Episode 2: The last step

It was Christmas 1960 (I was 4 years old) and Mom had taken Debra and me shopping with her at the Bon Marche in downtown Seattle. She headed down the escalator--assuming we were both with her--but discovered when she reached the bottom that she had only Debra and not me. I was still standing at the top of the escalator. She called up to me, "Danna, what are you DOING?"

I was either a smart ass or a budding existentialist (or both) because I yelled down, "I'm waiting for the last step!" My comment was met with roars of laughter from the many people within earshot in the crowded store. I was still stuck at the top of the escalator, however, so a man plucked me up from behind and carried me down to Mom, holding me straight-armed out from his chest, facing toward my mother. When he set me down at the bottom, I turned around, looked up at that stranger, and screamed in utter terror!

One of the many joys of shopping with children.

Episode 3: Twists and turns

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