Albany Park

by Myles (Mickey) Golde

  “No. But what kind of girl calls boys on the telephone?”

  He walked halfway down the hall, then stopped and turned so she could hear him without getting too close. Ma had that way about her, where she might notice something that would make her want to ask where he had been before he came home.

  “Ah, it’s nothing. I think you know her; she goes to school with me. She probably wanted to ask me something,” he answered, trying to act uninterested as he unbuttoned his shirt.

  Chapter 4

  Donna came into Vic’s life the week after Frank had come home on furlough. Seeking some air conditioned relief from the July heat on Saturday night, Vic, Shirley, Sam Greenstein and Didi Pollack went bowling at Rollaway. They quit after three lines. Vic gathered the rented shoes to return them. Checking them in, behind the counter in tight jeans and a sleeveless white blouse, he recognized a long-haired blonde from school.

  “Vic, hurry, they’re already outside, Didi needs to get home by ten,” Shirley called as she followed Sam and Didi out the door.

  The blonde grinned, extending her hands upwards. Rolling her eyes, she tilted her head toward Shirley and winked at Vic. He chuckled and shrugged as he turned to catch up.

  Frank was out with a friend Sunday night and so was Flo, Vic was hanging around the house with Ma and Pa and the little ones, listening to Jack Benny on the radio. It was still early when the program was over. Feeling restless, he got Pa to let him use the old Dodge for a couple of hours after promising to get a dollars worth of gas at the black market station on Pulaski. Once out, he headed to the bowling alley to check out the blonde at the shoe rental.

  “Hi”, he said, grinning as he walked toward the counter.

  “Need some shoes?” She smiled, adjusting her white peasant blouse on her shoulders.

  “Nope, just can’t resist pretty girls that wink at me,” he said. “You know, I’ve seen you in school, but don’t know your name. Aren’t you a sophomore too?” He leaned over the high counter, making sure she saw that he was trying to get a good look at her figure, which tonight looked much better in a flared print skirt and low heeled white sandals.

  Going along with his obvious try at being cute, she turned, slowly mimicking a model. “Like what you see?“

  His hand went to his chin and he winked with a nod.

  “Yeah, I’m in Mrs. Walker’s home room and my name is Donna, Donna Pickarski,” she answered, pretending to be busy arranging shoes and shuffling some papers.

  “Do you know Jim Vogel or Sam Greenstein? They’re in that room.”

  “Yeah, I know ‘em, but they don’t pay any attention to me. They barely say hello.”

  Looking away, she spoke up in a more formal tone, as she stopped to help a customer. The distraction gave him an opportunity to check her out more thoroughly. She was a lot different than the girls he knew. Most of them were short and had dark hair and eyes. Donna wore her long blonde hair in a pony tail and had light blue eyes which she enhanced with dark makeup.

  Finishing with the customer, she turned without moving closer to where he was standing. “I know who you are though; you’re Victor Wayne. Aren’t you an Aztec?”

  He nodded.

  “My girlfriend, Chrissy Peterson, is in your room.”

  “You mean the pretty blonde that all the older guys chase around?”

  “Yeah, that’s her.”

  “She was in my Algebra class, and I know her, but never really talked to her.”

  Between customers they continued to talk about school and their friends. He stayed at the front and she remained several feet away near the shelves of stacked shoes. After about an hour, she moved closer to close the cash register and prepare to leave.

  He offered to drive her home. With a sly smile she accepted. Reaching the car, he opened the passenger door for her and waited until she was seated before closing it.

  “Thanks, I like that,” she smiled, showing a little dimple and a row of sparkling white teeth. “Where did you learn to be such a gentleman?”

  “Hey, I just figured it doesn’t hurt to be polite. Now where do you live?”

  “Not far, on Karlov off Argyle.”

  “How ‘bout an ice cream? Do you have time?”

  “Yeah, can we go to the Greek place on the corner.”

  “I got a better idea, let’s go to Buffalo. the ice cream is homemade and I like it better,” he said thinking fast because he knew that Jews weren’t welcome at the Greek’s.

  “Sounds good to me,” she agreed.

  When they parked near the corner of Irving and Pulaski, he quickly ran around to open the door for her, which brought a big smile and an approving nod. “Very nice Mr. Wayne, I could get spoiled by all this attention.”

  At the white marble soda fountain, she ordered a small vanilla cone and he got a dish of chocolate. The young soda jerk scooping out the ice cream couldn’t take his eyes off her, but tried to be careful that Vic wouldn’t notice. Vic ignored him and just paid the bill as he gestured toward the rear, letting her go first. Her hair bounced as she smoothly glided down the aisle of small white and black ceramic tile. Halfway to the back they settled into one of the dark wooden booths with white table tops that lined the way.

  He found out that she was fifteen and had graduated from Palmer grade school the year before. Most of her friends had gone to other high schools and only a few went to Von Steuben.

  He didn’t know any of them, except for a few guys that were ball players and one or two girls in his home room or other first year classes. She had similar experience with his friends.

  Carefully wiping her face with a napkin, trying not to mess her lipstick, she turned serious. “You’re Jewish aren’t you?”

  Waiting for his answer, she reached in her purse and pulled out a cigarette, expertly placing it just right of center in her lips. He shook his head as she offered him one. Holding a silver Zippo lighter, she flipped it open and with a flick of her thumb and a deep drag, lit up.

  Hesitating before answering her question, he watched the sexy way she slowly exhaled the curling white smoke. “Yeah, I’m Jewish, does that bother you?”

  Resting her chin on the hand holding the cigarette, she didn’t reply.

  A bright red smudge of lipstick on the tip of the cigarette and the way she let the smoke escape slowly drifting up held his attention, as he waited for her answer.

  “I never really knew a Jewish guy,” she said slowly.

  “You gotta’ problem with that?” he said, moving back and sitting up straight.

  “Hey,” she said cautiously, “I don’t know, but I better not tell my father about you. He hates Jews. He says they all make money by cheating Polacks like us.”

  “Well, you can tell your old man, you know a Jew who doesn’t have a lot of money and doesn’t cheat Polacks,” he replied emphatically, as she inhaled a long drag.

  Smiling, she chose her words carefully. “I thought Jews all had big noses and only talked about money,” adding, as if apologizing, “at least that’s what my father says every time we go to Jewblatts.”

  “Jewblatt’s?”

  “Yeah, you know, Goldblatt’s, on Broadway and Lawrence, everyone calls it that.”

  Not knowing quite how to respond, Vic folded his hands in front of him. She raised her eyebrows, tucking in her lower lip.

  With a tight smile, he said, “well if you must know, I wasn’t always Jewish, but when I found out that Jews all had a lot of money, I converted.”

  Slowly a sheepish grin spread across her face as his comment sunk in. “Hey that’s cute. I guess you know what they say about Polacks, do you think I’m dumb?”

  Now it was his turn to smile. “I think you’re a beautiful blonde and smart, because you’re letting me drive you home.”

  He felt a
light kick under the table. “You’re cute too, and different. You’re not like other Jews.”

  Vic didn’t answer, but thought to himself, she just doesn’t get it. In the meantime she was coming on to him and he felt a stirring in his pants as she reached across the table and took hold of his hand, pulling it closer. Maybe he thought it would be his night to get lucky. At the same time, he liked her. She was different than the girls he had always known.

  Driving home up Pulaski to Argyle, she directed him a few blocks west and then south until at her direction, he pulled up to a neat-looking two flat.

  He backed into a parking space and put his arm around her, kissing her lightly. Her response was shy at first, but only for a few seconds and then she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

  In the weeks that followed, he met her at work a couple times and they would sneak in back of the counter to kiss and tease each other. He also began calling her on the phone every day or two.

  One night as they parked near Gompers Park, he told her he was going steady with Shirley. She confessed that she too, was going with a boy from Taft High School.

  “Besides,” she said, “you’re only fourteen, and I know you’re not serious. But I’ve got to admit, you are cute.”

  “Yeah, you’re cute too. And I’ll be fifteen soon. I should add that sneaking around like this with someone as sexy as you really turns me on,” he said as he kissed her, pushing his tongue past her lips into her eager mouth.

  On a rainy night a week later, during a very hot session of groping, caressing and fondling in the back seat of the Dodge; she twisted and turned helping him remove her jeans and panties.

  “I love you baby,” he whispered as he kissed her neck and massaged between her legs.

  “Oooh,” she crooned, casually pushing his hand away. “I dunno if we should.”

  “C’mon, baby, I want you so bad.”

  “What about protection,” she groaned as she let him move his hand back.

  Sitting up, he reached into his back pocket to find his wallet and held up the tiny flat package he’d bought for a quarter from his friend Morrie, who worked at the drug store on Lawrence and Avers.

  Watching him, Donna giggled and laid back, pulling him on top of her. “Please be careful,” she whispered pushing her tongue in his mouth.

  Slowly he moved into her, waiting for her to pull him closer.

  “Oh baby you feel good,” he moaned.

  A humming sound escaped from her as she locked him in an embrace of her legs. “Ooooh, yeah,” she cried out softly.

  Their breathing came in loud gasps and it was over in a few moments.

  He wondered about her boyfriend whom she hadn’t mentioned lately. Nor did he tell her that he had broken up with Shirley the week before. One thing for sure, he was confused, and figured she was, too.

  Once school was back in session, they discovered they were in the same Biology class but didn’t have an opportunity to be alone for two weeks. The day before the big game with Kelvyn Park, she stopped him after class, tugging on his sleeve. “I’ve been wondering what happened to you,” she said, her lips tightly curving down.

  “Hey, you know how it is. I work and with the park tournament still goin’ on, I’ve been practicing and playing a lotta ball.”

  “Well, at least you could call once in awhile and act like you know me in school.”

  “Aw c’mon, I always say hello and I thought you had a boyfriend.”

  “He goes to another school and that’s not your concern. It’s like you’re avoiding me.”

  “Look, I’m not avoiding you. It’s just that nobody knows we’re seeing each other and I haven’t said anything to anyone about you because I thought that you wanted it that way.”

  “Well, think again.”

  “Okay, but look, we’re playing a big game tomorrow at Eugene Field Park. After that I’ll give you a call and we can get together. We can talk then, okay?”

  She looked down, saying with a sigh, “Okay, I hear you, but call me,”

  Late the next afternoon, the team was warming up for the game in a fast circle, rebounding and passing to one another as they came in to do lay-ups.

  In the small gallery above the Gym, Donna was holding onto the black chain link protective fence trying to get Vic’s attention, her bright red fingernails curving over the heavy screen.

  ”Vic, Vic ” she shouted.

  Surprised to see her, he waved and she pointed to the door indicating she wanted to talk to him, and started for the stairs. Trotting off, he met her in the small alcove outside the gym.

  “What’s up?” he said, glancing to see if anyone was watching.

  “I wanted to watch you play, but I can’t ‘cause I have to work, so I want to wish you luck before I have to leave.”

  “Hey that’s sweet, you didn’t have to, I’d understand.”

  “I wanted to,” she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Have a good game. Good luck and come by after to see me.”

  Wiping the lipstick off, he flashed a crooked smile, as he turned, away. “Okay, see ya later,” he said, and rushed back to the gym.

  Joining the other players, Vic thought for a moment about Donna. He liked her, but knew it wouldn’t last and he was going to let her down. He shrugged his shoulders, hating to do it, but knew he wasn’t ready for a shiksa girlfriend. His friends would tease him and Ma would kill him.

  Shirley and Didi Pollack, who were in the hall waiting to go upstairs to see the game, had seen Vic run off as Donna fluffed her hair and examined her make-up with a small mirror she had pulled from her purse.

  “Did you see that slut Donna Pickarski with Vic? I didn’t even know he knew her,” said Didi.

  “Neither did I,” Shirley pouted, knitting her brow and glaring at the girl.

  As Donna started toward the door, Shirley moved quickly across the red and black tiled corridor and caught her arm. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

  Donna’s eyes widened as she yanked her arm away. “Whadda ya mean? And what business is it of yours?”

  “Just stay away from him,” Shirley countered, her eyes hardening as she moved closer to Donna.

  “Why, what are you gonna do about it?” Donna shot back.

  “I’m just warning you: Stay away, you rotten goy.”

  Hearing Didi gasp at that remark and grab Shirley’s arm, Donna moved back.

  “Look girly, I’ll do as I damn please. You don’t own him, “she snarled, turning away. “And keep your goddamn hands off me.”

  Pushing the door she exited the building and ran down the steps and up the street.

  “I can’t imagine what he sees in a tramp like her,” Didi remarked, wrinkling her nose and rolling her eyes. “She’s got a terrible reputation.”

  Shirley moved to the door to make sure Donna had gone.

  “That bitch better watch herself,” she muttered. “Vic doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s gonna be back with me soon.”

  The game was tougher than any of the others the team had played. Kelvyn Park had a good team, big and strong. The lead had changed several times, see-sawing back and forth, almost to the very end.

  With a minute to play, Eugene Field was down by one point after a go-ahead basket by Kelvyn Park. Sam Greenstein had taken the inbound pass and was dribbling the ball along the right sideline, letting the other guys get in position across court, drawing the Kelvyn players with them.

  The odor of fresh perspiration hung in the brightly lit gymnasium, and screams of, “Go, go, go!,” from the twenty or so boys and girls in the small balcony above heightened the intensity of the hotly contested game as the clock wore down.

  Shirley was next to Jim Vogel, jumping and screaming as she watched. The thud of the bouncing ball a
nd the screeching of gym shoes stopping and starting on the shiny floor were the only other sounds.

  Stopping short of center court, Sam turned so his back was to the player guarding him. At the same instant, Vic broke from the crowd at the other side and ran toward Sam who quickly faked left and turned right, bounce-passing the ball to Vic. Flicking it in front of him at the free throw line, he dribbled once and laid it up for a basket. The small crowd cheered as Eugene Field took the lead twenty-nine to twenty-eight with fifteen seconds to play. Vic immediately signaled for a time out.

  Huddling, the boys listened as Vic said. “We got to put a full-court press on ‘em. They’re gonna try to get the ball to the greasy-haired guy; he’s their best shot. I’ m gonna guard him as tight as I can and you guys gotta do the same with your guys. Remember, don’t foul ‘em, but stay on ‘em.” They touched hands and broke, each guarding their man and waving their arms to deflect any passes. The whistle blew and the inbounder ran along the baseline trying to pass over Sam. Vic’s man broke back toward the baseline just as the ball was passed and deflected by Sam. Vic was between the referee and his man, who was racing to reach the ball. Vic kept his hands up but was able to use his hip to shove his opponent off balance just as he reached the ball. Vic’s foot got stepped on and he fell hard; at the same time the ball went out of bounds. The whistle blew and the referee ruled that the Kelvyn player touched it last.

  Kelvyn Park called a time out.

  “We gotta hold ‘em,” Vic said in the huddle. When they broke, Sam got the ball at the sideline while the Kelvyn players pressed. Faking to the right, Sam quickly flipped the ball left to Vic, who held it, drawing his man close. He shouted, “Nine seconds,” as the other players began running and cutting toward him. Vic dribbled sideways and then reversed direction, His opponent tried to reach in and steal the ball but Vic switched hands and was able to keep it away. A rhythmic shout of, “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one,” and a cheer from the gallery ended the game. Eugene Field had clinched the section in basketball for boys fourteen and under. Vic had led the scoring with twelve points.

  Sam threw his arms around Vic and slapped him on the back. “Great play on that guy. We were lucky he tripped.”