Every family has little stories that are passed down. These stories are like the oral history of a family and they show us our roots and the character of those who came before us. Our true dramas shift and may even change in the telling. Often the stories are snapshots to the past, timeless and cherished memories to those that share them. Every once in a while, they are the secrets that those that lived them never talked about.
In my family, on my mother's side in the 1930's there is a story that I love. I fill in the details with a memory that cannot be real. But it is to me. I knew most of the people involved....stong women, my greataunts and grandmother, Pearl (who we all called Mommie). Their names are changed (just in case). All the characters are gone now. But they still live in the heart of my family.
It was May 6, 1937, in North Texas. Four well dressed women met outside of the old Granville Bank at 11:30 AM. Although, it was the middle of the Great Depression, each of these women, were wearing their Sunday best.
There was Aunt Sherry, and Aunt Ruby they owned and ran a bar in Dallas. Tough women who lived hard and drank like men. Tough women who took care of business. Then there was Aunt Tam, she was the youngest sister,stil in her 20's in 1937. She was also the most religious. Ruby and Sherry were both eventually married multiple times, but Tam stayed with one man for 60 years. Her husband was often referred to as "poor" Bob.
Pearl was late. She was a tall woman and she moved quickly, as she rushed to join her sisters-in-law. Ruby patted her on the shoulder. "No turning back." Her words startled the silent group as they moved together towards Martha's Diner.
Just as the lunch rush started four women walked past the "Grand Opening" sign. Ruby was always loud. "Everyone needs to leave. This establishment is closed."
Martha was a birdlike woman. She had been a barmaid at Ruby and Sherry's bar. That's where she met my GrandPop, Roy. She was talking fast, but no one was listening. The customers were moving quickly out the door. Some demanding refunds. Martha was in tears.
The story goes that it was Tam that broke the first plate. "Pearl's husband....Pearl's money....Pearl's restaurant....Pearl's dishes..." she chanted as she dropped them on the floor.
Finally Pearl told Martha that she thought the town wasn't big enough for both of them and she was staying. "You can take Roy with you, but he bought this diner with my money and it's in my Daddy's name."
By the time the sheriff got there, the women were gone. Dishes and food were scattered all over the floor. The "Grand Opening" sign was torn out of the window and thrown on the sidewalk. No robbery was committed. No one was hurt. No charges were filed.
Martha left town that same night. GrandPop Roy stayed and begged Mommie Pearl to forgive him. I guess she did. His sister's never forgot it though. The day that Pearl called them and asked for help to take her life back. High noon at Martha's Diner, was also the very day the Hindenberg air ship burned on it's way to the ground.
