Danit woke up. Today is her birthday. She was pondering the
text from Murray. She knew it was cryptic for a reason. She expected him to call with birthday
greetings. He always called early. He is not vermin.
On Murray’s 18th birthday not one friend or
family member called to say happy birthday. He spent the day with his parents
and Danit. No one called. Not even his
grandmother, who’s notorious for calling at around 6:00 a.m. on big days in one’s
life.
Back to the text, she knew she had to meet Murray. He
offered two choices. There was no way she was going to 161 Street. Sadly her days of going to the Stadium ended.
She became a traitor and rooted for the Mutts.
She knew Murray hated coming back to the Island. Not sure it
was that he hated that place so much or the harrowing commute to get there. A
train, to a filthy ferry, another train and then being picked up in Annandale
took longer than going to Boston. Our hearts are with them today.
So she said she could meet him in two days at Wolfe’s Pond
Park. Murray loved that place. He
learned to inline skate there. Audrey came running into her room with a
homemade birthday card and a cupcake. It was a little early for the cupcake.
But Audrey was wearing such a loving smile when she handed it over to her mom.
So Danit ate it.
Audrey was excited that she got to spend the day with her
mom. But she was more excited that she was going to the zoo. She loves animals. Unlike her mom she isn’t afraid of snakes. Of
course, that fear is Murray’s fault.
The trip to the zoo was easy. Everything was calm. They had pizza for lunch,
watched Disney DVDs and got ready for a birthday dinner with Robbie, her
husband and an ever doting father to Audrey.
The day came. Murray stood in front of the restrooms at
Wolfe’s Pond Park waiting for Danit. He decided to take the SI train or trolley
as he called it to Huguenot. He walked
down Huguenot Ave. to Hylan Blvd. to the park. He barely looked at Tottenville
High School, the dump he wasted four years of his life in. Boy did he hate that place with a
passion. Has no care in the world about
that institution now. It was a faded memory of one’s past.
Danit drove in and parked in Murray’s traditional parking
spot. He is very ritualistic and always
parked in the same spot in the park and just about anywhere else. She knew he’d
be standing by the park’s latrine.
April 16, 2013
He smiled and pulled a bottle of Segal’s Fusion Red out of
his knapsack. He opened, decanted and poured.
He was laughing and smiling every step of the way.
L’Chaim.
She reluctantly sipped her wine. She knew exactly why he did this. Even he though fought with bleach. He was a sith
at heart. The Force was always strong within him.
They chatted for about an hour. The bottle of Segal’s was
finished and tossed in the recycle bin.
The two siblings agreed to get their little “weapons,” Danny
and Tony together to start their “empire”.
They would meet in two weeks at the South Street Seaport.
Over the next few days, Murray and Danit worked out and made
sure Danny and Tony followed suit.
All were anxiously awaiting the rapidly approaching meeting
date.
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