MyStory4

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As the family became settled and feeling secure, once again the children's father vanished! When he returned in November of that year (1950), he found he had another baby daughter. Dear little Kathy (Katheryn Fae 11-2-50) arrived during the rainy, stormy winter, when most of the residents of North Sacramento and Del Paso Heights were concerned about, and watchful for the flooding! Most of the fears subsided as the storm passed through........

Mikie had started school this fall, in "Primary", pre-kindergarten. An incident is recalled which may have contributed to Mike later being nick-named "Wham Bam"! His first week at school, Mikie was brought home by a teacher or supervisor, to tell his mother he had punched another little boy, knocking him down! Of course, he had a talking-to by the adults, to impress on him the possible seriousness of such actions. There was never a report of a similar occasion.

Daddy returned to find his family waiting for him, and was received back into his family, as it seemed the only thing to do.......He managed to stay put for four and a half months, at which time he told his wife she need never worry again about being deserted, as he was "at peace with the world", and having a wonderful family, a good job, and a comfortable house, everything would be ok. He told her to hire a babysitter in the evening, and they would go roller skating.... the activity they had enjoyed many times while dating, and in the first years of their marriage. He went to town (on some errand), and never returned.

Etta and the children moved to another house in the area, and asked Chess'L's mother to tell him when he returned, to not look them up. Grandma Blanche said he returned a year later, then disappeared again.......

Baby Susie was on her way at that time, which he didn't know. Sue was due in November 1951. The family was living in Del Paso Heights at the time, near Sacramento, Cazlifornia. This dear little girl was named Cynda Lee, but soon became "Susie" to the family. She was a happy baby, always with a ready smile, and seldom ever crying. Daddy was absent from this home, and no prospects of a reunion.

Little 3 1/2 year-old Randy had a traumatic experience this winter, when he fell over a toy, cutting his arm quite deeply! Mother answered the door to a caller, when Randy started to toddle out.... It was cold and windy outside, and Mother gave him a little push back inside.... a much regretted mistake! Randy was carrying a toy, metal refrigerator, and fell over it, cutting a gash in his upper arm. Etta hurriedly found a clean towel to wrap around the wound, and rushed him to a neighbor, who took them to the hospital. In the emergency room, a very caring, efficient doctor, who happened to be black, took over. He wrapped Randy in a sheet, restraining his body and other arm, and prepared to medicate and stitch the wound. Randy was crying (and Mother shed some tears!), and the doctor told him: "Young man, I want you to look at this. You have a bad cut, and I am going to fix it for you. You'll be all right!" (Mother was trying to hold his head turned away from the sight of the blood and injury...) The doctor told her to go out in the hall.... So, she stood out there, thinking how she had caused her little boy to be injured, and wishing it could have been her, instead... So go the mishaps and happenings of a growing family!

Prior to Susie's birth, Mother and children struggled with minimal income, going to tomato fields to help with the harvest, and supplement their funds. Having no car, and never having driven before, Etta walked to a car lot and offerred to purchase a 1940 Plymouth for $100 if the salesman would show her how to drive it! She learned to drive in that residential district, with all five children in the car.... Then, each early morning they piled in the car, with food packed for a later breakfast and lunch. (Breakfast was usually a large pan of coffee cake or egg sandwiches.)

One work day, as Mother and the four oldest children, Mikey, Laurie, Randy, and Teresa, were in the rows of tomatos (working or playing), they looked up to see a tiny figure crawling down the dusty driveway, toward the work crew! The car door had been left partly opened, and little Kathy, covered with dust, was making her way toward the family... Mother rescued her, and after going to a faucet to wash away the camouflage, recognized the little tyke as her own darling baby! That same day, Laurie and Teresa had an experience with hot chili peppers! They were growing near the water faucet, and curious little fingers had to pick a few! It wasn't long until tears were flowing, as fingers rubbed eyes, and dust, tears, and chili juices mingled!! It took awhile to wash away the effects, but it was an unforgetable experience... even for Mom!