support you in everything that you do.”
“Thanks, grandpa. I’ll let you know when I find out where I am going to college and whether or not I get an ROTC scholarship. That really is my goal.”
Back to Alabama
“How did your trip to the game with Caleb go?” Harriet asked.
“It was great. We got along well and I was able to give him a pitch for the NROTC. He may go that way and he is thinking about going to the University of Washington. Wouldn’t that be great? Both the NROTC and the AFROTC are based at Clark Hall on the UW campus, same place where I taught 40 years ago. That’s hard to believe.”
“Catherine was just 7 years old when we first arrived in Seattle. Time really flies when you’re having fun.”
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