I worked at Corner Pharmacy on the southeast corner of 79th Street and York Avenue (see bottom photo). My bosses were Marty and Milton. It was Christmas time on a Saturday night around 1965. I was itchy to leave, standing in front of the door waiting for my seven o'clock end of shift watching people go by, coming or going shopping or if they were really dressed up I figured they were rushing to holiday parties. I turned to my right across 79th Street in front of the Chase Manhattan where the guys were selling Christmas trees. As I daydreamed about running up 86th Street to Woolworth's to look at records, I saw a couple pop through the canopy of evergreens arm in arm laughing and the man was hugging the woman's fur hat covered head. She shrugged away, not mad but like someone who'd been tickled, and I knew before I saw their faces its my parents. (Mom didn't like anyone touching her head.) After they crossed to my side, I asked them what was up, "Nothing, just wanted to drop down and say hi to you." I smiled big. Dad asked, "What are you doing later?" I told him about Woolworths, he said be home by 9:30. I made a face. He said 10. This was good, I was eleven years old.
As they walked away I yelled, "Where ya going?" "Dad yelled back, "Down to 57th over to the Plaza, then back up Madison. Just a walk."
I was never happier they were mine, and couldn't wait to walk my girl back home.
Walking My Baby Back Home - James Taylor
Photos here: Madison Avenue along the mid 70s and one shot of 78th Street's trees leaning south.
a perfect Stocking Stuffer or holiday gift ~ my book of photographs, "River to River: New York Scenes form a Bicycle." $12.95 from Amazon.
Next Friday, December 21st @ 7pm, I'm telling a story @ Eric Vetter's "No Name and a O' Bag of Chips free variety show @ Otto's Shrunken Head, if you want terrific holiday cheer, this is the place.
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| Mom and Dad - 12.31.67 |
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| The former Corner Pharmacy with half of the original sign |
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