been closed up in his bedroom for a few days . He was in a depressed state , and I was ordered not to disturb him . Telling that to a five-year-old child goes in one ear and out the other because children have the most inquisitive minds . One day , curiosity won . I wanted to see him . I went upstairs and stood outside of that closed bedroom door . I entered and there he was , sitting on the edge of the bed , staring out the window , his expression blank . I sat next to him , took his hand and started imitating a voice of sternness and authoritativeness like I would hear my aunt speak to him sometimes . He never acknowledged what I was doing . Actually , a hint of a smile formed on his face and that was our moment of the love we had for each other .
Needless to say , my aunt was searching for me . She knew I disobeyed her and came upstairs . Seeing the door open , she stepped in and saw me sitting next to my uncle , our hands intertwined . As calmly as she could , she called my name , ordering me to come to her . I told her , ‘ I want to stay with my daddy .’ She beckoned me again , this time with more force , and my uncle told me not to disobey and to do as I was told . I went to her , grudgingly and she told me , “ Go downstairs .” But before I made it to the door , my uncle looked at her and said , “ Margaret , you think I would hurt my little girl ?” She ignored his question but gave me a look that I knew meant a spanking was on the horizon .
Fast forward . A hot summer day , I was sitting on the front step , waiting for my uncle to come home from work . I would always know when he was approaching because of the distinct sound his shoes made . Every pair had a set of silver cleats on the bottom . I was sulking because the day before , my aunt took me to get a pair of shoes for school . I wanted red Buster Brown ’ s with black trim and soles , but my aunt said we couldn ’ t afford them at that time and I had to pick out something else . Since I was pouting about it , she selected a pair of black patent leathers and called it a day . Suddenly , I heard the sound , lifted my head , and saw my uncle , walking down the block , holding a bag by its handles . When he reached the house , he handed me the bag . “ Got you something ,” he said . We went inside . I ran to the kitchen , where my aunt was preparing dinner , waving the bag . My uncle entered and my aunt glanced in his direction with a ‘ No , you didn ’ t ’ expression on her face . We all sat at the table . I removed the box and opened it . My eyes grew wide , as my dream came true . The Buster Brown shoes ! The exact ones I wanted . I was so excited . I put them on and they fit perfectly , because , yes , he knew my size . I hugged him so tight ; I didn ’ t want to let him go . Let me tell you how I wanted to wear those shoes every day . I didn ’ t care if they didn ’ t match my outfits , but my aunt wasn ’ t having it . I had to alternate between the black patent leathers during the school week . I will never forget that day . I was the happiest little girl in the world .
My uncle , Walter , was a man of few words and loved Western movies . He worked hard when he was well and never complained . Even in his last days , when we would visit him at the Veterans Hospital , in Elsmere , Delaware , my aunt would have the nurse push his bed to the window , so he could see me outside since I wasn ’ t allowed on the floor . He ’ d watch me play and I ’ d entertain him by doing cartwheels . We would wave to each other , and he ’ d blow kisses my way . He was my father and my hero .
Christine Pauls a native of Wilmington , Delaware is the author of To Begin Again , Belinda ’ s Song and One Good Thing , her newest release . She penned her first novel in 2012 . The mother of two and grandmother of three is an accountant by day in the banking industry .
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