TOAD’S TALES
  James Williston Horne

    When Enough Stuff is Enough or Not 
  “But Mother and Father I Need More!”

Billy was born on June 15, 1985 to Frank and Brenda McGowan residing in Canton, Ohio. He was their only child. Their pride and joy. Frank worked at a local insurance company where he had been employed for the past fifteen years selling car, home, life and disability insurance. Brenda was a stay at home mom tending to their son’s every wish and desire. Frank would arrive home every night to see his only begotten son Billy. Fertility problems prevented them from having any more children. Not that Billy was being spoiled in his parents eyes but based on everyday family traditional
values he was being extremely overindulged! His parents had a disillusioned view of how spoiled their child was becoming. Nonetheless, they loved Billy and thought that he well deserved everything that his parents could indulge him with.

Billy was turning five years old and entering the first grade at Canton Elementary School. It was his first experience riding on a school bus. Billy’s mother would walk him to the bus and pick him up after school. Billy was sort of an odd-looking child but in all cases, children looks and personalities develop as they grow. All in all Billy was doing a fine job as he matured. He was fairly tall for his age with a slender build, reddish blond hair and hazel colored eyes. Every day when he came home from school Billy would talk about a new toy that another child had brought to school. He would ask his mother if she could pick him up one the next time that she went to the store. Sure enough, Billy’s mother and father would purchase the desired toy and bring it home for him.

Billy’s parent s normally would not bring him to the grocery and department stores for whatever reasoning that they had. Billy was accustomed to getting mostly every thing that he requested and never saying thank you to his mother, father, grandparents and all others that gave him things. His parents never paid much attention to that aspect of his development assuming that they themselves never thought that it was important. Who could blame Billy, he was never taught basic manners! A key stone in child development.

After pleating with his father to bring him to the department store Frank broke down and said yes. Billy was full of joy and looking forward to it. I have my father where I want him thought Billy! Brenda on the other hand was glad that she would not be going on this outing knowing what Frank was about to be thrown into!

Well, Saturday morning arrived and Billy was by the bedside waking up dad. Time to get ready to go to the store dad! Frank begrudgingly arose from bed took a shower and got dressed for the outing. Billy and his father arrived at the department store about 10:00 am set for a fun round of shopping. Frank had to pick up a few household items that Brenda had requested. After finishing his shopping, Frank and Billy started walking around the children’s department with a smile on Billy’s face from ear to ear. What came next, Frank did not expect! After picking up a few toys that Billy wanted, his father said it was time to go home. Billy was ok with that until they passed a toy that his good friend had and Billy had forgotten all about it. Billy asked his dad if that could be his last toy for the day? His father said no and that it was time to go. Well Billy’s expression changed to a face that his dad had not seen before. Billy threw himself down to the floor and started screaming until his face was beet red with tears flowing down. Kicking wildly and having no control over his emotions, Billy had lost it! Customers were staring and Frank not knowing what to do picked up Billy and started leaving the store.

Frank put Billy into the car but Billy continued with his crying, screaming and uncontrolled outburst of emotions. Frank wasn’t aware that the store manager had called the police. Well after about one half hour of Frank trying to console Billy and not having any positive results the police showed up and immediately went to the car to investigate. Frank explained to the police officers that Billy was having a temper tantrum and that all would be fine in a couple of minutes. Well Billy did not stop, the police became more concerned, and a female officer intervened to try to gain control of the situation.

The fire department showed up, the swat team arrived and the store manager tried to calm the situation down to no avail.

Frank called Brenda and told her that he had a situation at the department store and she should come down ASAP. Brenda frantically got the car keys and headed right down to the store. Upon arriving and evaluating what all the commotion was about Brenda looked at Billy and asked what the problem was? At this point, all the crying, screaming and fluttering around stopped, Billy looked at his mother smiled and said Daddy did not get me the toy hat I truly wanted!

The police felt that both parents and Billy should come down to the police station to file and record this event. Brenda, before leaving thought it would be best if she brought Billy back into the store not to apologize but to buy him the toy hat he so desperately needed! Upon arriving at the police station they were greeted by the Department of Family and Child Services for questioning which the usual procedure was. At first they thought it was a case of child abuse due to all the screaming and related behavior, but that was later ruled out after his parents explained that Billy was just a bit spoiled. The whole police department’s eye is rolled with disbelief and wonderment.

Brenda, Frank and Billy returned home and settled in for the remainder of their family Saturday. The incidenent at the department store was never brought up again. Frank thought it would be a good idea if Brenda always accompandy them on future visits to the stores and Brenda agreed.

Billy played with his new toys as if nothing ever had happened. Latter that evening they order a pepperoni and sausage pizza. Billy gave his parents a kiss goodnight and turned in for the evening after being tucked in under the covers by his parents. Life was good for Billy.

 Five years had passed and Billy was going into the sixth grade. Nothing much had changed in his behavior other than the normal growing and maturity. His parents still continually indulged him as Billy had always expected and enjoyed.

Billy was a average student always paying attention to his studies, completing his homework assignments and generally trying to be a considerate young adult. His fondness for toys and computer gadgets had only increased with age and were more costly. As in the past, his parents always got the toys and gadgets that were the best and Billy knew it!

Billy would constantly brag about what he had and showed no signs of trying not to belittle the other students that were less fortunate than he was. Billy meant no harm but he had never been taught by his parents to show gratitude and respect for what his mother and father had bestowed upon him.

A parent teacher conference was scheduled for the following Wednesday at 9:00 in the morning. Billy and his parents arrived at school set for the conference. From past school reports it appeared that all was set for a welcomed report. Mrs. Devine greeted Billy and his parents and sat them in the front row as usual with the teacher sitting directly in front of them. Mrs. Devine started with how Billy was progressing with his work, attendance, attitude, popularity and all other matters related to his schoolwork. After the first hour Mrs. Devine asked Billy to leave the classroom so she could have private time with his parents. Not being a timid teacher Mrs. Devine told Billy’s parents that he needed to work on his edicate being that it was very inappropriate for a child his age. He was very rude in his approach with other children in what he had as possessions causing the other children to feel less adequate than he. In fact, he was not that popular and the other children liked and tolerated him because of the toys, possessions that he had and occasionally shared with them.

Billy all along was listening to Mrs. Devine and was starting to have another meltdown because he did not like what he was hearing! So many good days and now a terrible report from my teacher.

He stormed into the classroom, looked at Mrs. Devine straight in the face, and called her a bold-faced liar. Mrs. Devine stood up and gave Billy a soft smack on the top of his head. Billy then kicked her in the chin. Mrs. Devine then gave Billy another crack on the top of his head. At that point, Brenda stood up and gave Mrs. Devine a punch in the face. All this time Frank was thinking that at least it was not his fault this time! Billy stood motionless watching in total amazement! Frank finally stood up and took control of the situation. All the participants stood still wondering what had happened?

 Someone in the hallway heard and reported the disturbance to the police and they were called to the school to investigate. Sirens were blasting; police entered the classroom and gained control of the situation. All parties were brought down to the station for an investigation. Billy was suspended for two weeks, Mrs. Devine was suspended for one week and Brenda and Frank were given fines and written warnings. The Department of Family and Child Services were called in to have weekly meetings and conferences with all involved parties.  Billy, Frank and Brenda returned home, settled in and ordered a pepperoni and sausage pizza. No further mentioned of the incident was ever discussed again.

Frank and Brenda gave Billy a kiss goodnight and tucked him in. Billy returned back to school following completion of his suspension. The first day back at school Billy returned to his classroom with Mrs. Devine who was still the teacher. Unacceptable to Billy and an unrelenting staring showdown resulted. Mrs. Devine retired from the school that day! Billy continued going to school with no further problems. For some reason or other, that whole episode at school gave Billy a new fond popularity. Billy held his head higher and strutted around with more self-assurance. His studies improved but his desire for stuff only increased!

His parents tapered off on indulging him and that was a bit disturbing for Billy. He was raised to believe that Billy got what Billy wanted! Due to the lack of indulgence by his parents, Billy took up the art of petty thievery at the local stores. Why he resorted to this was unknown and surprising? His parents were financially comfortable so stealing should not have been an issue!

 Billy turned 14 years old and was entering the eight grade. He continued to do fairly well in school but started hanging around with a tougher crowd. The sealing continued, but it involved more of his friends and not just by himself. Billy and his friends had not been caught as of yet but he sensed that d-day would soon be approaching. In light of his premonition, Billy put a hold on the thievery and soon starting changing his circle of friends. Life was going well and his need for material things just kept growing. Billy did not know why but he accepted the fact that he just plain liked stuff.

 He wanted to know more about his parents and how they had grown up. What they were like as adolescents and young adults? One evening he decided to ask them since the issue had never brought before. His mother, Brenda had grown up in the same town that they were presently residing in Canton, Ohio. Her parents had died at an early age in an automobile accident. Brenda was just turning eighteen years old and continued living in the same house that she had grown up in. She was a popular individual with many friends but no family. Brenda also was an only child. Her parents will left her the house and a lot of money in insurance claims. A cheerleader, honor role student, but lacking a direction as to where she intended and or what she wanted to pursue in life. She was a kindhearted individual but naive in the ways of the world. As Billy was listening, he started to understand his mother a little better than he had before. Her nurturing years had been taken away from her to early in life. She meets Frank towards the end of her senior year but never dated him until they had graduated from high school and she finished her college studies. Brenda attended a community college and studied finance. She completed two years studying finance and management. Her favorite pastime was dickering with stocks and bonks. Investing some money from her in inheritance in stocks, she realized that she had a special gift there. Brenda kept that aspect to herself and just started saving the money and reinvesting. Brenda had become a wealthy woman by the time she married Frank. She looked at Billy and said, “I guess that one could called me a piece of milktoast” but I love you Billy and always have been very proud of you. That is about it for now my son. Billy looked toward his father and waited for his response.

Well Billy, my parents William and Augusta McGowan had emigrated from Ireland in the early/mid 1900 has and settled in the Ohio area. I cannot remember what the actual city was, but it was near Canton, Ohio where we all have resided since. My father got into the bootleg business of selling whiskey during the probation ere with his brother Fritz McGowan. Unfortunately, my father and mother were deported back to Ireland after some years. I was raised by my Uncle and remained with him until my latter teenage years. My upbringing was similar to that of your mothers. I did fairly well in school and was popular but not nearly as popular as your Mom was. I raised myself for a number of years. While cleaning my Uncle’s house upon his death, I discovered that he had hide large sums of money in pillows, mattresses and in the attic saved from my father’s and uncle’s bootlegging business! I kept the money; it helped me survive for a long period. I am not the financial wiz that your mom is! When the money started to run out, I needed to work and a friend helped me get into the insurance business. I did not go to college but studied on my own and became very diverse in the insurance business and thus here I am.

You were named after your grandfather William McGowan. So here, we are a tight knit family with many different combined values and a bit dysfunctional. Hold tour head high son and be proud of your heritage. We may not be perfect family but sometimes we know what is right and wrong!

We are both very proud of you and only ask you to do your best or at least try! We have spoiled you and have had fun doing that. Billy you’re Mom and I have been discussing that it would be best for all parties if we were not as laxed with buying you stuff and spoiling you as we have been doing! It is grow up time Billy! Surprisingly Billy did not have a meltdown but accepted his new roll!   Billy thought for a moment and then realized that many of his values come directly from my mother and father.

Years had passed and Billy continued stealing but was doing it alone, which he saw as less of a chance of being caught. I believe that Billy wanted to get busted but he developed his thievery into a real art and did not ever think that he would ever be caught!

Billy was to be graduating this summer and was looking forward to it. He finished school on the honor roll, got a couple trophies from tennis and other sports. His parents were very proud of him for his new found achievements that all developed after their family chat years back.

 Billy was going to take a few years off before going to college. He wanted to improve his art of thievery and test it to the max! He still was addicted to stuff as he had been since early childhood. He accepted that aspect of his life and would suffer the sequences if he indeed he could be caught!

Billy had rented a small bin at a local storage center to store all the stolen stuff he had accumulated over the years. The bin was quite full and Billy was not sure as what to do with it all. He was addicted to stuff even if he did not need it or want it! A new situation to deal with! Billy needed to reflect on his life and the time to start was now!

For years and years, Billy would pass by St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church on his way home from school. He figured that it would be a good time to make his first visit. That afternoon Billy walked over to the church and sat on the front steps. For the first time in awhile, Billy had a good feeling and not the bottled up anxiety that had always been within him. He did not go into the church but sat outside still reflecting on his life and in what direction it was headed for! 

Decision time Billy he said to himself! While sitting on the front steps of the church a homeless man walked by with his shopping cart full of his earthly possessions. He looked depressed and angry! Billy approached him and asked if there was anything that he could do? The Homeless man looked at Billy right in the eyes and said yes! Billy told the man to meet him here at the church same time tomorrow if he had faith and believed in the Lord. The man looked at Billy with a puzzling expression not knowing what to think. Well, Billy meet the homeless man at the church the same time the following day with another shopping cart full of miscellaneous items that would be of great personal value to the man. He thanked Billy and they both went on their way never saying another word to each other. Billy told the homeless man not to mention where he had gotten his new possessions that if caught he would spoil it for many other people in need. They never mentioned their names and Billy thought that would be best for all involved parities.

Billy sat around his house for the next few days and knew that it was time to get a job or do something constructive with his life. He knew in light of how he felt about working and the mundaness of it that would be out of the question.  

 For some reason or other Billy was drawn to the church even though he had not been inside the church as of yet. Well that Friday afternoon Billy went inside the church and was in awe of how beautiful and tranquil it was. For whatever reason he felt at home and it was a grand feeling, one that he had not felt before.

For the next few days, Billy spent a lot of time there putting all things into perspective. He met the priest and had at length conversations with him. Once again, Billy felt at peace as he did with his parents in talking to the priest. Billy was brought up Episcopalian but his parents were not churchgoers so his exposure was very limited. Billy was enlightened, had found a new direction in life that he felt that it could be connected with the church! Maybe to help the less fortunate people in the world!

What to do with the side of Billy that no one was aware of other than Billy himself! The thievery and stealing of STUFF! Further complication for Billy. Think and you will resolve it Billy! Within his storage bin, Billy had accumulated thousands and thousands of dollars worth of stuff. He could not donate it because he had no proof of ownership!

One day while visiting with his parents at home Billy tuned in to the television and started watching it with his folks. Circumstances have a way of resolve if you give it time! The show by chance or divine intervention was Robin Hood the Prince of Thieves. A light bulb went off and the problem was solved! Christmas was approaching and Billy would wrap all his stolen goods and give them to the needy.

Billy spent the next month wrapping all the stuff and just needed a list of families in need to put closure to this problem. Well, the plan worked without Billy being busted or arrested. Christmas come and went with Billy delivering all the stuff to the needy families without a hitch! He felt a great sense of relief.       

After reflecting on the change for a few weeks, Billy approached his father and asked him if he could get him a job in the insurance industry. A big smile was put on Frank’s face and he assured Billy that he would be able to get him started in the industry. Billy liked the hours and that would suit him for his real profession the one that he was so GOOD at. Stealing and Thievery! What could Billy do? He loved the art of it and was probably one of the best. He decided that he would not steal from the underprivileged or poor but rather take from the rich and give to the needy! He liked that idea and it made Billy feel good in a sense that he might actually help some good folks out!

Billy started working for his father’s insurance company as a front to justify his petty income that he was making from selling insurance! Remember Brenda was the wealthy one from her investments!

Billy’s mother died a few years later after battling with a long bout of pneumonia. Frank was never the same after his wife had passed away. Billy remained with his father taking care of him as he had for Billy.

Billy continued stealing and selling insurance as a front. He had not or even came close to getting busted but that didn’t stop the thievery! Billy accumulated thousand upon thousand of dollars worth of stolen goods from the rich. He would deliver them to the needy on holidays, special occasions, charity, fund raising events and every possible event that would benefit the needy or less fortunate. Billy believed he was actually doing good for others regardless of how he came about the stuff or how dysfunctional he actually was!

Billy never got married but dated quite a few beautiful women and was sort of a playboy in his own right. Billy continued with his stealing and thievery but was never caught! All the proceeds went to the needy and poor during the holiday season and when folks just plain needed it.

Billy remained with his father until his Dad passed away some years later.

Billy continued stealing and giving it all away to the needy, as he wanted to do feeling justified whether right or wrong!

Billy was a content, happy, enlightened and normal dysfunctional individual.

Consider how many of people in our society are dysfunctional and just aren’t aware of it!

Billy did OK!

 The End

                               
Just Another Left Handed Sagittarian with M.S

                 All Contributions / Donations can be sent to your local Multiple Sclerosis Chapter

                        **** All Rights Reserved - James W. Horne - November 15, 2009. ***