Monday, June 17, 2013
Wes was my friend on and off throughout all the time we spent together in school, from Roosevelt School to Hawthorne High. We often drifted apart, as it seemed like Wes was always moving around after awhile, but our friendship was always easily renewed once we re-established contact. I was a little guy all through K-8 and not much larger upon arriving in high school, so as a result I was often the target of bullies. One time, a particular oaf (one who was considered one of our prominent athletes) was using a spare moment to bully me in the stairwell when Wes came along and nearly threw the jerk down the stairs, telling him to leave me alone. The guy never bothered me after that. I think Wes moved out of town shortly after, but he always stayed in my mind. I even related this story to my wife recently, as we had just gotten done watching the film "The Wanderers" and the character of Perry was much like Wes - slow to anger but with a great sense of justice.
