Life Stories
Sandra

Sandra Audrey Schmitt-Birthdate: April 7, 1919. Birthplace: Washington, Pennsylvania. College/Further Education: New York University(1937-1939). Family: Father: John Schmitt (11-29-1898). Mother: Mary Anne Porter(05-14-1899). Siblings: None. Occupation: Nurse.

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July 21, 1926
Age: 7

Sandra wiped some melted chocolate off her little nose. Mary Anne, her mother, was giggling with her as they baked cookies. All of the doors and windows were open because of the summer heat.

John burst in the front door. "Mary..Anne," he stuttered, obviously drunk.

"Sandra, go upstairs for a few minutes. I'll be up shortly," Mary Anne said. Sandra ran past her father in the foyer and darted up the stairs. "I told you never to walk into this house drunk ever again," Mary Anne said, the love drained from her blue eyes.

"Oh come on baby, let's go upstairs and everything can be forgotten," he slurred.

"John," she said loudly. She looked around and lowered her voice. "Get out of here," she said through clenched teeth.

"What's the problem, baby?" he asked reaching out to grab her arm.

She took a step back. "You are," she snapped. "Get out before I call the police. And don't worry about coming back."

He put his hands in the air, as in defeat. "Whatever baby," he said before walking out the door, probably to go get another beer.

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Next day

John walked up the stairs to his house to find all of his stuff packed in suitcases in front of their door. He picked up the note. "Don't knock...I won't answer. Just go away."

He knocked anyway. "Come on Mary Anne! Come on! Open up!" he waited before loading the stuff into his car. He picked up a stack of papers, after looking at the top one he realized exactly what they were. Divorce papers.

From her window, little Sandra saw her daddy walk away. She wondered why her mommy didn't open the door for him. He looked so sad, and so did mommy.

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October 29, 1930
Age: 11

Mary Anne and Sandra sat on the couch. "Never believe a man," Mary Anne started. "They all lie. You can't trust any of them. Sandra, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. But you are a smart girl, and you will know not to do the things I did, right?"

"Yes," Sandra said, cleaning her glasses.

"Good. Because you are strong. And you don't ever have to let a man ruin your dreams."

"I won't mommy," the skinny pre-teen said. "I promise."

"Thank you," Mary Anne said as she hugged her daughter close.

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December 1, 1937
Age: 17

Sandra walked into the school gym. She walked over to a few of her friends at the punch bowl. "Hey," she mumbled.

"Hey Sandra!" a rather bubbly blonde one, Barbara, said.

"How's everyone been? Had nice Thanksgivings?" Sandra asked.

"Oh yes, everyone in my family came to visit," Marie said.

"We had a huge turkey with all the fixin's," the Kentucky born Becky said.

"Our family gathered 'round the TV set and watched some football," Amy said. "What about you, Sandra?"

"Well mom and I had a pretty quiet Thanksgiving at home," she said cleaning her glasses.

"Oh," Amy said.

A few of the girls giggled as Adam walked over to their group. He was absolutely adorable! "Would you like to dance?" Adam asked Sandra.

Sandra didn't lift her head. "No, I don't think so," she said.

"Come on. I like this song," he pleaded.

Sandra questioned Barbara with her eyes. Barbara nodded her head.

"One dance," she mumbled. He led her to the dance floor and led her in a dance.

"Thank you," he said. She nodded. "I know you don't really date much, but I was just wondering if you would like to go out to get something to eat later. With me," he said nervously.

She looked up at him. "No, I don't think I should," she said. She had made a pact with herself that the easiest way not to get hurt was just to avoid dating.

"Okay, I mean, thanks for the dance. It was great," he let her go since the music had stopped. As soon as they broke apart, Sandra wanted to be in his arms again.

"Hey Adam?" she asked.

"Yea?" he said turning around quickly.

"Um...well...I really like this song, do you want to dance again?" she asked.

He smiled. She intertwined her fingers with his. He stared down at her head resting gently on his shoulder. "Sandra," he spoke softly after a few minutes.

"Shh," she said looking up and putting her middle and pointer fingers on his lips. "Don't talk."

"But the song is over," he said. Sandra nodded, she knew!

"Just one more dance," she asked.

He smiled. "Of course."

One more dance stretched through most of the slow songs for the rest of the dance. But neither cared very much. At the end of the dance, they stood together. "There's a great place I can take you to. They have the best hot chocolate. Come on, it'll be fun."

Of course it would be. She liked Adam a lot. And she wouldn't fall in love over hot chocolate, would she?

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Later that night

Sandra giggled at Adam's attempt to make a joke. He looked up at her and gave her a half smile. Sandra looked at her watch. "Omigosh!" she cried. "I have to get home."

She stood up, and he did too. "Do you want me to walk you?" he asked.

Sandra thought about her mother. "No! I mean, I'm sure I'll be fine. Thanks. I'll see you at school later, okay?"

"Sure," he said wondering if he had done something wrong. She quickly leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled. "Thanks for the dances, and for letting me buy you some hot chocolate."

"Thank you," she said as she hurried out into the cold December air.

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December 24, 1937
Age: 17

Sandra finished wrapping the clothes she bought Adam. She ran down the stairs. "Hey mom, Barbara, Becky, Amy, Marie and I are all swapping gifts at Barbara's house. So...I'm going to go there now," Sandra said checking her appearance in their hallway mirror.

"Okay," Mary Anne said from her position in the living room wrapping a few presents.

Sandra wrapped her scarf tighter as she ran to the corner of the street. Adam was waiting in his pickup. "Hey babe, get in," he said as he openned the door from inside.

Sandra quickly got in the car and shut the door. "So cold out there," she said shivering.

"Well let's go heat it up," he said laughing. He slowed the car down to a stop and they both got out. Sandra walked up the stairs with him.

"Hello," Adam's mom, Mrs. Grubler, said as they came into the house.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend Sandra, Sandra this is my mom," he said quickly.

"Hello," Sandra said.

"Hey," another boy, only a few years younger than Adam, said as he walked into the hall.

"That's my brother Andrew. Andrew, this is my girlfriend Sandra," Adam said trying to take her upstairs.

Alyssa, with almost perfect timing, came down the stairs at that exact moment. "Alyssa, this is my girlfriend Sandra, Sandra that's my sister Alyssa," Adam said before Alyssa even said anything.

"That's great. Mom, can you take me to the mall real fast?" she asked.

"All the stores are closed on Christmas Eve!" she said.

"Whatever," Alyssa said running back up the stairs.

"Let's go," Adam said pulling Sandra up the stairs.

"It was nice meeting you," Sandra got out before she was pulled up the stairs by Adam.

Adam and Sandra sat on his bed. "Merry Christmas," Sandra said as she handed him the box.

"Wow, these are so neat!" Adam said taking the outfit out of the box. "Here, I bought you something too," he said handing her a small box.

"Omigosh!" she said openning the box. "It's the most beautiful bracelet I've ever seen! Thank you so much!" she said trying it on.

She leaned over and kissed him. He pulled her closer to his body. She broke the kiss and took the glasses off, but stayed in his arms. She laid down on his bead and he kissed her again. "Are you sure you're ready?" he asked.

"I love you Adam, that's all that matters," she said. "And I want this."

She took her shirt off. His face was inches from hers, but they were not meeting. "I love you too," he whispered before they started kissing again.

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Later

Sandra's shoulder poked above the blanket. Adam leaned down and kissed it before standing up. He put on a pair of boxer shorts, and sat on the edge of the bed facing away from Sandra. He looked at the clock. Midnight. The phone rang, and he reached for it, hoping it wouldn't wake Sandra.

"Adam," a voice started to plead on the other end of the phone line. "Please, if Sandra's there I must talk to her."

"Who is this?" he asked, fearfully dreading it might be her mother.

"It's Barbara," the girl said. He sighed.

He walked over to the bed and gently shook Sandra. "Someone's on the phone for you," he whispered.

She smiled. "Tell them I'm busy," she said.

"It's Barbara, it sounds urgent."

"Okay," she sighed. She grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"Sandra, I'm dead serious, you have to get down here. Your mom just called and I covered for you, I said you were staying here and you were getting a shower. She's coming down to get you, she hates that you are staying here for Christmas. You have to get down here, NOW!" Barbara yelled.

"Okay, okay, I'll be down," she said.

"You have to stop lying to her," Barbara said before slamming the phone down.

Sandra put on her clothes as she explained why she had to go to Adam. She kissed him on the cheek as she slung her purse over her shoulder. "I love you," she said as she walked out of the house.

"I love you, too," he said.

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May 20, 1938
Age: 18

Sandra walked into the mall, full of happy couples. She smiled. She walked into a gift shop to look for a gift for Adam. She hid behind a shelf, listening to a young couple like her and Adamlaughing and talking. She smiled to herself as she picked up a bear she would give him. She passed the couple who were holding hands and kissing, and her jaw dropped. It was Adam and another girl. She didn't know what to do, so she stood there until he realized her. She looked at the girl. "Barbara," she whispered. "How could you? And how could you?" she asked Adam.

"Sandra, it isn't what it looks like," Barbara started.

"Save it," Sandra said. She threw the teddy bear at Adam. "You deserve each other," she said. "My mother was right."

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May 22, 1938
Age: 18

Sandra took her diploma with a fake smile. She turned and looked at Barbara and Adam, who because of their last names, were sitting together. They were already holding their diplomas. She shook her head and walked off the stage.

"Mom, I've decided where I want to go to school," she said after the ceremony.

"Where sweetie?"

"NYU. I know it's a while away from here, but I think I'll manage. I've already thought it all out and you can't change my mind."

"Whatever you want, Sandra," she said fixing her daughter's hair a bit. "You are so strong."

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Bottom Line: Because her father was not a major male factor in her life, Sandra liked to push men away, but still had many friends.