Suzanne's 20th birthday, 1965
Last week I saw Josh Bishop at Lincoln's.
It's been five years since the seventh grade and, although I avoid him
whenever I can, we have developed a deep dislike for each other. He isn't
funny to me anymore. All his comments have nastiness and selfishness in
them.
Although I always hope when I see Josh that it'll be the
last time, around the guys I pretend that no bad feelings ever existed
between Josh and me. That's my way. I don't make fights with other people.
But he doesn't do the same for me. Just by being around,
I'm the target for his insults. Like when he said, "Let Chet figure
out how to divide the loot, Bart. He's as smart as he is gutless."
I wish that I would have punched him then, but I didn't.
I hope he doesn't make Lincoln's his hangout, because he isn't a friend
to me.
After his punishment for smoking, I stayed clear of him.
For awhile I thought his anger would pass. Then peculiar things started
to happen to me. I got three magazines in the
mail that I never ordered. I got phone calls from people I didn't know
who assured me that I'd promised them this or that favor.
In the eighth grade, my last year at St. Jeromes, Josh ran
up to me on Beech Street. Surprisingly he invited me into his house. I wanted
to clear the air between us so I accepted.
Inside he told me his father was at work and his mother out
shopping and wouldn't I like a drink? I knew he meant alcohol, but I didn't
want to appear scared so I said, "Sure."
After we drank a swig apiece from the gallon jug, he asked
me how I enjoyed the magazines.
I realized then that while I played at disobedience, he was
serious into harder delinquency.
Now he's reappeared at Lincoln's. Hope it doesn't last long.
Today's Suzanne's birthday. She's twenty and still at home.
I don't know how she can stand it. Today was typical.
Father drank coffee and read the paper while Brigitte and
