Charlestown RI at the home of Carl A. Wallander

 

It was July of 1980, and my mother Shery had just divorced my stepfather, Joseph Taylor.  A momentous year and very stressful for the family.  Joe had become a jealous possessive man even as he was involved with several women.   

 

Shery, Shana, Henry and I stayed at the home of Carl A. Wallander.  He was a very nice man, and we talked at length.  He was a stone mason who built the 2 houses at the end of the road at East Shore Drive in Charlestown. His daughter and her husband lived next door, and they sent us stares of hate and contempt... but honestly who could blame them.   We were poor carpet baggers from Woonsocket RI.  And while Charlestown was not Newport, we were the poorest of the poor from a northern industrial town and the kids were afraid Pops would marry a 35-year-old divorce and take their inheritance... as I said, who could blame them.  But Shana, Hank and I were kids, and we had little idea of what we had walked into as Carl was an exceedingly kind and friendly man.  The week, as it turned out, became a pivotal moment for Hank and my own life.  Firstly, we met Gerrilyn and Guy Touma, who would end up being lifelong friends.  And secondly, we met Jim Daniels, who would teach us how to play Dungeons and Dragons. I do not think Shana benefited from the week as much.  She reminded me that Carl's family staged an intervention late in the week replete with additional family members.   They demanded that Shery depart immediately and take the kids with her.  Funny thing is I do not remember that happening.  She insists it is so.  I will take her word.  

 I do know we had 7 to 10 days of beach life prior to our expulsion. Several of them were rainy dreary affairs. Rainy days in Rhode Island during summer are infamous.  Puzzles and games... later we would learn to drink alcohol. Henry and I stayed inside reading books and listening to music.  Shery had bought us newfangled 8 track players and we had a couple selections.  One of which was the Cars Candy-O.  We played that album relentlessly.  Till this day when I hear a song from that album my mind returns to that week.  I can only remember the good things of that time... the bad have all been erased and maybe they always were.  

Carl A. Wallander died several months after our stay at his home, on November 20, 1980.