Post by "Captain" Joe Stall on Apr 14, 2011 20:58:53 GMT
”Harder!”
Joe Stall and his grandson James stand in the basement gym of Joe Stall’s house in Great Neck, Long Island. The basement is considerably cleaner than it was before Blizzard. All of the exercise machines have been uncovered and polished. The floor has been mopped. The walls have been cleaned and the pictures have been dusted. The ring has been refurbished. The matt has been replaced. The turnbuckles have been polished, and where before there were none there are now purple ring ropes surrounding the ring. The gym is alive again and loud thuds can be heard as James Stall slams his fist into the heavy bag that Joe Stall holds for him.
”Come on you call that a punch?”
James drives his right hand into the bag again. He follows with a quick combination left, right, left, and then he nails the bag with another hard right.
I’d like to see you step out from behind that bag and take one of these old man.
He pounds the bag again.
”Don’t think you scare me young man. Now come on. You’re going to have to hit harder than that if you’re going to beat Benny Starr.”
James throws another left right combination at the bag before driving his right knee into it. Sweat flies from his brow.
He’s overrated.
Joe shakes his head from behind the bag. James goes to hit it with another right, but Joe sidesteps and pulls the bag out of the way. James momentum carries him forward, and Joe throws the bag at him knocking James to the side.
”Underestimating your opponent is the quickest way to lose a match. Go in there with that attitude and you’re sure to get clowned.”
James straightens himself out, and Joe throws the bag right into his chest. James lets out a loud grunt as the wind is knocked out of him.
”Now hold it so this “old man” can get his workout in.”
James does as he’s told and holds the bag steady. Joe throws a few cursory punches at it before stepping back and sending his right fist careening into the bag. James is sent staggering backward.
Woah!
Joe smiles and crack the knuckles on his hands.
”Looks like your Grandpa’s still got it. Now imagine that punch hitting Christian Lee right in the face.”
You still have to get through the Elimination Chamber Grandpa.
”Kid, in my mind I’m already passed that chamber.”
Joe drills the bag with a punishing combination.
Didn’t you just say underestimating your opponents is the quickest way to lose a match?
”I’m not underestimating my opponents kid. I’m just keeping my eye on the prize. It’s like a good hard punch. If you want it to hurt you can’t see where your fist is going to connect first. You have to see where it’s going.”
Joe hits another combo and then nails the bag with a hard kick that send James backwards again. James stumbles back and collapses onto a workout bench.
”Tired already?”
Not at all. I just have one question Grandpa.
”What?”
Why are you doing this? I mean I understand wanting to win the World Championship, but why come back at all. I mean, no offense, but you’re pretty old, and I just don’t understand why you’d put yourself in these situations when you’ve already won so much. You’re not determined to die of a heart attack in that ring are you?
”I haven’t planned on it.”
Joe sits down next to his grandson.
”But people are forgetting kid. I have to remind them. Can’t let them forget the past.”
You’ve got nothing left to prove.
Joe smiles and places his hand on James’ shoulder.
You’re wrong about that kid. I have to prove myself one last time, to one last generation of warriors. It’s not just about me. So many people have helped me become who I am. This is for them. This is for their memories. And this is for one person in particular.”
What do you mean Grandpa?
”Do you know what day Genesis is?”
Yeah, it’s the most important day of the year.
”It’s more than that. This year Genesis falls on the tenth anniversary of your Grandmother’s passing. This one last run at the title. I’m doing this for her kid, and none of those warriors in that chamber are getting in my way.”
Joe hangs his head. Tears well up in his eyes.
”Have I ever told you about the first time I knew I was in love with your grandma?”
No gramps.
Joe laughs to himself.
”It’s a good story. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
------------------------------------------------
Joseph Stall you better put that boy down before I tell your mother on you!
Back then I was living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and I was running around with a group of boys from the neighborhood. Being a five foot nine inch, muscle bound twelve year old made me the de facto leader of our little gang. I’m sure plenty of remarks were made about my size behind my back, but no one was going to make them to my face. That particular day the target of our aimless after-school aggression was little Kenny Moskowitz. I had him lifted up over my head when Mary came out of Mr. Cooper’s grocery store on the corner. I still remember how pretty she looked in her little yellow dress with her red hair in soft curls on her shoulders.
”Mary Sue Parker, you better mind your own business.”
You don’t scare me Joe Stall. You’re nothing but a big bully. You put Kenny down this instant.
As Mary walked down the block toward us I watched my friend Tommy Connors slip behind her. Tommy was a greasy runt with a head that looked like it connected right to his shoulders and a freckled face that looked a bit like Mickey Rooney. He liked to carry his pet frog Spanky with him in his school bag. And I watched him drop the frog right on top of Mary’ red curls. She screamed as the frog jumped on her head and went running off to her home around the corner. I watched Tommy pick up the frog as he snickered to himself. I set Kenny down on the ground and clapped Tommy across the back of his head with my hand.
Ow! He whined.
”Why’d you do that for?”
Aw geez Joe, I was just having a little fun is all.
”That was a mean thing to do to a girl.”
To make sure I got my point across I slapped Tommy across the back of the head again as Kenny Moskowitz ran down the other end of the block.
Aw come on Joe. Look. The little kike’s getting away. Let’s get’im!
I watched Kenny Moskowitz near the far corner of the block, and then I turned to look at the corner that Mary had disappeared behind. The group of about five or six guys were all looking at me.
”Leave him alone.”
But Joe…
Tommy whined again. As he stepped up toward me I shoved him back. He fell right on his behind, and Spanky leapt from his hands. I looked around at the other guys with a scowl. They all took a step back.
”Everybody go home! I don’t want to play anymore.”
And with that the gang scattered. Some ran to Mr. Cooper’s others went whichever was the was quickest route back to their houses. I watched Tommy chase Spanky across the street both of them narrowly avoiding a passing car. I took a moment to compose myself before walking down the block and around the corner toward Mary’s home.
Mary lived in the first story of a brownstone apartment building. My family lived two stories above hers in the same building. I walked up to her door and gave it a knock. Her mother answered. My future mother in law was a pleasantly plump woman with an even more pleasant smile and wavy brown hair. She always greeted me very kindly. She was a saint of a woman.
”Hello Mrs. Parker. Is Mary home? I was hoping I could talk to her.”
Certainly Joe. Why don’t you come on inside and wait in the kitchen. You can help yourself to a piece of cherry pie. I just made I this morning.
”Thank you Mrs. Parker.”
I walked into the apartment and went right past Mr. Parker. I gave him a brief hello, and he grunted a reply. Mary’s dad had served in Korea with my own father. He was sitting in his chair in the living room watching the Yankees against the Red Sox while drinking a beer. I was trying not to stare at his missing leg.
I walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. I eyed the half eaten cherry pie, but I didn’t dare to take a slice for myself. It wasn’t long before Mary walked into the room. I immediately jumped to my feet. She was still sniffling.
”Hey Mary Sue. I just wanted to apologize for what Tommy did earlier.”
That was a mean trick Joe Stall.
I shuffled my feet a bit.
”I know. I smacked him for it if that makes you feel any better.
She tried to hide it, but I saw her smile a little at that.
You didn’t need to do that.
”I know. But it wasn’t right what he did.”
Mary looked at me with a smile and then turned right away again.
You’re still a bully Joe Stall. I saw what you were doing to Kenny.
"Aw we was just playing is all. I wasn’t going to hurt him or nothing. I… I let him go. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry."
She turned back to me with a wide smile on her face. And her hand gently touched my arm before she realized what she was doing and quickly pulled it away. We both looked away and then looked back at each other. We stood there frozen for a moment. I shifted my weight from the back to the front of my feet. She looked around the kitchen and spotted the pie on the table.
Would you like a piece of pie Joe?
”Aw schucks no… I really need to be going. Ms. Brooks gave us a ton of math homework, and it always takes me so long to get through those problems. I should get started on those.”
I hesitated to move and Mary looked up at me and then down at her feet.She rocked back and forth.
You know… I could help with those… if… if you want me to.
I was beaming, and for the first time since I stepped into the kitchen I stood at my full five foot nine.
"Well gee Mary that would be great. I’ll get my books and be right back down… we can even have some of that pie."
Mary nodded excitedly. I went to go bounding out of the kitchen so that I could hurry back with my books. I had never been so happy to do math homework. As I was leaving the kitchen I abruptly turned around and looked back at Mary. I was willing to push my luck just a little bit more.
"Hey Mary."
Yeah Joe?
”I was wondering, if you wanted to…. And if we’re not too full from the pie…. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go with me down to Mr. Cooper’s for some ice cream afterward.”
Mary smiled and pulled a kitchen chair over to where I was standing.
Why Joe Stall…
She climbed onto the chair and planted a kiss on my forehead.
Aren’t you the cutest thing. I don’t know why you hang around with those other boys. They’re no good for you.
”Aw shucks Mary. I better go get my homework.”
And with that I ran out of the room. And that was the day I first realized I was in love with your grandmother.
-------------------------------------------------
That’s sickeningly adorable Grandpa.
”I bet you never knew your grandfather was such a stud.”
James shakes his head and gets up from the workout bench that he has been sitting on.
Yeah Grandpa. You were a real smooth ladies’ man when you were twelve. Very impressive. Now are we going to get back to training or what?
Joe slowly climbs to his feet with his hands pressing into his knees. He stretch and touches his back as he lets out a groan.
”Sure thing kid. Get back in that ring. I still have a few things to show you.”
Joe Stall and his grandson James stand in the basement gym of Joe Stall’s house in Great Neck, Long Island. The basement is considerably cleaner than it was before Blizzard. All of the exercise machines have been uncovered and polished. The floor has been mopped. The walls have been cleaned and the pictures have been dusted. The ring has been refurbished. The matt has been replaced. The turnbuckles have been polished, and where before there were none there are now purple ring ropes surrounding the ring. The gym is alive again and loud thuds can be heard as James Stall slams his fist into the heavy bag that Joe Stall holds for him.
”Come on you call that a punch?”
James drives his right hand into the bag again. He follows with a quick combination left, right, left, and then he nails the bag with another hard right.
I’d like to see you step out from behind that bag and take one of these old man.
He pounds the bag again.
”Don’t think you scare me young man. Now come on. You’re going to have to hit harder than that if you’re going to beat Benny Starr.”
James throws another left right combination at the bag before driving his right knee into it. Sweat flies from his brow.
He’s overrated.
Joe shakes his head from behind the bag. James goes to hit it with another right, but Joe sidesteps and pulls the bag out of the way. James momentum carries him forward, and Joe throws the bag at him knocking James to the side.
”Underestimating your opponent is the quickest way to lose a match. Go in there with that attitude and you’re sure to get clowned.”
James straightens himself out, and Joe throws the bag right into his chest. James lets out a loud grunt as the wind is knocked out of him.
”Now hold it so this “old man” can get his workout in.”
James does as he’s told and holds the bag steady. Joe throws a few cursory punches at it before stepping back and sending his right fist careening into the bag. James is sent staggering backward.
Woah!
Joe smiles and crack the knuckles on his hands.
”Looks like your Grandpa’s still got it. Now imagine that punch hitting Christian Lee right in the face.”
You still have to get through the Elimination Chamber Grandpa.
”Kid, in my mind I’m already passed that chamber.”
Joe drills the bag with a punishing combination.
Didn’t you just say underestimating your opponents is the quickest way to lose a match?
”I’m not underestimating my opponents kid. I’m just keeping my eye on the prize. It’s like a good hard punch. If you want it to hurt you can’t see where your fist is going to connect first. You have to see where it’s going.”
Joe hits another combo and then nails the bag with a hard kick that send James backwards again. James stumbles back and collapses onto a workout bench.
”Tired already?”
Not at all. I just have one question Grandpa.
”What?”
Why are you doing this? I mean I understand wanting to win the World Championship, but why come back at all. I mean, no offense, but you’re pretty old, and I just don’t understand why you’d put yourself in these situations when you’ve already won so much. You’re not determined to die of a heart attack in that ring are you?
”I haven’t planned on it.”
Joe sits down next to his grandson.
”But people are forgetting kid. I have to remind them. Can’t let them forget the past.”
You’ve got nothing left to prove.
Joe smiles and places his hand on James’ shoulder.
You’re wrong about that kid. I have to prove myself one last time, to one last generation of warriors. It’s not just about me. So many people have helped me become who I am. This is for them. This is for their memories. And this is for one person in particular.”
What do you mean Grandpa?
”Do you know what day Genesis is?”
Yeah, it’s the most important day of the year.
”It’s more than that. This year Genesis falls on the tenth anniversary of your Grandmother’s passing. This one last run at the title. I’m doing this for her kid, and none of those warriors in that chamber are getting in my way.”
Joe hangs his head. Tears well up in his eyes.
”Have I ever told you about the first time I knew I was in love with your grandma?”
No gramps.
Joe laughs to himself.
”It’s a good story. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
------------------------------------------------
Joseph Stall you better put that boy down before I tell your mother on you!
Back then I was living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and I was running around with a group of boys from the neighborhood. Being a five foot nine inch, muscle bound twelve year old made me the de facto leader of our little gang. I’m sure plenty of remarks were made about my size behind my back, but no one was going to make them to my face. That particular day the target of our aimless after-school aggression was little Kenny Moskowitz. I had him lifted up over my head when Mary came out of Mr. Cooper’s grocery store on the corner. I still remember how pretty she looked in her little yellow dress with her red hair in soft curls on her shoulders.
”Mary Sue Parker, you better mind your own business.”
You don’t scare me Joe Stall. You’re nothing but a big bully. You put Kenny down this instant.
As Mary walked down the block toward us I watched my friend Tommy Connors slip behind her. Tommy was a greasy runt with a head that looked like it connected right to his shoulders and a freckled face that looked a bit like Mickey Rooney. He liked to carry his pet frog Spanky with him in his school bag. And I watched him drop the frog right on top of Mary’ red curls. She screamed as the frog jumped on her head and went running off to her home around the corner. I watched Tommy pick up the frog as he snickered to himself. I set Kenny down on the ground and clapped Tommy across the back of his head with my hand.
Ow! He whined.
”Why’d you do that for?”
Aw geez Joe, I was just having a little fun is all.
”That was a mean thing to do to a girl.”
To make sure I got my point across I slapped Tommy across the back of the head again as Kenny Moskowitz ran down the other end of the block.
Aw come on Joe. Look. The little kike’s getting away. Let’s get’im!
I watched Kenny Moskowitz near the far corner of the block, and then I turned to look at the corner that Mary had disappeared behind. The group of about five or six guys were all looking at me.
”Leave him alone.”
But Joe…
Tommy whined again. As he stepped up toward me I shoved him back. He fell right on his behind, and Spanky leapt from his hands. I looked around at the other guys with a scowl. They all took a step back.
”Everybody go home! I don’t want to play anymore.”
And with that the gang scattered. Some ran to Mr. Cooper’s others went whichever was the was quickest route back to their houses. I watched Tommy chase Spanky across the street both of them narrowly avoiding a passing car. I took a moment to compose myself before walking down the block and around the corner toward Mary’s home.
Mary lived in the first story of a brownstone apartment building. My family lived two stories above hers in the same building. I walked up to her door and gave it a knock. Her mother answered. My future mother in law was a pleasantly plump woman with an even more pleasant smile and wavy brown hair. She always greeted me very kindly. She was a saint of a woman.
”Hello Mrs. Parker. Is Mary home? I was hoping I could talk to her.”
Certainly Joe. Why don’t you come on inside and wait in the kitchen. You can help yourself to a piece of cherry pie. I just made I this morning.
”Thank you Mrs. Parker.”
I walked into the apartment and went right past Mr. Parker. I gave him a brief hello, and he grunted a reply. Mary’s dad had served in Korea with my own father. He was sitting in his chair in the living room watching the Yankees against the Red Sox while drinking a beer. I was trying not to stare at his missing leg.
I walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. I eyed the half eaten cherry pie, but I didn’t dare to take a slice for myself. It wasn’t long before Mary walked into the room. I immediately jumped to my feet. She was still sniffling.
”Hey Mary Sue. I just wanted to apologize for what Tommy did earlier.”
That was a mean trick Joe Stall.
I shuffled my feet a bit.
”I know. I smacked him for it if that makes you feel any better.
She tried to hide it, but I saw her smile a little at that.
You didn’t need to do that.
”I know. But it wasn’t right what he did.”
Mary looked at me with a smile and then turned right away again.
You’re still a bully Joe Stall. I saw what you were doing to Kenny.
"Aw we was just playing is all. I wasn’t going to hurt him or nothing. I… I let him go. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry."
She turned back to me with a wide smile on her face. And her hand gently touched my arm before she realized what she was doing and quickly pulled it away. We both looked away and then looked back at each other. We stood there frozen for a moment. I shifted my weight from the back to the front of my feet. She looked around the kitchen and spotted the pie on the table.
Would you like a piece of pie Joe?
”Aw schucks no… I really need to be going. Ms. Brooks gave us a ton of math homework, and it always takes me so long to get through those problems. I should get started on those.”
I hesitated to move and Mary looked up at me and then down at her feet.She rocked back and forth.
You know… I could help with those… if… if you want me to.
I was beaming, and for the first time since I stepped into the kitchen I stood at my full five foot nine.
"Well gee Mary that would be great. I’ll get my books and be right back down… we can even have some of that pie."
Mary nodded excitedly. I went to go bounding out of the kitchen so that I could hurry back with my books. I had never been so happy to do math homework. As I was leaving the kitchen I abruptly turned around and looked back at Mary. I was willing to push my luck just a little bit more.
"Hey Mary."
Yeah Joe?
”I was wondering, if you wanted to…. And if we’re not too full from the pie…. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go with me down to Mr. Cooper’s for some ice cream afterward.”
Mary smiled and pulled a kitchen chair over to where I was standing.
Why Joe Stall…
She climbed onto the chair and planted a kiss on my forehead.
Aren’t you the cutest thing. I don’t know why you hang around with those other boys. They’re no good for you.
”Aw shucks Mary. I better go get my homework.”
And with that I ran out of the room. And that was the day I first realized I was in love with your grandmother.
-------------------------------------------------
That’s sickeningly adorable Grandpa.
”I bet you never knew your grandfather was such a stud.”
James shakes his head and gets up from the workout bench that he has been sitting on.
Yeah Grandpa. You were a real smooth ladies’ man when you were twelve. Very impressive. Now are we going to get back to training or what?
Joe slowly climbs to his feet with his hands pressing into his knees. He stretch and touches his back as he lets out a groan.
”Sure thing kid. Get back in that ring. I still have a few things to show you.”