Summer 1960 • San Francisco ~ I was eleven when Dad began courting Tweedledee. When I first met Marie she reminded me of a life-sized, inflatable Tippy Doll, the kind with sand in the bottom that when you knocked it over, it popped right back up. She worked in Margo’s dress shop up the street from … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2018
3.27 Sweeney’s Candy Shop
1960s • San Francisco ~ Tightly wedged between Sprouse-Reitz and Superba Grocery was Sweeney’s candy store. The Sweeneys were a sweet white-haired couple who lived in the flat above their Haight Street shop. Actually, now that I think about it, Mr. Sweeney was on the crusty side, a balding man with … [Read more...]
3.26 1644 Haight Street, 1960
1644 Haight Street, San Francisco ~ From the time I was twelve I spent my summers with my dad and worked for him in his store in the Haight, and when I got older, I worked Christmas and Easter vacations too, saving my earnings for milkshakes, school clothes, and college. As you walked through the … [Read more...]
3.25 “Listen, Dearie”
Southern California ~ Larry phoned a week later and asked Betty what she’d heard about Mother. "How would I know?" Betty retorted. "I haven’t called." "Call the hospital! Right now! Find out!" Betty got the head nurse on the phone, identified herself as Noreen Clemens’ daughter, and asked, … [Read more...]
3.24 The Hillman Minx
Southern California ~ Mother attempted suicide like clockwork, usually with pills and alcohol and always next to a hospital or police station so someone could rescue her in time. My mother wanted to kill herself, but she didn't want to die; there's a difference. Carleen no longer took the calls to … [Read more...]
3.23 Purgatory
1960s • La Habra ~ Mom rotated between Betty’s and Claudia’s, but their welcome mats finally wore out. Larry wouldn't deal with living with her because she smoked and he didn't want her smoking around their new baby. Carleen was the one who took her in when she had no place else to go. What with our … [Read more...]
3.22 “You Writin’ a Book?”
1960s • La Habra ~ The women in my family are not victims, however, we do come from a long line of martyrs, and our mother learned from the best. With her bromides she nagged my oldest sister like a scolding fishwife. “You’ve made your bed… ,” Mom’s voice withered, then she'd snidely remind Carleen … [Read more...]
3.21 “Chu-uck”
1960s • La Habra ~ My brother-in-law—a jug-eared, skinny 6’4” guy with a dark flattop, a two-day-old shadow, and an Elvis Presley lip—worked as the night foreman at National Tapered Wings. Over the years Chuck built airplane parts for Lockheed, Boeing, and Gulfstream. When his cousin … [Read more...]