Maxine's Story, continued...

A Maxine's Story, continued... 

Maxine and Wilber

Early 1940's in Keokuk, Iowa (a small city on the Mississippi River)

Characters:
Maxine: a twenty something working as a bank teller in Keokuk, Iowa. (She is also my mother)
Nana: Maxine's mother (my grandmother) who has raised four children through the Great Depression and now has two sons overseas fighting in WWII.
Frank:  One of Nana's sons, in the Navy, the ship's photographer, in the Pacific during WWII
Wilbur: Maxine's fiance about to be deployed somewhere in Europe
Mrs. K:  Wilbur's mother

In the last post, Maxine was working at the F.W. Woolworth's Company.  She was in her early twenties, and if you remember, everyone loved the banana splits she created when she subbed at the soda fountain.  Maxine had, what many call a magnetic personality.  Her smile, charisma and genuine interest in people caught the attention of many a young man.  But her standards were high.  No drinking, no smoking and no gambling!  She would have none of that.

  Her quick mind and business skills caught the attention of the local banker.  He stopped by the store often and was amazed at how she handled difficult customers, how she attracted customers to her stationery department and how she multi-tasked with ease.  On one of his visits to buy yet another fountain pen, he asked Maxine if she would like to work at the bank as a teller.

These kinds of decisions were always difficult for Maxine.  How could she leave her friends at the store?  Where was her loyalty?  And of course, how could she leave those yummy hot fudge sundaes and banana splits!  It took the president of the bank to talk to the store manager and convince Maxine that it would be okay, and that she could still come back  for a sundae. 

So, at the young age of 22, Maxine became a bank teller at the State Central Bank.  She loved it.  Proving out each night was a challenge that she excelled in, rarely over or short on her end of day balance.   If so, it was only a matter of a few cents.  People were attracted to her window, always cheery and efficient.  Maxine remembered the lives of her customers, births, deaths, graduations, and other events.  She genuinely cared about people and made each customer feel welcome and important.

This is the State Central Bank Building as looks today.

The young men began lining up at her window to get some of that attention, but all in vain.  Maxine liked them, but none met her high standards.  Until, one day Wilbur K. caught her eye.  Soon they were dating.  Life was going as planned, at least for Maxine.  Wilbur was an upstanding young man and his mother adored Maxine.

One day when Maxine walked into the bank there was an official stern faced man there to greet her.  Somehow her bank window cash box was missing a lot of money.  How could that be?  Were they accusing Maxine?   Too many emotions were surging through her as she was escorted to the upstairs main office.  Each step she took brought disgrace and embarrassment.  When the door closed, the stern man said, "We know you did not do this, Maxine.   We have had missing money from other windows and suspected someone.   We set a trap using your window knowing that you were not a thief.  We now have proof to arrest the  head teller who exchanged your cash box during closing hours.  The police are now escorting him out.  So now, we need a new Head Teller (which was usually a man).  Would you be interested?"

Things were looking great for Maxine!  She had a boyfriend and now she was the Head Teller at the Central State Bank!   What more could she want!  And then, poof, Wilbur enlisted in the Army.  I don't know if he was drafted or if he enlisted, but he would soon be in the Army and the future was now uncertain.  It was not a surprise, because it seemed all of the young men were leaving to serve their country.

Wilbur's draft card.  I blocked out part of the name.

And just like many young women and their beaus.  Wilbur asked Maxine to marry him when he returned.  I am not sure how sure Maxine was in accepting.  How could she say no to him when he was going to risk his life?  She thought she loved him.  He met her standards.  His mother adored her.  He loved her.  Of course, she loved him.  He had just caught her by surprise.  Maxine accepted and wore her ring proudly.  Yes, things were going great for Maxine, as long as Wilbur returned.

Wilber