Since I can’t remember my first detention, maybe some highlights (or lowlights) will aid me as I walk down memory lane.
I received many detentions at St. Mary School. Most of them were for fighting. Our playground was a proving ground and the older kids often distracted the yard mothers while we bloodied our noses.
Two things stand out during this period. My younger brother David was always getting in fights and as a result, I was always in fights.
One day a 6-grader beat the heck out of David (a 4th-grader at the time). When we got home that night my father was furious with me. “What did you do while this was going on," he asked. “I watched," was my response. I was no dummy. I was in 5th-grade and the 6th-grader was twice my size.
I remember my dad’s life lesson like it was yesterday, “I don’t care how big or how many, don’t you ever stand back and watch someone lay a hand on your brother ever again. Do you understand?”
My brother heard every word and used this knowledge to his advantage. Perhaps a week later, David went looking for the same 6th-grader. He swung at David and I immediately tackled the bully onto the hard asphalt. I rolled him over and me and David pummeled him into a bloody mess.
My dad came to the school and met with the nuns who were irate with us. Dad took it all in and used the correct words to appease the nuns. He yelled at us in the school office and promised the sisters that he would take care of the situation. It was silent on the ride home from school. That night, the family went to Carvel’s Ice Cream in Ansonia, and the day's events were never mentioned.
In high school, my first detention was administered to me on the very first day of school. Since I went to a parochial elementary school, I didn't know too many public school kids. When it came time to go to lunch I spotted a high school senior who lived on my street. I sat down next to him. Soon a group of seniors with one ringleader sat down next to me and started squashing my lunch. At the time I didn't realize freshman sitting at a senior table was frowned upon. I flipped my entire lunch tray (milk included) all over the aggressive senior.
I think my next detention was later on during my freshman year. I got into a fist fight in the hallway after one of Mr. Alu's classes and was led promptly into the principal's office.
My most famous detention occurred during my senior year and was the result of the great 1980 food fight in the cafeteria which resulted in a week of in-school suspension. Sadly, the movie Animal House was very influential to me during that time of my life.
But I digress. This blog started out as a story of how proud I am of Brittany. People say that both my girls look like their mother (which is a good thing). They are doing well in school and have turned into wonderful young ladies (all traits of their mom). Patsy, however, never received a detention in her life. This means, I can finally point to something in my daughters (yes, Ashley received her first detention a week ago) that is exclusively mine.
Let’s not get carried away. Their detentions were for too many times being tardy at school. Guess who drives them to school in the morning.
Oh and by the way, Brittany was inducted into the National Honor Society last night. It looks like the Patsy gene has reestablished dominance. Yet for one shining moment, dad can claim partial responsibility for the detention, and that has brought a smile upon my face.
Seriously, I'd like to congratulate Brittany. I couldn’t be more proud of you for this awesome accomplishment.
For those interested, a short video clip of Brittany being inducted.
