“We’re going out to the country to talk to some people,” they said.
It was very early spring of my Junior year of high school and two days prior I had been expelled from Oneida (I before E except in Oneida). I was 15 years old and was returning home to stay for the first time in 4 years. I spent that night at home in my bed and the next at my sister’s house on the couch. The following Saturday my parents returned and we took a ride to the country…..
“We’re going to visit a nice place and talk to some nice people and see if you like the place.”
I had heard this line before. Back in 6th grade I visited two places to “talk to some nice people and see if I liked the place.” One was Millersburg Military Institute (which, in hindsight, would have at least paid off in the long run) and the other was Oneida (I before E except in Oneida).
Entering the building I was immediately directed into a small room to the side by 3 men I did not know. In the room was a ring of folding chairs neatly ringing another folding chair which is where I was placed. The 3 men started asking me questions and were very confrontational.
“What kind of drugs are you on, Ricky?”
“When did you start using drugs, Ricky?”
“Don’t lie to us, it will only make it worse.”
I had no real drug history so I denied everything.
I spent 17 months in the place.
I Remember This One Time... 