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Paperbacks
By Susan April
Paperback books I stole
from the Beaver Brook Mill
when it was a department store:
The Grapes of Wrath
Up the Down Staircase
Gone With the Wind.
Collinsville. I was twelve.
Our house had telephone books
and Liberty Mutual pamphlets like
First Aid for Slightest Injury
which I’d already read.
Collinsville, but really Dracut,
whose library was four miles away.
I was starved for reading.
In 8th grade when Mrs. Martin
gave us a book report
I stole every John Steinbeck.
Correction: I had The Grapes yet
also took: Travels With Charley
East of Eden The Moon is Down
The Winter of Our Discontent
Sweet Thursday. Wiped them out.
The Mill is gone—turned into condos.
I still have those books
whose covers are weirdly colored
in red-faded-to-pink magic marker.
Bantam Books. 95 cents. A daisy
sketched on each first page.
And my name. My name.
Beaver Brook Department Store. That was like Macy’s for Dracut in the 1960s. Paid 99 cents for my first Beatles record, a 45 single with “Love Me Do” backed by “P.S. I Love You.” Must have been early 1964 just after the Ed Sullivan Show appearance by the band. To the credit of the owners or bosses, the clothing was not all blue two-pocket work shirts and pine-green filling station pants. There were current fashion selections like the maroon shirt with small gold polka dots and English epaulets that was my first “mod” look paired with gold corduroy pants. Just had to have those. Lowell readers can think of Beaver Brook as a smaller version of the old Giant Store on Dutton Street. Maybe it was the same owners, who knows? Fortunately, the statute of limitations has run out on those pilfered Steinbecks per the author’s confession. Says something about a person’s passion for literature, however. Good to see the literary payoff here.
I love this tally.
Paul–I agree with you that Beaver Brook Mills owners did carry an unusually robust selection of clothes. Mod and with-it looks. They had the full line of Yardley (think Twiggy) cosmetics as well. And one must admit that the Steinbeck rack was quite long and complete–until I was done pilfering. Where were the records? Seems to me they might have been right near the entrance? Penny tell-your-weight machine. Popcorn. Thanks for everything!
Brings back lots of memories (as do all your offerings). You’re right, we didn’t have e a lot of books at home. When we were in Lowell, it was easy – just go to the Library and the book(s) is yours for 2 weeks. I don’t even know where the library was in Dracut! But speaking of stealing from Beaver Brook, I would steal nail polish and make-up. Not too shabby for 2 Catholic girls. ?
Damn Susan, you are gooooood!