From Here To Maturity

About the Book

In a time without laptop computers, video games or cell phones; in a place which someday will become the most affluent county in the country, we follow the true life adventures of a rambunctious 10-year-old boy growing up in Orange County, California. From the mid-1940s to the mid-’50s he moves through a series of escapades, experiences puberty, adolescence and the difficult teen years to the onset of adulthood at age 20.

This testosterone-filled youth seeking life’s secrets meets a school mate, WILLIE KELLY, who is to become his best friend and also help to get him into more trouble than he could possibly get into by himself. Willie introduces him to the most beautiful and desirable woman he’s ever met — his first real love. He is totally smitten by her. Even after they go their separate ways several years later, she still resides in his memory as well as his heart.

He makes love with a “snow bunny” on a mountaintop in Big Bear. He body surfs the thunderous waves at Newport Beach, makes several trips to Tijuana, Mexico, to sample the local cuisine. He races at the Orange County drag strip and gets his car stuck in Back Bay where even the Marines can’t get him out. In one of the state’s southern beach cities he dates the chief of police’s daughter.

He then gets into a bit of trouble, spends some time in the county jail and is sent to live with his father, now remarried and residing in Texas.

His father is sent to officer’s school; his departing words are, “Don’t do anything foolish while I’m gone!” With those words scarcely off his father’s lips, the next week he gets married and heads back to California, to warm sunshine, fragrant orange groves and roaring surf pounding on bright sandy beaches populated by tanned ladies in bikinis.

About the Author

In a time without laptop computers, video games or cell phones; in a place which someday will become the most affl uent county in the country, we follow the true life adventures of a rambunctious 10-yearold boy growing up in Orange County, California. From the mid-1940s to the mid- ’50s he moves through a series of escapades, experiences, puberty, (which begins at age 10!) adolescence and the diffi cult teen years to the onset of adulthood at age 20. This testosterone-fi lled youth seeking life’s secrets meets a school mate, WILLIE KELLY, a brash pugnacious youngster who is to become his best friend and also help to get him into more trouble than he could possibly get into by himself. Through a bit of deception, Willie is instrumental in bringing about his friend’s fi rst sexual encounter. Then in the seventh grade he meets another best friend, LEO CHARLSON, who shares with Willie in mentoring their friend. As with Willie, he is always there to help when adversity or diffi culty strikes his maturing friend. Even though tired from a night out on the town himself, he responds to that inevitable Friday night phone call asking for help from his buddy who’s stuck in the mud in some orange grove. Then Willie introduces him to the most beautiful and desirable woman he’s ever met—his fi rst real love . . . MARSHA HAYFIELD. They can’t get enough of one another. The sex is on a level he’s never known, but so is the argumentation. Throughout their tumultuous relationship they share many exciting activities, some unpleasant, many funny, but all experienced with uncompromising energy and intensity. He is totally smitten by her. Even after they go their separate ways several years later, she still resides in his memory as well as his heart. He now goes through a succession of adventures, leaving California for a time but always returning to Orange County. He is involved in many romantic affairs, but none as torrid as with Marsha. He makes love with a “snow bunny” on a mountaintop in Big Bear. He body surfs the thunderous waves at Newport Beach, makes several trips to Tijuana, Mexico, to sample the local cuisine. He races at the Orange County drag strip and gets his car stuck in Back Bay where even the Marines can’t get him out. In one of the state’s southern beach cities he dates the chief of police’s daughter. He then gets into a bit of trouble, spends some time in the county jail and is sent to live with his father, now remarried and residing in Texas. His father is sent to offi cer’s school; his departing words are, “Don’t do anything foolish while I’m gone!” With those words scarcely off his father’s lips, the next week he gets married and heads back to California, to warm sunshine, fragrant orange groves and roaring surf pounding bright sandy beaches populated by tanned ladies in bikinis.