Summer '69 by M.J. Williamz

Author:M.J. Williamz [Williamz, M.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626399624
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2016-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

***

The following morning, Tommy woke to hear someone calling her from outside her tent.

“Tommy? Tommy? Are you in there?”

She climbed out of her cot and zipped opened the flap of her tent. There was Trinity. She rubbed her eyes.

“Hey, Trinity. What time is it?”

“It’s early. I’m sorry to wake you, but there is a reporter from the local newspaper here asking to speak to you.”

“Where is he?”

“In the dining room.”

“Tell him I’ll be right there.”

Tommy put on some shorts and a flannel shirt. She brushed out her hair and braided it again. She splashed some water on her face from a bowl she kept on the table, then brushed her teeth. She was ready.

She walked over to the dining room. It was fairly empty as most of the people on the commune slept late. Especially after a night of partying. She saw the man from the paper and crossed the room to him.

“Tommy Benton?” he said.

“That’s me. And who are you?”

“Richard. Richard Schaefer.”

“Nice to meet you, Richard.”

“I’d like to ask you a few questions, if that’s okay,” Richard said.

“Sure.”

“We understand you were an integral part of yesterday’s demonstration down at Town Hall.”

“That’s correct. I organized it, but the people of this commune also did a lot of work to make it happen.”

“It’s being called a very successful rally. Did you feel it was a success?”

“I really did,” Tommy said. “There were thousands of people there who all believe in the need to get us out of Vietnam. But the protest was peaceful, which for me is very important.”

“Yes, you’ve said many times you’re against violence.”

“I am. At all costs.”

“Do you think rallies like yours will help bring about an end to the conflict in Vietnam?” Richard said.

“They have to. We all have to speak out whenever we can to let Nixon know we disagree with what’s going on over there. Our young men and women don’t deserve to be shipped over there to be served on a platter to the Viet Cong.”

“You use that phrase a lot,” Richard said. “Why?”

“Because that’s how I see it. Our kids aren’t ready to fight in that strange country against that foreign type of opponent. They’re slaughtering us. It has to stop.”

“Where do you see yourself in five years, assuming the war is over by then?”

“My God. The war had better be over by then,” Tommy said. “I see myself fighting for civil rights. This country still has a long way to go before we have equality for all.”

“Excellent cause,” Richard said. “Did you want to say anything else before I call this interview over?”

“Just one thing. Give peace a chance, man. Give peace a chance.”

Richard closed his notebook.

“Thank you very much for your time,” he said. “I hope to submit my article to some larger papers, too, you know, the Chronicle, the Times, the Washington Post. I want to get some national exposure, and I know you do, too.”

“That would be great.”

“Now, how do I get out of here?”

Tommy laughed.

“Come on. I’ll show you the way.

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