One of my sweetest high school memories is the summer that Dennis and I worked together as janitors. We were an odd couple. On paper we didn't seem to belong together. I was a "good" kid (athletics, my chubby cheeks and baby face) and Dennis, was certainly a "bad" boy who had become ensnared in the judicial system and reform school. Dennis often behaved like he didn't give a shit, and as some of you may remember, Dennis was often in trouble. Often serious trouble. Perhaps because it was summer and we weren't limited by the social class structure that is inevitable in high school, it was easier for us to be friends. And we quickly became easy friends. The janitorial company gave us our own van and our own " accounts". We would typically work all night and then screw around all day. Over these very brief summer months, I discovered that Dennis was an extremely intelligent and brilliantly funny guy. He regularly made me belly laugh. But more than that, he was an unexpectedly generous and kind person. We had many thoughtful and rich conversations...at least for 16 year old boys. That summer working, being and goofing around with Dennis was some of the most engaging, rich and enjoyable time of my high school years. Dennis died in the early 70's. At that point I had completely lost track of him. This opportunity and space for reflection reminds me that after all these years, I miss him.
7th grade Glasgow Middle School. Early morning before classes I walk into my homeroom class where a group of big boys, all haired over, were psyching each other up for a random fistfight in the hallways. The biggest of the boys was a kid named Elton; and he sure was tough. I heard him say, "Just walk out in the hallway and floor a kid. Any kid." I followed them out into the hall and saw Elton push the smallest kid in school up into a locker. That little kid was Dennis Metz. Before Elton could react, the most amazing thing happened. That little Dennis Metz turned into a human buzzsaw. In about a second, he had whacked Elton in the face multiple times and left him sitting on the floor. I have pondered what occured that day many times and the best I can surmise is "Don't fuck with anybody."
Stu Simon
One of my sweetest high school memories is the summer that Dennis and I worked together as janitors. We were an odd couple. On paper we didn't seem to belong together. I was a "good" kid (athletics, my chubby cheeks and baby face) and Dennis, was certainly a "bad" boy who had become ensnared in the judicial system and reform school. Dennis often behaved like he didn't give a shit, and as some of you may remember, Dennis was often in trouble. Often serious trouble. Perhaps because it was summer and we weren't limited by the social class structure that is inevitable in high school, it was easier for us to be friends. And we quickly became easy friends. The janitorial company gave us our own van and our own " accounts". We would typically work all night and then screw around all day. Over these very brief summer months, I discovered that Dennis was an extremely intelligent and brilliantly funny guy. He regularly made me belly laugh. But more than that, he was an unexpectedly generous and kind person. We had many thoughtful and rich conversations...at least for 16 year old boys. That summer working, being and goofing around with Dennis was some of the most engaging, rich and enjoyable time of my high school years. Dennis died in the early 70's. At that point I had completely lost track of him. This opportunity and space for reflection reminds me that after all these years, I miss him.
Lance Morrow (Morrow)
Okay, I'll take a crack at this.
7th grade Glasgow Middle School. Early morning before classes I walk into my homeroom class where a group of big boys, all haired over, were psyching each other up for a random fistfight in the hallways. The biggest of the boys was a kid named Elton; and he sure was tough. I heard him say, "Just walk out in the hallway and floor a kid. Any kid." I followed them out into the hall and saw Elton push the smallest kid in school up into a locker. That little kid was Dennis Metz. Before Elton could react, the most amazing thing happened. That little Dennis Metz turned into a human buzzsaw. In about a second, he had whacked Elton in the face multiple times and left him sitting on the floor. I have pondered what occured that day many times and the best I can surmise is "Don't fuck with anybody."