Greenlights

by Matthew McConaughey

“Where are you, boy? Where’s my son who won’t roll Don Knowles’s pipe with his old man?” Mike picked up the five-foot 2 x 4 and held it at the ready. “Dad, I’m tellin ya, it’s over. If you come at me again, I’m gonna knock you out with this 2 x 4.” Dad heard him clearly, steadied himself, then said, “Give it your best shot, boy,” as he blitzed Mike. Whh-ooo-pp! The 2 x 4 went across Dad’s head. Out cold, Dad lay in a heap on the ground. “Damnit, Dad?!” Mike said in shock, wondering if he’d killed him. Mike, crying now, knelt down over Dad and yelled, “Damnit, Dad! I told you not to come at me again!” Dad lay there, unmoving. For four and a half minutes Mike knelt over his fallen pop, weeping. “I didn’t wanna do it, Dad, but you made me.” Dad then came to and slowly got to his feet. “I’m sorry, Dad!” Mike shouted, “I’m sorry!” My dad stood straight and wiped the gravel from his eyes. Mike, crying tears of shock and fear, readied himself for the risk of another round. Dad, eyes now clear, focused in on the young man who had just knocked him out cold, his first son. The fight was over. Tears ran down my dad’s face as well. But these were tears of pride and joy. Dad stepped toward Mike with open arms and took him into a loving bear hug, declaring into Mike’s ear, “That’s my boy, son, that’s my boy.” From that day on Mike was an equal to Dad and Dad treated him as such. Dad never challenged Mike again, physically, morally, or philosophically. They were best of friends. You see,...