O.D. Out of Darkness
God is real ... for real
by
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Wilmington High School was dimmed. Motown blared over the loudspeakers, and clumps of students of all races, ages fifteen to eighteen years gathered around the periphery of the gym. We were positioned to the right of the entrance, Marilyn Porter, Fran White, and me. We were fast buddies. Bookish, but hip, we were academically gifted and looking for opportunities to be cool. Dressed in our Saturday night best, we observed the incoming crowd, waving at friends who entered, practicing our latest Cha-Cha and swaying to the beat. Marilyn and Fran were sophisticated juniors. I was a sophomore, but distinguished myself as a cheerleader, first honor roll member, and a class officer. I'd been invited to the dance by my boyfriend, Vic, a senior on the basketball team, and I had every intention of going to the prom with him. As we watched the entryway, four good-looking guys, not from Wilmington High, approached the doorway. I recognized one guy from church, Ed “Lucky” Stone. Smart, but too tall, I thought. “Who is that?” I whispered to Marilyn, who had waved to the cute guy who'd caught my attention. “That's Butch Williams, honey,” she replied. “Out of your league --All City Student Council.” “Well, just watch my smoke,” I snorted as I smoothed my white pique collar and tugged at the skirt of my black empire dress with the watch plaid bodice. I looked down at my black Pappagallo flats. What guy in his right mind could resist me, I thought as I patted my bob into place, carefully coaxing a curl into place on my cheek. “Introduce me,” I said. “Okay,” Marilyn said as she stepped toward him. “Hi, Butch,” she said. “Hey, Marilyn,” Butch responded. “This is my friend Bonnie Byrd,” she said. I melted as he turned his mega watt smile on me. Be calm, girl, I thought, Oooh, he's so cute, and those eyes! “Hey, nice to meet you!” Butch said. Lord, I hope he doesn't think I'm too fat, I thought. “Didn't I see you out there cheering for the wrong side?” Butch asked. “Yeah, I cheer for high school,” I said, matching my smile with his own. I lifted my chin and glanced down demurely. I hope he can't see my heart pumping, I thought. The thumping was so loud in my ears I just knew he could hear it, too. “Save the last dance for me,” he said smoothly as he and his buddies walked away. “Butch Williams,” I heard another cheerleader squeal as he walked away. Wanda Ward was safe, though I thought. She was with Madric, who also seemed to be familiar with Butch. Popular guy, I thought. Well, here was Vic. Time to dance. I thought about Butch later as my eyes would periodically search the room for him. Butch moved easily throughout the room stopping to chat here and there. He was there as a rival team member making a show of goodwill. The time passed quickly and pleasantly. Before anyone knew it, the last dance was being called. Vic had gone to retrieve my coat. I stood close to the exit just within the shadows. Marilyn and Fran had left with their respective dates, Ray and Turtle, both football players. I was frankly disappointed. He promised the last dance. I looked down at my toes; the feet of a princess . . . Nana had always said I had the feet of a princess . . . small with no calluses. Oh well, the princess wouldn't get the prince tonight. Two suede bucks approached my range of vision. “Last dance,” I heard the low, husky request. I looked up into two round mischievously smiling hazel eyes. His hand was extended slightly. “Sure,” I replied, my even tone belying a heart skipping, wildly, unevenly. Butch pulled me gently toward him. His arms around me, he put his cheek just at the top of my head. I could hardly breathe, I was so excited and happy. Lord, I hope he doesn't get any Ultra Sheen on his chin. He smelled so clean and good, and the crisp starch on his highboy collar told me this boy dressed to impress. Heaven could have gone on forever, but I opened my eyes to Vic standing at the edge of the gym waiting with my coat. “Thanks for the dance,” Butch said as he pulled away. It seems as though something clicked deep in his soul. Where do I know her from? he seemed to muse. This is not the first time we've met. Shake it off, he appeared to be thinking as he caught up with his boys. There's something about that one, he thought. Something else.
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About the Book
This is a story of a man-child in God's Promised Land who grew under His protection and favor while in complete ignorance of His dominion, power, and authority. It is the biography of a young man who came of age during the Civil Rights era who rose from a working class upbringing, skirting drugs and violence to become the first African-American optometrist, O.D. (Doctor of Optometry), in the state of Delaware. This is the odyssey of one man's ascent to the upper echelons of black society only to find it was void of the true meaning he was seeking out of life. Finally, it is the tracing of the finger of God through the life of an ordinary man who found his way through salvation to his Father God, and his true purpose for being, service in the great commission, that is, to seek and to save those who are lost.
About the Author
Alton Allen Williams rose every morning at 5:00am to begin his commute to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He would leave his home early attempting to make an 8:00 class which he was always ten minutes late for. His odyssey led him from the University of Delaware, in the late 60's, where he was a founder and Co-President of the Black Student Union, to becoming the first African-American Optometrist in the state of Delaware. Dr. Williams attained both the Bachelor's of Science and the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (P.C.O.) where he was selected as one of six students to receive the coveted Clinical Efficiency Award. He became an Assistant Professor at P.C.O. and also served as a member of the board of trustees. He drafted plans for the first eye clinic for seniors, sponsored by the Nemours Foundation of Delaware, and became its first director of eye services. In 2000 he was ordained a minister and founded All Nations Christian Center - “A ministry birthed in brokenness, bringing healing to you.” Bonita Williams was born on July 28, 1950 to Richard and Beily F. Byrd. She was the oldest of three siblings and rose to be “an example” her siblings could follow. Bonnie excelled academically and graduated valedictorian(class of1968) from Wilmington High School. She won a National Achievement Scholarship, National Merit Corporation, that enabled her to attend and graduate from Brown University in May, 1972. She continued her education with a Master's of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware and a Juris Doctorate from Widener University, School of Law in May 1989. Her career spanned equal amounts of time in the public and private sectors. She is the wife of Alton Williams and the mother of two sons.