The Free Spirit

The Thalidomide Scandal, 1961 (Part Two)

"They said it was a cure for morning sickness..."

There were many questions that needed answers. What caused all of those drastic birth defects? What would the Noble Steeds do to Don and Phil's career? What would the military do to Don and Phil's career? What would our future hold now that the world was moving on and leaving the past behind? We had to adapt quickly, because the world changed so quickly in the 1960's that if we didn't adapt, we would be left behind to be forgotten. The sweetness and simplicity of the 1950's was officially over, and it had been replaced by the toughness of the revolutionary sixties.

Those that didn't adapt were, of course, left behind, and there were many that were. Racists and bigots realised that they were losing their grip on us minorities, and that scared them into aggression. Don and I took the kids to an ice cream parlour in July of 1961, and we were joined by Phil and his new girlfriend, Meg - I hate to say it, but she didn't last long, and I'll explain why later. Also there were our neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Brody and their three children, Susie, Hallie and John. Susie was seven, Hallie was five and John was about Elton's age, and occasionally, Mrs. Brody and I scheduled play dates for John and Elton. But Mr. Brody had other feelings towards me that he made sure I was very much aware of. I had mentioned once to Mrs. Brody the previous year about how Don and I go to London every holiday season to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah with my family, and she must have told her husband. He worked out that, clearly, Don wasn't the Jew in the family, as he was American, and concluded that it must be me. Shortly after that, I was asked not to visit the Brody home anymore, but Mrs. Brody occasionally brought John over to our home to play. On that particular July day, I was asking the young girl at the counter for more napkins, as the dispenser on our table had run out and with two toddlers eating melting ice cream, things were quite a mess. She gladly went to the back to fetch more napkins, and while I waited, Mr. Brody got the confidence to step up to the counter beside me.

"I've asked you to stay away from my family, Jew," he said to me coldly.

"Hello to you too, Mr. Brody. This is a public place, and my family and I were here before yours was. Even if you had gotten here first, we wouldn't leave," I said to him.

"Your Jew family are going to rub off on my good Christian children! They'll turn into scum, like yours will," he spat back at me.

"That's a little unfair to say, considering my children are both under the age of three. We've no idea what they'll be like when they grow up, and I can guarantee you they won't be scum," I responded. By this point, Don had looked up and was watching cautiously; I held up a hand to stop him from getting up, signalling that I could handle myself.

"Hitler was right in trying to kill you all. You've stolen enough of my money and money from this country," Mr. Brody, who clearly wasn't finished, said to me.

"I've stolen nothing from you, and neither have my people. But I'm glad to hear that you condone murder," I said back. By that point, the girl had come back and gave me a new full napkin dispenser. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be returning to my family."

"Hitler should have killed you personally," Mr. Brody said to my retreating back. "And if you come anywhere near my family again, I'll be forced to finish his work." I stopped, and then I turned to face him. Don, thankfully, hadn't heard any of this conversation, as he was clear on the other side of the room, but he did stand up and was watching Mr. Brody carefully.

"You listen to me, Mr. Brody. The world is changing, and there's no room for your threats and bigotry here. I'm not bothering you at all-"

"You're bothering me now."

"No, sir. You're bothering me. I was politely minding my own business when you felt the need to stop me and remind me of how disgusting you are. Condoning the murder of millions of people..."