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Well Christmas was over and it was sad to see all the decorations coming down. But there were still a lot of goodies left in the house and with the snow and cold weather it made coco time a lot better.I was grounded anyway. Or in Grammy' words.."You go out of this yard again and you get a good spanking!"
Of course what happened,was my fault. I had wanted a specific doll I had seen at "Bush and Bulls" a department store on the north side of Bethlehem and belive me she was a beauty. Well a few days after Christmas while I was outside playing I decided to go to that store. From our house to there is almost a mile,maybe more. I started out. Of course everyone knew me and said hello and I had more cookies and candy in my pockets than I could handle.That was alright I needed them for my "Journey" I was bound and determind to get to that store to see that doll.
I had called Uncle Mike and asked him to take me but he was busy with his family and work and said"tomorrow I'll take you after work"Well tomorrow was right now and I was on my way.I made a few stops at the "barber shops" along the way,which were actually neighborhood bars that pop went into and I would order hot chocolate or coffee and put it on pops bill. I continued my journey.By now it was snowing and getting colder and darker. Of course when you are 10 years old,everything is larger,darker etc.
I had reached Third Street and was so cold by now.I was trying to figure out which store I could duck into to get warm,then there it was the Stride Rite shoe store.I went in and the sales lady came over to me. "Hello, is it time for new shoes already?" "No, I just wanted to come in and see the shoes." "Maybe next week it will be time" Yes I said. I walked around the store for awhile and looked at the shoes.I was warm again and only 6 more blocks to go the Hill to Hill bridge. The sales lady asked me where my grandparents were and I said across the street. Little did I know that she seemed to know that I was alone. I said goodbye and left. My journey continued and the snow was heavier. Well I got to the bridge and changed my mind. I figured I cross over the tracks to the train station and go from there. Too many cars on the bridge and the lites were on.I looked both ways and crossed over the tracks. There was a pedestrian crossing..so stop worrying. Well I got to the station and went inside and got warm again.By this time it was really dark outside and I was petrified.People were coming and going on the trains and a few freighters went by.
The door opened again and a cold blast came in along with some more snow. Well I was never so glad to see my uncle and grandfather as I was at that moment.I started to cry and grandfather picked me up. "It's alright.We are going home now. Uncle Mike is going to take us in the car" "How did you know where I was?" "Oh,I have friends and they saw you and called me" "Oh"
We walked out of the station and got into the car,and it was warm! Pop put a blanket on me anyway and it felt real good.My uncle turned around and said"Didn't I tell you that I would take you to "Bush and Bulls" with Aunt Edie and Dorothy tonight?" Yes I replied,but you don't always do what you say,because you are busy!
Needless to say when I walked into that house on Selfridge Street I was one scared child. To my surprise..grammy just hugged me and hollered at Uncle Mike. She made me hot chocolate and helped me change into warm dry clothes.I was put to bed early that night and the bed was warm. Pop had heated some bricks and warmed it up. The feather quilt and mattress took care of the rest.The next morning I got up and went downstairs for breakfast and pop was gone. "Grammy,I thought pop was home today,where is he?" "Eat,and don't ask" That was THE signal. I ate and didn't talk.
The morning wore on but who cared,Pal and Fritz and I were playing in the snow! We heard the back gate open and pop came walking in. Well Pal beat me to him and Fritz just headed for the warm cellar. Pop hugged me and I offered to help him carry his packages and he said no,it was to heavy for me to help. We all went to the house,performed the ritual on the side porch then went into the kitchen. Grammy told me to go upstairs and change. I was back in a flash,but first I turned on the Christmas tree lights. I headed for the kitchen and a hot bowl of chicken soup,it was finally ready! We all ate lunch and then pop said"
Did you open all your presents on Christmas?" "Yes ,you know I did and I said thank you to everybody." Pop looked at me and said.."Well it looks to me like you forgot something,or maybe it's for somebody else?" "Go look and see" I did as I was told and I looked at the box and said"No name on it pop!" "Hmm,well open it then and see what it is." "No!Grammy will holler if she has to find more paper to wrap it again." I heard grammy holler from the kitchen,"No open it,I have more paper"
Well I did and there it was The Doll.Blonde curls and blue satin dress and black maryjane shoes. I was in heaven! "Is it mine?" "Of course,who else would pop go to "Bush and Bulls" in this snow for,me?" Happy didn't describe the feeling I had at that moment. That doll lived on a chair in my bedroom and no one...no one played with her. For my birthday,my grandparents bought her a whole different set of clothes. She was my special doll for years and everytime it snows,well I think of that doll. I wish I still had her,and them.
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