Paperback
-
PICK UP IN STORECheck Availability at Nearby Stores
Available within 2 business hours
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781481735032 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 04/19/2013 |
| Pages: | 170 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.39(d) |
Read an Excerpt
On the Lam
Based on a True Story
By STANLEY GRAUSO
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2013 Stanley GrausoAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4817-3503-2
Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Alexander Grauso stood in the waiting area of St. Vincent's Medical Hospital, hat in hand and a ball of nerves. Taking deep breaths, he thought to himself, "Maybe this one's a little girl." He pondered for a moment, thinking of several names for his expected little angel. His hat looked like an old dish rag from hours of constant squeezing and ringing while Mrs. Grauso was in labor.
It was July 1st, 1912. In those days, fathers rarely went into the delivery room to watch the birth of their children. You can imagine the joy on Alexander's face when the mid-wife came out to inform him, "It's a boy Mr. Grauso!" Alexander just stood there wearing a smile from ear to ear.
"Aren't you going to say something? Don't just stand there!" The mid-wife exclaimed. Mr. Grauso then retorted with a smile, "Take me to my boy." As Alexander walked into the room, the door slowly closed behind him. Nestled in Josephine's arms was their new fourteen pound, three ounce bundle of joy. Alexander anxiously approached his wife and kissed her on the cheek.
"Another boy, huh babes? Will ya' look at this one!"
"And a stubborn one at that ... this one didn't want to come out." Josephine appeared exhausted, dozing off a bit between words. Alexander reached over and took hold of his newborn son. He cradled, then kissed him numerous times.
"So how do you think Salvatore is gonna' take to his little brother?" (Salvatore is Alexander and Josephine's firstborn.) "They'll both be fighting for first place with you, that's for sure.", Josephine said.
"No need." Alexander replied with a smile. "I got enough space in this heart for ten children." Josephine raised both eyebrows.
"Are you trying to tell me something Alex?"
"Who knows?" Alexander jokingly replied. The couple laughed. Alexander Grauso then held his son to his ears pretending to hear words muttered by the newborn.
"He says that his name should be Stanley."
"And how does he know what his name should be?"
"Because like his father, he's going to be his own man." Alexander said.
"Then Stanley it is." Said Josephine.
At that moment, a well dressed young man in his early twenties entered the room. Josephine looked up toward her husband. Her expression signified that she had never seen the man before. Upon entering, the young man remained close to the door. Alexander placed young Stanley back into the arms of his mother and approached the young man. The two talked in a low muttering, whispered tone. Periodically, the young man referred to Alexander as "Charlie". Alexander looked over his shoulder toward Josephine every now and then. Josephine couldn't quite make out what the men were talking about. Neither did she try. In those days wives pretty much made it their business to stay out of their husband's affairs. She could, however, make out the final words of her husband as his body language became a bit more stern toward the young man.
"I don't give a shit how important you think it is. Don't you ever fucking come around me when I'm with my family. You got that?" The young man nodded fearfully.
"Sorry boss." The young man left the hospital room in a hurry. Alexander turned toward his wife, smiled, then continued on as if nothing had ever happened. He and Josephine went on enjoying their new baby. Josephine dared not mention the issue of the young man to her husband.
* * *
By the time Stanley was ready to attend school, he was quite the child and had already developed a unique but fitting personality of his own. Josephine and Alexander often butted heads concerning Stanley. She often accused Alexander of favoring Stanley over Salvatore as if he were the oldest. Josephine often stated that her husband was "wrapped around Stanley's little finger," because Stanley, even at four years old, did whatever he wanted to do. Alexander, many times, would just shrug it off by saying, "Nonsense, I wear the pants in this house."
In September of 1916, Stanley's mother enrolled him in Wheeler Elementary School, located on 40 Highland Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Stanley often complained about school saying, "I'd rather stay home with Papa." Some days Alexander would give the young lad his wish. By the time Stanley was four, Alexander was a very well respected man in the community. Even the truant officers, many times looked the other way upon seeing young Stanley in the streets during school hours. By the time Stanley was seven, he could easily sense the deep reverence others within the community had for his father and on several occasions used it to his advantage.
One Saturday morning, Stanley and his older brother, Salvatore, were on their way to the corner grocery store up the street from where the Grauso's lived. The store's owner was an elderly man, approximately eighty years old, by the name of Mr. Isaac Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg's eyes were failing him pretty badly but he often worked the store along with his daughter Carol to keep busy. Carol also served the purpose of looking after her elderly father during day to day store operations. Stanley and Salvatore approached the store's entrance. Before entering, Salvatore turned to his little brother and pleaded with him.
"We don't have any money and Mama says not to go into places like this if we don't have any money." Stanley quickly opened his hands revealing his small fortune to his brother.
"Don't worry about it. I've got plenty of money," said Stanley. Salvatore's eyes almost popped out of his head.
"Is that two dimes? Where did you get that Stanley? You better had not stolen that from Papa." In those days, twenty cents was a bit too much for any seven or eight year old to have.
"Nonsense." Stanley replied sporting a devilish grin. Stanley's right hand opened slowly. What appeared to be twenty cents was only two pennies craftily covered in foil.
"I don't like this Stanley," said Salvatore. "We can go to jail."
Stanley shook his head.
"Stop being a pussy. I've done this before. Here's what we do. We be extremely nice to the lady so she don't think nothing ... ya' see? Then we wait until the old man is by the register ... cause he don't see so well ... give him the fake money, get our change back and seat. You got that?" Stanley then shoved one of the makeshift dimes into a reluctant Salvatore's hand. "Now follow me and don't screw up!"
Both boys went into the store. Stanley made his way into the aisle where the cookies and candy were. Two huge cookies were only a penny. Stanley placed them in a plastic bag.
"Get yourself something too," he instructed Salvatore. Salvatore, however, refused. Stanley also picked up a couple of packs of Swedish fish candies. They too were two for a penny. He tried handing them to Salvatore in hopes that Salvatore would go along with his plan.
"You're crazy, and when you go to jail, I'm going to tell Mama." Salvatore then shoved the foil wrapped penny back into Stanley's hand and proceeded to walk out door.
Mr. Goldberg's daughter watched from a distance as the two boys argued but never really gave any significant attention to the matter. Mr. Goldberg loved dealing with the children and since most of their purchases weren't of significantly large amounts, there was no need for Carol to oversee any cash exchanges. Stanley paid for the items, received eight cents change back in return and left the premises.
Stanley caught up with Salvatore before he could make it home.
"You better not tell Mama." Salvatore remained quiet. "What about our oath? You know, frada mea," Stanley asked. (Frada mea means my brother in Italian). Stanley then pulled a large cookie and a pack of Swedish fish candies from the bag and offered them to Salvatore.
"Here's your share." Stanley said with a smile. Salvatore stood looking intensely at his younger brother. After a while both boys burst into laughter. Salvatore took the items, biting immediately into the huge chocolate chip cookie. Stanley just shook his head nodding and laughing.
"Everybody's on the take."
"On the take? What's that?" Salvatore asked with cookie crumbs falling from his mouth like an avalanche. Stanley put his arms around his brother's shoulder.
"It's what Papa says all the time. It means everyone has their own price to keep quiet." Both boys laughed. Although willing to split the take, Salvatore still seemed a bit bothered by the whole thing. When the two brothers made it home, Stanley instructed Salvatore to finish eating the goods in a secret place out back in order to avoid being seen by Mrs. Grauso with anything from Mr. Goldberg's store.
CHAPTER 2
Stanley's fourth and fifth grade years for Mrs. Grauso had become quite exhausting since she was the caretaker and disciplinarian of her home. Mr. Grauso rarely intervened in disciplinary matters concerning the children. Everything in that department always fell on Mrs. Grauso's shoulders. Salvatore was a model student but for Stanley, suspension notices and letters of concern, from Stanley's teachers, often made their way to the Grauso's home. Stanley had already mastered the art of forging his mother's signature, or intercepting the letters at the mailbox before Mrs. Grauso or Mr. Grauso could have the chance of reading them.
One evening before going to bed Stanley and Salvatore both sat up in their room; each on his own bed. Salvatore whispered to Stanley, "Guess what I have?"
"Who cares?" Stanley replied. Salvatore slid his hand under his pillow and slowly pulled out a sealed envelope. He waved it around in a tauntingly.
"It's a letter from Mrs. O'Neal for Papa." The announcement of a letter home from school did absolutely nothing for Stanley.
"So what! You give it to Papa, he'll only tell you to give it to Mama. Who cares!"
"Oh yeah, and Mama will ring your ears and get the wooden spoon and you know what that means." Stanley remained silent and unshaken by his brothers threats of what their mother would do. Salvatore blew into the top corner of the envelope in hopes of intimidating Stanley.
"Lets see what it says, shall we?" Salvatore opened the letter trying his best not to destroy the sealed portion of the envelope. He opened it and began to read, "Dear Mr. Grauso, It - has - been...." Salvatore struggled with Mrs. O'Neal's cursive handwriting. Stanley just laughed.
"You can't even read and now if you show Mama or Papa, you'll get in trouble for opening it." Salvatore continued to stare at the letter.
"I know it says something about some kid ratting you out about taking money. This ain't good Stanley and when Papa hears about you taking money from other kids, you're bound to get it for sure." Immediately, Stanley sprung up from his bed.
"Give it to me!" Salvatore stood on his bed holding the letter over Stanley's head. Stanley persisted, "I said give it to me ... or I'll ..." Stanley balled up his right fist. Salvatore stepped down from the bed and leaned in pressing his face against his little brother's face.
"Or else you'll what ..." Stanley remained quiet as he slowly unclenched his fist.
"That's what I thought ... Nothing." Said Salvatore. While there were a lot of kids in the neighborhood who feared Stanley, his brother Salvatore wasn't one of them. Both boys stood in their undershorts. Stanley then began pleading with his brother for the letter. Salvatore continued to give Stanley a hard time about the letter.
"Why do you as Mama says ... make her hairs grey? Why do you get into so much trouble Stanley?"
"I like trouble ..." Salvatore stared at his brother in amazement.
"What do you mean ... you like trouble? How can anyone like trouble?" Stanley fanned his hand in a sarcastic manner toward Salvatore.
"There you go with your goody two shoe answers." He said. "I like trouble and I want to be a hood ... Now give me the letter."
"Are you crazy ... be a hood? Papa will kill you." Stanley chuckled yet still remained serious about his answer.
"Well that's my answer and I'm sticking to it till the day I die. Now give me that damn note!" Stanley rushed over to his brother reaching for the letter sent by Mrs. O'Neal. Salvatore blocked Stanley with his forearm. The look on Stanley's face clearly stated that he wasn't going to be deterred from his answer.
"Stanley, think about what your saying ..." Salvatore pleaded.
"What's there to think about?"
"Don't you get it? Papa will kill you!" Stanley shrugged it off slightly and walked away.
"Nonsense." He said.
"What do you mean nonsense? Papa wants no hoods for kids. He wants us to be like him: hardworking, honorable, respectful ..." Stanley interrupted Salvatore's list of accolades.
"Mama wants those things. Not Papa."
Salvatore clenched his teeth, "Stanley Grauso you take that back." Stanley remained quiet.
"I said take that back." Salvatore retorted. Stanley then turned toward his older brother with a devilish grin that stretched a mile long.
"Papa's a hood ... and a good one." Salvatore's eyes widened immediately striking Stanley across the face. Stanley responded with a quick punch to Salvatore's stomach. The boys began to tussle, ending up on the floor.
"You take back what you said." Salvatore shouted.
"I ain't taking shit back." Stanley replied with his head caught in a headlock. Mr. Grauso and a very pregnant Mrs. Grauso both burst into the room breaking the boys up. Mr. Grauso grabbed Stanley while Mrs. Grauso cuddled Salvatore. Salvatore poured it on a bit thick, holding his stomach. Mrs. Grauso continued rubbing his head while calming him.
"Honey, are you alright?"
"Yes Mama." Salvatore replied. Stanley watched with intensity as Mrs. Grauso continued to show affection towards Salvatore.
"I'M ALRIGHT TOO ... YOU KNOW!" He shouted toward his mother. Mr. Grauso snatched Stanley by the arm.
"YOU WATCH YOUR TONE WITH YOUR MOTHER, YOUNG MAN!" Stanley seemed to calm down immediately. His expression, however, still remained cold and oddly tempered.
Stanley shrugged away as his mother reached to caress his face. Mr. Grauso looked at Mrs. Grauso and nodded. Mrs. Grauso received her cue and exited the room.
"Good night," she said quietly.
Both boys were alone with their father. Mr. Grauso smiled as he took his seat onto Stanley's bed. Neither Stanley or Salvatore knew what to make of their father's smile. Mr. Grauso, depending on the mood he was in, was a very hard man to read.
"So tell me, what's all this about?" At that moment, Salvatore noticed the note from Mrs. O'Neal balled up on the floor next to his foot. Stanley's eyes carefully shifted watching Salvatore drag the note with his foot under the bed.
"How bout' you Stanley? Do you want to tell me?" Salvatore blurted out, "It's nothing Papa. Just boy stuff ... Right Stanley?" Stanley nodded questionably. Mr. Grauso chuckled a bit. He then insisted that the boys shake hands. Salvatore extended his hand first and the two shook hands. Mr. Grauso kissed his two sons on the head and watched as both boys crawled into bed. Salvatore reached over his night stand and turned out the light. Throughout the night Salvatore often called out to Stanley whispering. "Stanley you awake?" Stanley, however, didn't respond even though he was awake. Stanley just laid on his back, hands behind his head staring upward toward the ceiling until he eventually fell asleep.
* * *
The next morning both boys walked to school. Salvatore on several occasions attempted to rekindle the subject of the conversation from the night before.
"You gonna tell me why you called Papa a hood or not Stanley?" Stanley sarcastically replied, "Hood? When did I call Papa a hood?"
"You're being funny Stanley. Now stop it!" Stanley placed both his fingers in his ears.
"La - La - La - La!" He sang loudly as Salvatore continued. The boys approached the school yard. Several children played games of kick ball and stick ball outside before the morning bell. Salvatore and Stanley both stood by a white gate with a loose picket board. Several children often used it as a short cut by shifting the board and cutting through the gate. Salvatore grabbed Stanley by the arm as he cut through the gate.
"Look Stanley, I won't let you go into school until you tell me why you would say such a thing about Papa." Stanley sighed deeply in aggravation as he pulled away from Salvatore.
"I MADE IT UP ... NOW LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY!" Salvatore stood speechless as the school bell rang. Stanley angrily walked away. Salvatore called out to his younger brother but Stanley kept walking and with his back turned shouted, "I SAID ... I MADE IT UP! JUST DROP IT!"
Upon entering school, Stanley made his way into his classroom where Mrs. O'Neal greeted him.
"Good morning Stanley." Stanley didn't want to speak to Mrs. O'Neal, still angered by the note sent home by her. Stanley was a sucker for Mrs. O'Neal's resonating beauty and blue eyes. Stanley was adamant about being a tough guy so he kept his eyes on the floor in order to avoid eye contact with Mrs. O'Neal. Mrs. O'Neal just smiled as the little tough guy walked by without speaking. Stanley approached his desk and took his seat.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from On the Lam by STANLEY GRAUSO. Copyright © 2013 by Stanley Grauso. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Related Subjects
Customer Reviews
Explore More Items
