Welcome to Fresh Talk, the home of BRIARWOOD - A LOVE STORY. This is the FIRST of a THREE Volume Family Saga Trilogy spanning the years 1963 to 1973.
PLEASE NOTE: Briarwood takes place during a trying time. The 1960's. Be PREPARED for strong language and the use of words we NEVER use in today's society.
ALSO NOTE: This Blog is best viewed in "full screen" mode
You are invited to follow along as young TOMMY ANDREWS becomes of age.
WARNING, WARNING, DANGER WILL ROBINSON !!!!!
Further reading will EXPOSE you to SPOILER ALERTS
If you don't want to know all these details, just click on the next installment.
(CLICK THE ABOVE LINKS TO GO TO THE BOOKS)
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We watch as the young teenager learns about love, acceptance, loyalty, forgiveness and a way to find love from his father.
The events that would alter this young man's life begin in December 1963, two weeks after that terrible day in Dallas. Americans are still in shock over the events of November 22nd. The cold war is at it's height, and the Vietnam War is about to escalate.
But that doesn't matter to Tommy Andrews as he makes his way to a new home in Muncie, Indiana. With him are his parents JOHN and MARGARET and older brother GEORGE.
It would be a new home, a new school and a new life. Tommy didn't care, he just wants to return to western Pennsylvania and to all of his friends. A home where he was happy and content. He feels that his life is over.
John Andrews treats his youngest boy different from his oldest. He is uncaring, distant, and spends little time with his son. Tommy knows that George is his fathers 'favorite'. Those feelings have rubbed off on George as well, who picks on Tommy at every opportunity. John Andrews also carries with him a heavy burden.
Upon his arrival in Indiana, Tommy is immediately bullied by his new class mates.
One of the bullies turns out to be his new neighbor, GARY THURSTON.
At the close of his first week in his new home, Tommy meets DAWN THURSTON, the younger sister of one of his tormentors. He falls immediately in love. But that does not help in his new Junior high school.
The constant bullying from his classmates boils to the surface and Tommy's grades drop dramatically. He begins to get into trouble. The only bright spot in Tommy's life is the girl who lives down the street.
The following month, scandal rocks the local high school sports scene as Muncie Central High School is suspended from all sports activities for one year. This, following a late December bleacher clearing riot at a basketball tournament. It is a scandal that rocks the city and teaches Tommy about sportsmanship and honesty.
After numerous fights in school and grades that according to his father are 'in the toilet,' Tommy gets in one final fight after school.
Coming to the rescue of a crippled girl, Tommy is wrongly expelled for the rest of the year.
No one asks him what caused the incident and Tommy knows that no one will believe him if he tells the truth.
In desperation John Andrews contacts his old college roommate. Now the Headmaster at Briarwood Academy in Charleston, WV. RAY ETHRIDGE agrees to take the boy on a trial basis.
On his way to Charleston, Tommy meets a kind and caring stranger on the bus. He encourages the young boy to tell his story. To Tommy's surprise, the man listens. He does not judge nor condemn the young boys action. That conversation would change Tommy's life and set the stage for his future.
Arriving in Charleston, Tommy agrees to room with BRUCE WALKER, an African American. It is another decision that will also change his life. The two boys form a bond that will last a lifetime. Bruce's parents embrace the young man, and become the parents he always desired.
Tommy flourishes away from home. All his teachers give him special time and mold him into a fine young man.
Tommy and Bruce continue to bond as they join protesters demonstrating at a 'white only' swimming pool in South Charleston. They grow closer after an altercation in a Charleston alley with two bullies from a rival high school.
Tommy balances his new life in Charleston with trips back home to see Dawn, the love of his young life.
Dawn and her brother Gary lobby her parents to allow Dawn to see Tommy when he comes home for Christmas. They finally relent and begin to realize that this young boy is not at all like he seems.
At Dawn's urging, Tommy and Gary become friends over Christmas vacation, but there is still trouble 'in the house up the street.' Tommy does not understand why his father won't love him. He can not understand why John won't acknowledge how well his own son is doing at his new school. It will be years before he learns the deep dark secrets that surround his family.
When a serious illness strikes Dawn in the spring of 1966, Tommy races home to Indiana with Bruce and his father. When John Andrews finds out about the black roommate, an argument ensues, and a punch gets thrown.
John Andrews tells Tommy he must choose. He can come home to Dawn and attend Muncie Central, or he can stay in Charleston.
After much thought and conversation, Tommy decides to stay where he can get the best education.
The headmaster awards Tommy a scholarship to Briarwood Academy. It was a scholarship that years later would turn into a major crises.
A final confrontation during the summer of 1966 results in Tommy finally 'introducing his fist to his brothers face.'
Tommy gets on the bus to return to his school. As he turns and looks at his family, he smiles. It was time to go home. A home where he was happy and content. He wants to return to that place and to all of his friends.
He feels that his life is just beginning.
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I hope you enjoy reading this tale from the 1960's.
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