Wandering the Wrong Way Home

Memory acquisition and seepage for this six-year-old between 8:00 in the morning and mid-afternoon is significant, “a zero-sum game” by default. I know mom must have clearly stated, “Stay at school until we will pick you up.” She probably restated that directive several times.

Looking back, this seems like an explicit pronouncement, but I could not recall how long I was to wait and what to do if they forgot me or maybe they got lost, or I just determined I could be helpful! I enjoy being helpful.

I could start homeward and meet them along the way, and besides, waiting is boring and lonely. Maybe they forgot. I’ll betcha they forgot!

Down the steps, along the sidewalk to the front gate, turn right (cause right is always right), and walk. We are on our way.

Everything was going well.

I recall a corner store nearby with a really amiable lady that always gave me a treat that owned this huge; I mean really enormous dog. So huge I had to look up to see its snout. Like a small pony. Super friendly that gave sloppy kisses.

I’ll just keep walking and eventually will see the store and can stop and talk with the friendly lady.

And walk I did!

Suddenly, without warning, a car pulled alongside. I flinched.

Cool. It was my grandam’s car and there was grandma driving, my mom in the front seat and sister hanging over the seat announcing, “there he is.”

I thought, “Alright, I found them!”

I can see it now, surprised and please! Then…..

Grandma brought the auto to an abrupt stop.

The front door open the moment the auto stopped.

Mom, not looking cheerful at that moment, opened the door, closed the distance between the automobile and me in micro seconds, grabbed me up as if I was weightless, and we beamed immediately to the front seat of the sedan.

And, hoping for words of praise only heard, “What were you thinking?”

Seriously, is it not obvious, “I’m walking home.”

Next, in unison, they exclaim, “You were headed in the wrong direction.”

What happens next may explain the Voices in My Head syndrome.

I am being hugged like a cobra embracing dinner, then flipped bottom-side up, paddled, re-flipped and re-hugged all the while mom is crying.

I heard my mom report to grandma that, “I was not sure which to do first, spank or hug.”

Clearly, she figured that one out with no input from me.

Kathy, still draped over the front seat being praised by grandma, “fortunately Kathy saw you wandering down the side street.”

“Yeah?”

I recall little -after we were back on the road; at least mom left the wooden spoon home, and I wish to add that I never made it to the corner store for my treat.

Fun fact, first mandatory seatbelt law originally became laws in the United States in the 1980s. Although very unpopular, some auto owners cut them out of their cars while other customers went to court to challenge the law.

Being the 1950s, Kathy could stand up in the back seat, look out the windows and spot me headed somewhere.

Thanks, sis.