Mable and Edith

Resting my hand gently on Edith’s shoulder, I sought to resume the interview. “Could we talk a little bit more? Your family is so interesting,” I offered, hoping to cajole her into sharing more of her feelings.

“Interesting? I don’t know about that. Frustrating and exhausting, for sure,” sighed Edith.

“You look tired, Edith, you really do. I don’t know how you do everything for your dad and brothers.”

“I don’t know how I do it either, Mable. I’m pooped. If it wasn’t for the boys, I think I would run away. It’s like I am just going through the motions at home, and I just don’t have time to even have friends or any fun at all. I am so tired,” Edith confided. “I’m so tired, all the time.”

“Have you talked to your dad about how you feel?” I asked.

“My father is so busy, and he’s tired, too. If I just ran away, the boys could maybe go to the neighbor’s or live somewhere with a nice family. It’s just too hard,” Edith said quietly, so her brothers could not hear.

“Oh, no! You can’t do that. Running away is dangerous, and your brothers and dad would miss you so much. You can’t quit,” I blurted out. No sooner had “you can’t quit” come out of my mouth, and I realized I had more in common with this little girl than I knew before. She felt trapped and overwhelmed just like I did!

“Edith, you need to talk to your neighbor lady, or maybe your teacher at school. Do you know any ministers? I know there are people in Des Moines who could help your family. They offered us help when my father died. People care and running away is not the answer at all. You are too young to give up. You just need to ask for help,” I assured her.

I moved a little closer and put my arm around her. “I am going to ask Ted to give you his business card. He knows lots of people. I think he knows almost everyone in Des Moines. I will ask him to help you find people who can help your family, without you running away and quitting!”

Edith looked over at me, but it was a doubtful glance. “I don’t know Ted, and I don’t know you. I don’t think anyone can help us.”

“Oh, yes they can! Ted has helped me a lot, and he can help you, too. He’s a great guy and he loves baseball just like you kids do. Trust me, no quitting! Promise?” I looked her right in the eye and she returned my gaze with a small smile.

Letting out a big sigh, Edith agreed. “Okay, no quitting, and I will listen to Ted. You have been so nice to listen to me, Mable, and I should say thank you. And thanks for letting us hang out with you during the game. I can’t wait to tell Father about this!”

“You are welcome, Edith. And you need to tell him how you feel, also. Talking helps when you are worried and being willing to let other people help is important, too,” I reminded her.

She was so young to have to deal with this. I was older, but not that much older, and I was trying to run away, too. I had some place safe to run to but had not talked to anyone but Burnie. I also had not asked anyone else for help, so where did I get off giving her that advice? I decided I had some more thinking to do, but there was no time for that now. The Demons just made their last out, and the crowd was standing up to go. There was a low level of grumbling that could be heard, what with no home runs by the Babe and Lou.

Eight thousand people, maybe a few hundred more, streamed out of the ball park, and you could hear the disappointment all the way.

“Not a single home run.”

“Might as well of stayed home and watched the leaves fall off the trees.”

“Can’t believe I paid money to watch that.”

“Weren’t Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig supposed to play today? Who were those two jokers?”

“They couldn’t bat their way out of a paper sack.”

Fans could be cruel. I would have enjoyed seeing a couple of home runs, too, but it was enough fun just to see those two giants of baseball in person. The thought of meeting Babe Ruth tomorrow popped back into my head. How strange that it had ever left. What this whole afternoon had become so far was not about baseball. I thought it was supposed to be about baseball, until I met Edith and her brothers.

Mother and Burnie were right there by the car. Ted and I had been delayed saying goodbye to Edith, Levi, and Paul. I wrote down her address and told her that I would write to her from school, or home, or wherever I landed next. Ted told her to watch the newspaper in a day or two for the pictures he took of her and her little brothers. He also gave her his business card, as well as getting their phone number. Burnie was leaning on the car, acting impatient, but he was just joking.

We apologized for being late and packed ourselves into the cars. Ted leaned into our car window, asking Mother and Burnie what they thought of the game.

Mother simply said, “My dear John Henry would have been very disappointed in this game. Before the game, I was wishing he could be here with us to see it, but now I’m rather happy for him that he missed it.”

I started to say that he really didn’t miss it, that he could have been watching it from Heaven, but then I changed my mind. Saying that would have upset Mother, I was sure.

Burnie had a different perspective. “I love baseball games. This was a great game. I got to see Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. There’s a lifetime event right there! Stan Keyes hit two home runs. Jevers stole a couple of bases, and it was a warm sunny day at the ballpark with my favorite people. I am as happy as if I had good sense, as Mr. Hall used to say. I had a great time!

Mother asked me, “Where did you and Mr. Ashby spend the game, Mable? You two took off and we never saw you again until now.”

“We went looking for a story, Mother. I found a young girl, Edith, and her two younger brothers. They walked to the ballpark from over on the other side of East 14th Street, just to see the game. Ted made arrangements for all of us to watch the game from the bullpen. He even bought us all red hots and fizzy soda! I interviewed her a little bit. It was just like being a writer for the Tribune and I loved it,” I rambled on. “She was just standing there trying to help her little brothers see the game, so we helped her. It was really swell!”

Mother and the Orwigs all laughed at my excitement. It didn’t bother me, however, because I was too jazzed up! I knew they were supportive of me, so it was fine.

I kept talking. “Tomorrow we are going on a wonderful picnic, right? Then the football game? What time are we leaving?” I asked Mother.

“I am pretty sure Mrs. Orwig said we would head over to Union Park about one o’clock. Then at four o’clock, we will go to Drake’s football team scrimmage,” Mother replied.

I picked up the plan. “And then we will be the first people to ever see The Bambino play football! I don’t care if he didn’t hit a home run in that game we just watched and I don’t care if he doesn’t score a touchdown in the scrimmage, I’m going to get to meet Babe Ruth!” I finished with a sort-of “so there” sigh and fell back against the seat of the car. I thought that I should probably try to relax for a few minutes. It was going to be tough to sleep tonight.

Everyone else got quiet, probably mulling over their thoughts on the baseball game we witnessed and maybe anticipating the meeting with greatness that was coming tomorrow. We rode the rest of the way home in silence.