Gordie...a mill story

Is it called mentoring?

Gordie…a mill story

I started at the mill when I was 19. I could’ve started a year earlier, but my parents gave me a year to follow my dream of being a writer. I’ve always written stories. Before that, I wanted to be an animator. I still doodle with a cartoon character I created in grade 8 art class; I do it to kill time when I’m waiting.

I went to the mill willingly. My brother-in-law at the time, Peter, got me the  job. He told me there were a lot of drugs available, and that it was my choice as to how I was going to handle that issue. I told myself I’d do whatever they offered me because a writer has to experience life before he can write about it. Maybe not one of my better decisions, but not really the wrong decision, because I did eventually end up meeting my wife somewhere in that mess of things.