On a warm Spring afternoon Josh and his friend Vinny Corbino went out to the beach and tossed a football back and forth. Vinny was a chubby kid, not too athletic, but he was smart, one of the smartest in school. He and Josh were different in most respects, but as church-going sons of Irish and Italian immigrants, coming of age during the Great Depression, they looked at the world through the same stained-glass window.

Standing barefoot at the water’s edge, dressed in jeans and t-shirts, they threw the football back and forth as waves broke on the shore and the cold water rippled over their naked feet. Far out to sea, the late-afternoon sun was descending through a collage of pink and orange clouds toward the horizon. It was a sweet, serene afternoon, the kind of afternoon that brings thoughts of romance and adventure to a young man’s heart.

As Vinny tossed the football to him Josh caught sight of a large seagull soaring high over the water. He held onto the football as he watched the flight of the gull.

“Vinny, do you ever wish you could fly like a bird?”

Vinny looked up at the seagull and smiled. “Yeah, but I don’t think I could stay airborne for long.” Vinny slapped his round belly with his hand.

“We can fix that,” joked Josh, as he ran over to Vinny. “I’ll flatten it for you.” Josh did a quick right and left jab at Vinny’s flabby stomach. Vinny wasn’t amused.

“Knock it off Josh. I’m the only one who can poke fun at my size.”

“Sorry Vinny.” Josh looked out across the water at the setting sun. “It feels good to be out here near the ocean, doesn’t it?”

Vinny noticed the far-away look on Josh’s face. He often recognized when Josh was troubled, when something was bothering him. “What are you thinking about?”

Josh pointed at the sky. “I’m wishing I was up there, flying. But I’m not; I’m stuck here on the ground, where things don’t look so good. The other day I went with my dad on his neighborhood patrol. I saw this man standing in the shadows.”

“What man?”

“Some man my dad knew when they worked together. He was broke, his clothes were old and torn, and he’d lost his family.”

“Millions of people are broke these days. My parents hear about it from some of the folks who come to their deli, asking if they can have some food and pay for it next week or next month. Most of them can’t pay at all.”

“I hope I won’t end up like them…like him.”

“This depression won’t last forever Josh. Something has to happen, something’s gonna bring it to an end.”

“At least you have enough to eat Vinny; your parents own a deli. Think you’ll take over the business for your folks after they retire?”

“I could, but I’d want to have a bigger business than only one deli. Maybe a dozen or more.”

“You could do it. You’re ambitious, and you’re smart. You’ll be a success some day Vinny.”

“And you’ll be a pro football player.”

“You think so?”

“Why not? You’re the best player ever at school.”

“Yeah, that’s what I want to do. I’ll make it to the NFL, make enough money, and then my dad can quit his job. Things are better since he started working, but being a cop? Better to be a carpenter.”

“Good jobs are hard to find these days. But you and me could be partners, business partners…after you retire from the NFL.”

“You’re a good guy Vinny, and I’m glad we’re friends. Run along the shore and I’ll throw you a long pass.”

Vinny obliged and ran along the sand at the water’s edge. Josh hurled a long, spiral shaped pass. Vinny caught it and fell on the sand as a wave broke on the shore and washed over him. Josh laughed and ran over to him.

“Heck of a catch Vinny.”

“Thanks. Your turn.”

Josh ran along the shore. As Vinny threw him the football Josh caught sight of Bridget Harris, the homecoming queen, and Dan Jones, the class president, strolling barefoot along the beach at the water’s edge, holding hands, dressed in shorts and t-shirts. Distracted by their presence, Josh lost sight of the ball, tripped and fell into the water.

“Good splash Sanders!!” shouted Jones.

Josh retrieved the football in the water and scrambled to his feet, dripping wet. Bridget Harris was smiling at him. “Sorry if we distracted you Josh.”

“You should have brought a beach towel, Sanders,” said Jones with a laugh. “You need to dry off.”

Vinny came running over and frowned when he saw the high school sweethearts.

“Hi Vinny,” said Bridget, observing his jelly belly.

“Hello.” Vinny’s voice did not invite further comment.

“You two spend too much time together,” said Jones. “We’re getting worried about you guys.”

“We’re friends, wise-guy!” shouted Vinny.

“Take it easy,” replied Jones. “I’m joking.”

Josh stepped forward and tossed the football in the air, catching it and tossing it as he spoke. “How far can you throw a football Jones?”

“Far enough…why?”

“I’m curious. I’m used to catching it, but I can’t throw it that far. Want to have a little contest?”

“What are the rules?”

“We’ll each throw the football from the same place. Vinny and Bridget can go down the beach and be the judges. If I throw it farther, I get to kiss Bridget on the cheek. If you throw it farther, you get to kiss Vinny on the forehead.”

“I’m not playing that game,” said Vinny.

“You can count me out too,” replied Jones.

Josh looked over at Bridget. “What about you?”

“I think we need to modify the rules a little.”

“No kissing?”

She shook her head as she smiled.

“No one kisses my girl but me,” said Jones.

Josh ignored him and looked straight at Bridget. “Are you really his girl?”

“Yes, for almost five months.”

Josh abruptly turned away from her, gripped the football in his right hand, and threw it as hard and as far as he could along the beach. The ball splashed down at the water’s edge some fifty yards away.

“Game’s over,” he said, as he sprinted away from them to retrieve the football. Bridget and Jones watched him for a few moments, then resumed their stroll along the beach.

When Vinny caught up to Josh he was stretched out on the sand, the football behind his head.

“Josh, you didn’t have to prove something to her.”

“She wanted me to kiss her.”

“She’s a rich girl. Girls like that go with guys like Jones.”

“How did her parents get to be rich when most of the people in the country are poor or looking for jobs?”

“Beats me. Probably from some kind of business. Maybe they were bootleggers.”

“Bootleggers?”

“Yeah, people who smuggled in booze when it was illegal. My folks told me about it.”

“I bet she lives in a mansion, or some other big house.”

“Forget about Bridget. There are plenty of other girls.”

“No, I want her.” He jumped up and tossed the football to Vinny. “I’m going for a touchdown. Throw me the winning pass.”

Josh ran down the beach. Vinny obliged and threw a long pass. Josh caught the football right in front of Bridget and Jones…and kept on running.