Gang of Three

4th Cycle: 1982 to 1989, Rue de Paree, New Valley

IN 1982 at age 14, I was finally expelled from high school—along with Danny D and Richard R, my best buddies back then—after a series of warnings and suspension for a string of misdemeanors ranging from stealing, vandalism, cutting classes, affiliating to a fraternity, juvenile brawls and attempted arson. Our school was a former seminary ran by some Dutch clergy. The least my forlorn dad could do was to walk me over at the door of the missionary house where the Prefect of Studies handed down the verdict to the Gang of Three.

Although anticipated, I still had a stinging dressing down at home from my sister and school benefactor Josephine—she and my other sister Trinidad sent us five boys to high school and college—while I continuously sobbed realizing that the world had stopped revolving and I was slowly melting from her scorching admonition. Yes, I was a nuisance, yet at hindsight, I have to admit high school excitement was worth remembering more than the hours spent learning the basics of Philo, Algebra and Physics combined.