Earth Angel

It was a warm summer day in 1956 in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Fourteen year old   Jack sat quietly on the steps of his west Baltimore row house. It was 8:00 am and Jack was enjoying one of his quiet moments. This was rare in his house that he shared with his mother and nine siblings. Jack sat quietly flipping through his comic book while he waited for the neighborhood drug store to open. The neighborhood pharmacy was where Jack was employed. He worked there part time during the school year and full time during the summer months. As he turned the pages in his book, he noticed a young person standing in the doorway of a house across the street. This was the first time he noticed her. He was aware that a new family moved into that house. Jack wondered if she were a member of that family.

Suddenly, Jack's sister came to the front door and waved at the girl across the street. She went across the street to engage in a conversation with her. When Jack’s sister came back, he asked her who was that young lady? Carolyn responded that her name was Agnes and she moved in the block two weeks ago. She asked Jack if he wanted to meet Agnes and Jack replied, “Not at this time." Jack left for his job at the drug store.

The next morning Jack was standing in his doorway and Agnes appeared at her door. Jack got up enough nerve to wave at her and she smiled and waved back. It was now time for him to go to work. Jack really enjoyed his job at the drug store because it gave him an opportunity to meet and talk with everyone in the neighborhood. He had a very pleasant personality and was very good at helping the customers at the store. He had an outgoing personality that served him well on his job. When it came to meeting girls his own age, Jack was very shy. That was the only time Jack did not have much to say.

Two hours into his shift at the store business was very slow.  Jack was day dreaming about the new girl that moved in the neighborhood. He remembered her very pleasant smile and wanted to know more about her. Then, Jack looked up and Agnes was walking into the store. She smiled and asked Jack if he worked here. He informed her that he did and wanted to know if he could be of service. Agnes wanted to know where certain products were. Jack was very knowledgeable about the layout of the store and knew where everything was. He even knew the layout of the pharmacy counter. When Agnes found everything she wanted, Jack dropped what he was doing and waited on her. She smiled at Jack and asked if he were a clerk here? Jack smiled and replied, “I am a clerk, a stock boy, and a cashier all rolled up in one." Jack formally introduced himself and Agnes did also. Agnes informed Jack that she met his sister (Carolyn) and liked her very much. Agnes completed her purchases and left the store. As she walked across the street, Jack watched her and thought what a wonderful young lady.

A very special feeling came over him. This was unlike any feeling he ever had before. Jack knew many girls from school and from the neighborhood but had never met one that impressed him like Agnes. He could hardly wait to see her smiling face again. When Jack got off from work, he told his sister (Carolyn) that he met the new girl that moved in the block. He asked his sister what she thought about Agnes and what kind of person she was. Carolyn asked why? Do you like her? Without hesitating, Jack replied "No."

He quickly added that he thought she was a very nice young lady and that there was something special about her. Carolyn smiled and asked Jack if he wanted her to put in a good word for him. Jack said to his sister, “No, please don't do that." Carolyn could see that Jack was clearly interested in Agnes.

It was only a couple of weeks before school closed for the summer. Jack would be entering high school in the fall. This was a very special time for Jack because he would be attending a previously segregated high school. That was the prestigious Baltimore City College.

Meantime Jack's sister (Carolyn) and Agnes became very close friends. One day while Carolyn was visiting Agnes, they got into this conversation . . . you know, girl talk. Agnes began to ask questions about Jack. She told Carolyn that she thought Jack was such a good person. Their conversation continued for a while and Carolyn asked Agnes if she were interested in Jack. Agnes quickly said “No!" It was clear to Carolyn that Agnes was interested in her brother. Carolyn began to tease Agnes and offered to put in a good word for her. Agnes did not want Carolyn to do that, but she later confessed that she liked Jack.