NINETEEN

DITCH JUMPER

September 8, 2008

In our last chapter I told you I wanted to get more in detail about my car accident on that terrifying night. It’s true that I’ve now changed my ways from the person I use to be, Big Brother, but it happened later after our crazy High School Years when we thought we were both Invincible. We both tempted Fate back then, and had many “Close Shaves” with things going terribly wrong.

In my case it was my “Party Mentality” that slowly grew more and more out of control. This recklessness caused being involved in that Car Accident that almost caused my demise. I have no one else to blame but myself for spinning out of control like it did. This is the reason why I’ve accepted being physically challenged the rest of my life.

But before I get into that “Unforgettable Night,” let me first remind you of more pleasant events that also happening around this time. Do you remember how we use to get “Swarmed” with people during Grape Harvest Season while working at those two “Popular Markets” in Easton, California? Our Grape Vineyard Ranch was located in middle of those markets about one mile apart, but ½ mile from our home in opposite directions.

Do you still remember what grade you were in when you first started working at Big Potato Market? Did you immediately find your “Assigned Work” interesting, and the people you worked for nice? Did you get free lunches every day at work like I did!

While working at Bernie & Lupe’s Market there was no clear indication when we’d be suddenly rushed by hundreds of Farm Workers during Harvest. They were thirsty, hungry, and wanted their checks cashed immediately during their short lunch breaks. Some people would even come by later before we closed at 8pm.

We probably did the same things you guys did over at Big Potato. We’d keep the selves and cold boxes products stocked, and had hot food like rotisserie chicken, pork ribs and hot links ready for big rush of business in the morning, afternoon and evening. We’d always gave quality service to all of our customers, whether Farmworkers or not.

The problem was there were thousands of Grape Vineyards to picked, but less and less Farm Workers to pick them each year during the early 1980’s. Back then, I remember hearing how some Farm Workers’ Camps got suddenly raided, and hundreds if not thousands of people were deporting during this time. Green Cards were heavily enforced by the laws, and if you didn’t have one you constantly worked and lived in fear.

It’s a good thing my boss and family friend Bernie Franco knew Farm Contractors back them. Without workers his Grape Vineyard Ranch, ours, and of most of the Farmers may have never been picked. Bernie was also quite knowledgeable about running his store. He could quickly tell the difference between Checks written from “Surrounding Ranchers” he trusted, and Fake Checks people tried cashing every now and then.

Even with Good Checks, the Rules of our store were very strict. A person could only get them cashed if they had “Proper Identification,” and agreed to purchase 10% of that check towards Food and other Merchandise. Some workers would actually bring in large checks in the high hundreds if not over a thousand. When this happened we’d give them a break. With proper ID we’d then only ask them to spend a reasonable amount of money.

Man, I still remember rushing in and out of those “Cold Boxes” through-out the day, trying to keep them stocked with beer, milk, soda and bottled water. Why I should have invested my first Pay Check on a pair of “Cross Trainers,” or better yet, “Invested in Nike” when their Stocks were selling Low way back then. If I’d done that, I’d be sitting pretty today.

The temperature in the Cold Boxes was so low “The Canned Beverages” would actually stick to my hands when restocking. I’d actually have to pry them loose, which only made stocking those Cold Boxes that much longer! I had to rush in and out every now and then just long enough to warm-up my hands to prevent Frostbite. Then I’d return into the “Arctic Tundra” while having this scary thought of being frozen solid in the back of my mind.

In the following years I was taught the trade of “Meat Cutting” and practically ran the Meat Department by myself in my Junior Year in High School. We didn’t have all the “Bagged Beef” they use nowadays in grocery stores. We’d cut-off steaks and other meat products right off “Front and Hind Quarters of Hanging Beef” that were shipped directly for Harris Ranch.

Now getting back to our crazy days, do you remember how Alcohol was so “freely served” at all of those Big Country Parties we attended? In my Senior Year we’d come across so many different fliers during school towards the weekend. They’d publicize whether a Band or DJ would be playing, and how many kegs would be served. There was usually Coverage Charge $5 to help pay for the Kegs and Entertainment. The Beer lines of people were always eagerly waiting to fill their Styrofoam Cups! People would also get very upset when the beer finished.

My problem was I drank so much before I’d reached “Legal Drinking Age.” And by 21 years old I sometimes wondered if was an Alcoholic. Around this time while in my early 20’s I couldn’t wait for the weekend to arrive drink at a “Club or Publicized House Party.” But I still never drank at home out of respect for our parents.

I remember attending this “House Party” in the middle of a Grape Vineyard Ranch like the one our family owned. But instead of an actual house, this party was held in a Large Metal Storage Building with these big roll-up doors. This building was centrally placed on this Ranch, and was surrounded by about sixty acres of “Freshly Picked Grape Trays” that were laying in the middle of these really long Vineyards Rows. It must of been around mid-August or the beginning of September when this party was held.

This Big Storage Building was used for Farm Equipment, but on this day it had all been moved-out to make room for a large “Dance Floor.” While arriving you could already hear the “Party Music” thumping about two or three miles away. Both sides of the street were lined-up with bumper to bumper nice cars and trucks of all types.

My closest friends Steve and Ronnie use to always argued over who was riding shotgun, and who’d be riding in the backseat of my 1975 Root Beer Brown Cadillac Deville. And who ever drove their car while we took turns would be the Designated Driver who didn’t drink. When we finally arrived at about 9pm this party was already packed with so many people. Because of this, we had to actually drive about a quarter mile down the road before finally finding a parking spot. When walking up to the party, other people just arriving kept asking us, “Are we at the right place? Is this the ‘Five Kegger’ Party?!”

Once or twice we were asked this same question by a “Carload of Girls.” When this happened, Steve and I would insist Ronnie do the talking because he was “The Shy One” out of our group. We’d catch Ronnie so off-guard he didn’t know what to say. We’d then deliver a little “Forearm Shimmy” to Ronnie’s back which would send him flying in the right direction.

I must admit, it was real fun meeting and dancing with so many people back then. But while we were having such a good time before midnight, things just got totally “Out of Control!” I think it was bout 10:30pm when “The Long Arm of the Law” suddenly showed-up. Some neighbors had complained about loud music, and that some cars had parked blocking their driveways.

The Sheriff’s Helicopter quickly showed-up and was shining its bright searchlight on us while flying in a circular pattern just over-head. Seeing the Sheriff Deputies dressed in “Riot Gear” slowly start walk towards the party with a “Barking K-9’s” scared so many people! Some actually started running through the vineyards to get to their cars and quickly leave the party!

People standing in line to enter the party suddenly yelled “It a bust! The Cops Are Here!” Then everyone inside the Equipment Building suddenly panicked, and scattered like ants running away from Aardvarks. It was definitely an interesting sight to see.

It was a “Bad Scene Getting Worst” so we didn’t wait around to see the end result. But you’d think that even after all this crazy commotion your “Little Brother” would’ve never returned. Yes, we made a “Huge Mistake” of returning after one of our female friends called to say the Sheriff’s Deputies had left, and now, only few people had been permitted back inside the Storage Building.

I should have thought “Big Deal! Fifteen Bucks lost for entrance fees is a lot cheaper than someone being arrested for “Drunk Driving!” But I wasn’t drinking because I had to drive, and still drop Ronnie and Steve at their houses before driving myself home. I was getting tire because we’d went out the night before to another party where Steve and I drank when it was Ronnie’s turn to be the Designated Driver. I should have listened to my inner voice telling me “Don’t go back to that party!” But I did I listen. Only if I’d listened.

So by the time I dropped-off Steve Ronnie a couple hours later, I started dosing-off behind the wheel of my Root Beer Brown Cadillac about ¼ mile from our County Home. I then started to slowly drift-off the road, and when my eyes reopened this dog suddenly ran across the street right in front of my car! This scared me so much I quickly jerked my steering wheel to the right.

Instead of slamming the brakes I floored the gas pedal while my tires began to sink into the County Sand. My car was not speeding toward this Ditch Embankment and when I hit it, I remember yelling “Nooooo” while Flying through the air like some Stuntman. After my car cleared the ditch and wound-up landing in the middle of that road, I instantly felt this “Horrible Pain” in my lower back as it flexed forward like never before. All of the windows of my car “Simultaneously Exploded” upon landing. My automatic response was to then quickly closed my eyes when the windows exploded all around me. Gripping my steering firmly didn’t prevent me from hitting my head on the steering wheel causing Whiplash.

As I sat there for a moment, trying to convince myself this was all just a “Really Bad Dream” my Crumpled Car began to steam, and I began to panic. I somehow managed to open the Driver’s Side Door of my buckled car. As I slowly climbed-out my head and neck were hurting. As I tried straiten my back, I knew I’d just hurt myself really bad from the severe pain I was now experiencing. I found-out a couple of days later after visiting the Chiropractor and him taking X-rays that I’d fractured four vertebrae in my mid and lower back. I found the same after visiting Valley Medical Center.

It’s true that after my accident, I knew that I’d never be able to play in the “NFL,” or become an “NBA Super Star” like a lot of people strive to be. I’d now becoming “Physically Handicapped,” but this didn’t mean I ever got to the point of giving-up on life. So while you’re temporarily incarcerated and in much better health, remember what your “Little Brother” has gone through so you don’t make the same mistakes. When you get out you should take advantage of your good health, and get involved in a field that interest you, and live your life to the fullest.

Granted, it’s true that I can’t “Run Track, Play Basketball or Full-contact Football” like I use in my younger years, but that’s okay. I can still enjoy seeing all of my favorite teams on TV with you like we use to do back in the day. I blame no one else for not taking “The road less traveled” when I should have. There’s a poem written by the Famous Poet Robert Frost titled, “The Road Not Taken” I’d like you to read some day. I’m just glad to still be alive today.

I’ve learned by having a better relationship with God, it only improves our lives and relationships for the better. I give thanks after awakening every morning, and I say a simple prayer like, “Thank you Dear Lord for this day you’ve given me. I won’t forget the many chances you’ve already given me. I’m going to try and make a positive impact on someone else’s life today.”

You know if I close my eyes right now, I could easily envision you becoming a Chef in a “Five Star Restaurant.” I still remember how we both love to Cook. Just try to stay strong while remembering we are and will always be “Two of God’s Children Who’ve Made Mistakes.” Let’s now take it one day at a time, and put those “Crazy Ditch Jumping Days” far behind us.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NASB

Next Chapter: Chapter#18