by Anne Brown

Created on: October 17, 2008

LIFE ON NINETY-NINTH STREET

Andy and I had been married four years and had two daughters when we moved to Ninety-Ninth Street in Miami, Florida. It was the summer of 1965, when we took up residence in a little, two bedroom box of a house. It was small, but all we could afford. We had no phone and while, Andy had his truck, I was without any type of transportation. This left me to depend on the kindness of my parents or friends to get me where I needed to go. We had no washing machine either, and with a baby in diapers, doing laundry was rather difficult. It was either wait until Andy got home to run me to the laundry mat or wash everything by hand.

I knew moving to this new location would be pretty lonely for me, so you can imagine how exciting it was to meet Connie. She lived in the house next doors, which was the same size as ours. Connie was divorced and had three daughters ranging in age from five to nine. Our girls were two and a half and one, so it was nice having other children living so close.

Connie and I became quick friends. I was rather shy and didn't make friends easily, but with Connie things just came naturally. She was so friendly and easy to talk to. She also had a great sense of humor. I remember the day she sent her oldest daughter to my house. On hearing a knock at the door, I opened it to see Sally standing there.

"Hi Mrs. Thomas," she said. "Mom wants to know if you have some bread she can borrow."

"I sure do, come on it and I'll get it for you," I told her. "Here take the whole loaf and tell your mom to use what she wants. She can return what's left."

"Okay. Thanks."

A few minutes later there was another knock and when I answered there was Sally again.

"Mom wants to know if you have some mayonnaise," she said.

"Sure. I'll get it for you," I told her, but this time left her standing at the door.

I had just returned to the kitchen to get my own children's lunch when I hear, "Knock, Knock."

Sighing, I went to the door and yes, you guessed it, it was Sally again.

"What can I do for you this time?" I asked

"Mom wants to know if you have some lettuce."

"Sorry, can't help you with that. I'm all out," I answered her.

"Well then, do you have any ham?" Sally inquired.

"What in the worldWait a minute let me get the girls and we'll go back to your house. I need to talk to your mom."

Grabbing my two little ones, I headed next door with Sally by my side. When we walked in Connie burst out laughing.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to get over here.

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