Toritto – 1945
Everyone was so happy that day, I didn’t know why they were happy, but I was happy too. I rode on daddy’s shoulders down 13th avenue, passed the Endicott theater, the waving at the happy people kissing in the street.
Grandma bought me a Mello-Roll and now I was getting to play horsey. Giddiup horsey! Smacking daddy’s head. I could see everyone from Daddy’s shoulders; Everybody waved at me, and I waved back! I was blowing kisses and everyone blew kisses at me!
Daddy gave me a little stick with a funny cloth attached. He said it was a flag and I should wave it. So, wave it I did!
Fat Tony came out of his candy store with Angie in her apron and house dress. Daddy shook Fat Tony’s hand and gave Angie a big hug
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“Frankie boy!” That was me. “Have a Charlotte Russe!” I love Charlotte Russe. Fat Tony went to the glass case and took one out.
“No! I want that one!” Ok. Ok. Did I say I love Charlotte Russe? Pushing up the bottom of the cardboard cup eating all the whipped cream and the cherry to get at the flat yellow cake.
“I have no nickel!” It’s on the house today Frankie boy!
“It’s not on the house! It’s in the cup!” Smiles. Such a smart boy.
“Daddy, why is everyone so happy?”
“The war is over Frankie!!” A puzzled look,
“Daddy, what’s a war?”
Angie’s lip began to tremble as she covered them with her fingertips. Soon her apron covered her face as she turned into the candy store passed the picture in the window of the man in the funny pointed hat under a golden star.
I couldn’t know why but I felt I had done something very wrong.
Fat Tony gently pinched my cheek, took me down from daddy’s shoulders hugged me. Kissed me.
“You should never know Frankie boy. God willing you should never know”
Fat Tony wiped his eye and slowly turned back into his store.
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One of the earliest memories of my childhood. VJ day in Brooklyn. This is for Fat Tony and Angie ,wherever they are, who lost their son Anthony at Anzio.
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toritto 
My thoughts go out to all the Angies and Fat Tonys. If only Fat Tony’s wish had come true. Thanks for the lovely post, Toritto.
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A wonderful tribute to Anthony and his parents, Frank.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This was a beautiful tribute, Frank. What a memory!
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Hi Jennie
It is one if nor the earliest thing I remember. It was the day, the excitement, the crowds, the kissing in the street. Riding on my dad’s shoulders….I would still see Tony and Angie as a reen.
Best from Florida
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Wow! That’s wonderful.
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