Chapter Eight
I knew in 1945, Mom and Dad were less than a year from their breakup. Soon after the divorce, my two older brothers, Vern Jr. and James, would go live with Dad. They’d eventually end up in California, with their stepmother, Marie. Mom would move the three remaining boys in with her parents in Oklahoma and start waitressing in cafés to support me, D.L., and Wayne.
Our nuclear family was about to explode, injuring all of us in one way or another. Some more than others.
My instructions said I had to save the world, but first I had to save the family. For that, I needed a guitar.
On Friday after music class, I asked Mr. Landers if I could borrow the guitar for the weekend.
“Sure. Practice on those chords, and on Monday we’ll work on something new.”
* * * * *
“Where’d you g
