California

Stories set here

Tuesday and Saturday with MomThe narrator recalls Mom's busy senior years, her pride in getting seven children through school, and her family, friends, card parties, and crafts. Carol and the narrator stayed in Moline, married, had a child each, and worked at the Moline Dispatch and a beauty salon respectively. After Daddy died, the narrator cared for Mom on Tuesdays and Carol on Saturdays; both followed similar routines of errands and lunches paid for by Mom. The narrator humorously insists Mom's light auburn hair was natural. Mom traveled to visit children from California to Florida and to Germany after Charlie's transfer. Family contributions included clothes from Bob's boutique and goods from Iris and Bill's Ben Franklin store. The narrative closes with gratitude for Mom's care, strength, and devotion, including keeping ten people fed and dressed.
A Mother's Steady View of Her MarriageBernard recalls that his father's authority in family decisions began to be questioned in the early seventies. After his father's death, some of the girls encouraged their mother to reinterpret her marriage through the women's rights movement. Bernard supports the movement but doubts that his mother adopted their interpretation. During a long summer visit to California, she told him that she had never questioned her husband's authority, that they each had their jobs, and that he was a good man who never hurt anyone—words she had also spoken in the hospital immediately after his death. Bernard likewise defends his father's decisions as consistent with the expectations of his time and emphasizes both parents' devotion to caring for the family.
Mom's Firm Hand and Comforting PresenceBernard recalls being difficult to discipline, fearing his mother's threat to send him away, and finding comfort in her presence at his sickbed and her care before school. Her tears when he left for California made him feel guilty. He also remembers her advice about marriage and keeping his personal life private.
Quiet Kitchen Talks and the Supper CallAt sixteen or seventeen, Bernard treasured quiet kitchen conversations while his mother ate a small sandwich and drank her last coffee of the day. She spoke of missing Grampa, worrying about Diana, and Dad's hard work without complaining. Overheard parental discussions revealed a cooperative decision-making partnership. Bernard also remembers listening to radio serials beside Daddy until Mom's familiar supper call, her delicious meals, and Dad's singing and whistling. He could still recall Mom's earlier voice but remembered Dad's speaking voice chiefly from later telephone calls after moving to California.
A New Home and a Life of Art with RickBernard recalls meeting Rick at Kitty Sheon’s in Chicago, moving into his apartment, and later sharing a home on Surf Street. Following a farewell party, Bernard flew alone to San Francisco on New Year’s Day, stated as 1960 under a 1961 heading, and was astonished by snow. Rick followed a day later and found a new apartment with a bay view. Bernard bought a white 1961 Volkswagen convertible and received an alarming hill-driving lesson. Their shared enjoyment of travel, theatre, and fine arts enriched Bernard’s advertising work.

Events here

During one of Mother's long summer visits to California, after Daddy's death
A summer conversation about his parents' marriage
The narrator's mother told him that her husband's authority had never come into question for her, despite the girls' strong views, and reaffirmed that he had been a good man.
move
Bernard leaves for California
Mom cried when Bernard left for California. He felt guilty about going so far away and could not think of how to comfort her.

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