The story you’re about to read is true, but some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
As far back as I can remember, I recall my family’s card game nights. Most times, Bucky would not only have deuces and go into the tank forever, but there was food and drinks to be sold and purchased. For each game, Bucky and Teresa, his girlfriend, would get a cut of money from whoever won the game. Then, there I was onlooking to see who would win.
I had my eyes fixed on how to play and when I grasped the concept, they sometimes allowed me to play a hand or two. In the meantime though, and after the card games had ceased, I was to clean up what they messed up.
In the process of cleaning and tidying up, I remember clearly that I used to turn up leftover cups that had residual liquor in them.
In the beginning, when I would drink and consume this liquor, I would frown from the strong taste. As time went by, there were no more frowns. I became accustomed to its taste and it was no longer strong to me. As card games continued at our house, I stopped waiting until it was clean-up time.
Not even thinking about the after effects and the results of it, I became addicted to alcohol.
This is when my life became hectic and out of control. It got to the point where I would convince the older guys in the neighborhood to purchase alcohol for me.
This liquor gave me a feeling of invulnerability. For a lack of better words, I became a beast. My life was spiraling out of control. I thought I was grown and I became a menace to society and authority. I did whatever I had to do to get the next drink. Oh what a tangled web we weave.
Life for me would never be the same from that point on. I am now desperate for a deliverance. When I look back over my life and I think things over, I continually say that I’ve been blessed. I got a testimony.
There was this guy who went by the name of Dr. Foot. He was called that because he had the largest feet among his peers. Dr. Foot was a basketball player and a singer/vocalist. He was the type of guy who excelled at whatever he put his hands to do.
He had a great love for basketball and was pretty good at it. He played center. Even though most people that played center were taller than him, Dr. Foot was still competitive because he had strong legs and upper-body strength. He participated in many Boy’s Club activities. The Boy’s Club was his home away from home. It kept him out of a lot of trouble and mischief.
As you may have already guessed, Reginald (me) and Dr. Foot are one and the same.
