Summer 1955

She slapped me hard on the face. This is my introduction to the orphanage. I am seven years old. I was taken to the orphanage by my father without an explanation.

My mother died from breast cancer six months ago. She was absent from my life for periods of time, without an explanation. When she died, after three years of illness, my father told me “Your mother is dead.” This is the only mention of my mother’s illness he made. I am denied the opportunity of saying goodbye to my mother as I am not taken to the funeral, nor is it mentioned to me. My mother disappeared from my life slowly and that was that.

At the orphanage I am given a bed in a large room amongst many other beds and children. In the center is a small room having glass on all sides. It houses the woman in charge of us, the one that slapped me for not putting my belongings in my locker fast enough.

I woke up the next morning confused. Everyone is going somewhere. I ask another boy what is happening. He says breakfast, so I follow him.

The orphanage is supported by donors from the jewish community. Periodically they are invited to the orphanage to see how well things are going. I am ushered into one of these meetings. The donors give gifts to all of us. After the donors leave, the gifts are taken from us.

Since it is summer I spend much of my time on the grounds with the other children. I am new and am invited to join in their clandestine activities.

Pinochle is played under the bushes. The loser of a hand has his knuckles whacked with the stack of cards. I don’t know how to play but I do anyway and and my knuckles are whacked a lot.

Some kids ask if I want to escape with them. I say yes. We climb the wire fence and try to shimmy between two buildings. I got stuck. The neighbor sees us and starts yelling. I am upset and crying.

We are taken to see a movie at a nearby theater. It is called THEM! and It is about giant ants. Two policemen in a patrol car investigate a problem. They are killed by the giant ants. It is scary.

I like soda a lot. Every Saturday we are given one bottle of soda. I drink it slowly, to make it last. The woman in charge sees me drinking slowly and says I seem to not want it. She takes it away and drinks it.

Sunday is visiting day. One Sunday my father takes me to a lake in Newark and we go row boating. I enjoy it.

A nice lady comes once a week for a while and we sit at a table doing arts and crafts. I look forward to these visits because she treats me nice.

The lady in charge looks in my locker and sees some clothes, I don’t know which ones. She asks if I’m staying for the school year. I say I don’t know and I am worried.

To be continued …

Victor Glass

Victor Glass, age 73 - self portrait