| Chapter Two: The WWII Years
Question: What was trendy during my high school days? ... Bobby Socks (wool mens athletic socks), Penny Loafers, Saddle Shoes, and ROLLER SKATING (I was pretty good at that and spent most of my summer nights at the roller rink in Asbury Park's CASINO). The days I spent at the beach or working as a soda jerk at Annastias drug store and Clark's drug store. In 12th grade I got a job at the telephone company and worked there for three years. I went out for soccer (and have the scars to prove it) and was a pretty good right wing. I was a baton twirler, until I threw the baton up in the air one day and lost it in the sun. It came down and hit me in the head and I was SOOOO embarrassed I quit! I went out for cheerleading three years but never made the cut. I really wanted to be a cheerleader. I was popular in High School, but it was during the war and a lot of the guys were in service. Someone was always home on leave though so I always had a date on weekends. At home I spent my life in my bedroom until I finally got the nerve to move out of my father's house (that was right after Grace hit me in the back of my neck with the silver thing that held the vacuum cleaner parts). My father stood there and watched and did nothing until I told him off. Grace didn't like the way I held the hose to the floor. She said it didn't clean well the way I did it and I told her "How would YOU know... You never use it!" I did all the cleaning! So I hung my clothes over the handlebars of my bike and peddled from Cedar Ave, in West Long Branch down to my mothers on Hampton Avenue. I was 16 years old then. I remember my father NOT coming to my graduation after I got special tickets for that bastard! My mother and Larry came, and my grandfather and grandmother COULD have used those tickets. I never forgave him for that. Our class songs that we sang were LOVE WALKED RIGHT IN and my mother's favorite song SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES. That's why I was so surprised when Chris put it on my CD. I played hooky twice in High school and got caught BOTH times. Cyril and I went to Coney Island one day and to Cold Indian Springs (in Wayside) to swim the other time....? (Editor: Sensed a senior moment). Those weeks I did not get to go skating on Friday night were a real KILLER for me. I hung around with the same girls who I try and have lunch with each month. We are all still alive except for Pat Pearlswig. They all smoked except me. I tried it one day and almost choked to death and never touched it again (smoking also makes your teeth yellow and your breath bad my mother used to tell me). And look at all the money it saved me over the years! I also didn't drink although most of my friends drank some beer on occasions. I didn't like the taste of it. I had my first drink on Thanksgiving Day in 1944. My mother and Pop-pop bought me a PINK LADY down at the local bar they frequented (corner of 5th and Broadway). I was going with Don Custer at the time and he was playing football that day and we were going to the game. I had on heels for the second time and wobbled in the stadium, seeing # 32 in twos and threes. I sobered up after a couple of hot dogs at half time. High school was great. It started in 10th grade on Westwood Avenue. My first love was Thurlow West (I never really did get over him) and his death last summer really shook me up. I always hoped I would live to see him one last time. I almost married him, but THAT is another story... ... Next |
| T h e L o v e l y L o i s S t o r y A Biography of Lois Eleanor White |
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