I was in the house helping mom with my little brothers when the banging on the door started. Someone on the other side wanted to make sure they were heard. Mom went immediately to stop the noise before my baby brothers started to cry again.
The woman standing there was someone we didn’t know. She asked where that rotten child was because she had done a lot of damage and we were going to pay for it. Mom sent me to see what the lady was talking about. Off I went down to the basement on her half of the building. Not somewhere I spent any time. I stayed out of the basement area because it didn’t feel safe to me.
Then the lady pointed to her children’s bicycles with paint dumped all over them. Oh, my goodness! That was a mess. I could see why she was upset but something didn’t feel right about it. The lady kept raging on about little kids running wild and being destructive as we walked back up to our apartment. She was absolutely certain my sister was the hooligan that had done all the damage. As I got closer to our door, I was trying to figure out why it didn’t add up. She was yelling so much I didn’t get a chance to think until mom opened our door and she told me to go find my sister and bring her home to be punished for the damage.
Then two things dawned on me. This was a destructive and malicious act which was not what my sister would do. She might be daring or thoughtless but not mean or malicious. As I started to think about where to find my sister, I looked at my mother and said “she’s not here, she’s in Augsburg with Frau Zanker this week.”
My sister was twenty-five miles away on loan to Frau Zanker for two weeks so she could have a little girl around for the first time. Frau Zanker had two boys closer to my age and was so envious of mom having girls that after much begging, mom had given in after a stern warning that things were often not as they appeared. My sister was a handful and Frau Zanker was getting in over her head. Two boys were nothing compared to my sister.
The yelling lady stopped yelling. My sister was not in town and could not have done that damage. My mother looked at me and I could see her mind trying to wrap itself around the idea that she had assumed as everyone had, that my sister had done this deed but also how she did not realize immediately that my sister was not there to cause it.
I don’t know if they ever found out who did that damage to the bicycles in this woman’s storage locker, but I was so happy my sister had nothing to do with it. This is not the end of this story though. More on the other end.
From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself
Comments on: "SUZY Q Bicycles covered in Paint" (52)
I’m on the edge of my seat!
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Stay there. This kid was something else. 🙂
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Did your mother get an apology from that rude woman?
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Are you kidding? People like that feel justified in their anger.
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Incredible… I’m not nearly as nice a person as your mother, I’d have used some fairly strong language and insisted on an apology. If I didn’t get one, I’d tell her she probably angered someone enough to make them vandalise those bikes!
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The woman made a hasty retreat and mom had two babies that required attention. I think she was floored at the thought of assuming my sister did it and forgetting she was gone. 🙂 It made us both feel a little foolish. My mother was pretty acerbic in dealing with most people so the lady was lucky to move so quickly out of range. 😉
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Wow. Who done it?
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No one ever figured that out. But at least it wasn’t my sister. 🙂 Had she been home, she would have been punished for it whether she was responsible or not. I was glad it slowed down their quick assumption of guilt. More to come. 🙂
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What a mean lady! She had no right to throw around false accusations especially about Suzy Q!
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I don’t think we ever had any contact with her again. My mother was not a meek woman and I certainly would not have continued to argue with her had I been proven wrong. Sis was no Angel but definitely not malicious. Thanks for stopping by.
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From what you’ve said, your sister was mischievous but not downright naughty–you believed in her innocence!
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She might try to ride those bikes but she would never deliberately destroy them. I don’t think children that age normally are malicious. She was just daring in her search for joy and fun. Nothing has changed. 🙂
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Ooh I hope there’s a chapter 2..
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This is part of a series of very true stories. I’m putting them into some kind of a book for her. Thank you for stopping by. More stories coming.
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I LOVE that idea!! What a fun fun gift for her. You’re the best.
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Just need the time to get it all done. 😉
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You write very well, I’m enjoying this trip down your memory lane.
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Thank you, Linda. Trying to get them all written and in a book for her very soon. The clock is ticking.
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You are doing a great job!
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People are always so quick to judge. I’m glad your sister was gone at that time and you had no more problems from this lady. I will be waiting to read who the culprit really was. 🙂 ❤
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There was a lot of lesson to had here. I’m glad to see you here. Miss your stories too. You are the best story teller around.
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Thank you for that, Marlene. Means a lot. I’m hoping to get back into it soon. I haven’t given up. ❤
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Oh my gosh, thank goodness poor Suzi Q had a cast iron alibi.
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She had an alibi for that. 🙂
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Wow! The plot thickens! I’m ready to read the next chapter. I hope all is well in your world! 🙋
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Now I have to write the next chapter. 🙂 It’s as good as it can be. Had a hard time getting up this morning. Suzy took me to buy new shoes yesterday so I can walk without pain, hopefully. I’m staying home today except for my walk.
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There were actually a few snowflakes coming down at the library this morning! It’s cold out and definitely a good day to stay home. I’ll send you an email this weekend Marlene. 🙋
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Your poor mother who immediately thought it was your sister, and in the heat of the moment forgetting that she was out of town. Whew! Looking forward to the rest of the story. Best to you, Marlene.
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Thanks, Jennie. I do have to get on it and get these done.
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Suzy skated out of that one, thanks to her big sis! I’m really enjoying your stories. Have a great weekend, Marlene!
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Thanks for stopping by, Missy. It’s not the kind of thing she would do anyway. More to come. Enjoy your weekend as well. We are getting some dry and a peek at the sun here. 😉
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Just finished my walk in the sunshine!
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Had mine earlier and it feels so good.
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Marlene – I must say, you have the most interesting stories! You weave these true tales together in a way that is so compelling. I can’t wait to read part two of this. And possibly the lessons/how your mother felt and what came of the bikes. Such great writing, friend! I also hope you’re getting plenty of rest and sending you hugs. Until next time🧡💛💚💙💜
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So pleased to read your sister was out of town and not the culprit Marlene. And I really enjoyed reading your telling of that particular day. Some things stay imprinted in our memories . Hope you have a great weekend Marlene.. Take Care.
Sue xx
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Thanks so much, Sue. My sister’s antics during those years are almost as fresh as when they happened. So much else I have filed away. 🙂 Have a wonderfilled weekend too. Hugs.
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I always enjoy these stories. Looking forward to the next one!
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I have the next one written. Just need time to trim it up. Thanks for stopping by.
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That woman sounds very much like a mean little neighbor I once had when I was a kid! So glad that your sister wasn´t to fault for this one though 😉
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Thank you for stopping by. We all get some neighbors that are unkind but then we get some good neighbors to balance them out. She didn’t show her face to us again, thank goodness.
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I’m waiting to hear more of this story!
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Thank you, Cynthia. Guess I’d better get myself in gear.
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I was holding my breath till the end, Marlene. I’m so glad Suzy-Q had an air-tight alibi. xo
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It was definitely air tight. 🙂 Hope you are getting rested. 🙂 Sending hugs.
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Hugs to you, too, Marlene. I’m catching up on desk work, and trying to get to bed at a good time, but I seem to be pushing 11 (the old 10). We’re still walking in the morning but it’s been hard getting up. And on that note, I’m off to bed. Looking forward to hearing your news soon. Hugs
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“How dare you” is what comes to mind. What a cranky neighbour. Not like she bothered to investigate, that would have taken effort. I bet the look on her face was priceless. Those kind of harpies don’t know how to appologize either. I’m glad your sister was away. If your mom was anything like my mom, it was hit first, ask questions later. I hope it was an ugly colour of paint too, tee-hee. I’m being spiteful, that’s not nice but neither is pounding on someones door and yelling. xo K
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I agree with everything you said. It was white paint but not pretty poured on the bicycles. You know what they say about assume. Yes, my mom was that kind of mom too. I spent most of my life hiding my sister’s antics from the parents. They had no sense of humor nor patience with a blossoming spirit. I was so happy she was away that day as well. Someone was looking out for her, as usual. 🙂
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Wow! And look how astute you were/are, knowing that it could not possibly have been your sister, yet how all were quick to blame her. Daring and mischevious are one thing, but devious and malicious quite another. Good for you, you wonderful sister!
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Thank you, Sherri. My sister still has a heart of gold and a generous and empathetic nature. I knew she would never do anything DELIBERATELY destructive. She does walk through a room like a bull through a china shop on occasion and it’s usually when she’s trying to be helpful. 🙂
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She sounds incredibly wonderful, what a fantastic sister you have there Marlene! 🙂
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I feel the same relief as everyone else – her alibi was undeniable. But gosh, how sad to be instantly accused. And still…. she did earn that reputation…. ha ha!
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Trouble just followed her but so did her Angels. I’m sure they will be glad to retire from watching out for her here. 🙂
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