The Early Years

World War II

Daddy comes home 1949. Now there are three of us.

It is 1954, and I remember the cars. First was a 1954 Buick Super, coupe, yellow with a dark green roof. Three holes on the side. This is my first conciousness. Corvette and Thuderbird are the golden calfs of my childhood.

Row homes built in the 20's. I remember the large canopy of trees in the old neighborhood. Cool in the summer, I can hear Jesse on his motorcycle with a freezer attached on the front. Ice cream, popsicles. Eating dinner and hearing the motorcycle coming up the street. Everyone yells, JESSE!, and jumps up from the table and runs to the street. Then came the negroes from the south. Property values will drop.

Then we move to the suburbs. Split-level tract housing. All white. The tiny thin sticks of trees line the street without shade. The new development is full of mud and earth moving machines. Kids playing in the orchard throwing peaches at each other - the crop is ruined, but why should the farmer care - the land will be sold for more developments in any case.