The whole story began that very evening when Gary Fryder’s father came home from work a few minutes earlier than usual. How many great things, how many discoveries had happened just in those earlier-than-usual minutes. It was autumn, fog had descended on the street and the faintly visible light of the streetlights resembled a traffic jam of cars standing still. The wind played with the red and yellow foliage, whipping it up sharply then dragging it faintly, as if grudgingly, across the pavement. John Fryder worked at the steel mill, and to keep his family afloat he’d take on extra work, pushing his plan too far, and staying late even when he didn’t have to. There were days when he worked 16 hours a day and immediately fell asleep when he got home. His only joy after work was a can of beer, he kept them in the freezer to somehow cool off his evening after a pile of hot metal. Pssh…
Ah, that sound is so sweet. — John said as he opened a can of beer.
And I would sit down in my old chair, worn out on all sides, but big and red like the emperor’s throne. He would take a swig of sweet beer, turn on the television, and immediately fall asleep. His passion for TV was boundless, but it was only the sounds he could hear in his sleep, as he always fell asleep while watching it. He never changed the channel more than one and he always forbade me to touch the remote control. I remember this lady from Interesting and Bold very well, because I would always sit down next to him and watch, watch, watch to be with Daddy for once, even though he was asleep.
— He told me, «Gary, don’t look at me, take matters into your own hands, I once made the mistake of dropping out, but I won’t let you do that.»
My brain, as a 6-year-old boy at the time
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