As I indicated in the last story, I chose going to a Catholic high school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph rather than what was known then as Reform School; and it certainly changed my behavior forthwith, though in an unusual fashion.
The morning of the first day, still shorter than average and very much to myself, I found myself wandering aimlessly in an unfamiliar location among a bunch of students who were gregariously interacting with each other. Then, a bell rang and all those people started hustling hither and dither, leaving me standing absolutely alone, not knowing where to go.
My attention was attracted to a bunch of giggling sounds. Off to my left, I saw a boy about my age (the younger of the Delgado brothers) chucking pebbles through the louvered windows of the girls rest room; hence the giggles. As I was patiently awaiting his attention to get directions, a black flash that I swear to this day leaped a three foot hedge, landed face to face with Georgie. Next I knew this 5 foot nun who happened to be the Principal threw a left hook and the guy was down for the count; and, with my background, I certainly could judge a classic left hook when I saw one.
Then, she turned on me. Hands straight up and gagging for words, I somehow got out that I was just looking for assistance in finding my classroom. Fortunately I had been raised by Church going parents, because if I hadn’t, seeing that poor guy nailed to the cross in the front of the room would have really put me over the edge right then and there. This was in 1953 and from that day forward, I never saw Mother Superior with a smile; nor, without a glare. Actually, I made every attempt to avoid seeing her at all. I hav2say, though, other fun nuns on the staff more than tipped the balance to the pleasant side.
Yep, I had finally become a manageable student; and, for that, I have to thank her. Although I went on to learn to channel my angry side playing football under Coach Machado who became my role model, it took a stint in the U.S. Army’s basic training to completely wake me up; and, that’ll be in the next story.