The Galleon, Volume 59, 1983-1984 Page: 47
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"Dad, I am passing. An 82 isn't exactly bad."
"It isn't exactly good either. Look," his father's tone grew cold, "you have to do well; it's
expected of you. I refuse to let my son slide through school just getting by."
"Wait a second. I know it sounds weird, Dad, but at Yale we still sign the same honor code
you did. I believe in it. No help from anyone-ever."
"I believe in it, too, dammit. But, Will, this isn't cheating-call it a gift." his father walked out,
seemingly satisfied.
Will started thinking about why he was in med school, anyway. He didn't like it, but he
didn't dislike it, either. Medical school had always been expected of him. But if the only
reason he was there was to satisfy his father, it wasn't worth it.
Will withdrew from Yale in January. His father wouldn't speak to him. He bummed around
New England for two months, constantly partying and drinking. There wasn't a desire for
much of anything else. One night when he was extremely drunk and depressed, he was wat-
ching a movie, "Private Benjamin," about a poor, little, rich girl who joined the army since
she didn't know what else to do with her life. Will decided that if the Army was good enough
for Goldie Hawn, it was good enough for him, too.
The next morning he went in with a deathly hangover and enlisted. After boot camp at Fort
Bragg, he ended up at Fort Hood in communications. That was six months ago. His mother
came down once and saw him, but she had trouble understanding the impasse between her
husband and son.
He thought some more. Is any grudge worth this? In the past few weeks he had realized how
much he missed school. One of the reasons he got along with everyone was because he lik-
ed to help people. That was what being a doctor was about. Will also knew that that was his
father's belief, too.
He looked at his watch. It was two a.m. If he went back to the base now, he could secure
emergency leave by eight and be in Dallas by ten-thirty. He swung a wide U-turn and headed
toward Fort Hood.
"I'm so glad you're here, Will," his mother hugged him tightly.
"Can I see him now, Mother?"
"I'm sure the nurse wouldn't mind."
Will glanced at the white-clad lady behind the desk.
"Just for a few moments," the nurse whispered.
Will opened the door slowly. Amidst a mass of tubes and monitors he saw his father's steel
grey eyes staring at him.
"Dad?"
His father's eyes acknowledged the words but he made no response. Will pulled up a chair.
"You're going to be fine. I know it."
The voice from behind the tubes spoke softly, "How would you know? What do you know
about medicine?" He gave a weak smile and Will breathed easier.
"Will," Dr. Stevenson's voice grew stronger, "I want you to know ... I'm sorry." A wave of
coughs racked his body. It was a few moments before he spoke again.
"It was wrong of me to force you. Do what makes you happy, not for me or anyone else."
He stopped.
"I know, Dad, I know," Will's voice sounded choked. "I'm not sure where I'm going, but we
can talk about it later. I'm sorry, too, for judging you."
"We won't be able to talk about it later. Just remember, son, pride doesn't do anything
when there's nothing to be proud of."
The nurse opened the door and motioned toward Will.
"I've got to go now," Will squeezed his father's hand. "Thanks, Dad."
The man on the bed smiled and closed his eyes as his son walked away.Karen L. Marvel
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McMurry College. The Galleon, Volume 59, 1983-1984, periodical, 1984; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth137875/m1/49/?q=%221984~%22: accessed August 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting McMurry University Library.