Mike Spencer's Barber Shop was a place where grade school boys hung out. Directly across High Street from St Joe's school and Church, the Barber Shop was where the boys went and ate their bag lunches. Not all boys were invited to spend lunch time there. Jimmy Brown invited me, he was one of the cooler boys who the girls seemed to like. I was still one of the cootie boys, as far as the girls were concerned. Jimmy and Mike Koster told Mike the Barber about my drawings.
I usually ate my lunch in the classroom when it was cold, or sitting on the black top playground hiding under the fire escape. Mike Koster told Mike Spencer how I was drawing in class all the time and how good they thought I was. The nuns forbid the boys from spending time at the Barber Shop. If caught, it could mean extra homework. I never really knew why the nuns made it off limits, maybe the magazines. Most were about hunting and fishing, a few were detective magazines with some adult illustrations. There was also the fact Mike Spencer wasn't Catholic. Sister Bernardo warned us about playing with non-catholics. Dad said to ignore that. I think dad had it out with the nuns about that. My brother Mike told me once dad gave the nuns red ears about a number of things. A red ear just meant a real good talking to.
Jimmy Brown and Mike Koster took some portrait drawings of mine to show the Barber and he invited me to join the other boys. Of all days for me to go to the barber shop, Bobby Hearst was there getting his haircut. Bobby waited for the right time to whisper he still owed me one. I could see him waiting for me on one of the school swings. After showing my drawings to Mike the Barber, I decided it was time to face Bobby and get my punishment over with. I left my drawings with Mike and slowly walked across the street. Torn shirt, a punch and it was over with. He told me to tell that sister of mine she was next. Cathy wouldn't be so easy, she had a sock full of marbles.
Mike the Barber gave me my first set of oils, an easel, canvas and a carrying box which I still have today. I’m not sure why Bobby never bothered us again. Maybe he met the sock of marbles...
