Etched

Summer, 1956 Elizabeth Phillips did not ask her youngest son if he wanted a summer job. She knew that a summer job was not what Roger had in mind at all. He had called from Auburn University in the middle of May and complained that he couldn’t remember when he had last taken time off, time with no studying. That’s what he wanted for the summer: reading, relaxing, and revelry. Roger had laughed after he said that. His mother didn’t. She told him that he couldn’t lie around the house all summer. “What?” he had asked. “You want me to stay up here and take Basket Weaving 101? Fine with me.” Maybe Elizabeth didn’t hear him. “Your daddy will be up there to get you right after your exam on Wednesday,” she said. “You all can drive on up to Birmingham to see Sonny. Your brother is going to be working in the hospital all summer.” “Can’t you wait till Thursday? I’d like to celebrate,” Roger whispered. “Wednesday. Have your clothes and books packed,” She warned. “And, be presentable. Your daddy will want to take Sonny out to supper.” “Yes, Mama.” Roger sighed. “Bye.” He never had much to say over the phone. Elizabeth didn’t go with Jerry on Wednesday. She told Jerry that it would be best if Roger heard about his summer job from his daddy. “What’s Mama got Drew doing this summer?” That’s what Roger said when his daddy told him that he’d start work the next morning. Roger’s senior year in high school began nearly two years earlier. High school graduation had been on a Saturday night in late May, 1955. On Tuesday after graduation, his mama and daddy took him to the Auburn University campus and enrolled him as a freshman. Being rushed off to college right after high school graduation didn’t bother Roger. He certainly didn’t want to be around the house all that summer, just messing around. He said it would be good to start Auburn in the summer, test out the waters, and find his way around before the fall semester. By the end of May in the spring of ’56, Roger had been in school for about twenty-one months – the last year of high school and twelve months at Auburn. He was ready to put the books aside and find where the party was. He figured he knew how to party a little better after a year at Auburn. For sure, he didn’t feel like the kid he had been when he graduated from high school. Auburn had presented lots of ideas and lots of opportunities, but lots of studies, too. He’d had enough of the studying for a while. His plan had been to go home, catch up with old friends, read late into the night, and sleep all morning. It had never been Elizabeth’s style to let Sonny, Roger, or Drusilla sit around. Furthermore, she didn’t mind using some of her husband’s influence. She had pushed him to use his war record and run for probate judge of Dallas County. Now, she figured being the wife of Judge Phillips ought to be worth something for her family. She took that conviction to the office of the county engineers. The chief engineer invited her into his office and nodded when she told him that her youngest son needed a summer job. “We know your two boys, ma’am. Sonny is a good boy. We’re hoping he’ll come back here and help us with the hospital. I know your other boy, too. What’s his name? I’m sure he’ll be a hard worker just like his brother.” “Roger, Mr. Crocker. He’s Roger. He’s a smart boy, and he needs to make some money. Besides, getting out and seeing the real world will be good for him. He’s been with the books too long. My husband will appreciate your finding a job for him. And, if you don’t mind my making a suggestion, Roger doesn’t need a job in this fine office. He needs to be outside, working. He needs some hard, physical work.” “Yes, ma’am.” “Hard work will give any boy a little backbone. You know?” “Yes, ma’am. That’s what is wrong with our young people these days: no backbone. They didn’t have to work hard like we did … like you and your husband. We all know the sacrifices you made keeping the farm going and everything during the war. Yes, ma’am. Believe me. We’ll take care of that boy. I’ll assign him to Holt Hensley. Holt comes past your place every morning on his way to work. I’ll tell him to stop off and pick up that boy. I’ll tell Holt to blow the horn when he gets there.” “That won’t be necessary. Roger will be ready. He’ll be on the porch, waiting.” “Your husband talks about his daughter all the time. You call her Dru, don’t you?” the county engineer asked. “Drusilla Maria is her full name. Everybody calls her Dru.” “Yes, ma’am. Drusilla is a right pretty name. I saw her back at our Christmas party. And, she’s pretty.” He smiled. “Like you.” Elizabeth felt herself blushing. “She looks more like your side of the family.” “People say.” She smiled. It was time to leave. She had gotten what she wanted. Roger would have a summer job. Of course, Roger wouldn’t be too happy to learn that it started the first morning after he got home, but … well … it was done.