Robert and Alice’s
Early Years 1940-1950
This story is about two babies; Alice and Robert.
In 1940, Clare and Freddy DeVan’s adopted Alice while he was stationed in Sicily. Robert, the baby boy, will be introduced to you in a few minutes.
Alice and her two older brothers, Tony and Steven, lived in Brooklyn, New York City. Tony was tall for his age (six), with tight black hair, a rough but, pleasant face and a thin, sturdy body. Steve (5) also, had black hair, but unlike his brother, he looks like a teacher, a little plum and talkative. Freddy’s boys, Steven and Tony were handsome guys. They were a bit lonely, but they truly loved their tiny sister. When someone asked one of them to rock her until she fell asleep, they were right there. Sometimes she wouldn’t stop crying until she was picked up and at the same that person baby-talked to her. She would then coo and close her eyes. They lived in a three-story brick house one block off Flatbush Avenue. It wasn’t the most elegant neighborhood for a baby and two young boys; it was outright dangerous.
Freddy was a solid built, strong man. He loved his family. Freddy other love was cooking. He had worked the best restaurants in New York City and finally; got a chance to open his place: a small diner in Brooklyn on Flatbush Avenue. That’s what he did. The business took off because there wasn’t any competition in Flatbush, for a place where one could sit down, eat, smoke, drink coffee, complain, and gossip. The breakfast crowd was overwhelming; the supper demand was getting there. Times were decent again; they forced many of the filthy food pushcarts with their cold, stale, and rotten smelling food to fold up, leaving the field open for Freddy. But, after a good run, The Army delayed his dream, they put him into the latest war.
Instead of abandoning the diner, Freddy’s asked his Mother, Marie to watch over the business until he came back. His two sons, from his first marriage, (His first wife died from the Black Plague.) Steven and Tony were taking care of by his two brothers Joseph and Carmine. Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary took in Tony. Uncle Carmine and Aunt Joan took in Steven.
Three years later Freddy returned to Brooklyn. He was impressive, with his rank, Master Sergeant. His many shoulder stripes went along with a row of shiny medals that was stabbing him in his chest.
Freddy returned to the Nation of Brooklyn to bring home his new wife, Clare, and their adopted baby, Alice. He also wanted to bring back into the fold his two sons, Tony and Steven. They were all going to live together at his Mother’s, Marie’s house on Bleecker Street, which was a block and a half from the Diner.
“It thrilled his wife’s Clare” she found a good man, got away from war-ravaged Italy. She also got an immediate family and a safe and warm place to live. Clare was a thin, beautiful Italian, but from the unfortunate side of town. Her husband sent her as much of his paycheck as he could with his monthly love letter. Clare’s English wasn’t too bad, and her baby girl was adorable.”
Freddy expected to finish his military commitment in a year and then return to his wife, children, and business. Marie and Clare were doing their best to hold on, but times were getting harder. Between the various rationed items, such as sugar, milk, and bacon; and the underlying poverty due to no work, times were impossible.
Marie was a natural hard-working woman. “She had a smile and never missed Church or a beer on Friday night. One of Marie and Tracy’s (only employee) problems was having cash on hand to purchase supplies for the Diner.” But the Diner was still hanging on, thanks to the local Vendors who took care of Freddy’s family with free supplies. The Vendors were all Italian, and they knew and loved him and his family. They were aware of his family’s wreaked financial condition. The Vendors believed the baby with the pitch-black hair, was a Princess when they heard she could climb a table leg, hold on, and order everyone around. But no one could understand her (Baby-talk).
It wasn’t unusual for Marie to find cans of coffee, a crate of eggs and a few cartons of milk, along with packages of butter and bags of flour when they opened the back door. The only employee, Tracy was a short, attractive blond who lived across the street from the DeVan family in an old walk-up with her mother and two baby girls. Tracy needed the few bucks she picked up at the Diner, and she loved cooking and talking to people. The Diner was made for Tracy.
Every day around three o’clock a few women would gather for a coffee break at the Diner, with Marie and Tracy. They called the group a coffee club. It was just a bunch of women taken a break from the demands of poverty to sit and bullshit with their fellow members. Every day a different woman would bring a cake, or a tin can full of fresh homemade cookies. These women lived a hard life. Their men were either dead or in the War, waiting to die. If one of the girls couldn’t bring a treat to the coffee cub, another woman would take her turn. The lady who was having a miserable time would get a kiss, hug, and even a few bucks in their pocket.
Let’s get back to the story.
A strange happening in Brooklyn:
As usual, Marie left her house (In the morning) for work late. She was in a mad rush to get to the Diner, to open it by six in the morning. She knew Tracy was already there because that woman was a go-getter. Marie said to herself; I got to get Tracy a key.
Marie stopped dead after only a few steps from her front porch, because there was a tiny white ‘Bunny’ standing in her way, right on the pathway to the front gate. Marie knew the rabbit didn’t have a chance in Brooklyn. If she could only catch it, she would keep it in her basement as a pet for the babies. Marie couldn’t wait until she told the girls. It would be the talk of the neighborhood. Imaging a bunny in Flatbush. But there is a problem these little animals are fast, and nobody is just going be able to walk up and grab it. Marie said to herself at least “I can tell the women I tried. “She bends down to grab it, and the tiny creature didn’t move. Marie opened her hand, and the baby hopped right into it. Marie dropped the stuff she was carrying, ran into the house with the bunny told: “Clare what happened as she put the rabbit in the basement.”
The women went in absolute shock when the bunny ran over to an old sofa, jumped on it and fell asleep. Clare said to Marie, “no one is going to believe you. Go to work, and I will put down a few leftover scraps.”
Freddy’s brother Joe DeVan was the family doctor he just got back from serving his country for five years. With a few saved dollars, he opened his practice in downtown Brooklyn. Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary were the DeVan’s family mentors; both wonderful people took Freddy’s place while he was away at war.
Clare and Marie thought there was something wrong with Alice’s eyes. Baby Alice can’t follow one’s finger. Her toys must be handed to her. Clare was so scared about traveling with the tiny Alice she needed the confidence of an aggressive woman to help, so she asked ‘’Tracy to come along with her to take the child to see Doctor Joe.” She wanted to tell him the baby doesn’t follow one’s finger, cries unless you pick her up. Also, she seemed confused when they let her crawl around on the carpet, with her bright green eyes.
So, after Tracy worked the morning shift, Aunt Mary came over to take care of the boys. Clare and Tracy took Alice to the Doctor. As the two women waited for the doctor to finish his examination, they started to talk. Tracy said “she may have to move to a smaller apartment. Because her mother is unable to take care of the girls anymore.” My mother said,” she is too old and wants all of us to go back to Chicago.”
I don’t know how to tell you, but you are going to think I’m crazy. Clare. I had a strange dream; In it, I was sitting next to my dead husband Clark at a Royal Banquet. I didn’t know we had Kings and Queen and Royal dinners. Well anyway, in the dream the ‘King’ was rocking a sleeping Joeann in his arms. My other daughter Sarah was sitting at a child’s table with three boys, happily laughing and joking. I recognized two of the boys. One was Tony, and the other one was Steven. Clark kissed me, and I know it was real. The last thing he said to me “was to stay in Brooklyn and take care of the baby who wears sunglasses.”
Clare replied, Dear I pray that Clark is still alive you told me they never did find his body. But, Honey I know we don’t have Kings and Queens. Tracy, you know the bedrooms in my house are large. Marie and I are going to rent out a few of them; please take one of them. Besides you guys live with us already. Clare said Tracy do not worry, we love you and the girls and with Clark’s Government compensation we are all going to make it.
After some thought, Tracy said alright, the children and I would love to live with you. Tracy said, “we will move in as soon as possible.” All I hear from both of my girls is “When are we going to Alice’s house.”
A nurse called the women into the doctor’s office. The baby Alice was cooing like a bird. The doctor said, “I am sorry, but my Niece Alice is blind.” I have made a few telephone calls, and I am going to have some other doctors look at her to confirm my finding.
Clare said,” I knew that Alice had an eye problem, and I was too scared and stupid to face the issued.”
Doctor Joe said it “looks like that is the way she was born, and there is nothing we can do about it.” Only close personal attention will take the babies mind off being unable to see. I almost said, “get her a rabbit,” please forgive me. Some noisy baby toys should help. Dr. Joe said I talked to Aunt Mary, “she will be over tomorrow and will stay with you for a while. Also, I will find a pair of glasses for the baby, that should help.
Clare and Tracy took the subway back with Clare holding the baby as hard as she could without hurting it. Tracy fell deeply in love with Alice because the little kid cooed like a bird all the way home with the help of the sounds and rocking of the rushing subway train and both ladies ticking her stomach and taking turns baby-taking to the child.
Alice was a beautiful baby, long black straight hair, Roman nose with silly dimples and sparkling green eyes. She was slightly chubby and robust. Her smile and laugh were precious.
At the house, Clare sat Marie down and try to tell her the bad news about Alice’s condition, but she couldn’t. So, she said, “dear friend Alice is blind.” All three women started to cry and hold each other.
The front door-bell got everyone attention. It was the coffee club. They came over to see the ‘Bunny.’ In their excitement, they all rushed into the house, and gather in the front hallway and living room. Clare had planned to creep down the basement steps and grab it before it ran away and hid. She opened the door and turned on the basement light. The house was silent along with the bunny who was patiently waiting, on the top step for the door to be opened. Before anyone could move, the little animal flew under a woman skirt and disappeared.
The women ran around the house looking for it. Finally, a woman named Mabel, from the apartment building behind the house was found on her knees praying, in front of Alice’s crib. “The women in the house stopped in their tracks when” Mabel yelled out the bunny climbed up to the top of the couch, ran up and down until it found Alice’s cradle and jumped into it.”
The ladies found Alice giggling; the little rabbit was on Alice’s small chest. Alice was cooing and smiling as the creature was sticking its head in and out of the blanket. Right then Uncle Joe and Aunt Mary walked into the house. They were taken to the crib. After Aunt Mary heard the rabbit story and saw the crib with the bunny, they had to help her to a couch.” Doctor Joe picked up the bunny and asked if someone could find a cage. He handed the rabbit to Tracy who sat in an armchair and started to baby talk to it. Uncle Joe with a smile put a pair of tiny sunglasses on his Niece. The baby, Alice sat up and cooed.”
Tracy stood up still holding the rabbit, she kneeled in front of Alice’s crib and closed her eyes which didn’t hold back the flood of tears.
A few days later three new residences arrived at the house on Bleecker Street. Sarah, Joeann, and their Mother, Tracy rented the large bedroom on the second floor across from a bathroom. Things were getting better; Aunt Mary moved in on the same day to help take care of the five children.
Tracy brought over some family photos for their room. Clare asked if she could have one of them for the living room? Tracy immediately moved her favorite one to the fireplace mantle.
Clare and Marie agreed that the two girls, Joeann and Sarah look like their father, Clark and that you (Tracy) could not be their mother. Tracy didn’t say a word, aware of the Brooklyn sense of humor. Instead, the next day she took a family photo to work. When the coffee club girls came in and sat down at the counter, Tracy gave the picture to the first lady and asked if the girls look like her? The first woman took the photo, and after very carefully looking at it said, “You’re not the Mother,” and passed it on. The rest of the women said things like “No Way,” not even close.
Tracy was looking out one of the Diner’s windows, into a raining cold, gloomy, and an anguish Flatbush Avenue and said, “That son of a bitch.” Tracy had figured it out; the women needed a laugh. So as each person would say something like, “Sorry honey the girls are lovely, but there is no way you could be the mother.”
Tracy would come back with, “I’m going to cut off his balls” In a few minutes, everyone in the Diner was roaring with laughter.
Tracy looked like an airline hostess. She was a short woman with blond hair, a healthy-looking body, and a perky nose. Her oldest girl was named Sarah. She had Irish red hair and walked around with an air of a Noblewoman, except she was five and wanted to be thirty, she walked tall and didn’t put up with any nonsense. Joeann was a six months old happy trooper who fell down all the time. She would eat anything and followed her sister around all day. She was very shy but did baby talk to Alice occasionally.