Lessons

I saw them go back.

And then forth.

And again.

They moved slowly, but deliberately, and I was awed by the spectacle. It was a Jaguar they were driving—a beautiful car—but an old and neglected one, and there were two young men in it, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

I wouldn’t have noticed, but they were doing this continuously for 10 minutes, maybe 20. It was unusual.

What they were doing, they told me when I asked, was seeing if cruise control worked in reverse.

The results were inconclusive.

I was fairly certain the answer was no, but I was impressed by their curiosity and their willingness to challenge their assumptions. What if the Jag could? Nothing would change, but hey, kind of a cool thing to know.

I asked myself if there were any ridiculous questions I had that I could get an answer to if I put a little effort into it, as they were. Of course there were.

Do you know how many miles you can drive after your ‘low fuel’ light goes on for your gas tank?

Do you know how many tacos and beers you could consume in 24 hours?

Lots of questions.

I think the guys in the Jag were happy that somebody noticed them and what they were doing. I was feeling conversational, and I engaged them.

“I’m Curt,” I said.

“I’m August,” the fat one said.

Evan was the other one’s name. They weren’t from here. They were from Montana. I asked them questions about mountains, about fly fishing. About roads, and cars. About fast food restaurants and organic farming. About trying to be different and about doing what everyone else does. They were young. 18, 19. The age I was, when I confronted fate and gave myself up to it’s machinations. I talked to them, and looked deep into their eyes, trying to see the future in them. I tried to sell them an idea through my eyes that I knew I couldn’t communicate through my words. You will only be young once. Don’t waste your youth.

Here is what Old Curt would tell Young Curt if he could:

Don’t shoot your best friend, even if he has finished the last of the milk and he is not repentant.

Don’t shoot your best friend, even if he holds every advantage over you and doesn’t even acknowledge it.

Don’t shoot your best friend even if he is an antagonizing asshole.

Old Curt’s time is running out, and he knows it. His story is unique in certain ways, but probably not so much in others.

They were polite, they listened to me.

A lot of things though, you just have to learn for yourself.