Page 83 - The Jazzsipper Novel

82

THE JAZZ SIPPER

Chapter Nine - In a Sentimental Mood

It was Vance’s first time flying. When the plane took off and began
ascending to the sky above the city; he felt like a heavy weight was lifted off
him. He had graduated on June 30th, 1979. And, his friend Babu had been
fatally shot down exactly two months later on August 30th. Now, it was 30
days later and Vance was trying to see if he could locate his neighborhood
from the view he had in the plane. The flight attendant was speaking in the
front of the plane; he could hear her explaining safety procedures. So, Vance
just settled back and listened to her instructions. He noticed the guy who was
sitting by the emergency door next to a young white lady; he looked like he
might panic if something happened. He made a mental note of where the exit
was and thought about his reactions if he had to get out, what he would do.
Aunt Jessie use to tell him that it was always better to have a plan and not
have to use it; instead of not having a plan and needing one.

Vance began thinking about his life and how his days in New Orleans use
to be. Each day was like playing chess, his moves were strategically and
precise, for the most part everybody was full of game. Vance preferred offense
moves vice defense moves when he played chess. As his preference in life!
He remembered watching a football game with Uncle Frank and when Uncle
Frank said a strong offense should always beat a strong defense. Vance
thought about that for while then he asked Uncle Frank why a strong offense
should beat a strong defense. Uncle Frank said the strength is in the
advantage, which is to the offense. Think about it he said, they know the play
that they are going to run, what time they are running the play, how they are
going to run the play and what they want to accomplish from running the play.