Page 29 - Gary's Book - Final Copy 7.9.2017_Active

change my name. She had always wanted a son as well as a daughter. I refused
because I really wanted to make something of the Sprouse surname - not knowing
at the time that I was really a “Wilson.”

I was in high school when we moved to Webster Groves. I worked two jobs in the
summer - construction and life guarding. During the school year, I worked at two
gas stations - Sinclair and Clark. I needed the money for future schooling. On

weekends, I helped clean Grace’s beauty shop. Prior to moving, I worked at
Dohack’s Restaurant.

At age fourteen, I got my driver’s license and purchased a used Indian motorcycle,
which I used to go to work, hunting and to pick up a date. Early one Saturday
morning, I tied my .22 rifle to the side of my motorbike and headed to a buddy’s

farm to hunt some squirrels and a fox that I had seen previously. The road was wet
from the early morning rain. I was going downhill and around a curve when I laid
the bike down. I slid into a culvert about four feet deep without ever letting up on
the gas. I went dead center into the farmer’s road, which ran into the intersection. I
was ejected from my bike and flew into the farmer’s mailbox post. I ended up in

the middle of the road and was picked up by a farmer who called the police. Now,
remember, we did not wear helmets in those days. I suffered from a concussion, so
I do not recall anything from that time until I saw the bright lights in the
emergency room. That was the end of my motorcycle days.

Grace was successful at breaking up my first girlfriend and me. Then I dated
another; Grace broke us up, too. Even when I was in college and dating Sue, Grace

broke us up. Fortunately, this was only temporary. She had power over me and was
very controlling. She was helping me out financially, so she enjoyed threatening
me and telling me I would receive no money for school or have no place to live
during the summers if I were dating. It all came to light when one night after I
came home from work and went to bed, she came into my bedroom and stated,
“You are more than a son to me.” This became a very awkward situation, and she

continually threatened to destroy my future. She once said that if she could not
have me, then no one else could either.

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