Late Great Romance

By Angelo Crapanzano

Late Great Romance is a fictional novel about the life and romances of Leonardo Corello, known as just Leo. As a young man, Leo decided that he wanted to be an Electronic Engineer. The Leo stated to date a girl that lived next door named Tina. They dated as friends. After graduating Leo got accepted as a student at Cleveland State University. Th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leavitt Peak Press
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781957956664

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Late Great

Romance

Angelo Thomas Crapanzano

Copyright © 2022 by Ayana Maria Dardaine

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotation in a book review.

ISBN 978-1-957956-65-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-957956-66-4 (Ebook)

Inquiries and Book Orders should be addressed to:

Leavitt Peak Press

17901 Pioneer Blvd Ste L #298, Artesia, California 90701

Phone #: [phone]

email: [e-mail]

Dedication

I wish to dedicate this book to all the Ambulance personnel who keep auto accident victims and all sick people alive in the Ambulance until they get help in the hospital.

Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1:  The early years

Chapter 2:  The College Years

Chapter 3:  A New Beginning

Chapter 4:  A Period of Joy and Happiness

Chapter 5:  A Second Chance at Romance

Chapter 6:  Unexpected Turn of Events

Chapter One

The early years

L

eo sat at his desk wondering what to do next. He was looking through all the information he had on the different colleges. He thought that he was interested in Electronic Engineering. Leo had just graduated from High School. His full name is Leonardo Corello. But most people call him Leo. He prefers Leo. Leo lives with his parents. They have a three bedroom house. There are two bedrooms on the main floor and a third bedroom on the upper floor. That is where Leo’s bedroom is located. On the far wall across from the bed next to the window is Leo’s desk. Leo decided to hold off for a while. He had all summer to make the decision. However he knew he had to act soon if he wanted to be accepted.

Hi mom, said Leo when he got downstairs. Is supper ready yet?

Not yet, said his mother. It will be ready in about an hour. Leo’s mother’s name is Marianna. His father’s name is Joseph. Just as he sat down Leo’s father walked in.

Hi Leo, said his dad. What have you been up to?

I was looking over all the colleges that I would like to attend. I think I will like to be an Electronic Engineer.

I think you should consider a doctor’s degree, said his father. I would like you to be a dentist. You would have a great income and you would only have to work eight hours a day, and you will also get Wednesdays off.

Oh dad, said Leo with a frown on his face. I could never want to look into someone’s mouth. Just as Leo’s mom brought the food to the table Leo’s sister, Catherine, walked into the room.

Hi everyone, she said Looks like I just got home in time. Catherine was three years younger than Leo. She was just getting home from school. Catherine had the downstairs bed room off of the living room. Leo’s parents had the larger bed room off the hall way that was off the kitchen.

Hi Cathy, said Leo. You are kind of late coming home. Is everything all right?"

Yes, responded Cathy. We just stopped at the book store. Are you going out with Tina tonight?"

No, we are going out tomorrow, answered Leo. Don’t you remember that she doesn’t go out on school days? We are going to dinner and spend the evening dancing. You know that we love dancing.

Is there something special going on with you two? asked Cathy. Don’t be silly, said Leo. We are just friends. I am not going to get involved with anyone. I have at least four years of college to go through and probably more if I want an advanced degree. Besides she is my cousin and a neighbor. I’m not going to get involved with a girl I think of like a sister.

She is maybe a distant cousin, said Cathy. They think because dad’s great grandfather and Uncle Sal’s great grandfather had the same last name that they could have been brothers. They are not sure.

It is very possible because they both come from the same side of the same city in Sicily, added Leo.

"The way she acts and looks at you I think she sees it all different.

You have been seeing her since you were about twelve."

Yes, said Leo. I remember that our mom and her mom let us go to the movies together. They liked it because I was bigger and a protection for her. I remember one time we went and there was a romantic movie playing. Usually on Saturday when young kids went they always had cowboy or detective movies. This day they had a romance movie. Tina was only around nine. She asked me why they were always putting their lips together. She didn’t know what a kiss was, but I did. So I told her that I didn’t know but we could find out by trying it yourself. That was the first time that I kissed a girl. Tina was not impressed when I kissed her several times to see if we could figure out why they were doing it in the movie. She still didn’t understand why they were doing it. Tina and I have had a lot of fun together."

After dinner Leo went back upstairs to decide what to do before he went to sleep. Before he went to bed he decided to be an Electronic Engineer.

The next morning he decided to go to the nearest university so that he could stay at home. The nearest university happened to be Cleveland State University. What he had read about it said that it had an excellent Engineering College. As soon as he ate breakfast he got into his car and went to the University. He brought with him his high school credentials. He was directed to the proper office. After waiting in the secretary’s room for a few minutes he was called into the office.

My name is Doctor Bradford, said the man in the chair. I believe you are interested in attending Cleveland State University.

Yes sir, said Leo. I am interested in studying to be an Electronic Engineer. At that Leo handed him the folder with his high school credentials. Professor Bradford looked over all that Leo gave him. After a few minutes he looked up at Leo.

I see that you had an A in all your mathematic classes and your science classes. That is very promising. The professor took out a note book and looked at one of the pages. Can you take an entrance exam on Friday at eight AM?

Yes, said Leo. I will be glade to take the exam. Does that mean I have a good chance at being accepting into the Engineering school?

If you pass the test, said the professor, and I’m sure you will, you will be accepted. Good luck, see you Friday Leo realized that statement meant good bye, so he got up, thanked him and left.

That Friday morning Leo got up bright and early. He presented himself at Doctor Bradford’s office. After they said good morning to each other, Doctor Bradford gave Leo three sheet of test papers and led him to an empty room. After two hours Doctor Bradford walked in to the room.

Your time is up finished or not, said the Doctor.

I was finished about five minutes ago, said Leo. I was going to bring them to you. I was just reviewing my answers.

If you’re not in a hurry, said Doctor Bradford, just stay in this room and relax. I will grade the test and come back to you in a few minutes.

I don’t have anywhere to go, said Leo with a smile on his face.

As the doctor had said, he came back a few minutes later.

Mr. Corello, you have passed the test with flying colors. You are now a student of the Cleveland State University. He then gave Leo the starting date and the place he should go to get his class information. Leo left with joy in his heart.

That evening Leo got ready to go out with his neighbor Tina. He got dressed and started to go to her house. When he came out his front door he saw Tina waiting for him on her porch.

Hi Tina, said Leo. We are going out together tonight aren’t we?

Yes of course, said Tina. I was just sitting here waiting for you. You looked too relaxed to be going out, said Leo. "Anyway

where do you want to go? I feel like a little fish. What do you think? You must have read my mind, said Tina. I would love some

fish." They got into Leo’s car and soon were at the Red Lobster Restaurant.

So what have you been up to today, asked Tina after ordering their dinner.

I have had a very busy and joyful day, said Leo. First I went to Cleveland State U. I had gone Wednesday to see if I could get in. I was scheduled for an entrance test this morning. I am so happy to report that I was accepted and will start this September.

That is fantastic news. You will at least be in the area, said Tina happily, having been afraid that he would go to a faraway university.

How about you, asked Leo, What have you been up to?

I’ve been doing the same old thing. Going to school and doing my homework.

I notice that some evenings when the weather isn’t too bad that you come out on your porch and relax for a while, said Leo. I come out also when I’m tired of any work that I am doing. I love seeing you on the porch even though I will not necessarily join you, I love knowing you are there.

Oh my dear Leo, haven’t you heard? We are moving next week. We are moving to Garfield Heights. It’s really not too far from where we live now. It is just a little south of here. We are moving to York Boulevard. The house is on the right as you go down York Boulevard.

I feel so sad, said Leo. I enjoyed having you as a neighbor. It will not be the same. I liked seeing you once in a while in your yard. Now I probably will not see you very often.

You can always see me on a date, said Tina.

Yes but here I could to see you almost every day one way or another, said Leo.

Was that enough for you? said Tina with a smile on her face. That and a few dates was enough, said Leo playing along with

her attempt at humor. Now just dating once in a while has to be enough, especially since I will be going to college.

What are your plans for this summer? asked Tina changing the subject.

I have to look for a job and find a cheap car to go back and forth to work and to see you on some Fridays.

You can borrow your father’s car on Fridays, said Tina teasing Leo.

You’re very funny, said Leo knowing that she was teasing him. You can borrow your father’s car and pick me up once in a while, said Leo kidding her back. Just then the food came. Leo said grace and they started to eat. They were both glad that conversation was over. The evening went by joyfully. Leo loved Tina’s personality. She was always smiling and up beat in everything. He also loved her sense of humor.

The next day Leo spent most of the day looking for a car. He couldn’t find anything he could afford. Next he went looking for a job. He was not successful there either.

After Church the next day Leo sat on his front porch and decided to relax. About an hour later he saw Tina come out to her front porch.

He walked over to her.

Mind if I join you? asked Leo.

No not at all, responded Tina. Come and sit down next to me on this swing.

You see this is what I’m going to miss, said Leo.

Let’s not get into that again, said Tina. Before anything else could be said Leo’s sister Cathy walked up to them.

Is this a private meeting? she asked.

No come up and join us, said Tina. Cathy and Tina were best friends. Cathy always said that she and Tina were like sisters. They sat there for about an hour and talked about their future dreams. After the end of the hour Tina excused herself. I have to go in and do my homework

I do too, said Cathy. It is too nice of a day to be shut up in my bedroom. With that they all departed. Leo sat on his porch till dark. He didn’t have any homework to do.

The next morning Leo went to the grocery store on Kinsman not far from their street. Leo’s mom had asked him to get a few things she need. At the store he ran into Bill an old school mate.

Hiya, Bill, said Leo. How are you doing? I’m fine, he answered, How are you doing?

I got accepted in Cleveland U, said Leo. I start this fall. How about you, what are your plans?"

I go a job at the Allen Hardware Store. I’m a Salesman there. I start at nine thirty. What are you going to do until school starts?

I’m trying to buy a cheap car, and I’m looking for a job.

Have you gone to see Fred Linden? asked Bill. I heard that he has taken over his father’s gas station on 93rd street. I also hear that he has a repair shop in the rear of the station and that he has cars for sale. I’m sure as close as you two were in school that he would give you a good deal.

I think I will go see him, said Leo, not only for a car, but to say hello to an old friend.

I have to go, said Bill. I have to get to work. It’s been nice seeing you. Goodbye

Nice seeing you too, said Leo, so long.

After dropping the groceries at home Leo started to walk down Kinsman Road. He lived on 143rd street. It was a long walk to 93rd street. It took Leo about a half hour to get to 93rd street. When he got there he saw a young man at the register. It wasn’t Fred. He looked behind the station and saw the Garage. He walked up to the doorway and saw Fred with his head under the hood of a car.

Hi Fred, said Leo, I hope I’m not interrupting your work. Fred looked up in surprise. He then dropped the tool he had in his hand and walked up to Leo. To Leo’s surprise he grabbed Leo and hugged him.

Hi old buddy, said Fred. How are you doing? It’s so good to see you. What have you been up to? How are things going for you?

Good and not so good, responded Leo.

That sounds depressing, said Fred. What is your problem? "The good thing is that I have been accepted in the Cleveland

State University. The problem is that I can’t find a car that I can afford and I can’t find a job so that I could make the money to afford a car."

I may be able to help you, said Fred. What are your plans for the rest of the day and the rest of the summer?

I have nothing planned, said Leo. Whatever I find to do I have to do it on foot. They both laughed.

Are you ready to work? asked Fred. What do you have in mind? asked Leo

My mechanical helper has accepted a job in another city, said Fred. He was with my father and thought he should have taken over. He has been looking since I took over. I need a helper very badly. I don’t know if you are aware of the fact that I buy cars that have been damaged and were too expensive to fix and ended up in the junk yard. I buy them next to nothing and fix them in my spare time. I then sell them for a little profit.

How would I fit in? said Leo. I don’t know anything about mechanics.

I would tell you what to do and you do it, said Fred. "You will learn quickly. Also if you need a car what do you think of this Oldsmobile here in the paint shop. It had crashed into a tree. Using my special connections I found a front end of the same model and year in Chicago. It cost me $500 plus delivery. I had it delivered