Nov. 4, 1973

I bled all over my pillow last night, and my nose really hurts today. Church was boring as usual, and I fell asleep in CCD. I had to spend the afternoon helping Dad trim the hedge and cut back the roses. It was hard work, and we were rewarded with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We finished just in time to watch the Browns game on TV.

Nov. 3, 1973

I got beaten up today. Dad said I could finally go out. It was sunny, so we played some touch football at Dave’s house. I’d be a pretty good quarterback if I weren’t so skinny. Dad wouldn’t let me try out for the team because he thought I’d get hurt. Hal Goldberg and I snuck over to Billy’s house in the afternoon. The three of us went over to play in the field behind Pinewood. There are a lot of paths over there as well as a clearing where Billy and Hal smoke. One puff was enough to turn me off forever.