11
Out
of Line
by Randal Gilliam want
I
to be a writer.
cal motivation to
just
been
become a
have
I
writer.
my But
degree and have no practi1
want
to.
Before
now
I've
in line.
I completed the requirements for a B.A. in Journalism December. I have no special interest in journalism, but law
in
schools require applicants to have an accredited, four-year degree
means toward that more than a lawyer.
prior to admission. Journalism has served as a
end. But I've always wanted to be a writer
My best
dad died during the Christmas break. He be a baseball player. He had the talent. But
friend's
has always wanted to
not so long ago he stood in line at school registration to wait his
him
turn to hear the advisors tell
to pursue a
more
practical dream.
He led his short life in the sensible, straight-line way he always knew he should. He got in the same lines, at the same stores, to
buy the same
his business friends.
suits, to
wear
same kind of job
to the
daydreamed about wearing a baseball uniform. At the funeral chapel we all filed out of the pews order.
look
One behind
at the
the other,
end of the
My best
we
line.
friend's
League was placed next suppose
in perfect
waited our turn to take a close
dad was buried
one of those
in
trophy inscribed "most valuable player" he
I
won
as a
suits.
boy
to his casket.
I'll still
go
to
law school.
It's
writer.
this semester, I'm
I'm getting out of line.
a waiter
at
The
in Little
the sensible,
straight-line thing to do.
But for
as all
But during his corporate coffee breaks he
Appleby's and a
