They spent almost all the days of their youth living with their families in the Green Court Apartments in Washington Park.

So many people lived there through all the years, including a pudgy little boy named Charles Kuralt. My parents were there a short while when I was very, very young.

For those who don’t remember, or never heard of the Green Court Apartments, let me provide just a bit of history. It was one of the two buildings that were initially Washington Collegiate Institute. When the school closed it became an apartment facility. A two-story, red brick building, it was attractive.

Later it was used for a school again. Pamlico Community School. Today it no longer exists, except in the memories of fewer and fewer people.

As I said at the outset, they lived there many years. Preston and Jack. Two of the closest, dearest friends one could ever even hope to have.

Preston I can’t remember not ever knowing. Our time together began when we had barely arrived on the planet.

Jack and I came to know each other so well from early elementary school days.

There is no way, absolutely no way, that I could possibly recount, describe, tell of the life experiences shared with these two friends. Even the word friend is inadequate. We truly loved each other, and one another. And we could tell each other that.

Preston died May 11 of last year. Jack died June 11. One month to the day apart.

In our high school senior yearbook their pictures are side by side. So fitting. I have to believe they are together now.

Those of us still left may tarry for a while. And then we’ll have our reunion.

May it be so.

APROPOS — “Do not let yourself think that the best doesn’t still await. Have hope. Have faith. Believe.”

— Walter Fitzgerald