Page 21 - MY BOY CHAZ_02

These are the folks that adopted me at birth.

They are my aunt and uncle, Earle Richard, a cousin. Pretty mixed up! I know it was believed they were doing the right

thing for all the right reasons. Everyone on both sides of the family knew of this arrangement. I, of course, was left out of
that loop.

Growing up, I knew it could not just be me and the loving personality that kept all family members wanting to abort me. My
uncle Clarence (mom's brother) tried to run over me once. No Really! I was maybe fourteen at the time. In the early years,

dad, also known as Steve, was a farmer working his father-in-Law’s forty-plus acres.

Mom, Carrie, known as Belle, decided it was time to start something new. So, they opened a “Steve & Belle’s restaurant in
Damascus.” It became a great hit in town, especially for after-school kids. They all loved Steve... everyone did. Loved Belle not

so much, loved her cooking, but she lacked some social skills. She was generous at heart, but the least little thing could trigger
her rage. I have been in front of that rage many a time. Thankfully, neither consumed alcohol. It didn’t mean I couldn't get a
good ass whipping. Belle was better known to me as the Punisher. I never heard, or would I hear, “Just wait till your father

gets home.” I was constantly reminded that I had a warm bed to sleep in and always had plenty to eat...then the question,
What more could you ask for or want? I once answered momma by saying I wanted to be treated like Earle Richard. I got the

crap smacked out of me with her saying, "I will never be as good as Earle Richard and deserve nothing more than what I get.”
I believe this became one of my run-a-way moments.

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