[15] THOMAS WILLIAMS Nick Ripatrazone

Twisted his ankle in the state sectional race against Bernards.  Had a date with the mayor’s daughter the next day.  Tried to hide the limp but that only made it worse.  Always thought the ankle weak afterward, and leaned to the right, looked off-balance.  Father drank E&J brandy from a Styrofoam cup at his desk in the Hall of Records.  He was alone there, except on Wednesdays, when the assistant county clerk came. Those days he would wait until home for the brandy.  He filled orders and requests in the morning, returned calls after lunch, and spent the afternoon browsing the stacks of boxes and tapes.  Brought Thomas along each Friday after lunch.  Gave him a few sips of brandy.  That tended to strengthen his ankle.