It was the beginning of our 7th grade year. We had begun to have classes in the old CHS High School building. We were assigned homeroom in the Home Economics room on the ground floor with Mrs. Reynolds presiding. She was new and extremely tall, but she seemed very nice.

It was an exciting time!

There were changes. We were finally beginning to start classes in the high school building where we were going to actually change classes like real high school students; we were experiencing strange new feelings; we were making new friends; there were several new students; and, we were anticipating participation in new school activities.

One afternoon, within the first couple of weeks of the school year, we were assembled in Mrs. Reynolds' homeroom class. He walked into the room in the same manner he always walked -- in an almost defiant manner.

Good grief! He had a Mohawk haircut! Aside from that, he was the shortest boy I had ever seen. His eyes were so piercing. We had eye contact, and I quickly looked away for fear that he may say something.

Mrs. Reynolds asked his name, and he told her.

I knew immediately that, with that look, he must have earned himself a "bad reputation" in some way. Although, appearance-wise, he did not fit the usual standard of being "good looking," there was something strangely attractive about him.

Within a few days, the Mohawk haircut changed to the more accepted standard. Over the following weeks and months, we passed in the halls, and he would make eye contact. Feeling very intimidated, I would quickly look away. Finally, he began to smile. I would smile back.

Over the next few years, I came to know him quite well. Dee was a nice, well-mannered young man.

I recall the times he took me home from school and would insist that I sit close to him in the car. He always smiled. I recall the times he, and some of his friends, crashed a couple of my spend-the-night parties. Of course, we paired-up and did our share of smooching in the back yard.

I remember him playing football with the Arrows.

I recall him dating and "going steady" with one of my neighbors. At the beginning of our senior year, she fell ill with spinalmeningitis and died suddenly. I know he was deeply hurt. At her funeral, he made the very tender gesture of placing his class ring around her neck to be buried with her.

Dee seemed to be a very private person. He never spoke of his likes or dislikes. He never spoke of his family. He always seemed to be alone. I never saw him angry. He never spoke badly of anyone.

I wonder about the things about him that no one knew. He seemed ahead of his time.

I only wish I had taken the time to know more about this special person.

Thanks for the smiles.