The Sad Sudden Realizations of Growing Up

It was October 1978. I was on the cusp of learning that you do not get laid by being the guy who wants to financially support a family and be involved in raising your children. That summer, I had learned that there were "friends" who didn't want you to be different, let alone better, than them. If only the roar of the waterfalls of self-pity ahead didn't drown out the voices of those who truly cared and wanted to share their life with you. What would I give up to have another chance? The thought was too tempting.