I had a great time in south Jersey yesterday, celebrating the 50th birthday of my youngest niece, Sandra, and her son’s 18th, which came three weeks late due to all the snow we’ve had. Ronnie is doing very well, preparing for college, where he will major in pharmaceuticals. He was named student of the month for February. He is working part time five days a week at Walmart, which leaves him little time for extracurricular activities. Although the golf coach wants him to play for the team, he thinks it wouldn’t be fair, as he wouldn’t be at any of the practices. When it was time for the party, he drove one of the cars. I rode shotgun. He had a Don Reno bluegrass CD playing. He’s becoming an accomplished guitarist, following in the footsteps of his dad, Ron Sr., a talented banjo player. Their band, Pastimes, had a gig at a local hall last night at nine. Meanwhile, Danielle, a sophomore, is preparing for her sweet 16 party. She is a member of the track team. Her event is the shot put, for which she is built perfectly. She is thinking of a career in law and, if that doesn’t work out, she’ll just "head to Hollywood and become an actress." This raised the hackles of her aunts Luci and Marie. Marie, Sandra’s sister in law, works in the federal court system in downtown Brooklyn, where she has met influential people. When Sammy “The Bull” Gravano was in the headlines, he brought her donuts every day for the two weeks he was in the building. She describes Mary Jo White, at the time the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as down to earth, insistent on being addressed by her first name. Recently, Marie's mom, 96, fell moving garbage cans, and sustained a nasty bump and cut to the head. The emergency room doctor noticed in a report that she'd been admitted for a similar injury seven years ago. He asked if anyone had hit her. Hard of hearing, she doesn't understand much besides what her other daughter says. The doctor warned that they not communicate in Italian. When she finally understood what was being asked she pointed to her chest and said: "Hit me? Hit me? They hit me I give 'em this!" And she waved the edge of her right hand at the doctor. Two officers nearby, who had cuffed a young perp to a gurney, laughed out loud.
The eight of us, my sister included, headed to The Crystal Diner in Tom’s River. Although the place was hoppin’, we were seated quickly. The portions were enormous. I’m glad I ordered a bun-less turkey burger. Marie had a Jewish Sloppy Joe, corn beef and pastrami smothered in melted Swiss cheese. My sister, Carmela, had eggplant Parmesan and a side order of pasta. 83, thin as a rail, she still has a robust appetite, bless her heart. Ron Jr. had chicken francese. The others all had cheeseburgers. Marie, Carmela and Jr. left with doggie bags. Instead of having a single cake, everyone one but Ron Sr. and me ordered a slice of whatever they preferred and brought it to the big house on Penny Lane, where Happy Birthday was sung. The food was delicious, the service relaxed and friendly. It was a great day. Even the drive to and fro was fine, about an hour-and-a-half each way. Of course, I filled up with that Jersey gas, forty cents cheaper than what I paid recently in Brooklyn.
It was a glorious spring-like day in Brooklyn. I peeled off the top two layers I was wearing. My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases. I sold the last of my stock of Russian books, so I was anticipating tepid sales when I return to my usual nook tomorrow. Then the unusual occurred. A friend called as soon as I'd returned to the apartment and said there was a box of books amongst the huge pile of recycles in front of the building. There were about 20, in excellent condition. I brought them right to the trunk of my car. Spooky.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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