I nervously began my speech by saying," I'm 16 but I'll be 17 in a month...I'll be a Senior in High School next year...I have saved almost four thousand dollars and bought my own car....I've never been in any trouble except for the cafeteria pudding incident and turning mom's bra into a hammock for my hamsters when I was eight.
I glanced at my parents...dad had his arms crossed with one eyebrow up and mom was giving me that,"Dad ate your peas...didn't he" look. I was in for it all and I kept going,"I've mowed yards since I was 12...I never question my chores...There are things I need to decide on my own now....I need you both to let me grow up."
Mom started to speak but I cut her off and said,"If I have a friend that I want...no...need to see....if I made a promise to that friend...I need to keep it," Then I blurted it out,"I need to go see Thankful today....Thankful Lanehart...she is my friend."
I looked up and dad was rolling his eyes. Mom stood up...walked over and hugged me. She backed off with her hands on my shoulders and said,"Yes...you do need to grow up." I looked her in the eyes and told her I loved her. She smiled and said," I know...my sweet Tommy...I know...you go and see your friend...but you don't be late for supper and always...still let us know where you will be."
I gave her a hug and kiss....and headed for the door. I was almost out when I heard dad say,"That's my boy." Then I heard mom say,"Perhaps his father needs a little growing up too...I don't have to hear whispers...they are written on your grin."
I was glad to not be dad. I jumped in my car and headed for Thankful's house. As I pulled in her drive, I saw her in the doorway. She had on a pink dress and green socks. I got out...walked up and said,"Those red sneakers really go with that Packer's hat."
Thankful just grinned and motioned me in the door. Music was playing...big band jazzy stuff...I asked her who it was and she told me it was Tommy Dorsey...she was at one of his recordings in Gennet studios, Richmond Indiana. She stopped and thought for a moment saying,"I think it was in 1923 or maybe 24...he gave me that record and another with Louis Armstrong on it."
I just shook my head and said,"Wow!"
Thankful had our tea and cup cakes all ready on the coffee table. She sat in her wing back chair and said,"Something is wrong...isn't it Tommy...I can see it in you eyes...something is wrong."
I sat down and told her about finding Mrs. Leech. She took a deep breath and said,"Damn...damn...Martha Leech too!" I asked,"You knew her?"
Thankful said,"Oh yes I did...very well...Martha, Rosey,Doris and I were all friends back in the 1950s...well...I'll get to that story in my biography...I'm sorry it was you that found her...are you OK?"
I said,"I just want to get it out of my mind...your stories can help do that...I think?"
