Level Playing Field

Level Playing Field Forty years ago I took a summer job at Lonny's restaurant. The orange nylon uniform buttoned down the front the apron bow perched like gulls' wings over my behind. Mavis with the smoky voice creased and freckled cheeks gave me hairnets when I forgot mine. They'll not pay you overtime she warned unless you work afull extra eight-hour shift. She regarded my annoyed face always been that away wish I could retire tongued her broken tooth wincing but I got no pension no healthcare no savings. Lonny came in next day complained on the telephone about the air conditioning in his Cadillac. 86 I left before Labor Day spent my summer money on a pink fuzzy sweater and a wraparound skirt studied philosophy and humanities sociology and cards marched for civil rights while my parents paid the bill. —E. Gail Chandler 87 ...