Dear Danny
The last time we spoke in any meaningful way was probably 30 years ago, which is incredible considering the friendship we had. We texted a couple of times more recently, and that was only because I belatedly discovered Viber. Mysteriously, our chat messages disappeared when I looked them up after you left us abruptly. That probably means technology, no matter how flashy, is even more unreliable than failing memory.
Going further back, it was impossible for me not to be aware of you. You were one of the first Cub Scouts saluting the flag at daily flag ceremony (mid-1970s), and because of my cursed childhood asthma I could never, according to my protective mom, wear the scarf and baseball style cap that you so smartly wore.
This continued late elementary (primary), when you were game enough to be a Boy Scout, doing the camping and jamboree thing, again to my eternal envy. Even if there were six sections level-wide I heard from afar that you were a top performer academically in your section, not that I was ever a performer myself, but that you doing well just seemed right.
***** ***** *****
We did bond in two areas, and that was in the Knights of the Altar Society (KAS). I’m not sure if we were in elementary KAS together but for sure we were brothers in the high school version, and might have even served Saturday Mass together.
The second common area we shared was membership in the Drum & Bugle Corps, which I enjoyed, being together all those Thursdays of band practice for four years. I never had any musical talent, and I suspect neither did you, but at least we could carry a beat. As a group.
***** ***** *****
The irony is, after all those years I knew you and about you, we only became classmates our final year in Hogwarts. For all the craziness and rebelliousness of 4B, you seemed the only steady and stable constant, never too loud, never too emotional, and never too low whenever we did crappily in schoolwork.
I did remember one thing about you, and it was a one-off that for all of us, most of all you, was something hard to forget. The teacher mistakenly thought someone was copying your work during an exam, something you would never allow. You were so adamant and angry that she would even consider you doing such that you protested right in front of her. I knew, because I was right there. You must have been effective, because you convinced that teacher, who extinguished any thought of pursuing the matter.
***** ***** *****
How I wish we could have bonded further or even set aside an occasion or two to talk about big and little things and how the years had changed us ar kept us the same. How I wish I could have even met you and see how little you changed, and perhaps vice-versa.
I’m not a particularly religious person, but I believe you, Gloria, Lucy Linda and Stewart have already had your reunion, and we will join you not long after.
Good night, but not goodbye lau peng you.
Noel B
