The Saint Louisans Read Free

dark features contrasted with my fair skin and blonde hair. They resembled the Seven Dwarfs. Not physically, since they towered over me like annoyed trees, but facially, with large noses, sunken cheeks, jowls, and dumpy frames made for cartoons. There was Aunt Wanda (Sneezy), Uncle Heinie (Grumpy), and I could go on, but you get the picture.
    â€œDon’t you be scared honey,” she smiled, “soon as I get settled in I’ll send for you, and it’ll be hunky-dory.”
    Grumpy stepped forward. “Lena,” he nodded.
    â€œHeinie,” my mother said. “Well, here’s Cindy Lee.”
    â€œYeah, hmm.”
    Mom and the Dwarfs led me into Harvey’s Restaurant, still serviced by the famous Harvey Girls. Mom bought me a hot fudge sundae as a bon voyage treat, and while I ate, the adults made small talk while puffing unfiltered cigarettes. Conversation between Mom and the Seven Dwarfs was short, wary, in Joe Friday style. When the boarding call for Los Angeles came, Mom took a deep breath as if she was ready to spring off a diving board into fresh, new waters. She bent down, make-up thick and provocative.
    â€œIt’s gonna be okay, Cindy Lee. Wish me luck, sweetie.”
    Once on board, she blew us all a kiss from the window of the departing train. This sweetie didn’t see her until five years and two husbands later.
    I spent the night in Dopey’s, I mean Aunt Tillie’s, flat. After grumbling about “all the colored” moving in, I was sent to a cold, mildew-scented guest room. Behind a cracked door, low voices warned careful … she might hear you. That Lena May … dumping her on us … Ike never picked ’em right … him a flyboy … always was bad blood … kid don’t look like a Taylor … keep it down!
    Ideas were tossed out like dull pennies into a fountain. Convent school. Relatives down around Cape. Finally, the telephone rang, and, after more conversation that was hard to follow, I heard the Dwarfs heave a big sigh of collective relief, and the very next day, I was farmed out to Aunt Mary Allbright and her husband, Spud, who lived sixty miles south in Dubourg.
    When they arrived next day, Aunt Mary wore a dark blue dress, an imitation Christian Dior model with belt, stand-up collar and flared skirt. White pearls, gloves, and a shell hat set off the blue and complimented an erect posture that said no nonsense, if you please. Spud was rumpled and gruff, his fedora Confederate gray. The Dwarfs didn’t so much as greet them as watch them warily. It was a cease-fire of sorts, between enemy camps in the same family.
    â€œSo this is Cindy Lee.” Aunt Mary got in the first word, and I could tell she enjoyed it immensely. She looked me over, raising her eyebrow at my cardboard suitcase and Raggedy Ann clutched against my chest.
    â€œWhen will Mommy come for me?” I asked.
    â€œNot for a while. In the meantime, you’re going to have some fun.”
    â€œFun?”
    â€œSure. You’re leaving this crowd, aren’t you?”
    The Dwarfs frowned at each other.
    Uncle Rudy (Sleepy) nodded knowingly to Spud. “Now, if she gives you any trouble …”
    Aunt Mary looked at me as she bent down and smoothed my hair. “Rudy, I’m on my best behavior today.”
    â€œI meant the kid.”
    Spud smiled. “We’ll take care of it.”
    â€œSure, Spud … just that you know what Lena May and Ike were like. He was kinda wild, and you know what they say about juvenile delinquents—”
    â€œIt’s under control, Rudy,” Spud said in a voice so cold the words nearly froze in midair.
    Once in the car I looked out the window as the Dwarfs watched with folded arms; no waves, all of them lined up against a row of brick flats. Aunt Mary gave a deep sigh. “Come on, Spud, let’s get away from these drips.”
    â€œRudy,” Spud growled as he shifted gears.