The Story1
Rossie, who had taken Gregory’s handcuffs when they were both five years old, was his best friend. They would harass one another, as when Rossie would begin the “get ya last” game or when Gregory would take Rossie’s hat and play “saloojie” with Mel, but for the most part there was a warm sense of buddyship between the two friends, and it extended toward, sometimes even centered around, Irv. 2
Now, Irv was Rossie’s big brother. And everybody on the block who knew Irv thought he was not just a "great," but a "really great" guy. Irv had had polio when he was only a kid and he limped. But he was huge. He told us once that he used to lift weights and do “Dynamic Tension” exercises when he was our age and that he was almost the strongest kid in the neighborhood. (The only guy stronger than Irv was Jerry Ennis. And he was Irv’s best friend. None of us ever saw Jerry Ennis or knew what he looked like, but we all knew, if you know what I mean. We all knew.)3
Most Saturdays, or sometimes in the evenings, you could see Irv taking his shirts to the Chinese laundry down on Broadway. There would be Rossie and Gregory standing in front of the apartment house; Rossie spitting a lot (Rossie had a compulsive spitting stage for about a year) and Gregory trying to do pull-ups from the last rung on the fire escape. And there, as refreshing a sight for our bored eyes as ever, would come Irv, limping out of the apartment house, and down the few steps leading to the street, with his shirts, smiling at us. He never ignored Rossie but always seemed to have something to tell him about “upstairs.” And when Gregory would wander over, well, that would start a conversation. It was usually about Jerry Ennis and the old days on the block. All the stories were about the same neighborhood, our neighborhood. But so much had changed. In fact, Irv was just about the only one left from the old days. All the others were gone. Not even Irv knew where to.4
Gregory was the first one to get a job at Harry’s. Harry’s was a candy store where, when you got to be an older kid on the block, you usually got a job helping out. You’d work nights from seven to nine, and in the afternoons, after school, from three to five. The best part of working at Harry’s was jerking sodas behind the counter. (Mostly that was at night.) Rossie and the rest of us would come in and have Gregory mix some really wild sodas. Then we’d sit around and read the magazines. (Harry always had pretty good magazines.) Sometimes you got the feeling that Harry was annoyed with our being there, but usually he was too busy to follow through and chase us out, what with one eye on "the window"(this was where Harry sold to street passers-by) and one ear on whatever violin music he had playing on his wooden portable radio perched on the shelf above the ice cream, near the toys. So, we stayed.5
The worst part of working at Harry’s was the afternoons. Because then you’d have to go down to the cellar with the dolly to carry up all the cases of Hoffman, Kirsh, Meyer, Pepsi and Canada Dry, that Harry thought he would be needing for that evening. (You had to bring up syrup, too.) Once Rossie dropped a whole bottle of Coke syrup after he had picked it up only to find one of those giant water bugs scurrying up the side of the jug. Rossie hated to pick up anything after that and told Harry he wouldn’t go down in that cellar unless the place was sprayed. And Harry eventually did get around to putting a certain white powder down there. But the bugs only seemed to get worse after that. 6
Rossie had first got the job at Harry’s filling in for Gregory during the summer. Later, though, when summer vacation was over, he stayed on to work after school. Gregory wasn’t allowed to work while he was in school.7
Occasionally, after work, Gregory would cross the street to Rossie’s house (it was really an apartment but they called it a house) to play Monopoly or Clue with him and Mel. Irv would sit in sometimes if he was home and tell about the old days in the street. Once he told us about how they were playing stickball downstairs, and some guys from another neighborhood, on the east side, wanted to take the game over - or else, they said, they would break it up. Irv, Jerry Ennis, and a few others took on the whole lot of them and sent them home crying. There might have been some older guys in "our" neighborhood these days, I thought, who could do the same thing, but I had never seen them fight. Chubby, Roger, Frenchy, Lucky and Benny. They were all pretty tough. But I had never seem them fight. 8
Irv, of course, was downright strong. Strong as you could be! For instance, he could open any jar, no matter how tight the cover was stuck on. Once Gregory brought Irv a jar of Guava Marmalade from home that his father couldn’t open. Gregory’s father had said if he couldn’t open it, no one could. And Gregory’s father was pretty strong. Irv opened it, though. It took a little time and he had some trouble; he had to use hot water and knock it a few times, but he opened it all right. Then we arm wrestled. What Irv used to do to show his strength sometimes, with a little coaxing, was Indian arm wrestle up to four of us; either one at a time, or all together. We never won. Irv’s arm was like a rock. 9
On nice nights or before work, Rossie and Gregory liked to go to the park and work out on the bars. The ball field in the park had two sets of parallel bars and one set of horizontal bars. Mostly, guys would do dips on the parallel bars and chins and pull-ups on the horizontal bars.10
Rossie and Gregory were not the only ones who liked to hang around the bars. A kid named Billy Jones and a couple of his friends from way over on the east side of Broadway used to come to the park almost every day. Some of those guys were really great, too. They would do tricks like the “Giant,” the “Penny-Drop,” hand stands, and even a few “muscle-ups,” although none too gracefully and not even the “legal” way. Jones himself could never do a muscle-up but he did a lot of swinging around and Gregory could do more pull-ups than he could. But whenever Jones and his bunch came to the ball field Gregory wouldn’t do too much. And Rossie would just stand around and spit.11
One evening, when Gregory was walking Rossie home from Harry’s, five guys sneaked up on them and one of them jumped Rossie. It was Billy Jones. Rossie had a bewildered look on his face and then he smiled.12
“Whaddaya say, Billy?” he said. Billy still had an arm wrapped tight around Rossie’s throat.13
“Whaddaya say, Rossie?” Billy screamed. Then he got Rossie in a full nelson and one of the others punched Rossie in the stomach.14
The last thing Gregory would ever do was run out on Rossie but he didn’t know what to do. Jones was too tough and the other guys just seemed to be standing around Jones and Rossie in a kind of circle. Then a couple of them joined in and started punching Rossie on the shoulder…like it was his birthday. Gregory stood and watched. Not for long, though, because the fat kid, who had punched Rossie, then punched Gregory in the stomach. It was a hard punch and surprisingly took Gregory’s breath away, and for a long time. (Although he later told Rossie it didn’t hurt that much.) Gregory went down groaning and keeled over on his side, and that seemed to satisfy them for the moment. Then all five of the Jones gang drifted away but said they would be waiting... to "get" Rossie…later. So Rossie and Gregory went back to Harry’s to call Irv.15
Irv said he was on his way out to get the paper anyway and said they should just wait for him. Rossie and Gregory were in the back of the place reading the magazines over an egg-cream when Irv came in. He looked terrific. Calm as anything. He asked Rossie right away where Jones was. Rossie said he didn’t know but that they were after him and Gregory. 16
“Come on,” said Irv, “let’s go.” And they got up to go.17
There was no sign of Billy Jones and his gang outside, and as the three of them walked home together Irv told a great story about how he and Jerry Ennis were being followed by two tough guys one evening, on the very same street. He told how Jerry turned around and grabbed one of the hoods in a headlock and started beating his face with this huge fist he had, and how when he finally let go, the kid just fell to the sidewalk and couldn’t get up, and how the other guy took off. Irv said he didn’t have to do a thing.18
Well,they didn’t run into Billy Jones on the way home that night but they could imagine that tough kid lying on the sidewalk all those years ago, with his face smashed in, thinking of Irv when he was younger, and the hood running away. And I'll bet all they thought of was Irv and Jerry Ennis all the way back. 19
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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This seems to send into a neighbourhood that I can imagine clearly; Harry's candy shop, Rossie and Gregory, Irv. This story has painted a clear and as vivid a picture as it is possible to get from reading, and I have to thank you for such a terrifically clear story.
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I'm sorry I didn't comment. Usually I only tend to comment when something catches my interest. Since you asked, here it is.
I like what happens here. It's just the tone that kinda put me off, the narrative, little/laconic dialect involved. I usually go for more lively pieces if you will. While I like the characters well enough, I find it a bit vague in a serious plot. Might be me judging by some of your other work.
But yeah, I've definitely read better from you.
-HT
. Rewarded 8
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I liked this, but at the start, I tended to get thrown by the characters' names. x__x Probably just me. I love the hidden lesson vibe I get here. Good work.
. Rewarded 4
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Oh my gosh! I love this story! I really liked the plot line and your characters were fantastic! I really enjoyed reading it and love your work! Thank you for entering my contest as well. Good luck on that and keep writing. Your work is SUPERB!
. Rewarded 4
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Ummm. Yes.
This was a good story and very well written. However. I said remembrance day. To me, this has nothing to do with Remembrance Day however if you can explain to me how it does, I will allow you to re-enter this contest. Thank you so much for entering and I really did think this was a well written story.
Sorry. -
Your setting is, as always, so real and so palpable I feel like I've gone back in time and been a bystander in this story. I love how perfectly you picture the adoration of little boys looking up to their hero. I have three younger brothers who I've seen this kind of "hero worship" in, so I was reminded of them. I think Irv's character was splendidly done.
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Thanks for taking the time...and the time trip!
Thanks for reading this...and for taking the journey back in time. (This IS my little time machine!)Since I don't date this with any specific dates...I'm not altogether sure how people know...but they seem to "know." I think it is because of the anachronism of the "neighborhoods" and the close ties and friendships that once existed in such enclaves. This seems NO LONGER to be the case. The neighborhoods are gone...the candy stores are gone...the hanging around is gone...many of these friendships are gone. It's a changing society...a changing world. And I, for one, as you might be able to tell, (as pretty much any careful reader of my stories can tell) am sorry. It is, indeed, a different world today. Better? I personally do not think so.
Thanks again,
GA
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I like the part the fictional character (is he fictional?) of Jerry Ennis. I also really liked Irv's character. This whole thing had a kind of Forrest Gump feel to it (= I got a little confused with all of the names but I haven't been able to focus for a hot minute lately so it might just be me. Anyway it was a great read! And it might not be a major motion nothing one day (=
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It is a very interesting story. Is there an ending to this?
Like my peers, I believe that you portrayed the children very well.
I can't connect to the times and I don't think I really worshiped anyone when I was young but I can understand them
There were a few hiccups. A letter missing her and there. Why did you use "( )" ? I'm not sure how to use them so I ask.
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p.s. I liked this picture!
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I'm never one of the first to comment your stories ><.
Hmph. I must be quicker in the future!
I liked this story like I do all of your stories in this setting. I need to tell you, though, that it was confusing at first remembering which boy was which. Maybe a tiny bit more elaboration on each character that needs it, or something that would make the names stand out more would help.
I like the very, very unspoken moral/point of the story. I feel like I can draw whatever conclusion I want from the story, and it wouldn't be wrong. Except maybe that Jerry Ennis was a victim of alien abduction.
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This reminds of the movie 'The Sandlot' and how all the kids got together and played baseball. I know it wasn't really the same thing, but it had the same feeling. Like an adult retelling a turning point in their childhood.
It also reminds me of when my dad speaks of his childhood and all the things he and his friends did and had to do.
This makes me remember what my childhood was like compared to my childrens *sigh*
Thanks for sharing Gary.
Brooke
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Although it seem to take place in the old times, you did very good job portraying the childrens. I am truely impressed that you could write these kind of stories so well. I found this story very interesting. Good job buddy!
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Nostalgic?
I think you captured the mindset of the children you portrayed well. Although not my usual type, I did find this interesting and it was written very well (as usual.) Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work!
. Rewarded 4
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Very nice Gary! You brought out the hero worship of kids perfectly. The mood swing of the kids was also excellently brought out. Just an episode of life, it seems. Makes me wonder what really happened next. May be it doesn't matter as long as they worship Irv, and may be that's the point. Great job!! Keep writing!!
. Rewarded 6
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The Old Days
Great write, Gary. It has the flavor of childhood in it, the way we admire the older kids and want to be like them, having best friends, doing things or just hanging out together, all from a boy's point of view. This makes me want to try a childhood memory type story of my own. I hope I can attempt it soon.
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I really liked this. It kept me interested the whole time, and reminded me of the movies I've watched based around the 1950's or so. Good job.
. Rewarded 4
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A gansta kind of story.
Rather full of characters. I am old enough to appreciate a 50's story entirely. We buddied around in those days. Nothing better than to hang at a friend's house or apartment. We were hot on apartments in those days. Those of us who left the south to find jobs in the north, especially.
. Rewarded 6
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Loved this story. It was so easily told, flowed well and everything. So far i've enjoyed everything I've read from you. You're a great storyteller. Couldn't find anything wrong with it, mostly because it was so interesting that I forgot to look.
. Rewarded 4
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This story gave me the feeling of the 1950's or later than that. I was a story that early in the start felt like I was listening to my grandparents tell me a story and I was fascinated with the characters. It was different you know... really got me into the whole scene.
Towards the middle though, when it got violent I was hooked. I hear a lot about gangs in my area and it always just makes me appreciate that my own brother is not hanging around people of the sort.
It was a great read.
Sorry I took my time to read it.
Very interesting.
Blair
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Nice story
It was a little different from your other nostalgic pieces. It kind of reminded me of Stand By Me, because it was a story within a story or like a story about a story. Nice.
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very good, my friend.
Hi Gary ----This is very good and I like to think maybe my preaching, has had an effect on you writing. Perhaps you aren’t taking as many of the liberties, you have become so famous for in the past.
The story, is by-en-large an enjoyable stroll down memory lane. Although the setting and even the language, is slightly different, I was able to follow the story with elative ease.
Good job, if I had any difficulty, it was that I thought the ending was a little lame, but maybe that’s just me.
Talk to you soon----ablelaz.
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Engaging story.
As usual you write well and bring the reader into the story as if they were there by invitation looking on and listening into the conversations and the narrator. Some aspects took me back to my own early years, but others took me into yours and that was a treat.
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wow. That, was so realistic! I really felt like I was there, and knew these people. I wish my neighborhood had been like that.
. Rewarded 4
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Gary
A little different from some of your usual nostalgia stories - this seems to be not someone thinking a long way back, more like just a few years, if that. The narrator is a kid to me, or someone just leaving that wonderful phase, and his language seems incredibly real - I would consider this the strongest element of your work.
The theme - as described by the title - is very subtle, and better for it. Jerry Ennis is part of that construct of stories that all kids hear and believe - up to a point, and for as long as it runs. The stories are an essential element of the fabric of being young, as demonstrated by the kids bouncing back from a nasty ordeal.As usual, I enjoyed it Gary. Thanks for allowing me to read it.
Gezza
. Rewarded 8
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This was interesting i enjoyed reading this and i guess i will enjoy our other pieces when i get chance to read them...good writing keep it up
. Rewarded 4
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I love the tone of this story, Gary. It could have been scary, but with the calm presence of Irv, it never was. Kind of a guardian angel sort of feel to it, crossed with a bit of older brother/mafia.
You need a space after your comma in the beginning of P19, and you've forgotten to get the capital i in i'll in the last line there.
And the last sentence was a bit confusing, in the "all the way back" part. I think it comes from the previous sentence stating "they didn’t run into Billy Jones on the way home that night", which implies they made it all the way home during that sentence. It makes me wonder if "all the way back" is back to somewhere else, but I really don't think so.
As always, I love your stories. is the pic of Rossie and Gregory?. Rewarded 8
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