Punishment Deferred

My punishment was delayed for five years. As the fiscal year turned, July 1, I found myself as Phil's roomie again on Seymour Street. There I completed my 15 year run in a frat house staying at Seymour until the death of my mother in September 1989 when I had to undergo my punishment, punishment it was though; I had to move into my families home. Just like Phil it was my first experience on my own, other than briefly at the Outpost of Humanity in between roomies. While I didn't suffer back problems I did have to deal with ghosts and not having a bar within a decent walking distance. There is no comparision between City life and suburban living. My decade in Quaker Hills, Lancaster County, was the worst decade of my life. I was more isolated (with friends only three miles away) than I have been in my new City (where I had to start from scratch)for the past decade.

Sil's punishment was of a different sort; it took him a while but he took a wife. (I trust the reader recognizes my poor attempt at humor; Sil was very lucky in that regard. No punishment there. He married a young lady that he met at the 328 Club.)Sadly, what Phil and I refer to as punishments are very light compared to others who left the 340. Life has been very good to me - my health (despite diabetes) is relatively good, my job has been steady and retirement is on the radar screen, I have a daughter, and a good woman. Others have not been so lucky ... I am blessed and grateful; Praise the Lord!