Only Yesterday

DEDICATION

“Only Yesterday” is dedicated to the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from New Britain, Connecticut who placed their lives at risk in order to safeguard the Freedom of our Nation, its Allies and Mankind during World War II.

THANK YOU, NEW BRITAIN’S GREATEST GENERATION!

~  PROLOGUE  ~

“Only Yesterday” is a short story about the people of New Britain, Connecticut, the city I was born and raised in. It takes place during the holiday season of 1956 when a mother and her four-year-old daughter, Sonja and Alexandria Olivera, spend a day together in Downtown New Britain. Although the characters and adventures in this story are fiction, the places Sonja and Alexandria visit were a very real part of the lives of people who lived in New Britain at that time. I invite my readers to travel back with me to a place that will forever live in our memories, and a time when innocence, beauty and civility graced our lives. Wasn't it Only Yesterday? 

THE PLAYERS

Sonja Olivera

Alexandria Olivera – Sonja’s Daughter

John Olivera – Sonja’s Husband

Alexander Papadopoulos  – Sonja’s Beloved

Gloria – Sonja’s Friend

Joshua – Gloria’s Son and Alexandria’s Friend

ONLY YESTERDAY

Art Apruzzese

Part I ~ The Hawley Memorial Children’s Library

It was a frigid winter day in New Britain, Connecticut, Thursday, December 6, 1956, and there was a hint of snow in the air. “It sure would be nice to have a white Christmas,” Sonja thought.

Kneeling down beside her four-year-old daughter, the statuesque, blue-eyed blond spoke gently, but firmly; “Honey, you must be quiet in the library. Other children will be reading and we don’t want to disturb them. When we go inside we’ll pick out a chair by a window so we can read by natural light. It’s better for your eyes. Okay? Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Alexandria nodded eagerly. She was so excited she could hardly stand still. She had been looking forward to her first trip to the Hawley Memorial Children’s Library on High Street for weeks. Her mother told her all about the library, all the treasures it contained, and how much she could learn there. Sonja considered the library to be one of the most important places in New Britain, and she wanted her daughter to have a head start before she entered kindergarten at Smalley Elementary School in the coming year. Too, she wanted to spend quality time alone with her only child before the hectic holiday season began in earnest.

The Hawley Memorial Children’s Library was a gift to the people of New Britain from the estate of Benjamin Hawley and was opened to the public in 1931. It was one in a long list of public buildings and institutions which graced the “Hardware City of the World,” and reflected the beneficence and civic-mindedness of its wealthier citizens. Taking her daughter’s hand, Sonja and Alexandria climbed the steps of the library, opened the door and entered another world. Alexandria could not believe her eyes. So many books! They were everywhere. How would she ever choose just one to read? But her mother knew exactly which book to choose. Selecting a comfortable chair for herself and a little chair for her daughter by a beautiful, stained glass window, Sonja instructed Alexandria to sit in the chair and wait. She returned shortly with a very special book.

“Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,” written by the English author, Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) in 1865, had been Sonja’s favorite book when she was a child. She knew her daughter would be enthralled by it too. “We’re going to read very quietly so we don’t disturb the other people,” Sonja whispered. Because of the threatening weather there were few patrons in the library, but Sonja wanted her daughter to understand the importance of being considerate to others.

“May I read the book, mommy?” Alexandria whispered. Sonja, a public school teacher in New Britain, appreciated the importance of early childhood education and reading in the formation of young minds and character. “Yes, honey, we’ll go slowly and we’ll read each word together.”

“Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversation?”

Snow began to fall outside. Small flakes, presaging a major storm, silently and tentatively drifted from an ashen sky. But Sonja and Alexandria were oblivious to this or anything else. They had entered their own world - a world of magic, imagination and fantasy. Skillfully guiding her daughter through the pages of the timeless classic Sonja was astonished by how quickly her young daughter grasped the meaning of words. Alexandria’s many questions exhibited keen intelligence, insight and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

As her daughter read her mother gazed at her with deep affection and pride. Alexandria had beautiful, long auburn hair, alabaster skin, delightful freckles and high cheek bones. Her glacier blue eyes reflected an inner calmness and intelligence which belied her youth. Resolute without being stubborn, her mother knew Alexandria would go far in life if she was given the chance. Little did she suspect that this day with her daughter in the library would be the very first memory Alexandria would recall in later years, or that it would also be among her daughter’s most treasured.

The hours flew by. Soon it was time to leave this citadel of learning. After receiving a brand new children’s library card, checking out “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” and putting on their boots, sweaters, overcoats, scarves, mittens, mufflers and hats, mother and daughter left the cozy, warm library and braved the developing blizzard. Several inches of fluffy snow had already collected on the sidewalks, streets and trees as the pair crossed High Street, turned left on West Main Street, and walked by the imposing, Neoclassical United States Post Office building erected in 1910.

Part Two ~ Central Pharmacy

It was beginning to get dark now although it was only 4:00 pm. “Mommy, Mommy, look at all the beautiful Christmas decorations!” Alexandria exclaimed. She jumped up and down with all the zest and joy that only a four year old child can experience during the holiday season. Christmas decorations, garlands and lights hung over West Main Street and extended along Main Street from Franklin Square to North Main Street and up Broad Street. The chill in the air from the gathering storm suddenly disappeared amidst the warmth of the holiday season. “Mommy, can we see Santa? Can we, please?” “If we have time, sweetie. Daddy will be waiting for us and we don’t want to worry him by coming home late.”

West Main Street was crowded with holiday shoppers and rush hour traffic. There was a gala event at the Burritt Hotel across the street and Sonja noticed many people in formal attire entering the posh landmark. Passing Jimmy’s Smoke Shop Sonja and Alexandria paused to watch as passengers deboarded a large Greyhound Scenicruiser bus.  Everyone seemed to be in such a hurry. The driver unloaded luggage from the bus’s underbelly while other passengers anxiously waited to board. “Mommy, where is the bus going?” Alexandria asked. Kneeling down, Sonja responded, “See the sign on the front of the bus? It says ‘New York City.’ ” “Where is New York City?” Alexandria asked. “New York City is far away, honey. We’ll go there with daddy next summer. You’ll like it. There are lots of libraries, museums, stores, theaters and restaurants in New York City. Times Square, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are there too.” As she spoke Sonja saw her daughter's eyes light up and grow wide with anticipation and excitement – exactly the response she expected and desired. Alexandria loved learning new things and visiting distant places.

“Okay, let’s go. Give me your hand. I don’t want you to get lost in the crowd” Sonja commanded.  The two continued their trek down West Main Street until they almost reached Central Park. Then they turned right on Main Street and entered Central Pharmacy. Bells tinkled merrily as they closed the door. Two dozen poinsettia plants in the front windows welcomed customers to the festively decorated store. It was nice and warm inside as they found empty stools at the far end of the lunch counter next to a woman who was reading the New Britain Herald. “We’ll have something to eat and drink to hold us over until we get home and have supper,” Sonja said to her daughter. “What do you want, honey? Does a nice piece of hot apple pie and a cup of hot chocolate sound good to you?” “With little marshmallows, mommy?” “If they have them,” her mother replied. Their order was soon delivered and they began to eat.

“The hot chocolate is very good here,” said the lady with the newspaper. “Yes, it is. Do you come here often?” Sonja inquired. “Yes, we do. My son, Joshua loves this place. He likes to explore all the nooks and crannies of the stores downtown. He can’t sit still for long, so this is a good way for him to burn off energy. You should see him when I take him to Amato’s Toys. I swear he has enough energy to light up a city. He’s a human dynamo! I’ve got two older boys at home too, Joseph and Mark, but they are nothing like Joshua. Thank God! My name is Gloria by the way. I won’t confuse you with my last name. It’s a long Polish name and no one remembers it anyway.” “Hi, Gloria," Sonja replied. "My name is Sonja. Sonja Olivera. This is my daughter, Alexandria.”

While her mother was talking to Gloria, Alexandria was watching Joshua. “There is something very different about that boy,” she thought to herself. Joshua never stood still. He ran from one item on the shelves to another like he had ants in his pants. Then, much to her consternation, Joshua came over and sat next to her. She made believe she didn’t see him, but the ever exuberant boy immediately struck up a conversation. “Hey, how you doing? My name’s Joshua. What’s yours?” Alexandria, taken aback by the boy’s spontaneity and overt friendliness, remained silent. Quick as a firefly Joshua was off exploring the aspirin bottles, Alka Seltzer and sleeping aids. Alexandria again studied him closely in the large wall mirror behind the counter. Life had blessed Joshua with handsome features: dark, curly hair cascaded over deep set, brown eyes; high cheek bones accentuated a bright and cheerful countenance. Only five years old, Joshua was tall for his age and strongly built.

“So, are you getting some Christmas shopping done?” Gloria asked Sonja. “We were going to, but this weather looks nasty. We’ll probably be heading home fairly soon. John, my husband, will be waiting for us,” Sonja replied.” “Wish my Stanley was waiting for me at home,” Gloria sighed. “He’s a long haul trucker, a Teamster. He’s in Arkansas right now.” Sonja didn’t say anything. There was an awkward silence and Gloria wondered if she had said something wrong. Then she noticed Sonja was crying. Fighting to regain her composure Sonja said, “I’m sorry. I’m not usually like this.” Alarmed, Alexandria asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong?” Gloria placed her hand on Sonja’s shoulder, but said nothing. Neither woman suspected that this was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

“It’s this time of year,” Sonja finally replied as she wiped away her tears. “Alexander went away this time of year and never returned.” And then she told Gloria things she rarely discussed with anyone, least of all a perfect stranger. Alexander Papadopoulos had been the love of her life. They met at a USO Canteen dance at the Railroad Arcade off Main Street in New Britain during the holiday season in 1943. Meeting and socializing with the boys from New Britain who were fighting the war were among her duties as a volunteer. World War II had been raging for several years and the United States was deeply involved.

Everyone was so patriotic in those days. The war impacted the entire community and required sacrifices from every citizen. While the city’s men were off fighting the war their women worked in the many defense plants of New Britain. “The Hardware City of the World” was a vital part of America’s Arsenal of Democracy. Only twenty at the time and deeply patriotic, Sonja wanted desperately to do her part too. One night, soon after volunteering at the USO, she met Alexander. He was a combat-hardened United States Marine who had experienced intense fighting on many islands throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations. Although she was supposed to socialize with all the men, she found herself gravitating toward this dark and handsome man who was of Greek-Italian heritage. For Sonja it was love at first sight.

One night after the USO closed the two went out together. Like so many young people in those days the couple tried to make every moment count. He would soon be back in combat, and she was lonely and in love. When that night was over Sonja had found the man of her dreams. Her loneliness melted away like an ice cube on a hot summer day. The two lovers were inseparable for the balance of Alexander’s leave. After visiting each other’s families they took an impromptu trip to Vermont because they both loved the snow, skiing and ice-skating. When they returned home they visited Stanley Quarter Park and went ice-skating again. Over steaming cups of hot chocolate by a roaring fire the lovers shared stories about growing up in New Britain. Then she asked Alexander about the war, but he wouldn’t discuss it. Instead he told her that he and his Marine brothers were fighting so America could be free of the Fascist menace once and for all.  

Toward the end of his leave Sonja and Alexander went to a movie at the Strand Theater on Main Street. Entering the beautifully mirrored foyer they climbed the carpeted steps to the balcony and took a seat in the back. After watching a newsreel about the war and a cartoon, the couple settled in to watch the movie, “Girl Crazy,” starring Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and June Allyson. But neither of them really came there to watch the movie and they soon embraced one another passionately. The memories they made that romantic night lasted Sonja a lifetime. All too soon the young Marine’s leave was over and he had to return to his unit in the Pacific for yet another tour of duty. He qualified for discharge from the Marines, but Alexander was not the type of man to leave a job half done. They talked about getting married at St. Ann Church before he left, but then rejected the idea. They reasoned there would be plenty of time to properly marry, with all the ceremonies befitting the occasion, after he returned from the war. They decided to name their first child Alexander or Alexandria.

Sonja dreaded the day of their parting, but his letters from the war helped allay her anxiety and sooth her acute loneliness. At first Alexander wrote her letters every day, but, as the war moved closer to Japan itself and the intensity of fighting increased, his letters grew fewer and his mood darkened. She could tell the long war was taking its toll on her beloved. Then one day the letters stopped coming. On a dark, winter day in February 1945 two United States Marines in dress blue uniforms approached Sonja’s house on Oak Street. Even before she opened the door she knew. Without a word being spoken her world collapsed and time stopped. Many months later she learned the full details of Alexander’s death. He was leading an elite squad of Marines up Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. The island was part of Japan’s inner ring of defenses and was one of its home islands. Fierce fighting went on for weeks. Toward the climax of the battle for Mount Suribachi a sniper ended Alexander’s young life. He died instantly, and like so many other Marines during the ferocious fighting, he died a hero.

Alexandria turned around and around on her stool at the counter and peeked at Joshua through the aisles of merchandise. “I wonder what he’s up to now?” she thought. She wanted to go see, but her mother had taught her well. She would not move from her seat unless her mother said it was okay to do so. “Mommy, can I go see what Joshua is doing, please?” Sonja, totally engrossed in her own reverie, nodded her consent. Alexandria snuck up behind Joshua and tapped him gently on the shoulder. He spun around like a toy top gone crazy. When he saw it was Alexandria he laughed. He had the most infectious laugh and she giggled too. Alexandria extended her hand to Joshua in friendship and introduced herself. As soon as their hands touched a spark of static electricity shocked them. Never having experienced that sensation before the two children jumped back. “You ARE a human dynamo!” Alexandria exclaimed.

“Sonja, my dear Sonja, I am so sorry for your loss,” Gloria said with deep compassion. “The war was hard on us all, some more than others. I can’t imagine the grief you felt.” “I didn’t want to live anymore, Gloria,” Sonja confided. “I sank into a deep depression and contemplated suicide. What was left for me? How could I go on? Alexander was my life. I had built my whole world around our future together. I didn’t want to confront the unthinkable – that he might not make it back alive. When that happened I just gave up. My family didn’t know what to do or how to console me. This went on for six months and then, slowly, gradually, painfully, I began the process of pulling myself together. I reasoned that Alexander would have been disappointed in my behavior. He would have wanted me to make his sacrifice and the sacrifices of so many other young, brave American boys worth something - something good, something positive.”

“And we all did!” Gloria interrupted. “We won that war. We kicked the Fascists’ asses. We paid them back for Pearl Harbor in spades. And your Alexander was part of that victory. You should be very proud of him, Sonja. You should get down on your knees every night and thank God for giving you and Alexander that precious time together. Look at our children playing over there; do you think they would be doing that now or would have even been born if those bastards had won the war? No! Our boys paid the full price for our freedom and none of us should ever forget that. We owe them everything!”  

“Everything you say is true, Gloria, but it took me a long time to come to that conclusion,” Sonja confessed. “And once I did the sun began to shine again and my life renewed itself. I will never forget Alexander. He will always be part of me. Do you know where he is buried?” “No, where?” asked Gloria. “In Saint Mary Cemetery right across the street from where I now live on Allen Street. My father is also buried there. It’s the closest I can get to Alexander in this life. I visit him at least once a day, rain or shine. I take Alexandria with me too, although she is too young to appreciate the significance of this man in my life.” With a heavy sigh Sonja said, “It was so long ago, and yet it seems like only yesterday.”

An elderly man entered the store and sat down at a stool at the opposite end of the counter, a gust of wind and burst of snowflakes rushing in behind him. His scrubby, white beard was partially obscured by the upturned collar of his long, dark overcoat. Brushing the snow from his white hair, he ordered a bowl of hot chicken soup with Saltine crackers. None of the other customers so much as looked in his direction, yet this man helped build one of the city’s signature landmarks that was dedicated on September 22, 1928 – the towering World War I Monument in Walnut Hill Park.

“I still worry about the future and wonder what the 1960s will be like,” Sonja admitted. As soon as she spoke those words the radio from behind the counter, set to station WRCH, began to play Doris Day’s, 1956 Oscar winning song, “Que Sera, Sera” (“Whatever Will Be, Will Be”). It was uncanny!  They both laughed and began to sing along as other customers joined in too.

“When I was just a little girl I asked my mother, what will I be? Will I be pretty, will I be rich? Here's what she said to me. Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see,

Que Sera, Sera, What will be, will be.”

Joshua and Alexandria came over to see what was going on and started dancing together by the counter. It was their very first dance together. It would not be their last. The attendant looked on in amazement and wondered what was in the hot chocolate he had served them. He quickly poured himself a cup too.

“That was fun. I like that song,” Gloria said. “Mommy, when are we going to see Santa?” Alexandria asked again. “I don’t think we are going to be able to do that today, honey. We’ll have to wait until next week.” “Why don’t we all come back Downtown next Thursday?” Gloria suggested. “The stores will stay open late and we can get an early start, have lunch, shop, see Santa and enjoy all the Christmas decorations too. Maybe we can even catch a movie at the Strand or Embassy.” “Sounds like a plan,” Sonja agreed. “Maybe I can get my husband, John to come shopping after work and give us all a ride home too. We can shop at Amato’s Toys, Raphaels, D & L, Lifshutz and Grants. We’ll shop till we drop.” Sonja and Gloria exchanged phone numbers and addresses, wrapped themselves and their children up tight in their winter clothes, paid the bill and headed out the door.

Part 3 ~ Central Park

Despite the heavy snow all was hustle and bustle in Downtown New Britain. Sonja took a deep breath, and then another and another, exhaled and exclaimed, “Ah, I love New England air. It smells so good in the winter. So fresh and clean!” Gloria lit a Camel cigarette and joked, “Yes, I love good, clean air too!” The foursome headed across the street to join the festive holiday celebration already under way in Central Park. A brass choir and choral group of New Britain Senior High School students were entertaining a growing crowd of people which was taking a break from holiday shopping. “Mommy, can Joshua and I go play in the snow?” Alexandria asked. Sonja looked over to Gloria and both mothers said yes. “But stay where we can see you and don’t go near the street,” Sonja instructed her daughter.

Sonja and Gloria joined the crowd which had surrounded the high school musicians and singers and began singing Christmas carols. The students were very good and did not seem to mind the inclement weather at all. Meanwhile Alexandria and Joshua were having a good time too. “Ho, ho, ho, I love the snow!” Joshua chanted. Alexandria joined right in the merriment as the two new friends, holding hands, ran around the large, brightly lit and decorated Christmas tree in the park. Other children soon joined them as they formed a continuous ring around the festive tree. It was a scene right out of a Currier and Ives painting!

Then the two friends, tiring of this activity, broke free from the ring, ran over to the other end of the park and lay down in the snow that covered the lawn adjacent to Soldiers’ Monument. They formed snow angels, got up, inspected their creations, and found another spot of virgin snow and repeated the exercise. Throughout their play the two friends laughed and laughed. They could not stop laughing. The joy in their young hearts was boundless and infectious. They were so thoroughly engrossed in play they forgot all about their surroundings. Neither child had ever been happier. Finally, exhausted, Alexandria and Joshua took a break and rejoined their mothers in the large crowd which surrounded the student musicians and singers. The celebration had moved to the area next to the Christmas tree and Nativity scene.

“Mommy, when can we go see Santa Claus,” Alexandria again asked her mother. “We don’t have much time tonight, honey. The weather is getting worse and we must get home where it is safe and warm. I promise you we’ll visit Santa next week when we come back Downtown, okay? Now go and play with Joshua. We’ll be leaving in a while.” Just then the beautiful steeple bells of South Congregational Church rang out. Sonja looked up at the clock on the steeple of the First Church of Christ across the street from Central Park. It was 6: 00 PM. They would have to leave soon if they wanted to catch the Stanley Street bus.  

Still holding hands Alexandria and Joshua explored the wilds of Central Park. To them the little park seemed huge and full of fascinating surprises. Massive Soldiers’ Monument particularly intrigued them. Erected in 1900 to honor the brave men from the city who served in the United States Civil War, the edifice is one of the most distinguished and ornate in all New England. A crowd of children was playing in and around its many nooks and crannies as Alexandria and Joshua ran over and joined them. After a short time they discovered a partially opened door and squeezed inside to look around.

On the white marble walls of the vault inside the monument are inscribed the names of all the men from New Britain who served in the American Civil War. The children placed their tiny fingers in the engraved names of several inscriptions and traced the letters. “My mommy and I read “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” today at the library. It was so much fun! Do you know how to read, Joshua?” Alexandria asked. “I like to run and play outside. I don’t like to read. It’s no fun,” he quipped. “Oh no, but it IS fun!” Alexandria quickly retorted. “You need to learn how to read. I’ll teach you. Books are so much fun! You can go anywhere and do anything when you know how to read. Please, Joshua, let me teach you how to read. Please?” “Well, okay, but it better be fun or I don’t care. Anyway, what could be more fun than playing in the snow? C’mon, let’s go,” Joshua beckoned as the two friends squeezed out the door.

As they ran to the south side of the park nearest the restrooms they caught sight of Him for the very first time. Stunned speechless the children gaped up at the most fantastic sight they had ever seen. Alexandria and Joshua jumped up in the air, pointed at the marvelous attraction and simultaneously yelled, “SANTA!!!” Joshua fell backwards in the snow he was so excited. There, on the façade of the Fair Department Store was the most audacious, humungous Santa Clause in the whole world. As the children watched in wonderment Santa’s head began to move. Back and forth. Back and forth. “Santa’s ALIVE!” Alexandria exclaimed. “He’s so huge! I never knew Santa was so huge!” Joshua squealed. Both children stared wide-eyed at New Britain’s most revered holiday icon. “Why is he on the building?” Alexandria asked Joshua. “Why doesn’t he come down? Does he stay up there all the time? Does he live there? Where does he go to the toilet? Doesn’t he get cold?” Their mothers would certainly know the answers to these terribly important questions. So off they raced, slipping and sliding in the deepening snow.

“Mommy, mommy – look!” Alexandria gestured. Sonja looked to where her daughter was pointing and laughed heartily. “Well, you did want to see Santa, didn’t you? Well, there he is, big as life.” Alexandria hugged her mother and said, “I love you, mommy. Thank you for bringing me here to see Santa. I am so happy!” Sonja turned to Gloria and said, “I was wondering just how long it would take them to discover old Santa. I do so love the holidays! It brings out the child in me.”

Just then several girls from the student choir came over and began distributing tall, slender white holiday candles to the crowd of onlookers. They lit several candles, being careful to protect them from gusts of wind. These candles then lit other candles until everyone in the audience held a lighted candle. The crowd fell silent as they watched the carolers light their own candles, the flickering flames casting a radiant glow on their beautiful, youthful faces. Then the choir began to sing the Christmas carol, “Silent Night” in acapella. The student leader of the choir turned to the audience and invited them to sing along.

“Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born.”

Sonja felt a deep peace come over her, a peace she had never felt before. All the trials and tribulations of her life melted away in a feeling of profound thanksgiving and joy. For this moment she had been born. For this scene she had prepared all her life. With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks she bowed her head in humble gratitude to the Lord Jesus. She felt the presence of her beloved Alexander and hugged Alexandria tightly.

“Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom!” her daughter pleaded. Sonja glanced up at the clock at First Church of Christ again and said, “Okay, but we’ll have to make it quick if we are to catch the next bus.” Sonja and Gloria took their children to one of the underground bathrooms in the park and emerged five minutes later, a record for both mothers. The friends cautiously crossed the dangerous segment of street between Central Park and the east side of Main Street and made their way north across Church Street through the deepening snow. When they arrived at Grants Department Store their bus was all warmed up and waiting for them.

Part 4 ~ Stanley Street Bus

The Stanley Street bus was pleasantly warm and crowded with holiday shoppers. Everyone seemed happy to be on their way home before the blizzard shut down the city. Sonja, Alexandria, Gloria and Joshua were fortunate to find four seats together toward the rear of the bus. Sonja and Gloria sat together on one side of the aisle and Joshua and Alexandria sat directly across from them on the other side. They had to wait for some time as there seemed to be something going on ahead of the bus and traffic was stopped on Main Street. When the bus finally got underway they saw there was an automobile accident on the corner of Main Street and Commercial Street. Road conditions were becoming treacherous and it would be a long, slow ride home. That gave the new friends lots of time to get acquainted.

True to form Joshua could not sit still for long. Before the slow moving bus even reached the Columbus Monument on North Main Street he jumped out of his seat and started running up and down the aisle. The bus driver said something to him and his mother bellowed, “Joshua, Chodź tutaj!” All the passengers heard her and turned to look. Joshua walked slowly toward his mother. He had seen that look on her face many times before when he misbehaved. He was in for it now! She raised her hand as if to strike the boy, but thinking better of it, commanded, “Usiąść!” and pointed to Joshua’s seat on the bus. Joshua immediately obeyed and sat down. 

A slight smile crossed the bus driver’s face as he glanced in one of his mirrors which allowed him to view what was going on behind him inside the bus. Now he could focus completely on the dangerous road conditions and not be distracted by the boy. The other passengers also seemed happy to see Joshua back in his seat where he belonged. Joshua sat as still as a stone, his hands folded in his lap. His eyes were fixed on the back of the seat in front of his. He dared not look at his mother. His heart was racing and he started to shake. Terrified by his mother, and deeply humiliated by her scolding, Joshua felt a white-hot rage well up inside him. His little body shook uncontrollably as he clenched his fists in a vain attempt to regain control. He knew he would receive a beating from his mother when they returned home. The poor boy felt small, helpless and unloved and wished he could disappear.

Alexandria was also stung by Gloria’s words as if she had been the target of them herself. Her mother and father never spoke to her in an angry tone of voice and would never do so in public. She felt great compassion for Joshua and could see he was really hurt inside. She wanted to hug him, but only placed one of her tiny hands on the little boy’s clenched fists and kissed him gently on the cheek. It was the first time she ever kissed a boy and she felt her face flush. Joshua’s fists relaxed. When Alexandria looked over to her mother she saw she was preoccupied.

Gloria’s anger was uncomfortable for Sonja to bear too. It brought back vivid memories which she found difficult to suppress. As she looked out the window of the bus she saw the reflection of her own face transformed into the frightened little girl she had once been. Her father came to America in 1910 from Norway and her mother arrived from Sweden shortly after. Like so many immigrants in America they were both very young, on their own and did not speak English. They were simply searching for a better life than the one they left in the Old Country. At first her father did well. He opened a clothing store on North Street in New Britain and the store prospered. Sonja’s mother, a frequent customer in the store, struck up a friendship with the young entrepreneur which soon flamed into romance. After they married they began a family and felt economically comfortable enough to buy a nice home on Atlantic Street.

Then the Great Depression hit, the store failed and the family, like so many others in America at the time, was unable to pay the mortgage or keep their home. It was all too much for Sonja’s father to endure. Pushed beyond his limits, he began to drink heavily and became abusive to his wife and four children. Finally, when their eldest son could stand it no longer, he physically evicted his father. The family patriarch died soon after in Hartford, Connecticut after robbers beat him to death on Front Street. His family buried the unfortunate man in Saint Mary Cemetery.

“The boy has to learn who is boss!” Gloria’s voice brought Sonja back to reality. “He could have caused an accident. Sometimes you just have to lower the boom,” Gloria stated emphatically. “Was that Polish you spoke to your son?” Sonja inquired. “Yes, Polish - I’m 100% Polish and proud of it!” Gloria proclaimed. She crossed her arms over her ample bosom and asked Sonja what her ethnic background was. “I’m 50% Norwegian on my father’s side and a combination of Swedish, Danish and Austrian on my mother’s side. So mostly Scandinavian,” she answered. “I thought so,” Gloria responded. “You look very Nordic. You’re a very beautiful woman.”

The bus turned left from North Street on to Hartford Avenue and the conversation focused on the many small shops on the Avenue, also known as New Britain’s “League of Nations.” “We shop here often. I like the rye bread and rye rolls at Cousins and the Halvah Jewish sesame candy at Gorfain’s Deli. We shop here after church at Sacred Heart every Sunday,” Gloria commented. “We attend a variety of churches,” Sonja responded. “We want to expose Alexandria to an ecumenical variety of religious experiences and let her make up her own mind about what to believe or whether to follow any religion at all. John, Alexandria and I went to Saint Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Winter Street for the first time last Sunday and we really liked it. The church is very beautiful inside and we felt an emotional connection to the parishioners.”

“Well, here’s our stop coming up,” Gloria said as she pulled the overhead wire which set off a loud buzzer that alerted the driver. “Be sure and call me so we can make more plans for next Thursday, okay?” she asked Sonja. “Okay, I will. It was very nice meeting you and your son.” Gloria and Joshua departed the bus carefully and waited till the bus was on its way before they crossed to the other side Hartford Avenue. They lived just across the street from Van Way Printing and next to the bike shop.

Sonja switched seats and joined her daughter. “Are you tired, honey,” she asked Alexandria. “Yes, mommy,” The little angel lay down, placed her head on her mother’s lap, closed her eyes and fell fast asleep. “Perhaps if I’m friends with Gloria and Alexandria is friends with Joshua we might help them,” Sonja thought to herself. “Maybe she needs a good friend to talk to and confide in. It can’t be easy raising three sons all alone, especially if they are as active as Joshua. Her husband is gone all the time earning a living for his family. She has to be both a mother and a father to her sons,” Sonja speculated. And then it hit her like a lightning bolt: Gloria and her son had not exchanged a single word the entire time they had been together that day until Gloria’s outburst on the bus. Nor had they touched each other. Even when Joshua was so excited about seeing Santa he did not share his joy with his mother. He only stood beside her in silence. “How very strange and sad,” Sonja reflected. She and Alexandria communicated constantly and demonstrated open affection for each other all the time. She did not want to repeat the mistakes her parents had made with her and her siblings. She and John were determined to raise their daughter with an abundance of love, respect and attention.

Then and there Sonja resolved to change this situation. Over time the relationships between these two families did have a salutary impact on both, especially on Gloria and her son, Joshua. Sonja and Alexandria’s soothing personalities and level heads worked miracles. Joshua settled down and, as he grew more mature, his mother’s behavior toward him moderated. When Alexandria and Joshua married twenty years later, both families celebrated the joyous occasion together at Sacred Heart Church on Broad Street. The reading lessons Alexandria gave Joshua when they were youngsters paid huge dividends. Joshua graduated magna cum laude from a prestigious Ivy League school and taught English and History at a private school and university in Connecticut. Joshua and Alexandria also raised a large, happy family of seven sons and one daughter. Was the little girl spoiled by her parents and brothers? You betcha!

Soon the bus approached their stop. Sonja woke Alexandria and pulled the overhead wire and the buzzer sounded. The pair got off the bus at the entrance to Saint Mary Cemetery on Stanley Street. Across the street the firehouse was decorated with festive lights and garlands. The gate to the cemetery was closed and the snow was up to their knees now. Still, Sonja paused and, placing a gloved hand on the locked gate and grasping Alexandria’s hand, she gazed into the darkness. “I love you, daddy,” she said. “I love you, Alexander. See, even when there’s a blizzard, Alexandria and I come and visit you. You will forever be in our hearts.” She squeezed Alexandria’s hand lightly and Alexandria squeezed back. And then Sonja recited her favorite hymn, “I Vow to Thee My Country,” written by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice which was set to music by Gustav Holst in 1921. It always made her feel better, and the words seemed an appropriate benediction to her beloved Alexander. Alexandria loved listening to her mother recite the words from memory:

“I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

“I heard my country calling, away across the sea,

Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me.

Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,

And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.

I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns,

I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons.

“And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.”

And then the ever dutiful and devoted daughter and lover spoke these words in Norwegian which she learned as a child from her father: “ ‘Sammen i Himlen’ ~ ‘Together in Heaven,’ ” daddy and my dearest, Alexander,” she said as she blew them a kiss goodnight.

Sonja picked up her daughter and hugged her close. Alexandria fell back to sleep in her mother’s loving arms. A few minutes later they arrived at their Allen Street home which was adjacent to the cemetery. John was at the door waiting for his wife and daughter. He remembered to put on the outside Christmas lights, but Sonja didn’t notice. She carefully handed Alexandria to her husband and the little child, still half asleep, put her arms around her daddy’s neck. John kissed his daughter, placed his other arm around his wife and the family entered their home. Smoke from their chimney rose into the stormy night sky. Across the street, deep inside the cemetery, all was quiet except for the sound of howling wind in the branches of slumbering trees. The whistle from a passing freight train on its way to Hartford sounded its warning at the railroad crossing at the confluence of East Street and Allen Street. A blanket of virgin snow covered tombstones, grass, roads and tree limbs as the Hardware City settled in for a long winter’s night sleep.

~  FINIS  ~

 Art Apruzzese

"Only Yesterday"

Short Story #1

San Luis Obispo, California

August 2013.