More Raisins, Much More Raisins...

My oldest son, Davis, is passing the Summer with his mama in Beaufort, whilst awaiting his real life as a college senior in Sewanee, TN. He stopped by the Boro the other day and regaled me with tales of his college exploits. He asked, out of politeness, I suppose, about some of mine.

IIt's amazing what ridiculous things we remember. Ultimately, the events matter less than camaraderie, or purpose, or freedom that we felt through the events. Or sometimes, just the silliness. One such event was a road trip that two of my Frat brothers, Michael "Commander" McHale and Pat McInerney, and I made from Sewanee to see my brother (and Brother), Andy, at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. I have vague memories of the consumption of vast quantities of alcoholic beverages, late night trips to Krystal's for sacks of burgers, and crippling hang-overs.

Mostly, I remember AndyMan and his girlfriend- a proper Southern Belle who, I don't doubt, continues to have nightmares about this incident- driving me and my badly hung-over classmates over many hills and winding roads in his ancient Volkswagen beetle, ostensibly to a party at a lake. We stopped for food. This was not a good idea. I opted for Strawberry NeHi and a moonpie- an even worse idea: I promptly deposited those items on a constable's feet, ala Animal House, very early in the trip. My nausea necessitated a shift in seat assignments. Andy's girlfriend, Lisa, had to move to the back seat between Commander and Mac. Mac was a "playa", back before they called Lotharios "playas", and was leering at Lisa. Commander? Well, Commander was, er, unique. Poor Lisa looked anywhere for relief. She looked desperately to Commander, who looked back at her with understanding, and, out of the blue, began to sing a commercial jingle to her: the Raisin Bran song. What? You don't remember the Raisin Bran song? Here. Let me refresh your memory:



Lisa, as you might imagine, was mortified. Sadly, relief was not to be had. Mac joined in. Then, feebly, so did I. Lisa looked imploringly at Andy in the rearview mirror. In the end, AndyMan joined in as well. Anyway, that's how I remember it. Deeper meaning? Nah. It was fun, though.