I have to ask, were the neighbors (Wheaton, I'm guessing?) really that judgmental? Like did neigbhors ever come out with it and judge you and your mom? I'm asking not because I doubt you, but because it would reframe my perspective a bit on where I grew up.
My dad worked in Wheaton for over a decade, had an office there for his HVAC business there. Besides that, my only engagement with Wheaton qua Wheaton was Christmas concerts and Chik-Fi-La.
I grew up 45 miles west of Chicago, in Geneva/St. Charles, and my experience was indeed one also of basements, and park benches, and "forest preserves." I live in the northwest now and my strong subjective experience was that suburban life was one of not knowing your neighbors, or having any opinions about them (except our one neighbor who was overweight and my mom was convinced he was a pedophile because the nextdoor teen boy regularly went over their to watch Harry Potter etc). Nobody seemed to actually "interact" with anyone, they were all in basements...watching...Harry Potter...I did make a number of good friends, I suppose, at a cafe. They were all over the age of thirty, some over the age of 70, and I was 15. A good group of religious weirdos.
In the town I'm in now, the judgment and opinions of others is palpable, but for all sorts of weird little reasons. E.G. people here are generally more "redneck" (self-described) and can be incredibly snooty about a town 40 minutes from here. Because that town is nicer, it's a bit of reverse snobbery, they think everyone in that town--with its boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and pedestrian friendly infrastructure--is full of snobs.
In Illinois, I wish I had more awareness of neighbors, and had the pleasure of living in tension with them.
Well done, Amanda; while our demographics are much different, this piece evokes a lot of memories of my teenage years. You captured the chaos of when you're out with your friends, seeking some privacy, but the cops show up and "you scatter like woodland creatures." You succinctly described the feeling that stirs in me every spring ("... time was reborn") since my formative teen years. I only wish I related more to what was going on at the time, but while I cherish those years, I enjoy the perks of adulthood more.
This brought me to my own sneaking out shenanigans. We had a walk out basement so it was not as tactical as your maneuvers. Although, I still needed that stealth to avoid waking up the 'rents. I did the old staying over at a friend's house story, then meet up with people to go to a dive bar for mug club at 15 on a school night. Suburbia in the 80s was wild.
I am disappointed that Taco Bell wasn't part of the Bermuda Triangle, but I quickly got over it because this is a great piece -- again. Like all your pieces, Amanda, you deliver a heightened level of self-awareness and put it all out there. Thank you for the read.
OMG! I feel like I manifested this! When I commented on your other post on what I would like to see, (2nd person pieces) I was thinking of this one. Thank you for reposting.
Brough me down memory lane. Albeit, the 1967-1971 block. Similar emotions, similar outcomes. I love the vividness of your writing! Thank you for sharing!
I have to ask, were the neighbors (Wheaton, I'm guessing?) really that judgmental? Like did neigbhors ever come out with it and judge you and your mom? I'm asking not because I doubt you, but because it would reframe my perspective a bit on where I grew up.
My dad worked in Wheaton for over a decade, had an office there for his HVAC business there. Besides that, my only engagement with Wheaton qua Wheaton was Christmas concerts and Chik-Fi-La.
I grew up 45 miles west of Chicago, in Geneva/St. Charles, and my experience was indeed one also of basements, and park benches, and "forest preserves." I live in the northwest now and my strong subjective experience was that suburban life was one of not knowing your neighbors, or having any opinions about them (except our one neighbor who was overweight and my mom was convinced he was a pedophile because the nextdoor teen boy regularly went over their to watch Harry Potter etc). Nobody seemed to actually "interact" with anyone, they were all in basements...watching...Harry Potter...I did make a number of good friends, I suppose, at a cafe. They were all over the age of thirty, some over the age of 70, and I was 15. A good group of religious weirdos.
In the town I'm in now, the judgment and opinions of others is palpable, but for all sorts of weird little reasons. E.G. people here are generally more "redneck" (self-described) and can be incredibly snooty about a town 40 minutes from here. Because that town is nicer, it's a bit of reverse snobbery, they think everyone in that town--with its boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and pedestrian friendly infrastructure--is full of snobs.
In Illinois, I wish I had more awareness of neighbors, and had the pleasure of living in tension with them.
Best,
"You didn't yet know the dark paths your rebellious ways would take you down, and wouldn't for years." I await part 2 Ms. Fortini! Lovely work
You're right, Louise! I should write the next installment. I have another one I'm finishing and am about to post, and then I'm going to do this.
Well done, Amanda; while our demographics are much different, this piece evokes a lot of memories of my teenage years. You captured the chaos of when you're out with your friends, seeking some privacy, but the cops show up and "you scatter like woodland creatures." You succinctly described the feeling that stirs in me every spring ("... time was reborn") since my formative teen years. I only wish I related more to what was going on at the time, but while I cherish those years, I enjoy the perks of adulthood more.
This brought me to my own sneaking out shenanigans. We had a walk out basement so it was not as tactical as your maneuvers. Although, I still needed that stealth to avoid waking up the 'rents. I did the old staying over at a friend's house story, then meet up with people to go to a dive bar for mug club at 15 on a school night. Suburbia in the 80s was wild.
I am disappointed that Taco Bell wasn't part of the Bermuda Triangle, but I quickly got over it because this is a great piece -- again. Like all your pieces, Amanda, you deliver a heightened level of self-awareness and put it all out there. Thank you for the read.
OMG! I feel like I manifested this! When I commented on your other post on what I would like to see, (2nd person pieces) I was thinking of this one. Thank you for reposting.
Loved this
Brough me down memory lane. Albeit, the 1967-1971 block. Similar emotions, similar outcomes. I love the vividness of your writing! Thank you for sharing!