One of my favorite authors of Southern literature, Pat Conroy, died Friday evening. Author of such works as The Great Santini, The Water is Wide, The Lords of Discipline, and The Prince of Tides, Pat was a writer with whom I deeply identified.

Like Pat, I grew up an Army brat with an abusive stepfather, and I later became a teacher and coach also.

In memory of my secret sharer and muse. Give me a boat that can carry two.