More of my Big Brother

It's lunch time and here I am again. I have 49 years of memories to relate so it may take awhile.

The last 3 memories I told you about happened while we lived on Second Avenue in San Bruno, California.

When I was in 2nd grade we moved to a house on Santa Lucia in San Bruno. I am not completely certain of the chronological order of these next memories but here goes.

I remember a party my brother, Mike, and sister, Lynn, had in our basement on Santa Lucia. There was a band (I think Mike was playing in the band), lots and lots of teenagers, and somebody snuck in some "potent" drinks. I remember some girl got sick - I remember her being in the bathroom puking.

I remember some of Mike's friends from high school. There was Ron Valdez and Floyd (don't remember his last name). I remember his girlfriend, Arlene. But she was before he met the love of his life - his wonderful wife, Donni.

Our house on Santa Lucia was 2 story - the first floor was actually the garage and basement and the house was on the 2nd floor. We had 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Well, there were 6 of us. Mom, Daddy, 2 teenagers and 2 small children. Lynn had her room at the back of the house, Mom & Dad had their room and Randy & I shared a room (we were both small, so it was ok for us to share a room). So, that left Mike. He decided it would be cool to make the small room off the back of the house his bedroom. To get to his room you had to go out the back door of the basement. If my memory serves me correctly, whenever it rained, water ran into his room.

Before Mike left for Basic Training (Army), I remember Mike and Daddy got into an argument and I walked out of my room just in time to see a shoe fly across the dining room --- towards Mike. Now, let me say that this was the first (and only) time I ever remember Daddy throwing anything at any of us. I'm sure there were other times when he wanted to throw something at us, but he didn't. And I'm just as sure that Mike deserved having a shoe thrown at him. You see, Mike was a hard headed teenager (to put it mildly).

Well, not long after that Mike left home for Army life. I really missed my Bubby while he was gone. Forty-plus years later, I still have a birthday card he sent me while he was gone.

One time he got a leave and decided to not tell Mom & Daddy he was coming home. He wanted to surprise them. One night there was a knock on the door and I went to answer. I was probably about 9. I opened the door and Mike started sshhing me but I had a big mouth then. I yelled "BUBBY" and Mom and Dad came running. All I remember is Mom crying.

Mom and Daddy decided to sell that house and rent a house on Cottonwood until the school year ended and we moved to Louisiana.

Mike was home on leave again while we lived on Cottonwood, and Lynn had left some grease on the burner of the stove. It caught fire and Mike immediately thought I was the one trying to burn the house down. I remember he fussed at me but big sister came to my rescue.

Then when we moved to Louisiana, Mike came home on leave and drove with Mom and us 2 little darlings, all the way from San Bruno (just outside of San Francisco) to Shreveport, Louisiana. I don't remember a lot about that trip except that Mike drove at night and Mom drove during the day. We only spent one night in a hotel.

Lunch time is over so this will have to be all for today. I'll be back later.

P.S.: Regarding the story about the April Fool's Day trick on Dad --- I have to give Mike & Lynn credit. They did tell me before Daddy got home not to ask for a bite of sugar, but I have that Forshee memory...I forgot!!!