“Big Hearts Little Tears”

Chapter Three:

I was born in a very small military hospital, in the 50’s. My parents soon after my birth were transferred to another base in Kansas. I spent about 6 years there, remembering very little other than, by age 4, I can still remember the flaming arguments, and the military police paying regular visits. Only when my Father was home, and not TDY somewhere.
There were some happy times, and some exciting moments when I was little there.
I remember modeling with my Mother at fashion shows, and photo shoots. We were a very attractive Mother – Daughter team. As a baby, my mother entered me in all kinds of Baby Pageants, and I was even a “Gerber” Baby one year.
My Mother and some of her friends she modeled with were hired to be extras in the Movie “Picnic”. This was exciting because I got to visit the sets, and sit on the Actor’s laps when they were on breaks.
I guess I enjoyed it, it is all kind of a blur and only pictures show how I was a happy child. Yeah, even at a very young age, I learned how to fake emotions, and smiles.

Somethings I wish I could have forgotten remain branded in my memory. Like the time my father returned home from a trip to England, and brought home a brand new motorcycle. It did not reside long at our home, once my mother found out my father had other lady passengers on it while there.

In Fact, she poured gasoline all over it and set it on fire. Pretty bold statement and it did manage to get her arrested. I guess, Military Bases frown on setting things on fire in base housing.

I have no idea what transpired after than, other than it was not long when my Mother packed us up and headed to Texas. This was where all of my Mother’s side of the family resided. My Grandmother and all her close family members lived and worked in Texas. My grandfather on my mothers side’s family primarily resided and worked in Pennsylvania. The ones that came to the USA.

Supposedly, one of my Grand Uncles, was a “Don” in PA. That is an interesting topic in it’s self.
I remember hearing a story when I was young about how my mother was a target and a very close friend of hers, who looked a lot like her was the victim of a hit for hire. Apparently, story has it, my Grandfather would not involve himself in his brother’s life, or his ways, and when my Uncle was feuding with another family, they decided to target my grandfather and his family to get his attention.

Pretty scary stuff, and as you can imagine, not talked about much. Back then and even still today, whether you are “involved” or not, if you are family, you are subject to all that goes with that lifestyle. Even though my grandfather was never involved in “Family” business he was always a target.

I found out when we were moving to Texas, my mother had a male friend, who was going with us. I was around 6 or 7 when we moved away from Kansas, and left my Dad.

Talk about explosive relationships, My Mother and her new boyfriend were the perfect example of being way to passionate….”to be continued”