Another Time,

It was like a special day today.

Tomorrow is, December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  There is no school.

Daddy took me to Central Park like he promised so I could learn to skate.  There weren’t too many people over there, and he let me try all the small hills.  I wasn’t able to stop once, then I tore my new tan lisle stockings, and my knees are cut.

But he said not to cry, and just keep trying and not to worry about my stockings.  He would tell Mama it was an accident.

And the next time I didn’t fall.

We didn’t start home until you could see it get dark down over the river, and the Park was getting empty.  On our way home, we bought a bag of chestnuts.  They always smell so good roasting on the little stove on the wagon outside the park.

When we reached the stoop it was almost dark, and when Daddy pulled the big wooden door to the hallway open, you could smell Mama’s chicken.  Usually  you can smell only the Esposito’s gravy or Mrs. Cassidy’s cabbage, but tonight Mama’s chicken smelled so good.  We only have that when we eat Sunday dinner at home.  Uncle Huey is staying with Aunt Lottie’s family, and Uncle Pat said he wouldn’t mind eating alon today, so Mama said we could stay home.

We ran into Uncle Pat in the Hallway, and he said, “I told you so, Bill.  I knew it was coming.”

I ran all the way up the stairs, and when I opened the door, you could hear the radio.

Mama said, “Hurry up, the President is speaking.”

Where is Pearl Harbor?