Keith Barton

The Reunion Keith Barton

Texas football, Vietnam, and mega mergers serve as a backdrop for this coming of age story of Jack Conners who becomes disillusioned with football and is instantly immersed in the atrocities and loneliness of war. The historical fictional piece takes place circa 1963-1990 and follows Jack's career from college to a horrific tour in Vietnam, law school, corporate law, and finally returning to his roots in South Texas. It is a coming of age story when times were simpler and goals more attainable. Throughout the book is the lingering loss of boyhood friend, Sean Rogers, who is paralyzed at thirteen from a diving accident and his death at eighteen. Jack becomes disillusioned with football and quickly learns the atrocities and loneliness of war. Jack returns from Vietnam as a double amputee and marries Courtney Shaw in law school. He develops an addiction to Vicodin for his leg injury and admits himself to a rehab facility for Vietnam veterans. Throughout the book is the post-trauma of his Vietnam experience and his inability to deal with "survivor guilt." After a successful rehab, he takes an early retirement to marry his high school sweetheart after a painful divorce with Courtney. This is a story of youth and ambition, achievement and loss, euphoria and pain, dreams and nightmares.