Neglected Cries

By June Kelley Pierce

The test of survival lies within one’s character, and, yet, experiences can jade you and change life forever. Bea and Bobby McCreary’s chances to experience the life their mother had hoped for them became dimmer and dimmer as sacrifice and starvation crept in. Post-World War II circumstances led their mother, Lottie, to the point of desperation where she sunk to depths she never could have
imagined. It was a world turned upside down where morals and ethics played a smaller part. It was only satisfying their hunger and staying alive that became their daily mission in life. This story, inspired by true events, happened not only for Bea and Bobby but for thousands of other children whose families felt that survival seemed possible--only if their children were handed over to orphanages to foster their care. What a rude awakening and choice it would be--an orphanage, a workhouse—or the street—if these children survived at all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663222770

June Kelley Pierce

June Kelley Pierce is a retired Special Education teacher with a Master’s Degree in both Education and Special Education. She also has as an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and Psychology. A native of Northern New York, Pierce has made her home in the Mid-Hudson Valley. This is Pierce’s fifth novel. She has four others to her credit—her first book, Keeping Secrets, its sequel, Restitution, Misunderstood and Neglected Cries. In 2019, Pierce published her first book of poetry, Painful Truths: A Memoir in Verse. Two years later, Pierce published her firt book of short stories, If Only, a combined effort with her brother, Bill Kelley. She has also published a series of eight books for children, each focusing on a different social skill, along with a life-skills guide for parents and teachers on the topic o bullying. Pierce is a folk artist and restorer and has worked in the Hudson Valley for the past forty years.

Book preview

Chapter 1

L ittle Bobby McCreary was six years-old, and he looked like a small cherub with his curly blonde hair and heart-shaped lips. He never cried much and maybe that was because he knew without question there was nothing more his mother could do. His sister, Beatrice, coveted him like he was a small doll. Bea, as he called her, was eight years-old but, in reality, seemed more like 15. With her hair in braids, the color was reddish orange and so thick that her mother could barely braid it. She loved the color red and felt she was beautiful for having it. She was not only attractive for a growing girl with lively eyes and a warm smile, but bright as well, taking in everything around her. Although her eyes were soft, she had a tough and protective side to her as well, as she hovered over Bobby as if he were her own child.

It was nearly the end of the Great Potato Famine, but no one seemed to believe there would ever be an end to the deaths and despair it had caused. To make matters worse, the Protestants would set up their soup kitchen and look at the Catholics with disdain. Many would rather starve and endure rather than succumb to charity and the stares and shared gossip and comments—all for a bowl of soup!

Bobby and Bea’s Mother, Lottie, had been the town’s beauty. At only twenty-six, she felt worn out from single parenting and the struggle in the country just to survive. Life had not been about dances and love-making and all the compliments young men could muster. Hard times make for desperate individuals when each day seemed like their last. Lottie’s reputation was not what it once was, but she didn’t care—she loved her children and would do anything to keep them safe and warm with food in their bellies. She did what she had to do and held her head high for its purpose.

Lottie gagged at the smell of the fish market but enjoyed the hoots and calls as she walked by. She knew she still had "It’’ but she had other pressures on her, such as feeding her family and keeping them alive.

A rugged man stepped down from his boat onto the dock and wasn’t the least bit shy about what he wanted. His bristles stood out on his fat, red face, and he smelled of a combination of sweat and alcohol. His hat and his frazzled uniform indicated that he must have been the captain of the ship They both had wants and needs that they wanted filled. She agreed to return that evening after sunset. Having learned how to bargain, she left in haste but not without negotiating a bit of change and food in exchange for favors rendered. As she scanned the size of the fishing boat, she noticed it had the potential to carry them all to England and with the possible hope of reuniting with their father. She left with hope that this fishing boat could deliver her and her family out of this misery.

Captain Ruggers was setting sail in the morning on The McGibby. The captain had summoned Lottie after sunset, and the brightness of the sky had come and gone, making it easier for her to hide her children on board. Two rescue fishing boats were stacked to the left of the Captain’s quarters, and Lottie hid her children behind them. She promised food and water, but first, she explained that the captain wanted to talk to her, and she would be with him for part of the evening. Bea did not need a lengthy explanation—she knew the routine and that her mother was only looking out for them, so they could all have a good life together.

It seemed like hours before their mother came with some bread, cheese and a glass of wine.

I know, I know, it’s not drinking water, but wine was all that was there and at least it’s wet and will make the bread and cheese go down easier. The children smiled and said, Thank you, Ma and Lottie kissed them both on the forehead and slowly went back through the door of the quarters. Bea had noticed her split lip and red marks on her arms and neck—her mother could hardly move but knew the evening was not up yet.

Perhaps the captain could not hold his liquor but, soon, the voices turned into yelling, screaming, swearing, and they could hear their mother crying! Swallowing hard, they began to cry softly too and wished they were big enough and strong enough to rescue her. The cabin door flew open and Bea and Bobby watched from afar, not imagining what would happen next. Suddenly, the captain picked Lottie up, legs flailing with fear in her face, and threw her overboard. Beatrice went to scream, but no words came out, and Bobby stared in disbelief. Huddling together, they cried and cried silently, holding each other, until there were no more tears.

Morning came and Beatrice knew what she had to do. At first opportunity they would need to escape the ship. As they jumped from behind the boats the captain came out of his cabin as they were fleeing across the deck and down the ramp. He realized that these must be Lottie’s children, and he wondered what they had seen. The bitch couldn’t take the rough play, and when she told him she would report him if he didn’t stop pounding on her, he got enraged. That’s all he needed was to get arrested over some prostitute who had it coming! He couldn’t risk it. The boat was loaded and about to leave for Liverpool. As he spotted them running, he yelled to the crew—Stowaways!—grab them! and several men left their stations in pursuit.

Grab those brats and bring them to me, but Bobby and Bea were too fast for them and were soon out of sight.

It was all like a bad dream—A dream that they all had hoped for, and now they were on their own, without their beautiful mother who wanted to get them to Liverpool for a better life.

Now, what do we do? Beatrice thought. They had crawled inside a crate marked pork, but they couldn’t stay there forever. The smell of meat was beginning to make them sick. If only Mother had shared their Aunt’s address. They waited as long as they could but then broke out of the crate, wanting to retch and ran to Fleury Street where it was familiar.

Some man in a well-worn suit came up to them and offered them each a slice of bread. He seemed nice enough and promised them a place to stay until they got on their feet. They had seen him before but were always with their mother as she held their hands tightly and whisked past him. Not really trusting the man, Beatrice had to think long and hard about accepting his offer. Things would have been different in England if they’d only gone.

It became harder and harder to find food, and the scraps they did find tasted worse than they looked. It was