The Shirley Temple: A Story of Paper Umbrellas.
"She worked a lot, so those nights were how we caught up. Her, too tired to cook. Me, too young to understand the weight of that exhaustion. Just happy to go out."
I was one of the fortunate ones. My mom would take me out to eat sometimes.
She worked a lot, so those nights were how we caught up.
Her, too tired to cook.
Me, too young to understand the weight of that exhaustion.
Just happy to go out.
There was this cute little Polynesian spot in the Fresh Pond area of Cambridge, which had giant Easter Island style totems as part of their decor. Aku Aku it was called.
The lure was that they had a great buffet for not a lot of $.
And a *soft serve ice cream machine.*
I know right? Where dreams begin and end for a kid!
We’d talk like parents and children do. Then one night, when the server asked what I wanted to drink, she suggested something new:
A Shirley Temple.
I had no idea what it was.
I understood it wasn’t alcoholic, but the look?
That picture screamed Adults Only.
Cherry? – Check.
Whipped Cream? – Check.
Sweet? – Check.
And then the ultimate calling card of an adult beverage presented itself: a tiny, colorful tissue paper umbrella.
*Deep Breath* Check.
I was like 9 so my checklist wasn’t that long ok?
When it arrived, my world changed. Of course it was delicious.
But the umbrella?
That is what fascinated me.
Naturally, I did what most little boys would do: Fidgeted with it until I tore it apart.
Deconstructed it like an engineer in reverse. And there, beneath the little glued cap and tissue-paper canopy, was a secret treasure:
A thinly rolled section of Chinese newspaper.
What is this even?!
The Shirley Temple itself was immediately forgotten.
This scrap of mystery might as well have been Asgardian runes.
For years after that day I’d always break down the umbrellas, and show anyone who’d listen to an overexcited kid all to eager to share the secret that made his world a little more wondrous.
The little paper umbrella was one of mine, what was one of yours?
-KC