the 4th strike

by age 10, was working several evenings weekly at a local bowling alley as a pin-boy....before the era of automatic pin-setters came about..
from age 10 to 16, worked 4 to 6 nights a week, as well as caddying at local golf courses on weekends, or delivering groceries by bicycle in the off season.
was earning good money, certainly enough to be able to have those things i needed or wanted.

EXCEPT, all of the money was turned over to my father, this was considered his money, as he believed it was an equal exchange for the privilege of living in HIS house.

at age 12, experienced having my 4 front adult teeth removed, a combination of tooth decay and a boot to the head from my father during one of his "rage" episodes.
i did receive a partial denture, but outgrew it within a few months, and was advised there would be no replacement.
the conversation went something like...."dad, i can't wear them because they don't fit (of course i was growing) !"....with his reply being...."they don't fit because you're not wearing them !"...yet another example of his twisted logic.
the fact was that from age 12 to age 17 (entire high-school career) i had a toothless gap where the smile ought to have been, which certainly didn't help self-esteem and dating prospects.

of course, being a working "man" at age 10, it was crucial that i smoke cigarettes along with my peers, i became addicted to nicotine almost immediately....smoking approximately a pack a day until eventually stopping at age 27.
since money earned was never to be mine....i necessarily began to steal in order to feed the smoking habit, and being a thief, i naturally became a liar !

by age 12, had been to juvenile court 3 times....with a vivid memory of the last appearance, standing before the judge knowing that standard procedure was 3 times and you're out, like in baseball.
i fully expected to be shipped off to the infamous "reform school" at bowmanville, ontario.
i certainly had mixed feelings about that prospect, rightly fearing being sent there, having heard many horror stories from running mates, BUT it did present an opportunity to escape my father's iron rule.
the judge looked down at me and said, "i don't know why, i'm going to give you one more strike, your mother speaks highly of your marks in school and exceptional artistic ability....DO NOT darken my doorway again, do you understand, young man ?"

"yes sir, thank you sir !"

"no problem....you definitely will not see me again !", i thought....having determined never to get caught from then on.....and i wasn't.

the petty crime career was to continue....economic reality demanded that i continue to steal, con and lie.
i needed to smoke, plus pay for other "necessities" of your average 12 year old working man.
the funds had to come from somewhere.

the economic realities of life at our family home also applied to my 4 brothers.

later in life, my older brothers revealed that much of the money given to our father actually went towards feeding his addiction to playing the horses.
in his mind it was his money, and he could do what he wanted with it.

i think i've had issues regarding work and money....as well as authority figures....go figure !