Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd1

by Mary O2

3

“ First off, girls, I have my rules in this house and you will
learn the rules just like all the rest, and. . .you will. . . obey,”4

They became wards of the courts when their widowed mother, Hazel, decided to give them up for adoption. Beauty chose center stage in attempt to break into Hollywood’s movie industry. Hence, her daughters Clotine, age 12 and Mary, age 13 were sent away. 5

Hazel ran a coffee shop on Hollywood Blvd. Oh, how she yearned for the wealth and glamor just outside her door step. Self won out and consequently, Clotine and Mary were served a lifetime of emotional pain and a scar that would never fade. This true story begins in Englewood, California, 1940.6

Leaving the Halfway House, like two shivering kittens collected and trapped in a cage, the two girls sat timid in the back seat of their transporters car. “Hello girls. My name is Jack and this is Ann.” said the driver. After an exchange of introductions the girls felt more at ease. About 20 minutes into their travel tensions rose again when the car slowed to pull forward a long deep driveway. At the end stood an old tattered garage and a single story white wooden house. Located within a neighborhood of newer homes this remnant lay somewhat hidden amongst a shrubbery of unkept trees and wild bushes. Faded bikes and toys appeared as fossils on a dirt portion of the yard. 7

As the girls stepped out of the car they heard a women yelling and children screaming inside the house. A man peer out the front window and then silence. Approaching the front door a women greeted them with a smile. Welcoming her new guests inside she began waving her hand in the air as she crushed her cigarette in an ash tray. The man first seen from the outside began opening windows to rid the stale smell. A scatter of toys and books dotted the front livingroom. Gathering up an armful of toys and, appearing anxious, the women invited her guest to sit down. A couple of young curious faces peeked out from the hallway. 8

After a short engagement with business the two welfare agents left. “Well it’s about time, Del,” said the women. “These kids are about to drive me up the walls and out the alleys. I need help. My dear Clotine and Mary, you’re just the help I need. However, first off, I must tell you both I have my rules in this household and you will learn the rules just like all the rest, and. . .you will. . . obey. You may call me Mother Pearl and my husband Daddy Del.”
“Pearl,” said Del. “How about I show Mary and Clotine to their room so they can unpack.”
“Okay. Have them come help me in the kitchen when their finished. We’ll start their training now.” 9

As the girls followed Del they starred back at a now flustered looking women. A small boy smiled as they passed the hallway. Mother Pearl, a thin women with dyed fiery red hair haplessly pinned up-top her head, bore the mouth lines of a heavy smoker. Notably as well, she wore the pants in the house; quite the contrast in temperament to her husband. Del, small to average height and balding, had a more round and softer look which matched his nature; one for which the girls felt more comfortable.10

At the far end of the kitchen and through the laundry room Mary and Clotine followed until they reached a screened patio. “This is the best we can do,” said Del. “You may put your clothes in that dresser. I’ll bring you some pillows and blankets.”11

Solidified in shock, speechless, the girls shared only what their eyes expressed. Both paused to take notice the two patio lounge chairs along side the dresser. Continuing to stare at each other, not saying a word, they knew. Sure enough, while placing their clothing in drawers, Daddy Del walked up and dropped a pillow and two blankets on each lounge chair. “There’s a bathroom off the laundry room for you to use. When you’re finished Mother Pearl would like you to help her in the kitchen.”12

When Daddy Dell left the room Clotine began to cry. “Don’t let them see you cry,” whispered Mary. Trust me, we’re not going to stay here long. I’ll find a way out.” Mary gripped Clotine’s shoulders. Clotine wiped away her tears feeling confident with her older sister’s words.
“What’s taking those girls, Del? Tell them to hurry.”
“Eat everything and do what ever they tell you to do. Don’t let them know reminded Mary under her breath as they followed Daddy Del’s lead out to the kitchen. “When the time is right. . .” Mary cleared her throat.13

As weeks passed the girls foster parents accepted more children than legally permitted. It became evident the purpose for Mary and Clotine’s stay. While Daddy Del worked days and part time at night, Mother Pearl kept herself liquored up with vodka disguised in tomato juice. “As The World Turns” aired daily on the radio in rhythm with the smoke rings that rose above Mother Pearl’s head at the sofa. 14

The work demand on the girls burned within as “The Witch,” they named her, heralded out demands at the point of her finger. Though the five younger foster children grew to love Mary and Clotine, as they too loved them back, the girls looked forward to the day of their break away. In the meantime their only reprieve came when school started. Ashamed of their lives they kept home life private. Both developed, especially Mary, great social skills, so as not to give anyone reason to question their background.15

Los Vegas. “Our destiny” 16

Three and a half months passed and the girls became quite good housekeepers, cooks and nannies. Their school grades averaged ‘B’ and above. No one could know of their inner anguish and ultimate desire to get away. 17

From pubescence to fully developed young ladies the girls turned the necks of all the high school boys. Flattered they were, yet, Mary’s wheels ever turned. Not long the two young juveniles began sneaking out at night for a fling with the boys; with those whom drove a car. Getting more chummy than two young girls ought, Mary continued to plot. This night, just before Christmas vacation, Mary talked two boys into driving them out beyond the city limits. They drove as far as Riverside just below the San Bernardino mountains. The driver stopped at a gas station for gas. When the attendant finished filling the tank, Mary ask. “Would you two fine Gents mind buying us each a soda?” It was about 2 AM. As soon as the boys entered the station where the soda machine stood, Mary got behind the wheel and started the engine. After a few jolts with gas and clutch they sped off. The Boys alerted by the sound of their revving engine ran out yelling, “stop!”
“When did you learn how to drive?” asked Clotine.
“I didn’t.” 18

Heading up the San Bernardino mountains little did Clotine know Mary planed this event. At the top of the mountain in a small town called Victorville Mary stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. “Come on Clotine, I have a surprise.” Mary pulled from her purse red hair dye and makeup. Clotine, in awh, followed Mary’s lead. Soon no longer two innocent blue-eyed blondes the girls now looked like two red haired hussies.19

Free at last and braver than ever the girls slipped back into the car. Miles ahead a sign read, Los Vegas. “Our destiny,” said Mary. Just then, without warning, the car stopped running. Shortsighted it took the girls a moment to realize they’d ran out of gas.
“Now what do we do?” said Clotine.” 20

Before Mary could answer a young couple stopped to asked if they needed help. After pushing the car off to the side of the road the girls joined the couple for a ride to the next town. At the first available gas station the couple dropped the girls off and said they’d have to find another way back to their car. With very little money, Mary said, “Let’s hitchhike. I’m sure the police will be looking for the car soon.”21

With thumbs in the air beckoning, soon an elderly man in an old pickup truck stopped to offer a ride. “That was quick,” said Mary.
“You’ll have to ride in the back bed of the truck. Old Yeller Dog here holds all rights to front seat.”
“That will be fine,” the girls replied. 22

They got as far as Stoddared Wells when the man said, “This is as far as I go.” 23

The girls thanked the old man and once again raised their thumbs to the oncoming traffic. Shortly, another man in a large shipping truck stopped. “This man’s sure to take us all the way to Los Vegas,” whispered Mary as they both hopped up into the truck.
“We’re on our way home in Los Vegas,” said Mary
“I’m heading there myself.” said the man. Where are you coming from?”
“Los Angeles. Now we’re on our way back home.”
“Yeah, darn, our car broke down and now we have to hitchhike” said Clotine.
Mary gave Clotine an immediate stern stare. Clotine quickly covered her mouth. “Oops!”
“I think I passed your car. Dark blue Ford?” said the Truck Driver.24

On that note, not waiting for an answer, the truck driver immediately turned his vehicle around to head back west. The girls froze in fear as anxiety ignited within. News had already hit the airways about two runaways heading east from Riverside county in a stolen 1936 dark blue Ford.
“Just to let you know, young ladies. I’m taking you back. Home is not Los Vegas and certainly not the place for two young girls” said the man. “You’re the two runaways the news is talking about.”
“Please, Mister, don’t, please.”
“Tell me how to get in contact with your parents and I'll let them handle the police matters.”25

The girls pleaded with tears and explained what they’d thought they’d never have to reveal. Listening, the compassionate truck driver agreed to first contact their uncle who lived in Griffith Park. Upon contact the Truck Driver agreed to meet their Uncle halfway. When all met, Uncle Dee and their Aunt Marie received the girls with open and loving arms. 26

Dee deVilliers a successful stock broker had a fine lawyer who worked for him. Together they graciously took on the challenges set before them. After all became evident to the police and courts it was agreed upon that the girls would be allowed placement in the well known Los Angeles, Good Shepherd Home for delinquent girls. The facility ran by Catholic Nuns, though bared with electric fencing, provided not only a warm care-filled atmosphere and wonderful education but also each girl engaged in learning a lifetime trade of their choosing. When the girls finally left GSH they left as mature and good young women. However, one haunting question remained within all the days of their lives, “Why did Mom abandon us?”
***27

Clotine, my mother, chose monogram and embroidery for her trade. Her excellent skills afforded her the opportunity to be commissioned at the Good Shepherd Home by Actress Loretta Young to monogram all her wedding linens.28

Many, many years later, through a personal friendship, I was able, to communicate my mother’s story to Loretta Young. She wrote back to say how thrilled she was to have learned the story and said she still had one item remaining; a bed shall where only the monogram initials remained in good condition. Loretta Young died just a few years later. 29

I believe I felt the scar from long ago fade a bit when sharing my written conversations with Loretta Young to my mother. Mom added. “I know in my heart, if it wasn’t for the goodness of that truck driver who picked us up that day, and we’d otherwise made it to Los Vegas, we’d have become prostitutes.” 30

By the way, in all her efforts, Grandma Hazel managed to have only her legs cast in the movie “Romeo and Juliet.” She did have beautiful legs.31