We had good times at first, for about six months, but Steve taught me what verbal abuse and codependency can do to you. Those good times were gradually replaced with accusations of cheating, and verbal attacks. He never physically hit me or anything, but the verbal was just as bad. There were many times I dreaded going home. He was way too insecure in the relationship, and I was way too supportive of that behavior. This combination made the situation more volatile. I have one picture of Steve, but I can't post it without his permission, and since its a nudie, I don't think he would agree to it.

I was working with Deposit Guaranty National Bank (Now AmSouth!) and enjoyed working there alot. (Heya Cassandra, Frances, and Ladonna.) Here are some pics from that era. I worked in the loan processing department first, and then transferred out to the Zoo Branch as a teller. (I call it the ZOO branch, because its across from the Zoo, and is in a bad part of town.)

I was doing a good job there, perhaps too good, because after posting for a head customer service position a couple times, I stepped on the toes of my Head Teller, (Regina the Pain.) who called the bank ethics department and said that I released confidential information (NEVER!) She couldn't prove I did, and I couldn't prove I didn't, and knowing that because she was my direct supervisor and would stop at nothing to continue this charade, I resigned from the bank.

During this time a "friend" from up-home had made a reappearance in my life. Troy and I used to pal around together when I used to party in Starkville, MS and Columbus, MS. Troy is a bit two faced, but if you can get around that, then he is an okay person to be around. (Don't loan him money though, he is a horrible credit risk and CERTAINLY don't give him access to a phone in your name.)

Troy, brought me back to reality and made me realize what trap I had gotten myself into. He couldn't believe that, me, the single guy, had gotten himself to such a pickle. He gave me a part time job as an assistant front end manager at the grocery store where he was a "wannabe" manager so that I could get out of the house at night and away from the situation.

I broke up with Steve the month before I left the bank. I came home one night with a migrane, and he started in on me the moment I came in the door. I took the abuse for about an hour, and finally got up and went to the bedroom. He wouldn't let it go, and followed me. I told him that I didn't feel good, and that I was going to bed, and turned off the light. He turned it back on and kept on. We went thru this last statement about twice, and he turned to the closet and made the statement, "Well, if you are not gonna listen to me, I'll just take my clothes and leave." (This was about 8pm)

Steve was famous for this statement, and this time he hit the wrong nerve, so I sat up in the bed, and replied with "Well, you know where the door is, so hit it." He grabbed some work clothes and headed out the door. I turned off the light and went to sleep.

At 3:00am, I woke to the sound of crying. I sat up in the bed, and he was sitting there. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was sorry. If this had been the first time we had been through this yell, make up, yell make up thing I could have probably let it go. However it hurt me that he wouldn't even quit, even after knowing I didn't feel well. I couldn't take it anymore, and I told him so. That was on a Tuesday Night. He went to work that Wed Morning, and then came back on Saturday to get his stuff. I cared about Steve alot, and in some ways still do, but I could no longer allow myself to be abused in that manner.

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPENING

Sears and Roebuck closed their catalog after 100+ years of mail-order.

The North American Free Trade Agreement was passed, since putting millions of Americans out of work.

Tammy Faye Baker Remarried. (Couldn't afford the makeup on her own.)