Mikey
By Pauline M. Shaffar
When I was in 2nd grade, there was a little boy in my class named Mikey. He suffered Polio. Had to wear special shoes with leg braces. A cute little guy with dark hair. He would stop by every day to walk to school with me. He was crazy about me. Everyday, he always brought me a card. Sometimes, it was a Birthday card, maybe a Mother’s Day card. It was always some sort of a card. Funny to think a boy of that age would be so in love with a girl. He was in love with me.
Mikey was very entertaining in school. I will never forget the teacher’s name. Mrs. Spaulding. She was a typical little ol’ lady with her hair tied back in a bun and the dated dresses. And not with the greatest personality. Mikey was always hiding from her, and it was easy for him to do so, because he was so much. He would hide under the desk closet, or under her desk. She would always go looking for him. “Mikey, are you in there?” Well, one day she went looking for him in his desk, as she bent over, he came out of hiding and kicked her square in the butt.
His family was poor. He had about 3 or other siblings. His parents were alcoholics. Many times, they would leave the kids home by themselves with very little food in the house. They had been turned into the authorities several times. There was a condition at the time. If there was loaf of bread, jar of peanut butter and/or jelly in the house, nothing was done.
Monday nights, my mother and sister would go to the wrestling matches in Omaha, that was aired on channel 7. I love going to those when I could. I thought they were very entertaining. A Monday night came along I was able to go with them. It was a cold night. My Dad heard something on the front porch. He went out to see what it was. It was Mikey sleeping on the front porch. Hungry and no coat. My Dad picked up and carried him into the house. Warmed him up, gave him a sandwich, then called the police. The police came, went to Mikey’s home, found the kids there, alone, dirty, starving, no food. If I remember right, no heat in the house. The parents were found at the bar. Which at the time was not a very hard thing to do. It wasn’t uncommon to have neighborhood bars at the time. Mikey and the kids were taken away.
I never heard or saw Mikey again. Yes, it hurt, didn’t have my friend. I hope he had a better life. I often think of him and the cards he brought me every day. I have always wondered what did happen to him. Children orphanages at that time did not have a good reputation, and many foster parents weren’t any better. I hope he found someone who could give him and his siblings the love and care they needed.
Here's to you Mikey, wherever you are. I never forgot the love I got from a little boy of long ago. The little time I knew you, has always been in my heart. Happy Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Merry Christmas.
Written by,
Pauline Marie Shaffar
November 29, 2022
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