'He Belonged to Us'
by
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Patrick, said to me; It’s no big deal, there was some violence at a New Year’s Eve party in a distant, neighboring community and some destruction of property." "Don’t worry about it Ma." "I will handle it!" My Son was Nineteen; I had to give him the necessary room to grow into a man; and the chance to ‘spread his wings’. Patrick was a little too ‘easy going’ for my liking. I had learned much earlier in my days here; I would be ‘trampled’ over in this area. I became an ‘aggressive, assertive, independent female.’ I remember being in Patty’s room, putting laundry away, gathering up other items. It was then; I saw the cell phone. A cell phone; hum; he must have got this while I was in Alabama. I wondered if Patrick could afford to have a cell phone? My Son and I spoke about the cell phone. He took on a defensive attitude – not like my Patty. He said to me," The only thing I can tell you is;" " I need to have this phone!" "I need it." " Don’t ask me anything more" "I can’t tell you!" As I stood there looking at My Son; I looked deep into His Eyes. Something was really wrong and as His Mother I ‘sensed" it. What was happening to My Son? Later I was to learn, after reading some court exams; yes it was another’ under age drinking party’ on New Years Eve 2000. There was destruction of property; My Son and his friends from out ‘our way’ could have been seriously injured or worse ‘that early morning.’ All; These, teenagers had been doing some heavy drinking! Violence erupted over the competition of High School Basketball. High School Basketball; in out of the way rural communities. I was completely unaware; ‘Basketball’ could become so competitive to the degree of violence. My son and his friends from out their way; were in a car, frantically attempting to get’ the hell’ out of there. They were blocked in; in the driveway. The car and the teenagers in it; ‘it was reported’ was being rocked, kicked and shook; to the point of being like ‘out of’ a Michigan State University Riot! While reading these reports; I learned the Private Investigator came to see My Son; for a reason. He was told by many in the area; "You want to talk to an honest young man;" go see Patrick. The teenagers from Patty’s area; all decided upon one story on the way home; they would stick with this invented version. Patrick made a few trips into the larger distance town. He would not tell me where he was going. Something serious I sensed from his face. I found out; My Son; was going to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to talk with them! Patrick’s smiling, happy face; at times held a troubled, worried look. Much, much, later; I learned there was going to be a jury trial. My Son; was to be ‘subpoenaed ‘ in towards the end; along with one other young woman from his area. They were the two; who were deemed to be so well known and well liked by many; the two who would ‘tell the truth.’ This would never take place; as ‘one’ of the two honest young teenagers would not be able to appear! Shortly after arriving back from Alabama; the Investigator, the cell phone and my terrifying re-occurring nightmares told me something was really wrong – something to do with MY SON!
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About the Book
I moved my young Son at the age of twelve to a Northwoods area of Northern Michigan. We moved to this area; to escape from an environment where alcohol and getting drunk was accepted as the 'norm.’
Believing, I had made the 'right decision' we began our new lives in this area! I raised My Son to be a' success' in life!
My Son excelled at everything 'he touched' and indeed he was successful.
I am qualified to write this book. I have always heard' write what you know. , This is the story of my years; raising My Son in Northern Michigan and the sad, painful outcome of my decision to raise My Son in this area.
I took my young son away from an environment of alcohol and its acceptance.
If only I would have known; the area we moved into would take My Son away from me. In this area; alcohol was more accepted as the 'norm' than the area we had left behind!