New Jersey Stage Issue 43 | Page 28

a day job as a bookkeeper and at night she worked at Alphon- so’s Pizzeria in Scotch Plains. So, Sunday was really important - we all sat down and ate together… After the meat was eaten, my dad’s wiping his face and is in a good mood. I said to him, “Dad, there’s something I want to do.” He said, “Son, what it that?” Because if these old Ital- ian guys said three words to you the whole year you remembered it, right? They didn’t even look at me. I said, “Dad, I know what I want to do for the rest of my life.” I’m not even six years old! He looks at me, smiles, and goes, “What?” I said, “I want to play guitar in a rock and roll band.” He looks at me, gives me one of his stares, puts his head down, and goes, “Well, learning a musi- cal instrument is a good thing for a kid your age. You think about it for a couple of weeks. If you’re still interested, Dad will send you for guitar lessons.” I said, “Gee Dad, thanks!” like I was Eddie Haskell from Leave It To Beaver Watch a video for “House We Used To Live In” by The Smithereens NJ STAGE - ISSUE 43 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 28