The craziest reason I ever got in trouble as a child.
I'd like to think I was a pretty decent kid. I didn't get into too much trouble. I was even considerate enough to postpone my rebellious years until my late teens. While my dad was strict, he was fair. He taught me responsibility and gave me his trust, as opposed to asking me to earn it.
I never had a curfew. That doesn't mean I got to stay out all night. We had a deal, my dad and I. If I wanted to go out, I'd ask permission. My dad would ask me what time I would get home. I'd tell him. Now since he didn't impose this time on me, it was expected I would be home at said time. If I couldn't be, I'd have to call.
One summer night, I must have been 14 or 15, I had plans to go to the cinema with a group of mates. My dad approved of the group, and accepted the time I planned to come home. We were aiming for a 7 o'clock show, and since I was using public transportation, I expected to be home a little after 10.
It was a Tuesday, which meant cheap movie night (gosh, am I dating myself here?). We didn't plan our meeting time properly, as we missed the 7 o'clock show. What to do? A few mates said they would not be able to stay for the 9 o'clock show and opted to hang out for a bit, then leave. Four mates we left. Two were siblings, and lived near the cinema, so we hung out at their place.
By choosing to go to the 9 o'clock show, I knew I would not be home by 10, so I did the responsible thing and called home. My parents were out. We didn't have an answering machine either. But, I'm responsible and my dad trusts me, so I called a neighbour, and told them my story. They promised to pass the message onto my parents.
I cannot remember what movie we saw. It ended and we all hopped on a bus home. I lived in a suburb area. The bus we took, took us to a mall where we'd change buses. I was now with 2 mates. Both male. One was spending the night at the others house. When we reached the last bus stop and had to change buses, we noticed that I missed the last bus home. The guys decided it was not safe for me to be on my own, so offered to walk me home.
By the time we made it home, it was about 1am. Oops. My dad was awake.
I'd like to point out, that technically I didn't get into trouble. Instead, my dad's brother called me the next day. He lived in Brampton. He wanted me to spend the summer there. It was more of a command that a question. I basically got shipped off that summer.
A few years ago, my mom was chatting with one of her mates, and this incident came up. My mom said how she and my dad were worried. Who knows what I was up to? Drugs? Getting pregnant for all they knew. I couldn't help but laugh. Seriously mom? I would've thought you had more faith in the way you raised me!
I'd like to think I was a pretty decent kid. I didn't get into too much trouble. I was even considerate enough to postpone my rebellious years until my late teens. While my dad was strict, he was fair. He taught me responsibility and gave me his trust, as opposed to asking me to earn it.
I never had a curfew. That doesn't mean I got to stay out all night. We had a deal, my dad and I. If I wanted to go out, I'd ask permission. My dad would ask me what time I would get home. I'd tell him. Now since he didn't impose this time on me, it was expected I would be home at said time. If I couldn't be, I'd have to call.
One summer night, I must have been 14 or 15, I had plans to go to the cinema with a group of mates. My dad approved of the group, and accepted the time I planned to come home. We were aiming for a 7 o'clock show, and since I was using public transportation, I expected to be home a little after 10.
It was a Tuesday, which meant cheap movie night (gosh, am I dating myself here?). We didn't plan our meeting time properly, as we missed the 7 o'clock show. What to do? A few mates said they would not be able to stay for the 9 o'clock show and opted to hang out for a bit, then leave. Four mates we left. Two were siblings, and lived near the cinema, so we hung out at their place.
By choosing to go to the 9 o'clock show, I knew I would not be home by 10, so I did the responsible thing and called home. My parents were out. We didn't have an answering machine either. But, I'm responsible and my dad trusts me, so I called a neighbour, and told them my story. They promised to pass the message onto my parents.
I cannot remember what movie we saw. It ended and we all hopped on a bus home. I lived in a suburb area. The bus we took, took us to a mall where we'd change buses. I was now with 2 mates. Both male. One was spending the night at the others house. When we reached the last bus stop and had to change buses, we noticed that I missed the last bus home. The guys decided it was not safe for me to be on my own, so offered to walk me home.
By the time we made it home, it was about 1am. Oops. My dad was awake.
I'd like to point out, that technically I didn't get into trouble. Instead, my dad's brother called me the next day. He lived in Brampton. He wanted me to spend the summer there. It was more of a command that a question. I basically got shipped off that summer.
A few years ago, my mom was chatting with one of her mates, and this incident came up. My mom said how she and my dad were worried. Who knows what I was up to? Drugs? Getting pregnant for all they knew. I couldn't help but laugh. Seriously mom? I would've thought you had more faith in the way you raised me!
5 comments:
Wow I can't believe you got shipped off, you called and even called a neighbor! I think you did what you were supposed to
Ha! Shipped off! I thought they only did that in movies! lol
Hehehe. Seeing how Toronto is only a 4-5 hour drive from Ottawa, I guess I wasn't really shipped off, but still. lol
is it weird that i get itchy when i hear the word brampton? ohh the suburbs!
Shipped off? Oh, no! I also got in trouble for things other people did or circumstances I couldn't control. Sometimes, I thought that I might as well get into trouble for something I did, since I was going to get in trouble anyway...
Stopping by from the Writer's Workshop to say hi & read your entry!
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