It was 1973 in the spring and things were beginning level off in the 11th grade; the day was perfect outdoors and the four girls were not interested in a dull day in classes. Someone had an idea that could counter the boredom of algebra and a discussion of poetry in American literature, but it had its risks, always an element that added excitement when the plans involved stepping outside the normal routine of a Friday at school. The plan was to forego spending the day on campus meaning that the four made a spur of the moment decision to “cut” classes and spread their wings elsewhere in this case to Florence, back then a far more exciting destination than their sleepy hometown. But there were some logistical problems.
The leader of the pack was Kate, an assumed name to protect her church-going reputation. She was an ideal leader because she, for one thing had access to her mother’s car; Kate easily convinced her mother that a school activity required that she have outside transportation. Too, funds would be needed since there was a dining destination in Florence (The 301 Drive-in) an important reason for the trip in the first place. Kate had an afternoon job at a local business and her few dollars plus the pooled resources of the other trio meant money was no problem. The real problem was to decide to rebel and taste the forbidden. Under Kate’s leadership, that was to be no problem so instead of meeting in homeroom at school, the four piled into Kate’s car and off for the wonderful day of freedom in the big city. No one thought of the consequences of an unexcused absence that would need to be explained, but that would be dealt with later. Today
was all that counted. Tomorrow would take care of itself.
The leisurely drive down US301 was filled with one peal of laugher after another as the “bad” girls reveled in getting away with outfoxing the establishment, parents and school officials. Let the good times roll was their motto; being ‘naughty’ was intoxicating.
Although they were somewhat familiar with the city, Kate, the driver got slightly confused and ended up in a commercial section of the city. She was not deterred, however because she loved the challenge of the unknown. But she had not anticipated what was going on down the block she was approaching.
As the young are likely to do, she was exceeding the speed limit, and as she approached a driveway to her right, a large, black vehicle suddenly pulled out in front of her car. All Kate could do was to brake and as the turning vehicle made its way down the street, Kate unexpectedly found that she was immediately behind something she had been unable to avoid, unfortunately. It became alarmingly clear that she was in the wrong place for sure, the vehicle in front of her was a hearse on its way to the cemetery, and she found that she was just behind it in fact in front of the cars carrying the family members.
Shocked that her car was an uninvited guest in the procession, there was little that could be done except to continue to follow the body carrying vehicle. The hilarity of the trip was toned down considerably as they realized how they had suddenly become involved in a serious situation so what action should be taken? Would they be forced to continue to the cemetery and if so, when there, how would they explain their presence to the mourners? Someone suggested that they should have gone to class instead. And then the answer came.
Mercifully, the hearse came to an intersection where a uniformed policeman with his hat off and placed over his heart, waved for the hearse to turn left which it did and ordinarily the other cars would follow except in this instance, the car immediately following did not turn left. Kate made a split second decision and picked up speed continuing straight ahead and out of sight of the procession much to the surprise of the policeman. It was then that there was a sigh of relief that they had escaped a bad situation and laughter erupted again. The next stop was the 301 Drive In.
On the next school day, the following note was sent:
DEAR HR TEACHER: Please excuse Kate’s absence from school Friday. She had a part in a funeral. Signed – –
*
Bill Lee
PO Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547