Goodbye, Mary Janes
Places in My Life and the Shoes that Took Me There
by
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The year 1932 was a turning point for Mattye and Adley (my mother and daddy), because now, after three years of hoping, a long-awaited baby was on the way. Having just turned twenty-three, Mattye had about given up on ever having any children, and was thrilled to learn she was pregnant. Not wanting to take any risks with the pregnancy, she gave up her job at the telephone company. After all, Adley did have a steady job, which paid well enough. But when the time came to gather a layette for the baby, their funds ran flat out. Mattye waddled and her sister walked with her downtown to “window shop” and wish, and their trip took them to H. & L. Greene’s Five and Dime. There were several baby items in the window, so they went in to take a look. The store didn’t offer any credit terms, and Mattye didn’t have enough money to buy anything there. The baby clothes she touched were soft and beautiful to Mattye. Tiny pastel gowns, blankets, and diapers…her heart nearly broke, because she had nothing ready at home for the baby. “Dear God,” she prayed, “please help me. I need these clothes for the baby. I know you are taking care of us in these hard times, and I don’t mean to be greedy, but the baby has to have diapers.” Sadly, she turned to walk away, and nearly stumbled, thinking she had stepped on Myrtle’s foot. She grabbed for her sister’s arm. “Watch out! There’s something down there in the floor.” Of course, Mattye couldn’t see over her huge stomach. “Let me see what it is,” Myrtle said. She leaned down and looked at a thick wad of paper. Picking it up, she held her hand out to see what it was. Her eyes had a look of disbelief, and Mattye reached out to touch it. “This is more than paper,” she said. “It’s money. Why is it on the floor?” Myrtle looked behind the counter and saw no one there. Mattye looked towards the front of the store and saw a lone sales clerk busy restacking boxes on a shelf. “How much is there?” Mattye asked. “Hurry and count it. Hold it down low so no one can see it.” Myrtle smoothed the bills one at the time. “One, two…” “Sh-h-h. Don’t let anybody see what’s going on. They may think we stole it.” “Eleven. I think there’s eleven dollars here.” “It would take Adley two months to make that much money. Do you think that clerk up front dropped it?” “Well, if she did or didn’t, she would say it was hers, wouldn’t she?” “And if she said it wasn’t hers, she would say she has to keep it in case someone comes looking for it.” “And what if no one comes to claim it? She could keep it for herself. Why would you want to give it away to somebody?” “Well, we can’t keep it. It’s not ours to keep.” “Why not? You don’t have any clothes for the baby. This would be enough to buy some, at least one of everything on the baby counter.” “I could get what I need, plus those bottles and blankets. But it’s not honest to keep the money without asking the people in the store.” “Look around, Mattye, I don’t think there are any other customers in the store. We’re the only ones in here.” “Well, then I’m going to put the money in my purse, and walk around the store for awhile to see if anybody says anything about losing their money.” Myrtle and Mattye took a stroll all around the store, and saw that they were, in fact, the only customers in there, and the sales clerk seemed oblivious to them even being in the store. “Well,” Mattye said, loud enough for the clerk to hear, “come on, Sister, get that basket and let’s get started. I’ll get everything I need for the baby right here. I’m going to need one of practically everything.” The clerk turned to look at them as they wheeled the basket towards the baby aisle, thinking that the poor pregnant lady looked huge. She shook her head as she saw her reach for the baby clothes. “This money is straight from God,” Mattye said softly. “Thank you, God, with all my heart. You are taking care of us.” Mattye and her sister left the store, arms loaded with bulging sacks of baby clothes. Their excitement seemed to burst open at the corner. They danced around each other a couple of times, and then decided to calm down in case someone was watching. “Everybody will think we’re crazy. We have to act like nothing has happened. Nothing at all,” Mattye said. “They may come get us and make us give it all back.” There was much praise and thanksgiving that night as Mattye carefully tucked the tiny gowns and diapers into the bottom drawer of her dresser. Adley was overjoyed at their good fortune. He felt truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife.
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About the Book
“Enjoy your childhood. Have fun while you can.” That’s what parents tell their children. Jane Adleyn Geiger did enjoy her childhood immensely. Her blessings in life include a Christian upbringing, two wonderful (most of the time) sisters, loving parents, and a middle-class economic privilege. Her story begins with a recreation of her grandparents’ and parents’ courtship and marriage. Her parents were married just a few days before the Stock Market crashed in 1929, and they suffered many hardships of life over the next few years. Adleyn grew up during the 1950's, and has written this stimulating account of her childhood, her school years, and her musical journey. A teen pregnancy and her subsequent marriage changed the focus of her life from high school, friends, and the possibility of a music conservatory experience to that of family survival. She has included stories of her family, friends, and teachers who helped her succeed along the way. Often hilarious, this nostalgic retelling of her childhood is a universal project of many adults, though many do not have the nerve to put it in writing. Included in the book is a personal letter to each of her children, telling about the special memories that make each one so unique. Adleyn’s fascination with shoes – the way they look, the way they feel, and the way the smell (when they’re new) has given her a theme for the entire story. During many of the pivotal junctions in her life, her shoes of the times were an integral part of the major events. New shoes became a Rite of Passage to new places in life’s journey. Imagine wearing a comfortable pair of Mary Janes while you read this story of courage, perseverance, and determination.
About the Author
Adleyn Scott, a post World War II baby, was born and reared in Georgia with three unusual gifts - a loving family, a rare musical talent, and a fascination with shoes. She has written a poignant and nostalgic account of her childhood during the 1950’s, her school years, and her musical journey. A teen pregnancy and marriage changed her focus from high school, friends, and music to challenges of being a wife and mother. She writes this story not only to reminisce and recreate, but also to tell her children about the magical time in her life before they were born, a time when the wonder of childhood blanketed everything. She commuted seventy miles daily to a large university to complete her college education, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in piano performance. Years later, at age 44, she completed a teaching certificate and earned an Education Specialist degree in reading, in order to support herself and her children. She taught school for 21 years, and has recently retired to “write a book,” that's been brewing for many years. Adleyn has performed on the piano and organ in a church and concert setting since she was twelve years old, and is presently organist at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia. Four healthy children and three grandchildren have blessed her life. She says, “God has brought me through many storms and deep rivers, first because of His love, mercy and grace, and secondly because of the fervent prayers of my mother. I’ve wished many times that I could live my life over again, with the knowledge that I have now. I made many mistakes, and I’m not afraid to tell you what some of them were. Giving myself permission to write these reflections took over half a century.”