Mommy and Newman Part 1

‘Newman claimed he always visited that particular diner whenever he was in Veronaville.
He also told Mary that he had been very impressed by her.
He thought that with the proper training and tutoring, she may actually have a career in Studio Town.’
My Uncle looked very regretful.
‘Newman was at his most charming. He has this ability to become just what a person needs.
Mary secretly desired a knight in shining armor that would rescue her from her ordinary existence.
I desired a kind older brother that accepted me for who I am.
Mary and I were totally captivated by him.
Newman insisted on paying for our meal and also bought dessert.
Before we parted company, He gave Mary one of his cards.
Newman promised he could help her along a show business or modeling career path.’


My Uncle took another pause. He smiled grimly.
‘To make a long story short, that was not the last time we ran into Dex Newman.
He began popping up every where.
He told us that he had an elderly aunt living in Veronaville, that he took care of.
Mary and I were thrilled by every ‘chance’ encounter, but my parents became very suspicious.
My father, as I’ve mentioned, was a quiet soft spoken person.
I’d never seen him raise his voice, but he never liked Newman.
When Newman finally made his intentions to date Mary clear, my father put his foot down.
He didn’t believe Newman was only twenty-one.
Your grandparents were much better at spotting a phoney.
I just wish Mary and I would have listened to them.
Mary fell head over heels for Newman. She began to rebel and sneak out to see him.
Nothing Daddy and Mama would say to her got through.
Our normally peaceful home became a battle ground.
Mary said some things to our parents she would deeply regret later.
I didn’t tell on Mary when she did sneak out, because I was starting to feel guilty.
It was dawning on me that I was to blame for our being poor.
I also couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. In my eyes Newman was a nice guy.
I couldn’t believe my parents were being so unreasonable.’


‘Newman took Mary to all the glamourous places, she’d always dreamed of.
He took her to expensive restaurants, dancing, Broadway plays, the opera, and to nightclubs.
He also bought her little luxuries and trinkets that she kept hidden from our parents.
I loved to hear about the fun she had the next day. I was the only one Mary could confide in.’
Once again my uncle took a pause. He drained his coffee before he took up the tale.
‘You may remember Newman mentioning something about a New Years Eve celebration on Veronaville Square.
They always have a carnival and a light show. Newman and Mary had plans to go.
I decided that I wanted to go too.
Being a typical bratty little brother, I threatened to sound the alarm if I wasn’t invited along.
Mary was so furious with me, but Newman thought it was funny.
They did take me along and as much as I hate to admit it, we really did have such a great time.’


‘When we got back home, there was a police car in the drive way.
I’d forgotten that my mother still liked to check on me at nights.
She wasn’t at all fooled by the pillows I’d stuffed under the covers.
It hurt to see my mother crying, but Daddy didn’t seem too surprised to see Newman.
It’s lucky the cops were there because my father attacked Newman.
He told him in front of the officers, that if he came near either one of us again, he’s kill him.
Daddy also made Newman remove his drivers licence and show everyone that he was actually ten years older than Mary.’
A little gleam lit up my Uncle’s eye.
‘We also found out that his true name was Chester Peleg Hackenbush.’


I thought I’d never stop laughing.
‘Peleg!’
‘It’s an old Biblical name.’ my Uncle chuckled over my reaction.
‘Newman was so embarrassed, though my sister all ready knew everything, except his middle name.’
‘Did the police take him to jail?’
I knew there were laws about adults dating teens.
‘Back then there wasn’t such strict laws. Even though my father complained, the policemen were pretty much of the opinion that Mary was better off with a rich older man, than a young thug her own age. They did escort Newman to the neighborhood limits though.’
I shuddered at the thought of Newman preying on my teenaged mother.


‘You can imagine that more fireworks erupted after Newman left.
Mary was furious and accused our parents for holding her back and trying to keep her tied to them forever.
I didn’t like hearing Mary say such mean things to Mama and Daddy, but I thought they were over reacting.
Daddy forbid Mary to see Newman again. He and Mama tried to tell her that Newman was bad news.
Mary gave everyone the cold shoulder over the next few days. She wouldn’t even talk to me.
I guess she blamed me for getting caught. I know it really hurt our parents for her to be so resentful.
Daddy drove us both to and from school. He also took Mary to her after school job and was waiting for her at night.’


‘Mary’s birthday was a week later. Mama baked a Red Velvet cake.
Mary broke down crying when we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and presented our gifts.’
My Uncle’s eyes misted over with the memory.
‘We Mansfield’s have hot tempers, but we’re also a mushy sentimental lot.
We hugged, kissed, cried, and apologised to each other, before we enjoyed the cake.
Mary held firm that my parents were wrong about Newman.
My parents still forbid her to see him. They decided to agree to disagree.
Everyone was talking again and that made me happy.’
Once again Uncle Remington’s eyes got that far away look.
‘One of the gifts was the very first gown I ever designed.
I drew the picture and Mama helped me make the pattern.
The materials were expensive, but it was well worth it, when Mary saw her new dress for the very first time.
I watched her face very carefully, I knew when something looked a little too homemade for my sister’s taste.
I was beyond thrilled when she thought we’d bought it.’
My sister always worried that she wouldn’t have a decent dress, if some one should ask her to a prom.
Now she had one, she couldn’t stop twirling around in.’
My Uncle’s tears caused my eyes to well up.
We Mansfield’s truly were a mushy sentimental lot.


‘Did she wear it to the prom?’
‘No,’ my Uncle’s look darkened.
‘Mary never finished school. She wore it to her wedding instead.
Two nights later Mary and Newman eloped.’