The Rat Cop - Summer Camp

“Dickie, you’re getting in too much trouble. I’ve spoken to Representative George DiLorenzo and he’s helping me get you in overnight camp for the last two weeks in August. At least you’ll be out of my hair for a little while.”
“What’s summer camp, Mom?”
“It’s where naughty boys who don’t obey their Mother’s go.”
“Is it like in Pinocchio; where all the kids turn into Donkeys?”
“Something like that if you don’t behave but if you good; your ears won’t grow.”
As the parting day approaches Mom is excitedly buying clothes for Dick’s two weeks away. She’s so happy it’s like she’s going on a vacation. After almost drowning in the Harbor, ruining his clothes and losing a shoe, taunting his little sister at the Movies and falling into the mud, she thinks it’s time she had a break.
“You’ll have lots of fun camping out with other kids your own age; you’ll learn how to swim and go fishing, hiking, boating, learn crafts and shoot a bow and arrow. Won’t that be fun?”
“What about you, Mom; where will you sleep?”
“Oh no dear, this is just for kids.”
“I’m afraid; I don’t want to be without you.”
“Don’t worry darling, I’ll be close bye in case you need me.”
On the day of departure Mom and Dick take the MTA to North Station in Boston; home of the Boston Garden where the Big Bad Bruins and the Boston Celtics play also where the train will take the kids to the Westford Depot. A truck will take the kids to their different campsites; Ciello Cleste for 5-9 year old boys and girls, Walkie Cantina for girls 9-12 and Nashoba for boys 9-12. The East Boston Camp site funded by the Hymes Foundation is located in Westford, Massachusetts on Lake Discovery.
The summer experience for the inner city kids is immense but not for little Dicky.
The platform at North Station is buzzing with anxious kids excited about returning to camp. Little Dicky is frightened to tears. He’s never been away from home, overnight. His one frightful night at the Naval base was at least with family.
“Mommy please don’t make me go, I miss you.”
“You haven’t even gone anywhere yet; stop crying.”
“Sob, sob, you know I get sick on trains, Mom.”
“This is different, the ride will be comfortable and you’ll get there in no time.”
“I’ll run away.”
“You do that and next year they’ll take you all summer as a punishment.”
“But Ma,”
“Hush, don’t you dare cause a scene and embarrass me here.”
Softly whimpering, Dick swallows his resistance; he realizes it will only lead to a licking in a darkened corner. As the Boston and Maine Railroad train screeches to a stop all the kids and their parents let out a “whoopee” cheer. All the suitcases go on a cart and are whisked away into a baggage car and the kids now pile in to the train. Dick sits near a window and as he watches his Mother on the platform he scratches at the glass now sobbing uncontrollably. A female Counselor sits beside him and tries to comfort the distraught little guy.
“My name is Butchie Ferullo, isn’t that a fun name for a girl?”
“I, sob, just, sob want, to get off this stupid, sob, train. I want my Mommie.”
The train slowly pulls out of the station. “Watch this Magic trick,” Butch shows Dick a card and quickly it changes into a completely different card.
“I don’t know how to play cards,” Dick softly whimpers.
“Let’s play War, O.K.?”
“I don’t know how; what’s War.”
“You take half the deck and just lay a card down on the seat; like this. That’s it, wow you win; your card is higher. The high card wins the pack; the person with all the packs at the end; wins the game.”
“That’s easy; Ha, I win again.”
“Oh, oh no one wins we have the same cards.”
“Well what do we do now?”
“It’s War,” shouts Butch. “Every time we put the same card down; we both then put down five cards; face down like this. Do it.”
Dick places one card on top of the other until the fifth card.
“Now, turn the last card over; no not the cards in your hand, the card on the board. Ha, I win the first war. Let’s see what cards I took from you.”
“You can’t take my cards; then I won’t have any.”
“Sure you will; you’ll probably win the next battle. Let’s see.”
Keeping occupied helps Dick stay focused and for the first time since he can remember he doesn’t get sick. The train blows off a lot of steam as it pulls into the Station. Dick gets lost in the confusion and gets thrown on the wrong truck. He ends up in the back of the big boys truck; thrown on top of bags and suit cases.
“Hey, look we got a peepsqueek; let’s throw him off at the Ciello camp sign.”
The tear ducts open immediately frightened by the idle threats. “I want to go home.”
“Aww, leave the kid alone you meat heads; can’t you see he frightened. It’s probably his first time away from home.”
The older boys back off as the truck bumps, throwing the kids helter, skelter ; someone grabs Dick as he is about to go off the back.
“Come here little guy,” says the big kid who just protected him from further teasing. Things get straightened out and the truck driver takes Dick back down the road.
“My name is Jackie and I’ll see you from time to time. If it rains we go to a movie in the back of the truck, we also have an ice cream run on one of the really hot nights. I’ll be looking for you, little guy. Don’t worry every thing will be all right.”
“I hate it; I want to go home.”
Finally getting into his assigned cabin; his troubles just begin. All the kids are from the same neighborhood and they start to torment little Dicky.”
“Hey, it’s the cry baby from the train.”
“What’s the matter baby, did you lose your mommy?”
“Cry baby, cry baby, stick your finger in your eye; tell your mommy I did it, I did it,” they all sing in unison.
“I’m getting out of here,” he cries as he runs out the cabin door. Dick runs right into the arms of his new friend Butchie, who takes him into the lodge.
“Mrs. Sudack as the camp Nurse we are not so proud to inform you; you have another patient who needs a Magic pill.”
“Thanks Butch, come here cutie. What’s your name? What color lollipop would you like?”
Things calm down as the Camp now assembles to walk to the main mess hall for supper. The place is a buzz with chatter, its maddening listen to all the noise. Supper goes fine until a Counselor walking out of the kitchen, falls or gets knocked to the floor. A deafening crash resounds throughout the mess hall and the whole room becomes silent. Everyone breaks out into thunderous laughter as the Councilor, Slim does this trick every year. He takes all the broken cups and chipped dishes and purposely falls; we all find out later.
Well it doesn’t help Dick much because he’s just waiting for the next step towards home. Finally dessert is severed, delicious Chocolate pudding. Everyone is happily involved when the kids Camp Director, Mr. Materia sees Dick not eating; playing with the food.
“No babies here at camp,” he remarks. “We men don’t waste food. Eat your dessert, little guy.”
“I don’t like chocolate pudding.”
“Nonsense, everyone loves Chocolate pudding; eat up or you’ll have to be isolated.”
Not knowing what isolation is; Dick nervously forces down the mouth full of blubber being force feed by the bald headed director.
“Arrggg, cough, cough,” Dick starts heaving all over the table.
Kids go running in all directions as the little guy continues to vomit. The Director proved his point; he got the kid to eat and spoiled everyone else’s dinner as a result. Now the other kids had something else to use to pick on the outcast.
“You’re disgusting, we don’t want you eating with us, you pig. You make us sick.”
The rest of the week the little guy had to eat at the Director’s table with the Camp Nurse.
The evening’s activities were free wheeling, jungle bars, slides, swings and kids playing tag. All the other kids came from the same areas of Eastie; Dicky didn’t know anyone so his sadness continued. He entertained himself on the bunk bed in the cabin, alone. He had a baseball card collection that was enormous; the Boston Braves were his favorite team. Sibby Siste, Earl Torgorsen, Bob Elloit, Sam Jethro and the two pitching Masters Warren Sphan and Johnny Sain; the newspapers reported all we needed in the World Series was Sphan and Sain and a day of rain. The Red Sox collection included Johnny Pesky, Maurry McDermott, Bobby Doer, Ted Williams who unfortunately was serving his country as a flyer, Jim Perisall, Zeke Zarilla, Dom Dimaggio and his Dad’s friend Eddie Pelligrini.
When the whistle blew for assembly all the kids came together for flag lowering. We all, Pledged Our Allegiance to the Flag and one of the Popieo kids from Jeffries Point played Taps.
“Day is Done, Gone the Sun, From the Trees, From the Seas, From the Skies, Rest in Peace, Solders Brave, God is Neigh.”
There were four cabins , two girls and two boys, they were broken up by age groups, five and six year old girls were called the Willows; bigger girls the sevens and eights were called the For Get Me Knots. The young boys Cabin, was the Spiders and the older kids, the Buccaneers; Dickie was in the Spiders.
All the Councilors were woman. Rena Lopilato was the Camp Director and Dick found out she lived just around the corner from him near the Gem Theater so he had found a new friend.
Returning to the Cabin he was again traumatized as the other kids raced in first. They discovered Dick’s baseball collection on his bed and started throwing the cards against the screen, playing slider; a game where the person who gets the card closet to the wall wins the other cards. They were uncontrollable throwing cards every where. One bigger kid was tormenting him holding out one of his treasures; playing ‘Keep Away’ and then when Dick attempted to take it; the kid held it high over his head out of the crying babies reach. His whole life’s work was now being trashed.
“Please don’t bend the cards”, he cried. “Give them back,” as he raced around the room collecting his treasures.
Some of the guys pulled them back out of his hands and flung them in the air, stepping on them as they fell to the floor. Dick was hysterical.
Mary Popieo walked in and thought they were playing a game. She didn’t realize at first that they were all Dickie’s cards because all kids had collections.
She took control and collected the cards admonishing the kids; telling them, “You must respect each other by first respecting yourselves; how would you like it if someone did that to your most precious possessions?”
They just acted sorry smirking while pretending to be sorry. Behind her back they were making faces, sticking out their tongues and pulling their ears; making believe crying, wiping tears and crossing their eyes; further causing the little trauma. They were all from the Cottage and Maverick Street section. Vito and Mike Samarco, Mike and Sammy Vederico, Jerry Palestrone, Richie and George Gravelese; they all knew each other and had a comfort zone in friendship.
Sobbing uncontrollably Dick did not realizing; the worst was yet to come.
Getting into bed on a top bunk was scary. Then the Monsters of the night entered the cabin. The squirming, coughing and occasional cries for Mommie were the human sounds causing tremors but the crickets, the willows, the blowing leaves and other unidentified sounds sent visions of ugly Monsters through the little guy.
These were all strange new sounds never heard before in the projects.
Suddenly a crunching, chewing sound bellowed through the air; it sounded like something was eating the side of the cabin, right where the little guy was sleeping.
Everyone started yelling and Rena came rushing in; “What’s going on in here, quiet down; you’re waking the whole camp; they can here you across the lake.”
Mary said, “A Raccoon or Beaver is under the cabin and is chewing on the wood. The sound is frightening and is scaring all the kids.”
“I’ll take care of it, now go to sleep, everyone.”
“May I ask, what you’re going to do, in case I’m ever in charge I certainly want your expertise, Rena?”
“I found out one time while a nest of squirrel’s was in my chimney; the sweep told me if you dose a rag with Ammonia it drives them away and they don’t come back to that spot.”
“That’s amazing, thanks Rena.”
Now with the covers over his head Dick sobs himself to sleep.
Breakfast is served in the lodge and after learning how to make your own bed with Hospital corners, folding all your clothes in a cubby box and setting your toiletries in a cubby hole; we go outside and police up around the cabin.
Assembled in the Grove area we are told, every day we’ll have a cabin inspection for neatness and cleanliness and the winning cabin at the end of the week will win a special prize. We were learning to work together toward an eventual goal, Teamwork and a Reward.
The first day was orientation, selecting morning activities, Arts n Crafts, Pioneering, Playground, Sports and Hiking. Meeting new people was fun and playing games while socializing helped Dick to sort out some likeable friends. A comfort zone was being created. Swimming instruction gave us confidence in the water overcoming fears.
Dinnertime was at the Boys camp and the excitement of the mess hall was interesting as the constant buzz of activity was infectious. In the afternoon you went to your cabin and rested for an hour and this became a horrendous time for Dick.
The gang of friends tormented him every day until one day during a practice for parents, visiting day, a skit was formulated and “Oh, My Darling Clementine”, was the theme.
The head of the troopers was a muscular kid, Bobby Bounapane. No one wanted to play the part of te girl, Clementine so the little guy became an appointed volunteer. Once they placed the wig on little Dicky a transformation came over Bobby, much like the scene from “Stalag 17”; when Animal while drinking sees Betty Grable’s image in his Prisoner of War ally with the wig on.
Bobby goes into a trance and says, “Baby doll, if you were ever a woman, I’d marry you”. Bobby became little Dicky’s protector for the rest of their childhood lives.
The rest period was another travesty as Mary was at council meetings and a Junior Councilor was in charge, she could not control the kids. She screamed constantly but it didn’t help.
After rest period we went for a free swim and then afternoon activities. We changed from the morning program so we were allowed to win badges in four different activities; at the end of the two weeks.
During nap time, Post Cards were written and every day I cried on the card to take me out of this Hell Hole. Allie Sherman wrote a song a few years later that described the experience to a T. It was entitled “Camp Granada”. It spoke of the crying, lonely, breaking away period of Hell; to a more relaxed enjoyable experience after the initial period of adjustment. It certainly cleared up the mystery of, “Why me, Lord”; to at least let us know it happens to everyone.
My goal forever after as I worked my way up to Waterfront Director and Executive Director was to change the baptism of fire and try to make as many kids comfortable on their first experience away from home.
I forever Championed the under dogs, the little guys and especially; the sissies.

Fire
The Rat Cop - Fright Night

“Hey, Buddy, make sure you guys come back and visit us before we leave?”
“O.K. ya swabbies,” was Brian’s reply as we came out of the mess hall to exit the Naval Base on Sumner Street, East Boston.
Suddenly we all froze as we watched the Boston Fire Department leaning out Mom’s second floor window in the Public Housing Projects across the cobblestoned street from the base.
‘Smash, crash, crumble,” as the scorched mattress and the burnt remains of the Master bed came flying out the window, the mattress burst into flames, to the courtyard below.
It all started when Dick woke up in the middle of the night to continuous coughing.
”Cough, cough, cough.”
“What’s the matter Brian, are you sick, I can’t see you.”
“Cough, cough, I don’t know, I can’t breath; I think there is smoke in the room”.
‘Click, click’ someone is trying to turn on the wall light.
“Dad, there’s no light bulb, Brian’s sick.”
“Johnny, you grab the kid coughing; come here little guy we’re getting you out of here.”
Hands reach in the bed and scoop Dick up in the air. “Cough, cough,” Dick is now coughing and can not see the face of the man holding him; the smoke is so thick. “Where we going, what’s going on,” the young boy is dazed and confused in his coughing spasms’. Being carried through the maze and not being able to see the face of his father, Dick is rushed out into the hallway where smoke now pours out the apartment door. “Your not Dad”, as Dick now sees his rescuer. It’s one of his pals from the next building, a sailor. Down the stairs, outside the hall door, into the cool fresh March night air; Dick sees the rest of the family with blankets over them.
“That’s it; he’s the last of the children, we can’t thank you enough. The U.S. Navy to the rescue” says Aunt Mamie who was, baby sitting the family while Mom was having baby number five at the Boston City hospital. It was 1943 and the War was still on. We had a Navy Base across the street and sailors were even living in the projects building next to us. Brian and I would go in the apartments and become balloons as the guys would throw us all around the room, playing catch the kid as we would tumble onto the top bunk beds. We always left with a pocketful of Baby Ruth candy bars. Our favorite game was to bring little Francis, the prettiest baby you ever saw across the street. The sailors would lean out the fenced in Barracks’ window and throw candy bars to Frank; Brian and I would stash the loot so Mom wouldn’t know we were begging. She used to go nuts.
“Let’s get the kids off the street, it’s chilly out here,” shouts someone.
“Where are we taking them,” says the Swabie holding me. [Slang for cleaning or swabbing the decks]
“We’ll bring the family in the Base and put them up in the Cadre Building”, says someone in charge. This adventure was becoming more and more exciting. We were now crossing the Forbidden Government Property Gate; guarded by Special Police and electronically controlled. The family was taken to a barrack building and brought to the second floor. Brian and I started running around the barren room except for two double bunk beds. ‘Slow down you guys, it’s not play time; it’s two o’clock in the morning,” said Aunt Mame. My Dad was very quiet; he had apparently stopped for a few cocktails to celebrate the birth his newest son, Dominic; later that evening, exhausted he fell asleep with a lit cigarette and burnt the mattress.
“Dicky, come with me, you’re my brave little Sailor so you are going to be treated extra special. You’re going to sleep in the officers room, that means you’re the captain.”
Now feeling like the boss Dick jumps on the single bed while everyone else is stuck on the double bunks. The lights are on and he’s eating up all this Royal Treatment.
“Good night, my brave little sailor.” Mary kisses him good night as she tucks him in and shuts out the light.
“Arggg, what are you doing?”He whispers to himself. I can’t let Aunt Mary know I’m not her big brave sailor.
Monsters come from every area of the darkness. Having just recently overcome his own room’s dark shadowy ghosts’ he now is thrown in with new lions, tigers and bears now alone in this strange place, it’s overwhelming. ‘Sob, sob,’ he quietly covers his head as he blocks out the shadows. He finally cries himself to sleep, muffling his cries not wanting to lose the captain’s Hero title.
“Cadence, cadence, cadence count.”
“Hup, one, hup, two, hup three,”
“One.”
Loud screaming awakens the frightened little boy.
“What’s going on,” he’s thinking.
“Hup one, hup two, hup three.”
“Four.” He hears.
Dick crawls out of bed and sneaks to the window and peeks over the edge. It is still dark and he has no idea of time. As the yelling continues Dick spies a glorious scene that will burn forever in his mind. It was the woman’s division of the Navy, the Waves. They had just finished jogging and were now doing calisthenics; all wet and wild. It was his first wet T shirt contest and they were all winners. Not wanting to be selfish, he rushes out to wake Brian.
“Bri.”
“Snort, snizzle, arggg.”
“Bri, shhhh.”
“Whadoyawan?”
“Shhhh, wake up; come mere.”
“I’m tired.”
“You can sleep later, hurry before they go.”
Both boys sneak back to the window and peer over the edge.
“Wow, This must be a dream. Are we in Heaven?’
“Boys, Come on it’s breakfast time. We’ve been invited to the mess hall.”
“We’re not hungry for mess.” Brian answers and they both enjoy the beautiful scene until the girls jog away. Aunty Mame drags the reluctant boys to the chow line. The adoring attention the boy’s receive burns a special place in their hearts for the Navy. The excitement of the clatter of trays, dishes and chatter make the experience even more memorable.
The fantastic journey ends abruptly as the family is leaving the base and sees the chard ruins of the nights destructive beginning; the master bed crashing to the pavement.
At a later time at the movies, the news reels flashed across the screen, U.S. ships being torpedoed by enemy submarines; we cried for our beautiful Navy buddies who rescued us on Fright Night and became ‘Our Heroes’, forever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

THE Rat Cop
Happy Birthday

“Come on, Dickie hurry up; we need to get to the Ferry, it’s your special day. Your God Mother Dorothea is taking you to a movie in Boston for your Birthday. Aren’t you excited?” ‘Yes, Mommie, what’s a Ferry?” “It’s the boat that takes cars and people from East Boston where Logan Airport is, to Boston across the Boston Harbor. We could also go through the Sumner Tunnel if we had a car or use the MTA at Maverick Station. Dotty works at the Coast Guard Building near the Ferry so you get a special treat and it only cost a penny. Cars have to pay ten cents. Sailing across the Harbor to Boston was very exciting for a five year old. “Ma, look we can see our house and the candy factory.” “You see all those big ships, that’s the Charlestown Navy Yard where your father works. Now see those ships behind us, that’s Bethlehem Steel where you Dad used to work.” “how come Dad’s not in the Navy like Tommy and Johnnies Father’s.” “When your Father was little, like you, his Dad was entertaining the kids on the fourth of July. He was lighting off little firecrackers and the kids loved it. When one didn’t explode his older brothers would run to I bring it back to Grandpa. It became a contest. Your Dad pushed both boys to win the prize dud. As he held it up to claim victory; the slow wick was still smoldering and exploded in his left eye. He has a partial sight problem and it kept him out of the war. That’s why you must never trust fireworks.” “Look Ma, we’re going to crash.” The huge ferry slows, turns in place and is now backing in between the pylons. “Come on Mom, hurry, hurry.” “Slow down dear, we can’t get off until the gates open.” Up the cobble stoned street and around the corner we go spotting the Flags outside the Navel Building. We walk into the busy office and see my beautiful Aunt. “Oh my God Mary, he’s beautiful. Come here darling, give me a kiss.” Dick flies into her arms as the entire office girls clamor around. “He’s so cute,” says one girl. “Let me hold him,” says another. “Come here,” says Ruthie Dottie’s best friend; “I have something for you, sweetie.” “All right, settle down girls, there’s a war on you know,” says someone in charge. “Give me a kiss,” says Mom; I have to get home to the kids. I know you’ll have a beautiful day with your Aunt. Thanks Dot, have a great day. See you later, honey.” The twenty minutes seems forever as Dick amuses himself with paper and pencil with a few crayons. The peppy walk up town is exciting after all the “Good byes’ and “Have fun’ and wishes to “Please come back another day, cutie”. Downtown Boston was a trip in it self back then, there were no Malls and everyone and his brother came in town to shop. People here and there, people every where, it was magic squeezing through the throngs of bodies. “Here we are, the beautiful Metropolitan Theater,” announces Dotty; are you excited?” Certainly a question she didn’t need to ask. “Look at all the kids,” said Dick “What’s going on?” “oh I didn’t tell you, the surprise is Walt Disney’s newest arrival, Pinocchio.” “Thank you, thank you Dotty; all my friends are talking about it.” “Lets see, we’ll get some popcorn, a drink and what kind of candy is your favorite Darling?” “Baby Ruth,” shouts Dick in all his excitement. Hustling down the aisle we get a seat before the mobs of kids pour in. Not able to reach the floor his feet dangle and he starts kicking them in the air, rubbing his thighs together, a form of male masturbation. Suddenly all the noisy chatter dies down as the lights dim and the screen lights up with Previews of Coming Attractions. A loud simultaneous cheer strikes the walls of the beautifully adorned theater more elaborate than any of our shows back in Eastie. Following the previews is a News Reel and shock and terror strike little Dicks’ heart. All the excitement ends as the propaganda on the screen shows a huge German tank, rumbling over a small baby crawling in the road. The little boy is traumatized for life. Screaming and sobbing uncontrollably, Dotty tries to console the child but the ugly scene will not go away. “Come on, we’ll go out in the lobby for a few minutes.” “Sob, sob, I want to go home. I want my Mommy,” cries the little boy. Watching all the excited lucky late arrivals serves to calm Dick, somewhat. He is still whimpering. “How about some ice cream?” suggests Dotty, I’m sure the Pinocchio movie is going to make you forget the news, don’t you think?” “I want to go home,” Dick sobs. “Oh Honey we probably won’t get another opportunity to celebrate your birthday because I’m so busy with the holidays. Let’s give it a big boy try?” “OK, I’ll try.” We walk back in as the credits are musically orchestrated in fantasy and fable. Dick settles in and enjoys the little bug, ‘Jimney Cricket”
Things go smoothly until the evil Stromboli kidnaps the wooden headed mannequin and enslaves him to perform against his wishes. All the puppet wants to do; is return to Geppetto his creator. As the wagon rumbles in the smashing, crashing violent storm; the red and yellow lightening flashes cause minor brain seizures throughout the children in the theater. Years later in an article in the New York Times it was reported that 600 Japanese children viewing a movie were affected by the red flashes across the screen.
Still twenty years later than the news article; while assisting in a child care program in Canada; two of the children were again affected by Stromboli’s flash scene. Both children were already being clinically treated for Autism. At the time of the red flash, both children would start screaming; throwing things and just carrying on.
I think with this resulting information over the years; the impact could very well have caused me permanent trauma. Added to the baby crushing incident; it was a very ‘RED’ letter birthday.

CHILD LABOR

CHILD LABOR

Red Birthdays seemed to start a continuation of happenings in my life. Having been born on December 26, it was always Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday on my gifts. Except for one; my Fairy God Mother always treated me special.
On my fifth Birthday Dorothea presented me with the most beautiful gift ever; it was a Fleetwood wagon with wooden side gates. Billy, Rose and I had more fun pulling and pushing each other; tipping over and just wasting away the hours in my wagon Train. Pretending to be in a covered wagon being attacked by Indians; searching for Gold in the Pan handle as we cashed bottles for candy at the store and collecting junk on Rubbish days; the trusty wagon served to be ‘Old Reliable’.
The greatest purpose for my wagon happened on a Saturday morning. I used to look forward to going shopping with Mom; spending some quality time and assisting with the heavy bundles. Mom suggested I bring my Wagon as she pulled me for a ride to the store and after loading it with bags; the side rails were perfect, pulling and pushing was much easier than lugging the heavy bags. I was in my glory; making life just a little easier for Mom.
One Saturday as we were leaving the store; this elderly woman approached Mom and asked her if I could come back and help her. She told Mom she would give me a nickel, for my time. Mom said sure after my pleading and carrying on about the money I could make. I used to make at least a dollar carrying bundles until several older boys with wagons showed up. They queered my business because they would bully me out of position. I had some regular customers who would only let me take their orders so I always made at least fifty cents for the morning.
Everything was fine until one day this new kid showed up in our building. He was visiting an Aunt on the third floor. I was a very friendly kid who tried to make friends with everyone. To be friends with other kids you had to allow them the run of the show; you know ‘be boss’. Well this kid insisted I go to the square with him. I wasn’t allowed away from the house but he kept calling me Baby and Chicken. I ended up following him to the First National Store where my Saturday delivery service was. Entering the store we walked up and down the aisles; as I continued to question him on the reason we were here; he stopped. We were in front of the cake and desert section. He took a small bottle of chocolate jimmies used for cake decorating and put it in his pocket then he handed me a bottle of sugar coated jimmies. “Quick, put this in your pocket; before the Manager comes.”
“What am I going to do with it?” I dumbly asked.
“Just take it and follow me.”
He walked fast and as he exited out a side door, marked “For Employees Only”; a buzzer sounded trapping me outside an inside door. I was dead meat. Alarms sounded, workers came rushing from all over the store. The Manager grabbed me and said, “Empty your pockets.” Just then two Police cars screeched to a halt outside the window. Guns drawn they rushed into the store.
I was frightened to death. A crowd had now gathered and this caused me more trauma. I pulled the loot out of my pocket, just as Mike Pascrella was being pulled back through the door by an employee.
“Get your hands off of me; I didn’t do noting.”
“He threw this, just as I grabbed him.” The clerk presented the tiny bottle of Jimmies.
“You are both barred from the store and the Police will take it from here.”
“Oh God, my mother will kill me. Not only for stealing but now how can I help her and get more special time?”
The short two block ride home; was to be the longest ride of my life. Everyone has heard the story of the Good Cop/Bad Cop? Well it was true. My emotions that day flipped so many times I thought I was a kaleidoscope.
“Let’s lock them both up.” Said the dark complcted Officer.
I immediately burst into tears, pleading, “Please don’t, please, I’ll never do it again.”
Mike must have been a habitual offender; he just started telling the Cops, “You can’t lock us up we’re just kids.”
“Oh, a wise guy, huh?”
“You know who this kid is, don’t you Joe?”
“Don’t tell me; this isn’t Pudgies kid is it?”
“You got it, can’t you tell? In a minute he’ll be taking the fifth.”
“If we lock them in the padded cell down in the cellar, we teach them a lesson?”
I started to wet my pants, “Please, please, I promise never to do it again.”
“Arrr Common Joe, this other kids scared shitless, let’s let them go home.”
“I guess your right ; it’s not fair to the other kid. Plus we’ll see the other rat next week in a scrape.”
“You better let us go right now or I’m calling my father.”
I started to relax and stopped sobbing when, “On second thought; this little bastard needs a good lesson. I’m going to lock them up and throw away the key.”
Again the tear ducts start to overflow; I cannot believe what I got myself into; for a stupid bottle of sprinkles?
“Which buildings do you kids live in, anyway?”
“Number 66 Sumner St.”, I sob.
“And what about you, tiger,” says Joe as he is now known to me.
“Number 66.”
“You’re lying, you don’t live here, Pascrella?”
“I’m staying with my Aunt for a few days.”
They drive us near the building, “Now screw you little creep and kid,” pointing to me; “You better choose some new friends or you’ll end up in jail.”
As they drive away, Mikey raises his fist to his mouth and blows a raz fart through his clenched fist and yells at the car now out of hearing range; “What’s a penny made out of?”
Without waiting for anyone to reply he answers himself, “Dirty Copper, Flatfoot.”
I never saw Mikey again until years later when he had severed a couple of stretches in prison. He was carrying two guns and everyone called him, “Crazy Mikey.” Those Cops had him pegged to a ‘T’.