My mother was sweet and sensitive to the especially those whose psyche may be fragile.
feelings of others, Perhaps that is why she would encourage me to
go over and spend a little time with Charlotte. I, a nine year old, had plans of my own, as in riding my bike, seeing my friend, Eleanor, and
playing with paper dolls. Charlotte was not on my selfish agenda that day or any other day. But with a little
prompting, I crossed
the street in my quiet neighborhood in Bayside, L.I. to visit Charlotte. She sat on her front stoop alone,
under the watchful eye of her mom. I
could see her mother as she moved the curtain to check on her daughter from
time to time. When I said
"hello" to Charlotte, she smiled her nervous smile. She seemed so
happy that she had a possible playmate. She
said "my name is
Charlotte". I did not remind her that I already knew.
Charlotte was plump, short,
with thinnish brown
hair mixed with gray. Her
answers were generally in monosyllables, but always with a smile on her face. I would guess this woman/child was in her mid forties, now that I look back. My mom would never ask the age of her
neighbor's only child. However, we kids were curious. Charlotte's mother opened the door and asked if we would
like to play checkers. Charlotte beamed
with delight at that suggestion. How could I say anything but "yes"? Surprisingly, Charlotte was well adapted to the game which I'm sure she played many times a day with her
elderly parents.
After about the second or third game
I said "I have to go, now".
She
smiled and said "bye" to my
farewell. After my lunch I
hastily went through the alley way to see Eleanor at the house directly behind ours. We enjoyed cutting out paper dolls
from the previous week's Sunday funny sheets. Tillie
The Toiler had many stylish dresses to cut out and add to her wardrobe. Sometimes
I'd join the kids on the next street to see the Saturday matinee; mostly
westerns. Most Saturdays I'd see Charlotte sitting on her front stoop alone or
with her mother. I'd wave if she
was looking my way. Sometimes I'd go over for a visit and then the
inevitable game of checkers came out, to Charlotte's delight.
2.
As a kid, I
did not know the meaning of the words guile or averice. This woman/child was incapable of either. Even when she watched us kids play "cops and robbers" in summer twilight,
it seemed she took pleasure in seeing our wild antics,
just as if she, herself, was in the game.
In those days no one
had a name for what caused this sweet soul
to develop childlike in an adult
body. She did not have Downes Syndrome. Mentally
challenged would be a generic
name for her handicap. Her disposition was sweet and kind. She must have been precious in her
parent's eyes and most especially in the Eyes of God.
Sometimes other kids would
walk by her house, staring and pointing at her, but would only wave when
she smiled and said "my name is Charlotte.
