Rory Works Out

Rory working on his first six pack

Was thinking about my brother, Rory, this weekend. When we were kids on 83rd Street our tiny apartment was a space challenged back yard facing claustrophobic nightmare. Possessions were guarded carefully to avert Mom's frequent murder by dusting incidents. Our parents state of war over mess versus clean had no truce. Getting anything new into the place was harder than having your wife sneak Sears tools into a prison. Therefore, how did the next thing happen?

I assume my mother's shock temporarily cut off the air to her brain. If you want to hear the full story, come to Bar 82 tonight for We Three Productions Reading Event, I'm spilling the beans on "Bender's Barbell."

Story teaser:  June 1961, during one of our infrequent midweek on time dinners with all four of us at the kitchen table the doorbell rang. After we exchanged "a nobody rings our bell at this time" look, Mom said,"Who the hell is that?" Up comes Dad's friend, Al Bender, holding a barbell at his side that looks like it was made by the bearded lady while drunk on hootch as a birthday gift for her sweetie the circus strongman. Al says hello, softly places the barbell on the linoleum, and says before walking out, "Bob, I was bored at work and made this for your boys."

Tommy, 55 lbs, makes believe he will lift the 47 lb barbell

Here you see the barbell, Rory and me, three prisoners of 83rd Street working out. Come by tonight and hear our full tale. Rory is gone 14 years, but his spirit will float over Second Avenue tonight.

We Three Productions  

Mon, Sept 17th @ 8pm

free literary show

@ Bar 82 

136 2nd Avenue @ St. Marks

www.bar82nyc.com

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"River to River: New York Scenes from a Bicycle"

Book Event

Friday, October 5th @ 6:30pm

Bailey's Corner

1607 York Avenue

All fans of "Yorkville: Stoops to Nuts" are welcome!

Mom, Rory's Tee Shirt, "What were you thinking?"