Welcome to a small slice of America as viewed through my life. As we all come to an age where we see the aspirations of our youth fall to pieces, and you realize that this is as good as it gets, you might want to leave something behind that someone might find interesting or humorous. I do not recommend anyone follow the same path that I have, it was interesting, but some things I would not do again. I also wrote this blog, to help battle depression, upon a suggestion by a therapist.
The age old question; was I planned for? Many people came to be born by accident, but not me I was definitely planned for. My dad who was an advertising salesman, had just recently gone through a divorce, and had one kid (living with the mom) already. The year was 1964. He was getting his suit cleaned at the cleaners for about $3.00 when he picked up the suit and went to pay for it the lady at the counter said $3.18. He said what was the .18 for? She said why that is the tax. To which his pre-practiced reply was, "I don't need tacks, I have a whole box of them at home." Corny? yes but it was the start of his relationship with my mom. Now my mom, Jean was raised by a family that emigrated from the Ukraine. So she was dressed down, and would tie the top of her stockings in little knots so they would not fall down. Due to her innocence, she found my fast talking dad to be exciting, and everything she did not see in her home life. As they dated, she slowly came out of her shell. My dad encouraged her to dress better and put on makeup. He tought her how to drive, and encouraged her to speak up. This new Jean looked great, she felt free, and out of her shell. Well maybe a little too free. As my dad went to pick up his suit from the cleaners, he saw Jean pop up from behind the counter, glasses crooked, hair disheveled, clothes dirty. He ask her what was she doing? She said, Oh just cleaning the shelves behind the counter. Well this sounded very improbable, to my dad, so he realized that the screen door to the cleaners squeaked and probably tipped her off. So the next week, my dad oiled the door, and came into the cleaner quietly. He found Jean half naked with a large strapping Italian (the owner) on top of her. Now this would infuriate most men, they would either pick a fight with the competition or leave the girl or both, but not my dad, he was diabolical in his actions. He pretended to be hurt and then after a period of time made up. He helped her find a new job and they continued on with their sexual relationship only this time he used no protection. Sure enough she became pregnant. Her family would shame her, maybe disown her due to her strong ethnic background and the fact that society in 1965 looked down on single moms. My dad knew all of this, he said we will have to hide you from your friends and family until we can figure this out. He had her move out, and she told her family that she was moving to Washington DC for a better job. After she moved out and looked definitely pregnant, he said," tough shit. You wanted to screw that wop, now see if he will take you back because I 'm out of here." And with that he left, and my mom, all alone, with no job, no family, and a room that she would have to vacate in a month.
The age old question; was I planned for? Many people came to be born by accident, but not me I was definitely planned for. My dad who was an advertising salesman, had just recently gone through a divorce, and had one kid (living with the mom) already. The year was 1964. He was getting his suit cleaned at the cleaners for about $3.00 when he picked up the suit and went to pay for it the lady at the counter said $3.18. He said what was the .18 for? She said why that is the tax. To which his pre-practiced reply was, "I don't need tacks, I have a whole box of them at home." Corny? yes but it was the start of his relationship with my mom. Now my mom, Jean was raised by a family that emigrated from the Ukraine. So she was dressed down, and would tie the top of her stockings in little knots so they would not fall down. Due to her innocence, she found my fast talking dad to be exciting, and everything she did not see in her home life. As they dated, she slowly came out of her shell. My dad encouraged her to dress better and put on makeup. He tought her how to drive, and encouraged her to speak up. This new Jean looked great, she felt free, and out of her shell. Well maybe a little too free. As my dad went to pick up his suit from the cleaners, he saw Jean pop up from behind the counter, glasses crooked, hair disheveled, clothes dirty. He ask her what was she doing? She said, Oh just cleaning the shelves behind the counter. Well this sounded very improbable, to my dad, so he realized that the screen door to the cleaners squeaked and probably tipped her off. So the next week, my dad oiled the door, and came into the cleaner quietly. He found Jean half naked with a large strapping Italian (the owner) on top of her. Now this would infuriate most men, they would either pick a fight with the competition or leave the girl or both, but not my dad, he was diabolical in his actions. He pretended to be hurt and then after a period of time made up. He helped her find a new job and they continued on with their sexual relationship only this time he used no protection. Sure enough she became pregnant. Her family would shame her, maybe disown her due to her strong ethnic background and the fact that society in 1965 looked down on single moms. My dad knew all of this, he said we will have to hide you from your friends and family until we can figure this out. He had her move out, and she told her family that she was moving to Washington DC for a better job. After she moved out and looked definitely pregnant, he said," tough shit. You wanted to screw that wop, now see if he will take you back because I 'm out of here." And with that he left, and my mom, all alone, with no job, no family, and a room that she would have to vacate in a month.
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