He asked me "Boy where did I get shit from?" I responded nervously "These are
Robert's toys" My daddy responded back..."Robert, (my best friend who lived across
the street) ain't got no damn money either". He was right. It still is funny, but I dare
not laugh at that moment. I was actually shaking in my Keds. Fearful of the next move.
I knew what was going to happen next. I just prayed I would survive. ..I did.
He asked me "Did you steal them", I whimpered "Yeeess", again, waiting on his Rath.
To my surprise, he shouted back: "Boy, If you ever bring any goddamn stolen shit in
my house again..." He didn't nish the statement, he didn't have to.
I survived, he didn't touch me for that. I knew crying my eyes out would not help my
cause. It would have only made things worse.
Well, that scary episode didn't stop me from lifting toys again, but I never brought the
damn evidence home again. I simply threw away whatever the trinket was before I
came home...lol. Remember, he didn't say "Don't Steal", he said don't bring it home.
Somehow, whenever I tell that story, It feels like my father is listening...yea, I do. Now
that's power. I would later deduce that his motions were also jail prevention tactics at
it's nest.
I remember asking for my father's help when I was trying to purchase my rst car. A
1968 Olds 442. I only needed him to co-sign for me. He refused to do so. He said that
particular Olds burned too much gas. ($. 35 per gallon) I was pissed, but he was right. I
didn't need a gas guzzler, with high gas prices and a car note while in college.
Three days later. I had paid cash for the car from monies I earn as a dishwasher. I had
little idea that I made my daddy so proud when I purchased that car...A Chevy too...I
drove it to college. Four years later after I did the college thingy, he co-signed for me. A
Mercury Cougar...WOW, He didn't like Mercurys either, he, however, did like the slick
lines of that Cougar, with a moon-roof. It was a very stylish car for the times.
In his eyes, I had developed independence and I had shown adaptation after the
dreaded eviction day after high school graduation. Well, maybe it wasn't so dreaded...
I think we were all ready and in anticipation whenever that day came. Freedom,
independence, and space were motivational incentives we all looked forward to.