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CHAPTER ONE
Major Sculler was the biggest boy in his classroom from the time he entered kindergarten to today, as a senior in high school. Always a full head taller than the other children, his height made him look as though he were held back a few grades instead of the intelligent, inquisitive child that he was. He wasn’t slow. Not even close. He was just a big boy. A big, smart boy.
Except when it came to girls.
His father had explained the birds and the bees to him. He wasn’t confused by that at all. It was the subtler, less tangible behaviors that Major seemed to struggle with. Is she flirting or not flirting? Is she interested or not interested? Did she use me or not use me? Major seemed to always find himself getting taken advantage of.
“Major, would you please carry my lacrosse gear?”
“Major, can you give me a ride home on your bicycle?”
“Major, do you mind helping me with the answers to the homework assignment?”
Yes, he was big and tough and twice the size of most of his classmates, but he was a sucker for a girl in need. When he was nearly expelled for having helped his classmate with her homework, Major refused to say anything, even though it was her who asked for the help.
“Hey, Major! Major, wait up,” yelled Kim.
“What do you want?” he asked, frowning at the girl. One of the most popular girls in school, she was pretty, smart, captain of the volleyball team, and on the homecoming court.
“Don’t be mad at me,” she laughed. “I didn’t make you help me with the homework.”
“No, and you certainly didn’t offer to tell them anything, did you?” he frowned. “You made it look like it was all my idea, and I was the guilty person here. You were the one who asked. I was just trying to be a good friend.”
“Don’t be such a bummer. It’s all over with. So, we have a few extra sheets to do tonight. It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s a big deal to me, Kim. I’ve got football, then I need to help my dad at the shop, and now I have extra homework.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I mean, I thought maybe we could do the work together.” He scoffed at her, shaking his head.
“Have you lost your mind? I’m not helping you with anything ever again!”
“God, you’re such an ass, Major. It’s not like you didn’t get something out of this too.” He stared at her, unsure of what she was saying. “I saw you looking down my blouse. I saw you checking me out every time we leaned over the book together.”
“Wasn’t like you didn’t enjoy that,” he mumbled. She started to speak, and he stopped her. “I saw you, too. I saw you unbutton the top button when you leaned over. You knew exactly what you were doing. Just stay away from me.”
That first one was tough to get over, but when Major found himself seemingly making a habit of becoming the abused classmate, the abused friend, he wondered if there wasn’t something wrong with him.
“Major? Major?” called his father. “Hand me the socket wrench.”
“Sorry, Dad. Here you go.”
“What’s up? What has you so distracted?” he asked.
“Girls.”
“Well, that’ll do it,” he laughed. He noticed his son was not laughing and set the tools down on the quilted padding. “What happened?”
“I helped someone with a homework assignment even though we were supposed to do it on our own. I mean, I thought I was helping her, but she copied my answers exactly, and we got caught. I have to do some extra homework tonight, and so does she. But she actually thought I would help her again. Do I have stupid written across my forehead?”
“No,” he chuckled at his son. “You’re just an exceptionally kind, sweet young man. Not all girls use boys, son. Some do. Hell, some men use women. Don’t be one of those. I’d rather you be a good man, a good person, than refuse to help people.”
“I just feel like I stick out no matter where I go or what I try to do. I mean, my size makes me stick out, but I feel like I’m sticking out for other reasons now, too. You know what I mean?”
“No, I’m not sure I do,” said his father with a concerned expression.
“I mean, I’m at least a head taller than everyone. I get ‘big’ jokes all the time. Every old lady neighbor asks me to open their jars and cans. Major, can you reach that book for me? Major, can you lift me up so I can see? A substitute teacher thought I was a teacher the other day, Dad. Me!”
Colonel Sculler laughed, shaking his head. His boy was big. Bigger than he was at that age, for sure. His own father had given him a name that would demand respect. He served ten years in the Army earning that respect, not using his name as a crutch. When he had his own son, he decided to do the same. But Major seemed to struggle with his identity and the cross between being a good guy, a guy that was good, and a guy that was used.
