Andy Smith is just a regular guy. No fake names used in this story.
Andy came into his formative years with a couple of strikes against him. By formative years I mean the teens. Ya, I know there's a school of thought that says a person's character is etched in stone by the time they're three years old, but I don't buy it.
Andy was a wild little shit. Learned to love the taste of liquor early. Rumor has it that in his high school years he never missed a day where he wasn't either drunk or hung over.
I'm probably overstating the case here; local teachers claim that Andy missed more days than he attended. So assuming he was sober all those days he wasn't at school, maybe he wasn't the teenage alcoholic he's made out to be.
Maybe...
Whatever the particulars, I ran into Andy the other day, at a wedding reception, of all things. The family unit here at Falling Downs doesn't get out for a lot of this kind of stuff, especially weddings.
You know how it goes. Young couple hooks up. Puts on a fancy shindig, you buy them a nice wedding gift, and while you're still paying off the gift via your never-declining credit card balance, the little shits are already going their separate ways.
Anyway, we made an exception for the kids at this wedding, and low and behold, we unexpectedly run into the local wild child, Andy Smith.
Andy ain't wild no more. He's got his Chef's ticket and works at a fancy-pants restaurant.
But that's not all.
Andy is one set of exams away from getting his Cement Finisher ticket as well.
That is one well-rounded young man!
So here's the lesson I hope you'll take away from this brief introduction to Andy. The next time you run into a teen who you think is an obnoxious poke in the eye of civilization, cut him some slack. Give him a chance. Maybe even give him a hand up.
In ten years he could be an awe-inspiring example of the virtues of dedication and hard work.
Andy Smith just showed me it's possible.
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