Street Corner Society

By Dov Silverman

It's 1947. The Brooklyn neighborhoods are still in the Depression. August comes and Christmas must follow for two gangs, the Central Avenue Boys and the Palmetto Street Tigers.

Tommy Boy, the block's most ferocious tomboy, and Dutchy Moran are two best friends and members of the Central Avenue Boys. When the leader of the Comanches starts looking for new recruits, they and their friends find themselves under pressure to take his offer. Father Klein and Parker F. Wessels are there to help. But they wonder how will they manage...

Then, as if by God's will, a blizzard brings the resourceful pair a chance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dov Silverman
• Release date: Oct 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301426270

Dov Silverman

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Dov Silverman has served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, worked as a Long Island railroad conductor, been an auctioneer, and even established the Autar Microfilm Service. While working so hard on the railroad, he earned his high school diploma and went on to graduate from Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York, cum laude, at the age of 39. He and his family settled in Safed, Israel in 1972. He credits a spiritual meeting with God and a Tzaddik (righteous man), Jules Rubinstein, in the Brentwood (New York) Jewish Center, with setting him on the path of study, religious involvement and settlement in Israel. His novel, FALL OF THE SHOGUN, appeared on the London Times Best-Seller List and has been published in multiple languages. He also won a 1988 Suntory Mystery Fiction Award, Japan, for REVENGE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERDS.

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The Central Avenue Boys and the Palmetto Street Tigers

An interfaith Christmas story during the 1947 Brooklyn Blizzard.

By Dov Silverman

Copyright 2012, Smashwords edition

License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This story takes place in the same neighborhood and time period as Pete Hamil's Best Seller, Snow in August.  It is an account of awakening youth, the reality of gritty streets and the potential of American adolescence.

This Brooklyn neighborhood is still in the Depression.  Three groups of teenagers are the focus.  Little Pauly, leader of the Comanches is trying to recruit the Central Avenue Boys and Palmetto Street Tigers into his gang of thieves and street fighters.

Tommy Boy wants to be thought of as a boy so she can support her handicapped parents.  She feels her parents wanted and need a son to support them.  She awakens to her first infatuation, experiences her first kiss and wears her first dress

Fat Vinty, a brilliant student leads the Palmetto Street Tigers.  He feels unwanted by his father because he is overweight.  He is tempted by Little Pauly; leader of the Comanche's to bring his friends into this gang as a way of making money, gaining respect from friends and family.

Dutchy Moran is the quintessential natural leader of the Central Avenue Boys.  His mother, widowed in WWII, receives her husband's government insurance money, and abandons Dutchy with an alcoholic neighbor.  Dutchy fears being sent to an orphanage and is tempted by Little Pauly's offer as a way to save himself.  Tarzan, Dutchy's little mongrel dog and Tommy boy are the only two he confides in.

Through the help of Father Klein and Parker F. Wessels this story is brought to a thrilling and surprising conclusion that will satisfy the reader by the morals learned and the examples set.

This FACTION story is based on the works of Father Adolph Klein of

Saint Barbara's Church and Parker F. Wessels of the Bushwick Salvation Army Boy's Club in Brooklyn. It made no difference to either man that I was neither Protestant nor Catholic.  They helped me and many others off the streets.

THE CENTRAL AVENUE BOYS

AND

THE PALMETTO STREET TIGERS

By Dov Silverman

Contents

CHAPTER 1 THE CHALLENGE

CHAPTER 2 THE PROTESTANT AND THE PRIEST

CHAPTER 3 TOMMY’S HOUSE

CHAPTER 4 THE COMMANCHES

CHAPTER 5 THE CLUBHOUSE

CHAPTER 6 THE CHOICE

CHAPTER 7 THE RACE

CHAPTER 8 TARZAN

CHAPTER 9 THE BLIZZARD OF 1947

CHAPTER 10 MONEY FROM HEAVEN

CHAPTER 11 GOD ON TRIAL

CHAPTER 12 WORKING BROADWAY

CHAPTER 13 THE BATTLE

CHAPTER 14 SNAKE HILL

CHAPTER 15 CHRISTMAS EVE

PUBLISHED BOOKS BY DOV SILVERMAN

OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER

In Grandpa’s day, when he was young,

There was no porn or dope.

Family life, he likes to say,

Was filled with joy and hope.

When stories flow and young ones ask,

Grandpa forgets the bitter past.

Gone from memories the Depression’s curse,

When life became so much worse.

Then World War II the fathers fought,

And kids lived on Mom’s support.

The women worked in factories on their feet.

While the kids hung out - in the street.

In Grandpa’s day, when he was young

And went down to the street,

There were those who fought with love and care,

To save him from defeat.

The Army of Salvation,

And the C.Y.O.

Battled gangs in the street,

They fought toe to toe.

To make this world worthwhile and free,

Our brother’s keeper we must be.

When stories flow and young ones ask,

Let us learn from the precious past.

CHAPTER 1

THE CHALLENGE

Brooklyn, New York.  Five days before Christmas 1947.

Kill it!  Kill it! the Central Avenue Boys chanted.

Dutchy Moran moved over the black tar surface of the handball court in his short-sleeved sweatshirt, breathing out long clouds of steam in the cold, December air.  His bright blue eyes fixed on the small black ball caroming off the concrete wall.  Timing the rebound, he brought his right hand shoulder high to hit the killer his friends were shouting for.  But Fat Vinty and Big Kenny Judd moved in front of him, blocking the ball.  It bounced high, just over their shoulders and between the heads of Vinty and Judd.

Dutchy’s partner, Tommy Boy, mumbled to herself, "The game is lost!   But the smile creasing Dutchy’s freckled face gave her hope. He had a plan.  He brushed the red hair from his eyes and set his right foot behind him. Judging the height of Vinty’s cannonball head, Dutchy swung and his callused hand, made contact with the ball.  It zinged fast and close to Vinty’s head, fluttering his hair.  If Vinty even twitched, according to the rules he and Judd would lose the game.  Everyone watched for the slightest flicker of movement, but Vinty stood like a rock and Dutchy could not see the ball rebounding off the wall.  Neither Vinty nor Judd moved.  Then, at the last moment, Fat Vinty stepped backward with his right foot and gently tapped the ball so it just reached the wall.

Blocked by Vinty and Judd, Dutchy couldn’t get to the ball.  Tommy Boy streaked in front of Judd, hit left-handed and drove the ball over Vinty’s head.  But the five foot five, two hundred-pound Fat Vinty darted backward with such speed he was in position to slam a killer.  Tommy Boy now had to freeze in place.  Facing the wall, with her back to Vinty, she bent her head low.  She knew the power he had and didn’t want to get killed.

Fat Vinty’s dark eyes narrowed and his lips pulled back from his teeth in a dangerous smile.  Everyone knew something extraordinary was about to happen.  Vinty smashed the ball with all his weight behind it.  WHACK!  The ball smacked Tommy Boy in the backside and disappeared.  She straightened up slowly with a pained expression.  Reaching into her backside, she pulled at her baggy pants and removed the ball. 

Vinty’s booming laugh brought cheers from the Palmetto Street Tigers

and boos from the Central Avenue Boys. 

Dutchy ran to Tommy Boy’s side.  Are you alright?

Tears welled up in her green eyes.  She hitched up the straps of her overalls and bit her lip.  She couldn’t let the guys see her cry.  Yeah, I’m okay.

Dutchy pulled Tommy Boy around so no one else would see her tears.  Come on, it’s their serve.

They took their positions: a half crouch, arms extended with heads up.  The tears were replaced by a fiery anger in Tommy’s green eyes.  Her delicate white skin flushed red.  They knew what to expect from Vinty.  They had grown up together since kindergarten.  Vinty would serve straight to Tommy and show no mercy.

Game ball, Dutchy said.

Vinty lowered his big shoulder and served a low lizard-shot to Tommy Boy’s right.  Any other time she would have sent it back to the wall hard and fast, trying to pull Judd out of position.  But she was furious at Vinty trick.  Her return had no power.  Big Kenny Judd moved in and killed the ball, for the win.

Girls shouldn’t play against guys, Vinty shouted.   It’s no contest.  Girls should stay home and play with their dolls!

Tommy ran up to Vinty and shook her fist in his sweaty face. Shut up, Fatso!  Your blubber is hanging out of your undershirt!   Don’t you know it’s winter!

Dutchy grabbed Tommy and pulled her away.  Brushing the bright red hair from his eyes Dutchy said, Come on, Tommy.   Let’s get out of here.

What about our money? Judd called.

Vinty pulled his trousers on over his swim shorts.  Steam rose from his face in the cold winter air.   Hey, Dutchy, don’t you guys pay what you owe?

Don’t get yourself in an uproar, Dutchy called back.   The Central Avenue Athletic Club is good for the money and you know it!

Yeah, Judd shouted, but we like to get paid.

CAAC is gonna lay another golden egg for my Tigers, Vinty said.

Dutchy hated the nickname CAAC for the Central Avenue Athletic Club, and Vinty’s invention of chicken jokes and poems with the initials made it worse.  Dutchy tried to come up with a good rhyme about the Palmetto Street Tigers, but never succeeded.  Come on, you guys, he called to the other club members.  They gathered around Dutchy and he pointed to Hubie.  Have we got enough in our treasury?

Hubie took an old metal Band-Aid box from his pocket.  He pried open the top, shook out a handful of change and counted it.  A dollar even.

Dutchy nodded toward Vinty.  Give it to him.

Hubie went over to Vinty and held out the money, but Vinty pushed past him, followed by Judd. 

Vinty pointed a thick finger at Dutchy.  You’re the leader.  You not Hubie got to pay me. He held out his hand, Cross the palm with silver.

Seven Tigers crowded in behind their leader.  As many Central Avenue Boys moved in behind Dutchy.  The two leaders stood nose to nose, glaring at each other.

Tommy Boy, standing a head shorter and half Judd's weight, faced off with him.  She pushed her shoulders forward the way the gangsters did in the movies, and stuck out her delicately shaped jaw.  Where is it written? she demanded.   Show me where’s it written one leader has to pay off the other?

Vinty’s dark eyes blinked rapidly.   That’s the way it’s supposed to be!  Don’t you remember the movie with James Cagney?

Without taking his eyes from Vinty’s, Dutchy took the money from Hubie and slapped it in Vinty’s outstretched hand.  You’re paid, Dutchy said.

Vinty grinned at Tommy and said, Double or nothing.  After supper Johnny-on-the-Pony.

That all you can think about is food? Tommy asked.

You scared, Girly?

It’s a bet, you big fat blob!

A sharp look from Dutchy cut short the Central Avenue Boys’ moans.  He grabbed Tommy’s arm and pulled her away from Vinty and the Tigers.  She twisted out of his grip and showed an angry face to Vinty.

You gonna be there, Girly? Vinty shouted.

Tommy looked at Dutchy, her green eyes pleading with him not to make her go back on her word.

Six o’clock by Maxie’s butcher shop! Dutchy said.

Bring your money, Judd shouted.

Tommy leapt up and punched the air.  She slapped an old felt hat on her short brown hair combed in a ducktail.  She flipped the front brim of the hat up and walked on her toes like a boy.  Wearing shoulder strapped overalls; few people took her for a girl.  She smiled at Dutchy, but he didn’t notice.  The look on his face meant deep thinking.

Dutchy turned around, put two fingers to his lips and whistled.  A small black and white dog sitting near the side of the handball court sprang to life and came at a full run.

Dutchy pointed and shouted, Get him, Tarzan!  Get Vinty! 

The dog skidded as he turned; his toenails scratched the hard cold ground.  He bounded toward the Palmetto Street Tigers and dove into their center.  The dog knew his target, and Vinty saw him coming.  The Palmetto Street Tigers scattered.

Vinty danced on tiptoes trying to avoid the little dog snapping at his heels. He tried to hide behind Judd.  Judd aimed a kick at Tarzan, but missed.  The Central Avenue Boys doubled over with laughter.  

Tarzan scooted away with his tail between his legs, yowling like the movie hero he was named for.   Aaawwwhhhooooooooo, he howled, Aaawwwhhhooooooooo!

Keep that four-legged coward away from me! Vinty shouted.  I’ll eat him for dinner!

See you at Maxie’s, Dutchy said.

We’ll break your backs, Judd shouted.

Tarzan scooted through and around the legs of the Central Avenue Boys.  He jumped straight up in front of Dutchy’s face, flicking out his pink tongue to kiss his master.

Tommy Boy reached out and caught Tarzan in the air.  She cuddled him to her. He licked her face.  You’re a good dog, she said.  You showed that big blob Vinty he can’t push us around.

The dog is smarter than you, Dutchy said.

What does that mean? Tommy demanded.

Dutchy kept walking until they turned the corner from the park onto Central Avenue.  He gathered everyone around him and pointed at Tommy.  You made a big mistake!   In Johnny-on-the-Pony, the Tigers can win.  Vinty and Judd weigh a ton!

Tommy threw