The Jack Miller Archive

Iva, Page 93

Iva and Elmer’s Children
Chapter 29

Leo flunked out of Oregon State College on his first try. His high school mentor, who was teaching in a Junior College in Santa Ana saw to it that Leo graduated from Santa Ana Junior College with honors instead of chasing girls.

Raymond worked in a furniture factory in Berkeley. As the Depression hung on, the factory failed. Ray lost his job. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman on a submarine. Ray served on the submarine for 6 years until his senior officers discovered he was near sighted. He retired from the Navy but found a job as a civilian administrator directing planes at an air port in Puerto Rico, later in Georgia and other states.

Irene was about three years older than Jackie. She was already in school. She and Al her stepfather didn’t get along very well, but she liked the baby, Allen.

Frances was the “lady” among the girls. Pretty, lovely, white skin and black hair, she grew up as a princess among a rowdy crew of loving, laughing, working and worrying young people.