Farewell, Hell's Kitchen

© Joselito Briones

I spent most of the morning doing all the tedious things I'd really rather not do, but had to. Phoned a lot of people, and companies. Arranged for roll over of 401(k), cancelled fax account, photocopied documents, mailed Norie's pins, mailed documents for the rollover, mailed application for renewal of license, bought train tickets to South Norwalk, took train schedule booklets from Grand Central.

After all these, I walked around my old neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and took pictures: the restaurants I frequented, the ones I frequently called to have food delivered to me, the cafe' I used to go to for breakfast on weekends, the heavenly cupcakes, the fish market, the video store, the grocery. I'd show you all the photos, but there's so much there's no space here, so let me just show you this one, from Cupcake Cafe.


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It's the (good) witch's birthday today

© Joselito Briones

72 years ago today, a girl with magical powers was born. Her parents christened her Lea. She grew up to be the prettiest (and coolest) girl in the land. She fell in love with a fervent admirer. They got married and brought into this world eight loving kids.

Had the first seven kids not known that Lea loved them all just as much, they would have been jealous of the youngest, a boy, as Lea seemed to have shown him so much love and attention. This was not lost in the youngest, who grew up very close to her.

He remembers all the times she performed magic, like those times when he was ill and all she had to do was give him the gentlest kiss on the forehead and everything was suddenly alright. He also remembers the time she made him realize that he was totally capable of doing something selfless. And how could he possibly forget the earliest childhood recollection he had (at age 3!), a moment of clarity, when she explained to him the meaning of being considerate and kind, and he completely understood?

For this child, she remains, the prettiest (and coolest) person in the world.


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P.S.
She now lives in California, but she's presently in Carmona to celebrate her birthday. I spoke with her on the phone and she said she's having her bingo pals over, and Toto is roasting a pig for her party. She sends her regards.


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