My aunt (who was more like a grandmother to me) lived with us most of the time. She was the oldest of my mothers sisters and my mother was the youngest... of thirteen! We all got along even though we had strong personalities (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). I'm not even sure how we did it with one bathroom. It was like living in Grand Central Station with all the family and friends coming over. My father was a saint for putting up with all the drama, but we were an Italian family that lived in the Bronx and drama was just another part of our lives.
I always had a creative imagination and at the time I thought it was a great apartment. After all we had a "terrace" that I'd go out on and tan or sing or draw or just daydream. It may have been just a fire escape, but to me it was our terrace. I even had my own special beach... on the roof. I'd walk up the five flights and sun bathe and look beyond the tops of all the buildings with the clothes hanging out to dry. I'd dream that one day I'd go all the way downtown where I could live amongst the tallest buildings and continue to create my own little paradise. Eventually I did and moved to Manhattan where my dream came true. I even had a real terrace with a garden and I didn't have to share the bathroom with three people.
Most people would kill for the peace and quiet that I have in Suburbia. But for me it's a lonely place and I'd much rather see and hear people coming and going. I'd still like a view... even if it's from my "terrace" on the fire escape.
Most people would kill for the peace and quiet that I have in Suburbia. But for me it's a lonely place and I'd much rather see and hear people coming and going. I'd still like a view... even if it's from my "terrace" on the fire escape.
