The Tub
by Madelyn Shields

     I was probably seven which would have made my sister Karen nine years old. Karen and I was all excited because we were going on a shopping trip with Mother.This didn't happen often so we were relishing the importance of getting to go shopping downtown. It was warm summer day in Jackson, Michigan making it the perfect day for such an adventure.
     We were so proud of mother because she had taken her driver test, passed with flying colors, and could now go on her own, if necessary. Our Mother could drive...WOW! This was more than a status symbol...our mother was a lady of the future, considered extremely progressive. We had bragging rights!
     We dressed in our prettiest dresses and Mother french braided our hair, turning the long braids in loops held up with rubber bands. Then she tied ribbons into big bows around each braid. We put on our good socks turning them down around our ankles and put on our black patent leather "Baby Doll" shoes...you know, the shoes with a strap across the foot and a gross grain ribbon bow at the toe. We were spit and polish clean and dressed. Mother put her beautiful summer dress on with her high heels and topped it with a beautiful hat. She made sure the seams in her nylon stockings were perfectly straight
      We all proudly marched out to our car...it was a Packard...a long Packard. One felt really important getting into this elegant automobile and riding. I can only imagine how monumental this was to Mother; taking her girls and herself to town.  We lived at 504 N. Waterloo in a two story house that was some distance from downtown so it would take us a few minutes to actually get to town. Karen got to ride in the front seat with Mother because she was the oldest while I sat in the back seat. I loved looking out the window at the pretty houses, the glorious trees, and flowers in the yards as we drove by. Besides, the back seat couldn't quell the anticipation of  going on a shopping trip.
   Finally, we arrived in town and Mother started looking for a parking place. We drove up East Michigan Ave. going West looking for a space that wasn't taken. Mother had made sure that she had a dime for the meter because she would have nearly died of embarrassment if she would get a parking ticket. Sure enough we spotted a parking space close to the Homemade Bakery. AHA!
   Now to show her expertise of parking! Mother pulled that long car up beside the parked car in front of the space, put the car in reverse and started backing into the space. Everything was going really well when suddenly we bumped the car behind...so she put the car in drive and pulled forward and hit bumper to bumper with the car in front. So it was reverse bump, forward bump, reverse, bump, forward bump! After about four or five bumps a man sitting in the front car being bumped got out came back. The windows were down because it was summer so he leans in and says, "Lady if you will get out of that car, I will park it for you!" So we all climb out and stand on the side walk while he pulls right into the space on the first try, shut the car down, gets out and hands the keys to Mother. Mother tried to explain to him how sorry she was and how embarrassed she was; to no avail. So, we started our trek. We shopped in the various stores, even going to the Dime Store, and had a wonderfully, fun packed time.
     As we walked back to the car Mother saw the ticket! Her heart sunk...OH NO! She pulled the paper off the window shield, we got into the car and slowly she unfolded the ticket. Written on the paper was a message that said, "Lady, next time, before you knock the puddin' out of someone, find you a forty acre field to park this tub in!" Mother threw back her head and shook with laughter!        Karen and I joined in knowing that we had a "One of a kind Mother!"


     

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