Lee Note 40 Ed Franklin Memories May 11, 2001

Kay,

Since Mary Sue and Donna were remembering Mrs. Gelber's chemistry class, I have a question--I also know the answer. Mrs. Gelber was very proud of a grapefruit with double chromosomes she had developed, so proud, in fact, that she brought the plant's only progeny to class for her students to see.

It was huge, and apparently quite tasty because while Mrs. G was in the back of the room holding court and grading papers, someone ate the grapefruit.

The smell in the room was more like a juicery than a chemistry lab, but she never looked up. When she returned to her desk, all that was left was the rind, torn to pieces, awaiting her inspection. Not a pretty scene after that.

Once outside her periodic domain, we laughed at lot, having no pity or mercy on this poor distraught woman. Kids can be cruel. Who will now expose the evil deed as his own? (It might have been a team effort, but I'm not sure about that; however, I do recall the unique juicy wedges of grapefruit being passed around, a traveling buffet, of sorts.)

Everyone in the band has stories of his or her own which continue to raise a smile when thought about, I'm sure. Here's one of mine: As right guide bass drummer, I will never forget almost running over Inez Contreras during a game half-time show, perhaps not so unusual in itself except that she should have been on my far left, 8-10 people away.

Both of us had this look of complete panic, more dead than alive, as we took those milliseconds to figure out what in the hell to do. As right guide, I sort of felt that it was her responsibility to get back where she came from. However, since we were in the midst of a maneuver, there were people all over the place and one or two more wanderers on the field didn't really make all that much difference.

There was absolutely no way she could be where she was, directly in my path, and yet, there she was. I still have no idea how it happened, but I think about it from time to time and always chuckle to myself.

Okay, all you drummers out there, (Dominga, Carol, Marilyn). WHAT HAPPENED! Inez had an infectious laugh, and I do know how funny it was once we got back into the safety of the stands, once blood returned to our brains and vision to our eyes. Inez, wherever you are, bless you and thanks for this wonderful memory!

Ed Franklin