From a Place to Behold: The Goodman Theatre Stories Collection

By Barbara L. McBee

The Goodman Theatre, Chicago, has a long history of showcasing new playwrights, and for developing programs that welcome the artistry of youth. These works spring from the Generation endeavor, created by Walter Director of Engagement, Willa Taylor, for people of a certain age.

The works included have been performed for Chicago House, This

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rushmore Press LLC
• Release date: Dec 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781956696813

Barbara L. McBee

Barbara L. McBee is a former Bureau Chief, News Director, and reporter; an author and poet, who's small piece was included in Yoko Ono's 2019 work, Arising, that toured Montreal and Leipzig. She is a third culture kid, global citizen and storyteller. She has read for Chicago's longest running festival, Fillet of Solo, This Much is True, Goodman Theatre, and Theatre on the Lake. She is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, and a practitioner of Soka Gakkai Nichiren Buddhism. She is the author of The Art of making Stone love Stone Poem Collection and From a Place to Behold: The Goodman Theatre Stories.

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ISBN 978-1-956696-79-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-956696-80-6 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-956696-81-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2021 by Barbara L. McBee

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Rushmore Press LLC

1 800 460 9188

www.rushmorepress.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Acknowledgment

Third Culture Enlightenment

Decisive moment

Inheritance

John’s Story

Le Marais

Learning Jazz

Letter to Alvin/Making Gumbo

Midwest High

M

Mistaken

Pretty

Under the branches

Oneness

Quilt

The solitude of others

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

My deepest appreciation to The Goodman Theatre Chicago family.

Willa Taylor, Walter Director of Education and Engagement, Deb Lewis, Adrian Azevedo, and Liam Collier—for a home to create; to my Monterey, Marin, Martha’s Vineyard cheerleaders who comprise my dearest friends: Kathy, Barbara Nell, Kitty.

For Phyllis.

For my mentor Daisaku Ikeda.

May you find great joy from within.

THIRD CULTURE ENLIGHTENMENT

I grew up the daughter of, ultimately, an Army Colonel, whose travels would take me to foreign countries, removed from the civil rights heyday, distant from most blatant racism. I lived a cloistered life, usually the only child of color in my school and in my neighborhood.

I would hear my parents speak in hushed tones about their day. I would decipher the code of spelling words out I didn’t understand.

Is he a 1 or a 2? Mother would ask of a new arrival or family, or the details of a social or work situation.

He’s a 1, my father would answer in a more hushed dialogue to protect hovering ears.

I searched my minor archives, trying to ascertain what or who a number 1 or 2 could be.

At some point, I would bring a paper to my mother to sign, no envelope; I read it. It was a form given to schools as desegregation came to law asking if you were black or white. White was number 1; black was number 2. Schools received government monies for having children of color. I lived in the neighborhood, not relocated there, but nonetheless, I discovered I was a designation. I remember the pained look on my father’s face as I asked why money was received on my behalf and was I going to receive it? I can’t recall the explanation, but I was seven when we returned from Germany in 1962, after almost 4 years.

We flew on one of Pan Am’s first international flights—me in my fine coat and little shoes. The flight attendant bent down to speak to me, elegant, dark-haired, slim in her blue uniform.

Well, hello, she cooed. Is this your first flight?

I held my father’s hand very seriously. I thought she was beautiful. Yes, ma’am, I said. We are leaving Germany to visit my Nana in California. Mom smiled proudly. The captain stood behind the flight attendant. Well, young lady, she said, I have a pair of wings for you. She bent down and pinned a pair