Gay, Mom, Donna
A special day for kids—they’re
allowed to see what mom or dad does from nine to five.
Every
day was go to work with mom and dad day for me. Over the course of my childhood, they
owned several businesses. The first one I remember is a dry cleaning establishment located on a corner in a strip center. On each side of the strip
center was a vacant field. In this picture, you can see the building to the
right. That’s the location of the cleaners.
We looked dressed for Easter in this picture. My sister went daily to my
grandmother’s house, but Mom made me entertain myself at the cleaners.
At the age of four years, I rode
a tricycle on the sidewalk. I’d peddle down to visit the husband and wife—owners
of the beauty shop at the other end of the various shops. Those kind owners and
clients put up with me. I joined the husband in a nearby chair and we’d read
the newspaper. He tells me I said, “The paper says it’s gonna rain today.” He
laughed. I had the paper upside down and couldn't read at the time. I learned
to read quite well a few years later.
One day I saw the middle
steam press left unattended. "Now's my chance," I thought. I placed both arms under the thing and burned them. Whew!
That was painful. Kind of dumb for a smart kid, but kids try stuff. I secretly went to the back where my dad kept
the crock jar of Naphtha. I dipped
my burnt arms repeatedly into the cool liquid, and Daddy caught me. I think he was more than a little alarmed!
Another time I ran through
the shop and punctured my barefoot with a nail. Dad placed me on the front counter where people picked up clothes. He pulled the nail out. Mother left work and took me to the doctor. A tetanus
shot was in order. I think they had to
take me to the doctor quite often due to my inquisitive nature. A baby sitter might have been less expensive.
I remember being petrified as my dad sat me on the same
counter and pulled my first tooth. The Tooth Fairy left a dollar, so all was well.
Once I sat in the car and
took the cigarette lighter and burned holes in the car’s upholstery while I
played the radio. I was greatly
surprised when neither one, mom or dad, gave me trouble over it. Now that I am a mom and a grandmother, I
understand that they were just grateful I didn’t catch myself on fire.
An alteration lady came three days a week, and I'd "help" her sew. She must have had
the patience of Job. It was a dangerous place for a child to play, but I had
fun. I think I learned a lot too.
Mom and Dad eventually sold
the dry cleaners and bought a café. Once more, I went to work with them and
entertained myself. It was in a different strip center and I was allowed to roam up
and down to visit other places of business. My favorite memory is having the
cooks make a picnic lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches. I’d sit in the car,
listen to tunes and eat. I imagined all
sorts of adventures while I enjoyed my lunch. I suppose I’ve always created
stories, now I write them for you to read.
Take your child to work with
you, if you haven’t done so already. They’ll have an education, but keep an eye
on them. If they’re anything like me, they’ll burn the place down.
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