I was born in a world of war, 1943 in Jamaica New York. My dad, Walter was in the army, deployed to Europe until I was two. Rosemary, my mom worked in my Nana's beauty salon where, somehow I fit in. I was a thumb sucker and it angered Walter. He was tough and bossy. As he saw things, I had a lot of bad habits, which were beyond my comprehension. He spied on me and scolded me a lot. Until then, I had only been around the customers of the Rose Ray Beauty Saloon. They seemed to enjoy my company.
Walter bought a car, then a house and I got a sister. Helen, named after his mother, was blond and chubby and happy. I was dark and thin and annoyingly curious. He arranged for me to go to kindergarten in a convent full of large women who wore long black dresses. They were terrifying! The other children, the first children I had ever met, were strange, hyperactive, mean and mostly boys. I recall Ring Around The Rosie, London Bridge Is Falling Down, Musical Chairs and silly stories. I wet my pants frequently and I got expelled.
Walter took the role of disciplinarian. He was a Catholic and I went to church each Sunday. Rosemary converted. I went to Catholic schools for 13 more years, with a double stint in fourth grade, and Nana were my comforters. I wanted him to go back in the army.
When I was about six dad went back for his masters degree in electrical engineering. I was so annoying he would put me outside and tell me not to came home until the street lights came on. I met everyone in the neighborhood. There were children everywhere and life was good.
People seemed to like me. Mrs. Arana treated me like one of her family. I spent most of my evenings in and around her home. Her daughter Lucille was one of my my best friends and her older sons stood up for me out on the streets.
I grew up in shorts or jeans or snow clothes. I was a tomboy, skinny, fast and street smart all the way through grade school.
And then, I went to an all girls Catholic High School in Manhattan. It was an hour ride each way on the Subway. I wore a uniform: a red, white and grey pleated skirt down to my ankles, gray blazer and gray oxford shoes topped off with a red beret. It totally covered me up and slowed me down. I got home around six every night, ate, did homework, slept and waited for summer.
— Julian
Walter bought a car, then a house and I got a sister. Helen, named after his mother, was blond and chubby and happy. I was dark and thin and annoyingly curious. He arranged for me to go to kindergarten in a convent full of large women who wore long black dresses. They were terrifying! The other children, the first children I had ever met, were strange, hyperactive, mean and mostly boys. I recall Ring Around The Rosie, London Bridge Is Falling Down, Musical Chairs and silly stories. I wet my pants frequently and I got expelled.
Walter took the role of disciplinarian. He was a Catholic and I went to church each Sunday. Rosemary converted. I went to Catholic schools for 13 more years, with a double stint in fourth grade, and Nana were my comforters. I wanted him to go back in the army.
When I was about six dad went back for his masters degree in electrical engineering. I was so annoying he would put me outside and tell me not to came home until the street lights came on. I met everyone in the neighborhood. There were children everywhere and life was good.
People seemed to like me. Mrs. Arana treated me like one of her family. I spent most of my evenings in and around her home. Her daughter Lucille was one of my my best friends and her older sons stood up for me out on the streets.
I grew up in shorts or jeans or snow clothes. I was a tomboy, skinny, fast and street smart all the way through grade school.
And then, I went to an all girls Catholic High School in Manhattan. It was an hour ride each way on the Subway. I wore a uniform: a red, white and grey pleated skirt down to my ankles, gray blazer and gray oxford shoes topped off with a red beret. It totally covered me up and slowed me down. I got home around six every night, ate, did homework, slept and waited for summer.
— Julian
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