My Brooklyn (283)

Susan

I grew up on E. 18th between Albemarle and Beverly, across the street from Holy Innocence, until I was about 10. We used to play at the "dead end" and we'd ask strange ladies to "cross" us when we were too young to cross the street ourselves. Victor was the Good Humor man— but Bungalow Bar tasted like tar. I remember those rides, the whip, and that other thing my mother wouldn't let me go on, that used to come around and you'd get fake lick-on tattoos as prizes. We had no "play dates" back then, you just "called for" someone. Went to P.S. 139 on Cortelyou Road, then Walt Whitman where tough girls beat up me and my friends on the way home almost every day, and Erasmus ('71). I remember we had no prom I think because we fancied ourselves hippies and that was way too "bourgeois" for us. We moved to Woodruff Avenue between Ocean Avenue and the parade grounds when I was still at 139, so I had to take the subway (QJ) to school. We rode the trains very young in those days—I remember I had to travel to DeKalb Ave. to go to the dentist when I was about 11. Friday nights we hung out at the Caton Center, the boys played basketball and afterwards we danced in the cafeteria. Saturday the girls shopped and had lunch (french fries and a Coke) on "the Avenue." Saturday night we hung out on the church steps and in front of the record store and men's clothing shop (Bert Lou/Bob Rich), smoking Marlboros and flirting with the guys. In winter, Saturday nights we skated at Prospect Park and then went for pizza. Sunday mornings we watched the guys "speed skate." So many memories I forgot all about—"spaldines," egg creams, Chinese handball, Chinese jump rope (made with rubber bands), Italian ices. I think I spent my entire senior year at Erasmus smoking pot and hanging out next door at Chock Full o' Nuts and across the street at Charcoal Chef. Jahn's would kick you out if you stayed more than two periods. I haven't been back to the neighborhood since I left in 1974. I have wonderful memories of my childhood and I'm grateful that I spent it in Flatbush.

27 August 2000