Episode 5: Nathan & Celia

In our continuing saga, the Universe and the biological parents provided children. 

The fifth-born child of Rose and Benjamin Katz, a boy named Nathan, and the second-born child of Rose and Samuel Marshall, a girl named Celia, were growing up in New York simultaneously. 

NATHAN
Nathan grew up in a family of 10 children. His family was situated in the lower east side of Manhattan, and when Nathan was small, they moved to Putnam Street, in Brooklyn, New York. He had a rough and tumble youth and learned to protect himself, as they were the third Jewish family on his block. 
His first job was in a haberdashery store and there he developed his fastidious and stylish manner of dress. Notably, Nathan was one of the few in his neighborhood who went to college, and he graduated with a business degree. He earned a reputation for being extremely smart, ambitious, and aggressive. Personality-wise, he was adventurous, but very dedicated to his large family. He enjoyed social events and whenever free, would participate in local social clubs. 

CELIA 
Parallel to Nathan was Celia Marshall, also living in Brooklyn, New York. She was the third born, but second living child, born to Rose and Samuel Marshall. Hers was a family of 7 children, and only 4 were fortunate to make it to adulthood. The home in which she grew up, was Orthodox, and Kosher laws and the Sabbath were observed. 
Upon graduation from Franklyn K. Layne High School, Celia secured a position as a secretary in a New York City company. Celia pursued music as her personal hobby. At an early age, she begged her parents for piano lessons and became quite accomplished at playing the piano. She also self-taught herself the harmonica and banjo. Her distinctive characteristic was in personal neatness and it showed in her style of dressing. She and her sister Nora would attend dances at the local synagogue and be invited to various social clubs in the neighborhood. 

CELIA & NATHAN 
BASHERT! (Yiddish for Meant to be) 
Although they resided in different neighborhoods, by a twist of fate, they were both given invitations to attend a Sunday social club party. Celia attended with her sister, brother, and her brother's friend, Alex. Nathan attended with his brother and a group of friends. 
When Celia arrived at the party, she spent a few minutes observing all the guests. She zeroed in on a young man with a thin mustache. He looked just like Harry James, a popular bandleader who was famous at that time. The young man was wearing a double-breasted suit with pointed lapels and wide shoulder pads. A perfect suit for the thirties. He was debonair and dashing, and his two-toned shoes were polished to a spit shine. Just the kind of neatness, Celia loved. 
To make matters even better, his eyes were blue and he was dancing. Celia asked her brother's friend, Alex, to dance with her and move her around the floor to this gentleman. They did a fast dance called The Peabody. Alex, being a kidder, made sure to bump into the gentleman who caught Celia's eye. He made small talk by asking if he played football at Franklyn K. Layne. The young man said his name was Nathan, and asked Alex if that was his girlfriend. Alex replied, "NO, it is my friend's sister...Let me introduce you.” 
Nathan described his first encounter with Celia..."The earth moved! She was dressed so perfectly and had a great figure. Her hair was shiny and she could dance!” She had the best-shaped nose he had ever seen. Daringly, he asked if he could cut in and dance with Celia! 
Celia was delighted and took the dance position with Nathan and observed his perfectly manicured nails. The year was 1931. She was 21 and he was 23 years of age. 
Yes, it seemed as though this encounter had all kinds of possibilities After all, he had blue eyes and they were the neatest couple on the dance floor. They both had the same thought, “Who knows where this will lead?” 
BASHERT !!!

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