Larry's Fancy Lighter

   
   "Larry's Fancy Lighter"
  
   Holland took it, in a special way.  He preserved and honored the Lighter, buying special flints for it and polishing it up in immaculate fashion; plus, he added high-grade lighter fluid.  Forged the uncanny tale that Old Larry got it in the Korean War when he was in the private company of Asian Nation Ladies, back during his daring days in the high-flying Air Force--Holland appreciated the hell out of that particular Lighter--it was myth, and rooted in some aspects of truth.  
   First time they did mimic my step-dad in front of me--Bob put a smaller lighter in my face, cranked on the flickering flame; next, did the Southern Man mimic, exclaiming casually:  "In your eye, boy!"
   We always impersonated everybody's father.  And for the bad ass Green Beret, we'd say:  "Brent, go scoop your dog's poo."
   And as Patricia, Larry, and me came back to the Little Rock anchor from our long journey to the  salty shores of Richmond, Larry asked Holland after Christmas:  "So boy, was Santa Claus good to you this year?"