Jayden and I meet a few weeks after he transferred to the Naval base outside of town. I sat on a barstool sipping my Pappy Van Winkle when this tall African American man in full dress uniform sat next to me. He wore Captain's bars, possessed an air of authority. I nodded to him when perched on the next stool. He returned my nod with his own acknowledgment. In a deep voice, without turning toward me, he said, "Yo."

"I'll have bourbon. Pour a shot of Evan for me," he said to the bartender. He spoke genial enough. Still, he gave an order.

"Give him a double of Pappy. Nothing...