Moving in down the road as a newly “adopted” grandchild to an elderly couple was a God-send. I truly don’t know what would have happened if they hadn’t of lived there, if we didn’t know one another from me helping her from time to time after school when I had a few moments, and/or if they hadn’t trusted me to do the right thing. I went home and gathered my clothes and other sundries, such as they were, and walked down the road to my new residence. The first thing that evening was E & R took me out to dinner at a truck-stop, complete with apple pie and ice cream. We talked a bit about what I would do, and I began to think about how to find a job so I could help pay my share as I knew they lived on very little. I also visited my grandmother who told me she was glad I left, saying that it was best for me. I told her I would be ok, I would finish high school and go to college. I truly appreciated her spiritual support.
Living out of home, my personal hygiene habits were the first order of business for me, so I disciplined myself to wash and shower every day making sure I did not use too much water. I of course helped out with the housework and cooking; considering my next steps for employment.
About two weeks later, I had just gotten off the bus at the corner gas station when the owner came up to me and asked me if I would work for him. He knew me from discussions over the years, I would purchase soda or candy at times and wait for my brothers to arrive on their bus so we would walk home together. I told him I was on my own now at 18 and would appreciate very much the job; pumping gas; and learning how to do basic auto mechanic work. I received the minimum wage of $1.60 per hour and worked about 20 hours per week. A few days later, I found out about a program called Job Corps; I applied and they found me a job working at the high school in the administrative office as a secretary’s helper. I worked about ten hours a week there so I now felt I could help with the bills and pay my way.
R was retired from his long-time work (can’t recall now); he was receiving social security and worked part-time at a liquor store first, then at a book store by the David Monthan Air Force base. I went with him at times on a Saturday to help out; and stayed with E during the week after school and work.
One senior boy I had a date; he and I went to Nogales for a Saturday. That turned out to be a horrific situation, he met someone at a bar there who convinced him to go further into Mexico. The situation was that I was to go with this person and he was to go alone.. supposedly the authorities did not look kindly on young couples traveling by themselves. I looked at my date and he seemed ok with he, he said he would meet me later that afternoon where we would tour the area, eat and return home. The journey was far more than that, I was taken to a place a raped, although the man seemed appalled when he found out I truly was a virgin ( as I said I was); he put me on a bus later that evening back to Nogales. I walked through customs and said what I was supposed to say; then didn’t know how I was to travel back to Tucson, my date showed up, blamed me for the situation ( I didn’t day anything about the rape), I said I thought he knew this guy, etc. In any case, he did bring me home and I never went out with him again. Of course E&R were worried and I didn’t tell them either about the rape, only that my date had not planned the trip well, we got lost. I just prayed that I didn’t get pregnant ( and thankfully no) and I learned a life lesson about naiveté.
I met an Air Force Sgt at the bookstore, he was four years older than I was, he drove a 1972 Chevelle Super Sport 404 ; nice and polite. He was from New Mexico and stationed at the base. I invited him to the prom, I obtained my dress, shoes and gloves from a second hand store, and had my hair up in curls. I remember scrubbing my hands and body to get the gasoline smell off me. I had a good time at the dance, again students were tremendously surprised to see me with a good looking young man, I enjoyed the dancing very much and just felt appreciative. Admittedly, a little notoriety was good for my soul.
The time came for yearbook signings, I purchased one even though I didn’t like my senior picture. I was a bit embarrassed at times to ask classmates I didn’t know well (the ones who were smart and in most classes of mine), and some were a bit surprised as well. It was alright because I felt a bit better about myself when I found out I was in the top 10% of my class academically; (although my GPA was good; my scores on standardized tests were not). When students found out I had been living on my own , they were really surprised and I think looked at me a bit differently after that. I asked the Choir teacher to sign my book.. he wrote ” You have had a difficult problem and you have made the best of it. Good luck . GWB”. The guy I had a crush on signed my book, saying he remembered me at Greenfields ( He had moved away earlier in junior high and just returned this past two years), and wished me luck. He knew I was going to the University of Arizona.
Graduation came, both of my parents attended, I was appreciative of my mother attending given the situation. Soon thereafter, my mother married and she and my brothers moved to Oregon. My younger sister was still in a foster home and my older sister was recently divorced and living with our father and his family.
I also learned how to ride a bicycle so that I could attend the U of A to take an English course that summer. I was not very comfortable at all, I recall falling many times before I was able to balance it. My worst moments were when I had to ride the bike over the Interstate bridge, I either had to ride in the auto lane or one the ledge next to the railing where one could see the cars going very fast underneath. I walked my bike over the bridge many times. It was very hot that summer and at times I felt the heat most acutely riding the bike back and forth.
I found out about financial aid and was able to increase my aid due to the fact that I was now considered an emancipated minor. I applied to be in a unique program for dorm living, that program required AZ residency; financially needy as defined by FAFSA; and willingness to work. I interviewed someone and was accepted. It was considered a “co-op” living situation where 30-31 girls lived, we did our own cooking and cleaning; and we slept on sleeping porches rather than in our rooms. We had duties arranged according to our course and work schedules; breakfasts and lunches were “buffet” style ( I didn’t know what that was in the beginning); and dinner was sit-down. I looked forward to the experience.
I continued to work at the service station, now full-time. I continued to date the Air Force Sgt, help out at the house with E & R; and finished my 1st university course. I was ready to move on campus and begin my college career.