IX. GEORGE STARSIAK
I was begging Mom to let me visit my dad. She refused – said he didn’t want to see me, which was a complete lie, and said if he did let me visit, he’d be too lenient and turn me into a drunk, like him.
She relented and let Dad come visit me one afternoon. I had hoped he’d take me to a movie or a baseball game. Doug Maxwell and the Reds were in town to play the Mets and I wanted to see Maxwell play – I’d heard about him on sports radio. But Mom put her foot down and only let Dad sit with me in the dungeon. It was so disappointing. She hated the thought that I might get any enjoyment out of life – especially with my father.
I could tell Dad was shocked when he laid eyes on me. He let out an awkward gasp while coming down the stairs. I had grown three inches since he mo
