Gladys

In 1951 I worked for my dad in a small cafe on the west side of Anniston, Alabama. Dad had a cook named Gladys who was the only kitchen employee. During a rush Gladys was glad to get a little help from anyone she could get to help in the kitchen. I enjoyed helping her a lot as she was about half funny and half wise to the ways of the world. I enjoyed talking to her and listening to her stories about life in general. Gladys had a husband named John who came by occasionally to visit and jive with Gladys and me. John was a happy go lucky sort of person and told us some funny things that happened to him in his life.

One day Gladys and I were talking and dad walked into the kitchen and heard me say 'yes ma'am' to Gladys. He didn't say anything then but later out by the register he told me that I didn't have to say yes ma'am' and no ma'am' to her if I didn't want to. That sounded strange coming from a man who had taught me to show respect to people older than me. I saw Gladys looking through the doorway and the look on her face told me that she knew what dad had said to me.

The next time I went to the kitchen she was cool to me and just didn't say much to me. After I had the occasion to say 'yes ma'am' to her again she started getting back to her old self.

One day Gladys didn't show for work and was out for about a week or so. When she came back I learned that John had come home drinking and was beating her; during the fight Gladys killed him with a kitchen knife. I didn't ask many questions about it and she didn't talk much about it.

It was not long after that until dad sold the cafe and I lost contact with Gladys. I think about her and wonder what ever came of her and if she is still living? I am hoping that her life was better after that.

By James Carroll