10.24.2011

No One Under 12 yo Allowed in Basement

This Halloween memory comes from Peter's niece Marie:


Josh, Billy from East 15th Street, Pete at Halloween party in basement



When Peter was about 17yrs old he asked my Grandparents if he could throw a big Halloween party in the basement.. Nettie and Peter said yes, and Peter set up the rules for his Halloween bash: 1) everyone had to have a costume 2) No one was allowed under the age of 12.

Well, I was 10 at the time!!!

I cried and cried to go to Peter's big bash...But I was told I was under 12...So I wasn't alowed to go. For weeks before the party everyone was getting their costumes ready. Peter was buying  decorations. I saw beer, chips, dips, cookies brought in.  And All I could do was watch and cry. All my cousins were invited because they were all older than 12 yo -- except me

I Remember sitting upstairs in my grandparent's house the night of the party. All the cousins were coming in the house with their costumes on. A pirate, a clown, a swordsman... sigh... While everyone was heading to the basement I remember standing there and sobbing because I couldn't go downstairs to the party. I could hear the voices of Peter's friends coming into the house. I could hear laughing. joking, music blasting.

I turned to my Nana Nettie and said that I really wanted to go downstairs and that it wasn't fair that Peter invited everyone else but me. She gently wiped away my tears and said "come on...hang out with Gramps and I...Midget wrestling is coming on tv "( Nana's Favorite).

As the night went on...Peter had to come up and downstairs to get ice cubes and stuff...Everytime he came up I would stand there and cry...Begging..." PLEASE...Let me come to your party!!! I'll behave!!! I'll just sit and watch..I Promise Pete...."

After about the third time he came up I stopped asking...I just stood there looking pathetic. Then  Peter turned to me on his way downstairs, and said "Come on....You can come down to the party"

I'll never forget that moment.  I Looked up at him and said, "What about your friends?? Are they going to be mad that a kid is hanging out with you??"  Peter looked at me and said, " Who cares what they think!!!  Your the only one out of all my nieces that's not there...I want you to come" 

I remember Jumping up and down and screaming on the top of my Lung's YEAH BABY!!!!!  At that moment Peter looked at me and said, " None of that shit downstairs" 

Caveman Pete and Marie sans costume


That was one of the best Halloween Parties I have ever been to...I had no costume on...I sat in the corner like I promised and just watched and smiled the whole time  Everytime Halloween comes around I think of that night...How Peter let me join his Party...Iam Forever Grateful...

12 comments:

  1. What a cute story. Its so typical of Pete to finally let you go, but then as you jumped up and down like your 10 year old self, I can so hear his low baritone voice "none of that shit downstairs" thanks for the monday morning big smile xoxo

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  2. None of that shit downstairs, indeed. I'm glad he let you in his party. And apparently he was a caveman, ahaha. Nice story. Hugs Marie. xx

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  3. This is an awesome post!! That was sweet of him to let you come down. Thank you for sharing :)

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  4. Aww!! That makes my heart smile :D

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  5. thank you so much for this. Awesome stories and pix. Just lovely for this time of year .
    A lot of the old time fans,miss him around this time of year,something awful . I am one of those fans .
    xxoo
    M

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  6. Hi Darcie,

    This is such a sweet story. I can only imagine how awesome it was when Peter let you down to the party. I bet it was one of the best Halloween parties you have ever been. Peter must have really loved you and felt as long as you stayed cool you could join in on the adult fun. Nettie sounds like the sweetest grandma a kid can ask for. Happy loving families are so important to have. We feel fortunate that we have this to. I love these pictures by the way. It looks like Peter was experimenting with Carnivore looks but I bet he was just out to have a fun Halloween with everyone. Thanks so much for sharing.---Jessica D. (Black Number 1)

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  7. I was going to say exactly what Jessica said...Looks like Peter is in training for the Carnivore look still yet to come. Marie I think Peter was going to let you come down the whole time but wanted to torture you for a while! I bet he thought it was really funny seeing you upstairs crying and begging to come down. Nettie was a fun crazy lady...definitely one in a million...Midget Wrestling!!
    We (brisbane) had our Zombie Walk on Sunday and I think we broke the world record. Very Proud! Was thinking of Peter and how much I would have loved him to be there with me. sigh*

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  8. Marie – love the story – thx for sharing ;-) this really sucks if everyone is invited but you had to stay upstairs because you were so young – but I am glad to read that there was also a happy-end for you that evening ;-) I can imagine that it was quite hard for Pete to act strict when he sees his little niece up in tears and pathetic - we girls sometimes know how to get what we want ;-) so sweet that Pete finally took you downstairs to the party – the pics are fantastic & you look so lovely. I can almost hear Pete say with his deep voice: ‚None of that shit downstairs!‘ LOL For sure a Halloween party to remember for a lifetime & this story has put a big smile on my face ;-) @Gayle – love the idea of the Zombie Walk – great to know that so many people were there - I’ve watched the gallery on the official website.
    -Much love & respect-
    -Sabine-

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  9. My elder brother threw basement parties as well with similar rules, and my younger siblings and I still remember what it was like to be upstairs, left out. It's funny how we remember little slices of time many times because of the emotions we felt. This story represents such a real family moment. Thank you for sharing it. Seems like Pete was trying his best to prepare his nieces for the real world, trying to instill a sense of discipline and dignity but understanding they were still little girls. Nettie's 'stay up here & watch Midget Wrestling with me' plan was unique and smart. You're very fortunate to come from such a loving, nurturing family Marie.

    Sabine, I had the same response, imagining Pete saying, "None of that shit downstairs." So characteristic of him!

    The pic's are great, Darcie. Thanks so much for this posting.

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  10. Such a sweet story. I agree with Gayle...I too think that your uncle Pete was going to let you down to the party. He knew that a special little girl was missing...

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  11. @dunebuggy4 :-) the picture was there at once when reading it - so characteristic!
    -Much love & respect-
    -Sabine-

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  12. This story illustrates Peter's compassionate nature. His humor, wisdom and generosity of spirit were just as much a gift to the world as his beautiful music.

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