Spike

It was while I was in this camp that my parents, after many years in Canada, moved to an apartment in Scarsdale, New York.  This made it easier for the Royal Canadian Air Force record keeper as they could now understand an American in the RCAF with a proper address.

It was in June that we all got a two-week leave with orders that we were to report after the leave to a base in London, Ontario, for basic training as a navigator.  This would be a great location for me because my brother had just moved there.  He had a new job and had moved his wife and small daughter there.  But my first thought was my leave; I’d go and visit my parents and see their new home.  My pay as an enlisted navigator was pretty small, and I didn’t want to spend any money I didn’t have to spend.

In 1942 hitchhiking was a normal activity; it was safe and it was safe to pick up hitchhikers.  I’ve done this before, and not wishing to spend any money, this was the transportation I chose.  I had no trouble in getting a ride all the way to the Canadian border.  My ride had gone out of his way to take me that far.  At the border, of course, I had to be passed from the Canadian side to the American side.  The American border guards were great fellows.  They insisted that they would find me a ride and that I was to eat and sleep in their quarters until they found just the right ride.  It wasn’t long before they woke me and proudly said they had a ride for me.  And they did, a fine new car.  The couple in the car were what we now call senior citizens, and they wanted someone to do most of the driving for them.  Best of all, they were going to New York City.  Scarsdale was only 30 or 40 miles away from there.  I made the trip and never spent a cent.  The couple insisted on paying for my meals and I kindly accepted.

The first couple of days were great to be home, a new home and being with my parents.  But I did not know anyone in this town, and I was at loose ends.  My mother, who wanted me to enjoy myself at home and probably not have me underfoot all the time in the apartment, made a suggestion.  The apartment building had a beautiful entrance and pleasant doorman, and I should go down and ask him if there were any young ladies in the building.  His answer surprised and pleased me because he said, “yes, there’s a young lady here just home from college and her mother had been down asking if there were any young men in the building.”  They too were new to Scarsdale.  This was great.  I’d go shave and clean up and call on her.  I figured we could go on walks, have ice cream, go to movies; that wouldn’t cost a lot, and it would be pleasant.  My parents had sold their car so I didn’t have a car, but I figured that was no matter.

I knocked on their door.  The young lady’s mother answered and I had quite a talk with her.  I met Grace and before I knew it, Mrs. Cobean had lent us her car and arranged for us to go to Glenn Island Casino, a popular dance place where some of the biggest bands were featured.  I wanted to go with Grace, and she seemed agreeable to it, but I was worried about not having much money, could I swing it.  We went and it was marvelous.  I saw Grace every day after that until I left.

©Joseph H. Harrison 1999