A Return to Haverhil

I'm often hard on Haverhill. I grew up here, lived most of my life in the city, and didn't get out until I was 21 (and it was God's work, not mine that got me out in the first place). There isn't much to say about the city, it's not a booming town of industry, commercialism, or one of blissful residential life.
There is a comic book store, though, a great one that met my needs for as long as I started there. It's a beautiful place, boxes of comics on the floor, shelves of trades, pricier issues on the walls...a real place to love comics and get lost in their worlds.

Pilgrim Lanes is a decent bowling alley and I would be sorry not to mention it's where I discovered Dance Dance Revolution for the first time. My friends and I played that game for four hours straight upon discovering it, and I've never looked back.

Haverhill doesn't have a a real, gourmet restaurant, but if you're looking for pizza or Chinese food, go no further. If there's one business that's booming in this town, it's the small shops. Arie's, Athens, Giovanni's, that place in Bradford I never learn the name of but has great Chinese. Or roast beef? Welcome to Chicks.
I never knew we had laser tag while living here. How strange.
You can drive to the beach, ride the train to Boston, and shop in New Hampshire without going a few minutes down the highway.

...

That's about it.

Though, most importantly, my family lives here. As much as I could live without ever returning to this town, I will make the drive every time to come home and see them. I've learned this more and more having been gone, that when I'm home, I don't really leave the house. The town has nothing to offer me. It's my mother and siblings, my grandmother and uncles, aunts and cousins that cause me to come back. And I will keep coming back.