A Life Ever Changing

by Angel

 

#3-To Show I Care

"Eight days a week is not enough to show I care..." -- The Beatles

 

Then I heard the worst thing any young man, oops, I mean, "young boy" can hear! She informed my mom that it would be no problem and that she would take me herself to get the uniforms. (OH SHOOT!!!)

She then told my mom that she would drop me off at home when we were through and was looking forward to meeting her.

The look on my face must have been one of those Kodak moments; FEAR! My mind was a whirlwind of activity. She is going to take me! She is going to do what mom usually does I am sure of it! She will be paying for my uniforms and shoes and, oh no, (PLEASE GOD NOT THOSE TO!) I was a nervous wreck.

Well, Mrs. Brown started to chuckle and said for me to relax and calm down. Then she asked me to think again about what I was doing. (HUH?) She started to express things in a way I never thought of. She said; Ricky, you are starting a job almost exclusively performed by women. Your appearance and demeanor will be very important. You will be learning something new almost every minute you are here. It is very important that you do well from day one.

And the list went on and on, but then she said the words that made me decide to really give this more than a shot. She smiled, looked me in the eyes and said; "I believe it is the right time for males to show they are more than providers and rulers. It is time for them to open up their hearts and give from within themselves. To use their strength in a gentle way with caring and compassion. My interview with you has led me to believe you are that type of person. I believe you can do this and do it very well indeed. It will not be easy and you will probably want to just get up and walk out more than once. BUT! If you decide that this is something you can and would like to do, I will help you in any way I can. So, what is your decision?"

Holy Crap! My decision? (I took a little time here) Many things went whooshing through my mind at light speed. She stood up and walked around her desk stopping right in front of me. "Well," she said, "what have you decided?"

I said, "Let's go shopping!"

Her smile was a reward in itself to me. She nodded and said; "Lets go." So, we were off to the uniform shop. A special shop just to purchase uniforms, oh my. All I had ever heard of special stores was EXPENSIVE for everything! We stopped at her secretary's desk and she told her she would be gone for the rest of the day. Now, boy, did I get some looks! And smiles and chuckles and, and, and.

"Very nice car," I told her. Wow, a Caddy! Cloth seats, AC, a radio with a wonder bar! (For you folks that are too young, a wonder bar was the first search and scan gizmo invented for a car radio.) V8 engine! Automatic transmission! Very nice car! I was pleased to say the least to be able to ride in this vehicle.

We got in and she told me to fasten my seat belt. (Not done in those days for most people. Optional equipment back then actually.) We were off and then the nice conversations started. Oh, sure! She started on what I needed to purchase. 5 shirts, 5 pairs of slacks, 2 jackets, (JACKETS?) 2 pairs of shoes and you need to order your name pin. (PIN?) Then she asked me about underwear of all things! RED, RED, RED! Did I mention my face, neck well, shoot! My whole body was a shade of red!

I think by the expression on her face she was struggling not to laugh. She looked at me briefly (Thank goodness, she was driving after all.) and asked me; "Ricky do you prefer plain white underpants or colors?" GEEZ!!! I didn't think they even had colors for males! She then told me briefs would be better they were more comfortable under slacks. (How would she know?) So I asked her. (GOTCHYA!) Or so I thought.

She matter of fact told me, "Common sense really, briefs will not bunch up with all the moving, bending and running you are going to be doing." Ok, she got me again! (Will I ever learn?)

Ok, so on we went and the conversation moved to my siblings. I ended up telling her that I had no real social life. I had to come straight home from school to take care of my brother and sister. No after school activities, no real dates. (Just hang out with my girl on weekend afternoons.)

I had very few friends because I just did not have any time for them. Well, actually I had no friends really. That sucked, but family is much more important isn't it? Clothes? Ha! One suit for church and special events like this one. One pair of dress shoes, three pairs of school pants and 3 button-down shirts also for school. I had 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of beat-to-heck sneakers and a few pullover short sleeve shirts. That was my clothing total. Mr. Fashion I was not. But, who cares really. This was the first time I was allowed to do anything outside of taking care of my siblings, the house and yard.

So we then talked about what I did at home. I did most of the talking and she just asked questions. So I gave her my day-to-day schedule. Up at 5:00 am shower and put on my robe. (I dressed for school after everything else was done.) Put water on for mom's tea and start making breakfast. (Mom was showering and getting ready for work while I did this.) Ok, mom and I had tea and breakfast while she went over what I had to do that day. Ok, dishes rinsed and in the sink. Bye mom.

Go and run a bath for my little sister. (She hated showers she is only 6.) Go get her out of bed and carry her to the bath. (Easier than trying to wake her up and make her walk.) Help her out of her night things and soaked diapers and into the tub. She would wake enough to do the rest by then.

Ok, then to my brother. He was 10 but more like 3 due to his handicap. Get him up and sit him on the toilet. (We had a small bathroom with just a sink and toilet in my mom's room.) Ok, holler to my sister to get out of the tub and dry off. Bring my brother to the living room with his toys.

Go back to my sister's room and help her get dressed. Training pants in case of an accident. (Not often, but it did happen from time to time.) Most of her dresses buttoned up the back so she usually needed my help. I then brushed her hair, fixed it in a ponytail or two. (Her choice.)

Then it was time for breakfast. Ok, after they both had breakfast it was time to dress my brother. That done we waited for Mrs. Smith. She would take my sister to school and watch my brother while I was at school. (I should mention she was also a licensed teacher for handicapped children.) Ok, now I got dressed and walked to school.

What? Oh, here is the uniform shop! Great!

 

 

 

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© 2002 by Angel O'Hare. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.