Pepper to the Rescue

Our dog Pepper wasn't just any dog. She was part human. A sweet black Cocker Spaniel with a tail that wagged so hard we thought it should have fallen off. She loved to play with us by the river. The Des Moines river in Iowa was just a few feet from our back door. We would swim, row boats, fly kites way above it and fish there every chance we could. In the winter we would make a bond fire by the moon light and go ice skating. The ice was harder and safer at night when it was cold.

This warm summer day I was in my room playing school, like always. I was a possessed seven year old. In my bedroom was had a huge black chalk board, real desks, maps, books and more. I, was the teacher. While preparing for an important lesson, I heard Pepper barking at the back door. I ran to see what she wanted. She always had something to say. This time the barks were intense and loud. I looked out the screen door and asked her what was the matter. She just keep barking and jumping on the screen frantically. Something was seriously wrong. I ran to the back of the house to tell mama. She said to keep an eye on her and she would be there shortly.

"Pepper, Pepper where are you?" Still in a rage and barking I noticed she had come up from river bank. Stepping out to follow her my heart was beating rapidly. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Steven, my six year old, very curious brother. He was always doing the opposite of what he was told. He was all boy. He was thrashing in the water with his face down. I started to scream for mama. She flung open the screen door, yelling for me to get help. She had realized what had happened even before she got there. In her demanding voice, she told me to get Uncle Richard, who lived next door. She yelled, “Hurry”.

He had heard mom screaming and was running towards me. Steven was exhausted from trying to keep above the water for so long. Mama stepped into the river and tried to pull him up. She was pregnant at the time. She held him near to her. They were both dripping wet. She kept trying to assure him he was going to be all right. She started to climb up the bank, but couldn’t get out. She the realized his foot was caught on something. She kept trying to pull him free. The river water was dark and murky. It was difficult to see what was lying below.

In those days people didn’t have dump sites to dispose of garbage. They would just dump house hold items out into the river. We never did such a thing. Unfortunately these things would wash their was down the river and get caught on the muddy uneven banks. Finally my Uncle got something to cut him loose. He had then realized, it was an old rusty bed spring that gripped his foot so tightly. At last he was free and safe again. Steven was still crying and kicking. Mama was crying. She was so relived that her little boy was alive in her arms. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was so frightened. In fear of all most losing my cute little blonde haired active brother.

Pepper was the greatest dog ever. Sadly enough it was her last act of kindness. She was hit by a drunk driver a week later. She was never replaced and will never be forgotten.

A New Beginning

A decision that gave meaning to a new beginning. Meeting Mr. Right seemed wrong to my cousin Judy who was visiting from Iowa. As I sat back down in the car at the A & W Root Beer stand, I said without any hesitation, "I'm gonna marry that guy!" "You don't even know that loud, obnoxious jerk!", my cousin exclaimed. He had just opened my door because the food tray on the window was in the way. He bowed and said, "My mother taught me to be a gentleman". Those deep blue eyes winked at me and captured my heart. I knew he was the one.

I was able to have my weekends free because mom's restaurant had a fire and she couldn't work. It was meant to be. We had three weekends together. One of which he calls me and informs me we are going to the beach. "I can't go to the beach, I just washed my hair and it's in rollers." "Put a scarf on, I am on my way." I couldn't believe him. Mom was right my hair was dry by the time we got there. I brushed it out and we had fun in the sun, sand and the sea.

He was a seaman on the USS Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship out of Oakland. He looked so cute in his sailor suit. He went out to sea for 6 months. We wrote each other every day. I would have time to write just before I would went to bed. By then I had gotten my baby brother, who was a few months old, to sleep. I loved listening to Connie Francis', “Where the Boys Are” while I was writing.

He even called me ship to shore. I thought the first time he said, "Over," he was gone. Not knowing that's what you say to the person you are talking with on a CB radio. While he was out to sea, he bought a set of wedding rings and sent me a picture. He never asked me to marry him. We both new that we were meant to be.

"Momma please, understand." "Don't be mad at me." "You'll be fine." For the first time in my short 18 years I was doing something I wanted to do. No, it wasn't just to get out of the house. I had spent ever minute of everyday, taking care of the family and mom. "You can’t leave me, you can't leave me." "Gary, you well be all right." "I will be back." "I still love you." He was only ten and I was always there for him. This time I needed to be there for me. Steve , who was a year younger than I, was back in Iowa with dad. He was to much for momma to handle. I moved in with my future mother-in-law. She had offered me a space until Cecil got home. I felt that was good. Then mom and the boys could let go slowly. It gave them three months to get use to me being gone. My mother-in-law was so patient. She would lend me her car to help mom with the kids.

Three days after his cruise ended, we were married. I wore my white graduation dress because we didn't have the money for a real wedding dress. It took place in the court house but we didn't care. He was drafted immediately. He was the US Army's man now. Basic training was at Fort Ord, California. They had an outspread of meningitis. I only say him three times in the eight weeks of basic training. Because his nephew was there also, I would sneak across to see him, until I got caught. His nephews side wasn't quarantined. He got his orders for Ft. Story, Virginia. He stopped by to give me a kiss before he flew out of San Francisco. I was a lost. I missed him so much.

Thirty days later I was trying to get on a plane out of San Francisco for Virginia. My mother-in-law was there to see me off. "But mom, I've never flown before." "I never even been away from my mom." "I've never gone anywhere like this by myself." "But mom I am so scared." "Yes, of course I want to be with Cecil." "I know he's waiting for me."

"Bye, mom." I was so scared I could barely talk. I was so relieved when we landed several hours later. I had to switch planes in Chicago. Some man tried to pick me up. I got lost and almost missed the plane. .A voice called out "Looking for someone?" "You turkey, I've been looking all over for you." "I know, I was right behind you the whole time." That was one of his great attractions, his sense of humor. And of course those blues eyes smiling at me.

Living in Virginia was one of the best times of our lives. That's not to say it wasn't hard. A couple of days after we arrived it was Thanksgiving. We went to the grocery store and got mayo, turkey lunch meat and bread. We had to spread the mayo with our fingers. We forgot the plastic ware. I thought it was great, he felt bad. It was 1964,the Army only paid us $98 a month. I decided to cook him pinto beans, just like his mom did. They tasted great. Except, no one told me you were suppose to sort the little rocks out first. He was very kind about it. Part of the month all we had to eat was beans, peanut butter and maybe popcorn. But we had each other. For the first time we could share our dreams and plans together. I could have lived in a tent and been happy.

We could only afford heating oil for half the month. Winter's were freezing and lots of snow. I loved the snow, he didn't. The other half of the month we had an electric blanket. The only problem was we couldn't sleep with it in on the bed because the ceiling leaked. So we would have to sleep on the hide-a-way in the living room if it rained or the snow melted on the roof. The water there wasn't fit to drink. It smelled like rotten eggs. You could bath in it. We had go to the local dairy farm to get tanks of fresh drinking water. We had no car at first so we walked everywhere. We got a used TV later. His brother loaned us some money.

Our landlords had a bait shop. We got to help with their business. Cecil was the first service man he ever let help work his business of many years. Well, If someone asked for worms I just let them, “ Help yourselve!.” We loved sitting on the beach on a log in the evening and watching the ships go by. It was a beautiful site. Going out to catch minnows was always an experience. Because I was pregnant and a butter ball, I got to sit on the bow of the little boat to balance it when we went out. The huge brick homes with boat garages that jutted out into the water were spectacular.

My hubby was ordered to Viet Nam. I was six months pregnant and had to return to California. His brother once again helped us. He gave me a ticket to get home. I had the first of our two children without my hubby. I was scared and I almost had a nervous break down. It was painful when I would get letters from Viet Nam that he may not make it. His mother had a letter to give me if he hadn’t. I can't tell you how many a teary-eyed night I had spent. I had learned just a few months before that my mom had left the man she moved away with, when I left home. She was also pregnant. She had my little sister four months after I gave birth. She is twenty years younger than I and the best gift my momma ever gave me.

My hubby had morning sickness with both of our boys. All nine months, everyday. Even in Viet Nam. He spent one day in the sick bay. The day our son was born. He said he wasn't going through that for no broad ever again with our second boy. He said I'd have to go find someone elses kids to have fun with. I must confess now, I am glad we only had two. I seriously wanted a dozen, like my Aunt Edna. I went to work for the school system for twenty-five years. I just loved it. That's another chapter.

I Love You Still

If all the would should tumble and fall
and I were the only one left of all
I'd climb up to the highest hill
and shout these words, "I love you still."

Today our lives aren't very free
but as long as you live you'll always have me
and when ever your near, I get the greatest thrill
and all I can think of is, "I love you still."

Written for my hubby of 41 years when I was 17.