Me and J. D.
Me and J.D. By Paul Ott and W.R. Benton “Me and J.D.,” tells the tale of two young boys enjoying life to its fullest as they grow into men. The difference is, J.D. is an African American, and Paul is white. They grow up together, accepting each other without seeing skin color or hair texture. They go on a snipe hunt, shoot four holes in the bottom of a borrowed rowboat, wreck a hay truck, get injured cutting cord wood, fall from the second story of a house while roofing, and much more. Like most young Southern boys, they spend their free time pulling practical jokes, swimming, hunting and fishing, except the night they go camping and discover a Ku Klux Klan meeting.
It is a book of unconditional love, if you will, there have been too many books written filled with anger and hatred for one race or another. However, growing up in rural Mississippi in the 1950’s proves to be a difficult time for the boys, as they attempt to keep their friendship alive, and they are determined to make it work. As J.D.’s father says in the book about their friendship, “Might be easier said than done, and ya both got a lot of years ahead of ya, so don’t think ya won’t change some over the years, ‘cause ya will. I hope ya two can always be friends, ‘cept I have me some serious doubts,” J.D.’s pa said and then took a puff of his pipe. It is a beautiful childhood friendship that cannot be shattered by racism, murder, war, marriage, or even death. However, can it continue after they've become adults? Will their love for each other survive?
Coming soon, “Me and J.D.” by Paul Ott and W.R. Benton