Snowbound: A Blizzard of Chaos
Lost in the Storm
By 1978, I had been drifting aimlessly for four years since graduating high school. College didn’t work out, and I found myself jumping from one job to another, living in different apartments, and driving a string of cars. My latest gig was selling men’s shoes at Filene’s in Braintree, where I had become quite skilled at moving merchandise. But despite my success, my personal life was a mess.
A Glimmer of Hope
The one constant in my life was my girlfriend, Susan. She was a bright spot in my chaotic world, with her infectious smile and sunny disposition. When she arrived at the train station on a snowy day, I was overjoyed to see her. We braved the blizzard together, trudging through three-foot snowdrifts to her house on Harold St.
A Neighborhood Oasis
Susan’s family lived in a cozy working-class neighborhood near Lake Massapoag. Her father, Irv, was a plumber and an essential worker, which meant he could drive on the plowed roads. He kindly dropped us off at our friend Peter’s house, where we spent the evening getting high and enjoying each other’s company. But things took a strange turn when Peter refused to share his cookies with us.
A Selfish Act
Peter’s behavior was bizarre, to say the least. He devoured cookie after cookie, ignoring our hunger and thirst. I considered offering him cash for the treats, but I didn’t want to embarrass him or myself. We eventually called Irv to pick us up, and we headed back to Susan’s house to feast on whatever we could find.
The Aftermath
The blizzard of ’78 was a disaster, with many people missing two weeks of work. I was among them, and I qualified for unemployment and food stamps. As I navigated the roads to collect my benefits, I encountered a close call with a little old lady who walked into the road without looking. I managed to avoid hitting her, but my relief was short-lived.
A Run-In with the Law
A black ’67 Ford Galaxy 500 appeared behind me, and the driver began flashing his high beams and tailgating me. When I didn’t stop, he sped up alongside me, pointing for me to pull over. I outran him, thinking he was some kind of lunatic. But later that evening, he showed up at my doorstep in a police uniform, claiming I had failed to stop for a police officer.
A Web of Trouble
The officer wrote me up for multiple offenses, including speeding, passing in a restricted area, and driving negligently. I needed a lawyer to get out of this mess, or I risked losing my driver’s license and my job. As I looked back on that chaotic day, I realized that sometimes, the storm outside is nothing compared to the turmoil within.
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