Irving and I both leaped at the opportunity to accompany Uncle Gay when he announced that he would be bringing Campbell his Red Wing Chair. Martha was already on her way to British Columbia by train as Auntie Nan had invited her to come and live with her, finish high school, and serve as bridesmaid at our cousin Ann's wedding which was to take place in six months. I would love to have gone with her, but mother said no. She needed me as her "Mother's helper", and I was to start high school in the fall.
Mother was glad to be rid of 16 year-old Martha, whose unflinching adolescent appraisal of all the events leading up to father's departure, and the loss of our home, she found to be too much of an irritation. She knew that Martha despised Eric, and so did not fit in with her plans. Nine year-old Helen did not care one way or another, and was busy packing up her dolls and toys, giving some away to her little neighbors and friends.
It was a lovely spring day in 1935, just before Irv's 13th birthday in April, when Irv and Uncle Gay strapped the red chair securely in the truck. Mrs. Shufelt called to invite us to lunch when we arrived, so off we went. Irv preferred riding in the back with the chair, and when I looked out the window from the cab in front, he was huddled next to the chair holding on to one of the legs to keep it from slipping. I was so happy to be seeing father! He had been gone two weeks, and I wanted to see where he lived. In the back of my mind, I entertained the thought that maybe there was a place for me there, and maybe Irv! An hour and a half later, we pulled up to a large frame house in Joliet, Illinois. The woman who answered the door was a plump, kindly lady in her late 50's who reminded me of Gerta Hopf, and who introduced herself as Mrs. Shufelt. She ushered us into the living room, and there was father already up from his chair and reaching out to Irv and to me for hugs. In moments like this, he lapsed into his Scottish dialect, saying as we hugged him, "AH - my own "bairn" - Irv, Nannie!" - rolling his "R's" characteristically!
Uncle Gay grasped his hand slapping him on the back, and said, "Campbell, we've got your chair! Great to see you, old man!" A young woman was seated in a chair close to the fireplace. She did not get up, but remained seated. I glanced down at her shriveled limbs and noted the two large crutches with the metal cuffs by her side. Her eyes were large and sad and her face beautiful. She smiled and said after a moment, "Hello, I'm Dorothy." Mrs Shufelt was cheerful and hospitable as she said, "We've got just the place for his chair," and indicated a space in a sunny spot near the bay window beside a luxuriant fern. It was lovely and I noted how clean her curtains were. In fact, the whole house radiated cleanliness and care. I noted, too, the ceiling to floor bookcases filled with books. Campbell was in his element and a good place. Irv and Uncle Gay went out to the truck and carefully untied the chair and carried it in, placing it in the chosen spot. I felt a wrenching psychic pain when I saw the chair there. I looked over at Irv, and I knew that he was experiencing the same feeling. When father sat down in the chair I had to look away.
Mrs. Shufelt and Dorothy had prepared a nice lunch for us. We had delicious hot soup and egg salad sandwiches, homemade cookies and coffee or tea. I was glad to have the opportunity to observe Dorothy and Mrs. Shufelt at close range at the table. Dorothy was a bookeeper and kept books for a couple of small businesses in Joliet. She loved to read and also worked part time in a library. Mrs. Shufelt was widowed and rented her three large bedrooms upstairs to students at the local junior college. She and Dorothy lived downstairs on the main floor. They had a large bedroom in the rear with its own bath, and two lovely twin beds, plus a small added on balcony.
Campbell's room was originally a library or large office and had its own bath with a shower that Campbell loved. His room was perfect for him! He had a comfy twin bed with a fresh white candlewick bedspread and two big pillows, a large window that faced the street, a wardrobe, his typewriter all set up on its own table, and his radio beside his bed where he could listen to it at night if he wished. Plus, his new personal telephone.
I could plainly see that there was no place for Irv or me to live with father there. He was getting all his needs met and Dorothy and her mother were devoted to him and thoroughly enjoyed his company. I was glad for him, but I knew I had to go back to live in Des Plaines with mother and eventually Eric as I knew she would move him into the house at the earliest opportunity. After our tour of the house, Campbell invited Irv and me into his room. He questioned us about how things were going at home and then took out two typewritten folded pieces of paper, and said, "I want you both to have these. On them is written my new telephone number and address. Keep them where you can always get them. If you ever need me in any way, don't hesitate to call or write. I will be here for you - just an hour and a half away by car or bus. Reverse the charges if you call. And write to me as often as you can. I have NOT moved to British Columbia near my family because I want to be near you - my children - and available to you. Be good to your mother - she will have problems of her own. Let me know how you do at school. I will be supporting our two residences, and there will be enough money sent to your mother to take care of you. I am no longer building houses and am almost retired. I have had a few financial reverses recently that have hit fairly hard, but I am still investing in the market. I will be OK, but I am about to lose my best friend and partner - Ed Gregor as he is terminally ill.
And so we returned to Chicago and prepared to move to a new life in Des Plaines...
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