Chapter 11

           OnMarch23,1972,AllenwentwithDorothytotherecruitingoffice,andheandTommysignedtheenlistmentpapers.DorothyhadmixedfeelingsaboutlettingheryoungersonjointheNavy,butsheknewitwasimportanttogetnimoutofthehouse,awayfromChalmer.Theexpulsionfromschoolhadmadethingsworse.

           Therecruitingofficermovedquicklythroughthepaperworkandthequestions.Dorothydidmostoftheanswering.

           "Haveyoueverbeeninamentalinstitutionorbeendiagnosedasmentallyill?"

           "No,"Tommysaid."Notme."

           "Waitjustaminute,"Dorothysaid."YoudidspendthreemonthsinColumbusStateHospital.Dr.Brownsaiditwashystericalneurosis."

           Therecruiterlookedup,penpoised."Ah,wedon’thavetoputthatdown,"hesaid."Everybody’salittleneurotic."TommygaveDorothyatriumphantlook.

           WhenthetimecametotaketheGeneralEducationandDevelopmentTest,TommyandAllenbothlookeditover.SeeingthatithadnothingtodowithanyofTommy’sabilitiesorknowledge,Allendecidedtotakethetesthimself.ButthenDannycameandlookedatthepaper,notknowingwhattodo.

           Theproctor,seeinghisconfusedlook,whispered,"Goahead,youjustblackinyouranswersbetweenthelittlelines."Dannyshruggedand,withoutreadinganyofthequestions,wentdownthecolumnsandblackedinbetweenthelines.Hepassed.