Outrageous Thoughts of Babble
by Peter Knight
Henry Street I was born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. There was my father, mother, sister, and I. We lived in a small two-bedroom apartment located on Henry Street. At the time, Henry Street was just outside of Chinatown. Henry Street must have been one of the narrowest two-way streets at the time. Presently, it has been transformed into one-way traffic. Cars used to have to pull over, sometimes even onto the sidewalk, just to let other cars pass by.Wealth was probably the furthest of reach. Alike our neighbors, we lived most modestly. Dad took on odd jobs waiting on tables while mom put as much effort at home, and then taking on a part-time position as a seamstress in a neighborhood sportswear factory. I remember my birthdays where my dad would take me to the toy store two blocks away. I was allowed to choose out any toy for ten dollars or less. Journeying through that toy store was one of the best feelings in the world.
We were a family. Life was simple. The way it should be.