Grampa’s stories #9

 Mrs. Goble

Just up our street hardly a block from our house when I was a child lived a kind old woman and her son—right across the road from one of my best friends the Webbs. She was welcoming and kind to us children. Back in those days, youngsters could visit adults in their homes without fear of abuse, and I visited Mrs. Goble frequently. I enjoyed cheering her up. She was always so happy to see me. She obviously enjoyed having company, and I was 4-5 at the time and filled that need wonderfully. As benevolent as that may sound, I admittedly was there for the treats. Sometime during my visit after introductory pleasantries and probing questions about my family, Mrs. Goble brought out the cookies, and I was allowed to take whatever I wanted. Imagine that—a whole tray of sugar cookies, pecan pralines, lemon drops, and shortbread-like Mexican wedding cakes. Actually, I had no idea the actual names of the variety of delicacies. I just remember savoring every bite. She must have known how much I liked the cookies, because she kept them coming as long as I would sit there and visit. And I expect that she knew I never got such a prize all to myself in a house of eight children, so we kept having regular visits for some time, until my mother found out. Then I was gently rebuked to not solicit treats from poor old Mrs. Goble. You would think I would have been crushed, but truth is I was getting too old for this kind of arrangement, and I didn’t know how I was going to break the news to my elderly friend. So it all worked out in the end, but I will always remember fondly my wonderful visits to Mrs. Goble’s.




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