How the Movie Theater Became My Safe Haven

From angry teen to thriving 30s.

It was the summer of 1996. The movie was Twister starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. Matinee tickets were $3 at the small theater in my town. That afternoon, I was playing basketball in my 2-inch platform shoes. 13 is an awkward age.

My friend suggested we go see a movie. The religion my parents belonged to banned television and movies. Worldly pleasures, like going to the theater, were bad for the soul.

I had a jar full of babysitting money in my room. The heel on my shoe had come loose and so I had an excuse why I needed to come home for money. I told my mom I would be at the mall getting my shoe fixed. The theater was next door. She was none the wiser.

There were no ads before the movie in those days, only previews. I was in heaven. Watching a movie on a big screen felt like a luxury. Plus, I could now join in the conversation with other kids about something popular. All I wanted to do was talk about Twister all summer.

My brother didn’t believe me when I told him about the theater. I realized he might tell my mom because he was at an age where he couldn’t keep his older sister’s secrets. So I changed my story. He knows the truth now.

To this day, I love watching Twister. RIP Bill Paxton.

At the age of 16, I went through a rough patch with my parents. According to them, I was rebelling. Sure, I was a good student and even had a full-time job teaching violin. But I was so angry at my parents for making me live this restricted lifestyle.

I started going to the school counselor for help. My dad, who had a lot of connections in the community, got wind of this. My parents were not happy. I fought back, telling them that I wanted more than this pious way of life. So they took me to see a therapist at the local clinic.

I sat with my parents, listening to them rattle off all the expectations. I told the therapist that all I wanted was to dye my hair red and go see movies with my friends. I also wanted to go to a school dance. You know, normal teenage experiences.

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