Comment from Jerome Goldberg

Excellent

Bill - This is a well written, somewhat sad, somewhat melancholy coming of age story. Very descriptive character development. We have all had friends of character who impacted our lives. Stay well - jerry

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2021

Thanks, Jerry

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Excellent

You were lucky. Friends like Johnny could have led you into deeper trouble.
I have known characters, like Johnny and it never ends well.
What I found best about this story. Is your parents taking you to the sheriff to teach you a lesson. The sheriff may not have anything to charge you with but gave you a life's lesson.
Good story.
mary

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 18-Jul-2021

Thanks, Mary, for giving this a look. Bill

Comment from nomi338

Excellent

Consider yourself lucky. Had your association continued in the direction you seemed to be heading in, you may very well have wound up dead, seriously injured or in jail with a decades long sentence.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

But for the Grace of God...

Comment from Ben Colder

Excellent

Yep. we are known by the company we keep for sure. Been there, done that. I knew too many of those Johnnies, and thank God, Jesus came into my life. This is a good solid write. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, Ben, for giving this a look. Bill

Comment from nancy_e_davis

Excellent

It sounds like you were shaved from any wrong-doing and sheltered from ever being subject to Johnny's abuse again.
I always worried my son would get in with the wrong bunch but He didn't he say's because of me. He didn't want to disappoint me. This is a good story with good imagery, Bill. Nancy:)

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, Nancy, for giving this a look. Bill

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh my goodness! Times like that we can see that God was really protecting us and we didn't even know how much He was protecting us. I am glad Johnny and his psycho Popeye were gone from your life.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, lyenochka, for giving this a look. Bill

Comment from Ric Myworld

Excellent

You have that special way of taking me back, "Way back, back into the woods," or to a different time. Back to those days when we all had our secrets and had to try everything we knew we shouldn't. Thanks for sharing another fine story. Wish I had a six.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, Ric, for giving this a look. Bill

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

Wow! you were quite a character and really new how to pick your friends. I loved your decription of Johnny's dad as phycho Popeye. Johnny wasn't the smartest cookie around if he drugged your Koolaid and then expected you to drive that tractor without screwing up.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

It was a great place to be from ... far from.

Comment from blondie560

Excellent

Bill you really did have some colorful characters in your life. I think it was good advice to let this guy go. He wasn't much of a friend if he thought drugging your drink was cool. I hope your other friends stayed clear too.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, Sally, for giving this a look.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

Getting mixed up in bad company can result in being tarred with the same brush and no matter how much you try to shake off the reputation, you end up being stuck with it if it continues, glad you moved on here, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 16-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2021

Thanks, Dolly