My father drove the truck around back of the house and parked. The driveway had been created by repeatedly driving over the same spots, until eventually twin depressions had been formed to fit the tires.
We climbed wooden steps to reach the back door, which swung open at our approach, to reveal Ruby, whose look was neither friendly nor hostile. Wiping her hands on her full- front apron, she held out her hand to touch each of us in greeting, and told us all, dinner
would soon be ready, and we were to make ourselves at home.
Behind her were my six half brothers and sisters,David,Elaine,Keith, Kenneth, Maxine and Virginia. ( Virginia was a beautiful two year old with long auburn hair and a face full of lovely features. When she was four, she died of pneumonia)
We all went through a dining room, into the front room, which boasted a large fireplace,with a half burned log, waiting to be relit in the evening, with the help of paper trash which I suppose had been placed for that purpose.
There was no carpet on the floor, but the bare boards looked as if they had been planed, not quite smooth, but good enough that one could walk barefoot without picking up splinters, as all the children were proving.
Without announcement, my father reached into his coat pocket, and brought out the brown bag he had gotten at the store on the way out. As he held it out, one of the taller kids made a grab, causing the bag to rip, spilling hard-tack candy all over the floor.
In an instant they were all down on hands and knees, arms straight out, dragging as much candy as each could toward themselves. My sisters and I simply watched the contest, without joining in. Ruby came in, stooped down, picking up four pieces, which she shared with my father. Then looking at the three of us asked,” Don’t you children like candy?”