3 Chapter 2 A New Home

Chapter 2 A New Home Mallie found work as a maid. She also took on cooking and cleaning jobs. Soon she was able to buy a house in Pasadena, ten miles from Los Angeles. All the Robinsons' neighbors were white. And most weren't happy when the family moved in. Some even tried to make the Robinsons leave. They called the police when the children played in the street. "Too noisy," they said. Other kids sometimes called Jackie names. Once, when he was eight years old, a white girl shouted the most hateful word Jackie knew right at him. He wasn't afraid to answer back. Mallie always stood up for her family. But she was calm and polite. Over time, the neighbors grew to respect Jackie's mom. The family settled in. They

grew fruits and vegetables in the yard. Mallie sat in a rocking chair on the front porch and told stories.

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Even in California, Jackie knew there were rules blacks had to follow. He was only allowed to use the city's swimming pool one day each week. He had to sit high up in the balcony at the local movie theater.

Because Mallie worked such long hours, often Jackie's sister, Willa Mae, took care of him. She was only two years older. Still, she bathed young Jackie, fed him, and dressed him. When Willa Mae started kindergarten, she took Jackie along. He'd sit in the sandbox outside the

school. Willa Mae would watch him through a window. She made sure her little brother didn't get into trouble.