The life of TONY MARCEANO

By Leon Mason

As a young man, Tony has it all including supportive, loving parents and siblings. He was one of the most popular young men in high school and definitely part of the “in crowd.” Schoolwork always comes easy enough for him to get passing grades without trying very hard.

The fact that Tony likes to live dangerously “on the edge” and is a very mischievous teenager seems to make him all the more appealing to others, especially all the girls.

He is passionate about body fitness and it shows in his physique. Tony is also one of the most charming, handsome and well-mannered teenagers you could ever meet. And, he knows exactly how to use these qualities to his advantage.

As the middle child, Tony is best friend to his brother who is exactly two years older and a great admirer and protector of his beautiful sister who is three years younger.

Unlike Tony, his brother Tyke is an exceptional student who has to work hard to earn his good grades. But, that doesn’t stop Tony from convincing Tyke to get into mischief with him from time to time. In fact, as Tyke watches the teenager that Tony becomes, Tyke feels compelled to spend more time with his younger brother to ensure his well-being.

In spite of Tyke’s efforts, however, he is not able to protect his brother from a near-fatal accident.

It is at this point that Tony’s life takes a downward spiral. This story is really about the struggles and challenges that Tony has to endure after this life-changing event and the subsequent experiences that are a result of the earlier accident.

Learn more about the real life accident on which this story is based… YouTube “Rescue911-car vs school bus.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662424632

Book preview

cover.jpg

The life of TONY MARCEANO

Leon Mason

Copyright © 2020 Leon Mason

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-6624-2462-5 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-2463-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

In loving memory of Travis Bone Schoon and Ronald Magoo Thomas.

CHAPTER 1

Tony Marceano was born in 1978 to Dona Marceano and Stan Marceano, who already had a son together. Stan already had two other sons named Stan Jr. and Maurice (Mo) from a previous relationship. Tony was a very active child. His brother Tyke (also known as Ty) was so excited to have a little brother. Tyke looked his little brother in the eyes and said, Imma always make sure you safe, li’l bro. Tony looked up and smiled.

Three years later, Stan and Dona had their last baby. It was a girl, and they named her Kisha. The Marceano family was complete. Now, it’s time to hear how wild and adventurous Tony’s life was.

About seven years later, Stan had his boys involved in several sports. Mainly football, which Tyke became a little star around the way in the boys and girls league as a fast wide receiver. Tyke was always in the paper, most captions describing how fast he was. Tyke would run a double reverse and always get a touchdown. He would also catch deep passes. Tony used to love to watch him play. He thought his big brother was the fastest man alive. Tony liked watching him fly past the defense, into the end zone. Tony wanted to be a running back, but the coaches kept putting him on the line. Tony would let some contenders go right past him, hoping the coach would let him play another position. But, coach didn’t!

On Allison Street where the Marceanos were living in Landover Hills, Maryland, five miles from DC, Tyke and Tony were often found outside, playing with other kids. They loved to play with their next-door neighbors. The three neighbors were about a year older than the three Marceano kids but of the opposite sex. Tyke and Tony went next door to play with Tosha and Trisha, the Browns’ daughters who lived next door. Tyke rang the doorbell. Ding-dong!

Why do you run so fast when we play football, Ty? Tony asked while they were waiting for the doorbell to be answered.

’Cuz I be scared that somebody gonna make me fall and get my pants dirty!

Tony started laughing because he knew how much Ty used to hate getting dirty. He used to clean his shoes every day after school.

Mr. Brown opened the front door. Tosh and Trish will be out in about five minutes, Mr. Brown told the Marceano brothers. He knew why they were coming over.

Okay, we’ll be out front, Tyke said.

The two boys waited on the sidewalk out front of the Browns’ house, waiting for the girls.

Tosha and Trisha came outside. Hello, Tosha said to Tyke.

Wassup, Tyke replied.

"Y’all wanna play hide-and-seek?’ Tony asked.

That’s a kid’s game. I’m too old for that, Tyke answered.

Well, I was just trynna find something to do, Tony stated.

I know a game we can play, Trisha said.

You and Tony always wanna play a game. Y’all can go play a game, Imma stay right here and chill. What about you, Tosha? Tyke asked.

That sounds good to me, Tosha replied.

They all decided to just chill, and they all were joking and playing before they realized it was starting to get dark. They were out front talking for hours.

I’m getting hungry. Come on, Tony, let’s go in, said Tyke.

All right, we’ll see y’all tomorrow, Tony said to the Brown girls.

Okay, come over tomorrow, Tosha says.

Bye, Ty. Bye, TT, Trisha said. She would always call Tony TT.

In elementary school, Tony made a lot of friends. His brother had just as many friends, but Tyke and Tony were like night and day. Tony was very close with cousins on his mother’s side of the family. Malo and Ralo were twins and the same age as Tony. The three kids used to play together at recess. Tony and the twins were out playing basketball on court 1, the same court they played on every day. There were three other young boys playing on court 2, but they didn’t have a ball. One of the boys was tall, and they called him Howdy. Howdy went to court 1 and took the basketball after Tony missed a jumper.

Give me that, Howdy said, grabbing the rebound and taking the ball.

Malo said angrily, What are you doing?

Howdy took the ball to where he and two other boys were playing basketball.

I told y’all I was gonna take the ball, Howdy said to the other two boys he was playing basketball with.

Ralo went over to court 2 where Howdy and the other two boys were playing and grabbed the ball out of the hands of the boy with long brown curly hair.

You wanna fight! the boy with curly hair said.

Malo and Tony rushed over to the confrontation. "Ain’t nobody fighting!" Tony screamed as he’s running past the boy with curly hair, swinging and hitting Howdy right in the chin.

Howdy fell back. I don’t want to fight you, Howdy yelled at Tony.

Come on, Ralo, let’s go back to our court! Malo screamed. Then, the boys went back to their court.

About fifteen minutes later, the administrator came and escorted Tony to the front office. The office called Stan and explained how Tony hit the other kid. Stan was upset because he had to leave work to pick Tony up from school.

When Stan arrived at the school, he stepped in the principal’s office where Tony was sitting. Come on, boy, let’s go, Stan said angrily to Tony.

Stan and Tony were in the car on the way home when Stan blasted his voice at Tony. "What the hell is wrong with you? Hitting other kids."

He took our ball, Da! Tony explained.

I’m glad you defended yourself, but there are other ways besides hitting, Tony, Stan said.

I know. Sorry, Tony whispered.

When we get home go right to your room. No goin’ outside for at least a week, Stan ordered.

Later that evening, the Marceanos were having dinner. I heard you got in a situation today? Dona asked Tony sitting across the table from her.

Yeah, this boy took our ball. He was bullying us and saying he wasn’t gonna give it back. So, I had to get it back. Daddy told me how I was wrong. And I understand and promise not to let it happen again, Ma, Tony said with his head down in shame.

"I don’t care what the excuse is, Tony! I never want my kids hitting anybody! Unless, of course, they hit you first!" Dona started explaining until the phone rang. Bling, bling!

Stan jumped up to answer the phone. "Hello… What!… Where’s he at?… I’ll pick up Mo and bring him by here. He can stay the night. And then I’ll come up to the hospital." When Stan said hospital, Dona’s heart dropped because she knew it was something serious. Stan hung the phone up.

Is everything all right, Dear? Dona asked Stan.

No, SJ just got shot in his chest. I’m about to pick up Mo. He can stay here for a little while, while his mother’s at the hospital. That’s okay with you, right?

Sure, that’s not a problem, Dona answered.

Later that night, Stan brought Mo to the house. Then, he headed back to the hospital to check on Stan Jr., who was in critical condition after being shot in the chest. Mo headed upstairs to lay in Tyke and Tony’s room.

Is SJ all right? Tyke asked Mo.

I don’t know. He was sitting on the fence, and a car sped down the street shooting about five times, and SJ was hit in the chest. My friend said that they were trying to rob SJ. He doesn’t know why they shot him, Mo said.

I hope he’s gonna be all right, Tony whispered.

He’s gonna be all right. He told me he had a feeling he was gonna be shot earlier that day, Mo said.

Dad taking you to school tomorrow? Tyke asked.

I think so. My Mom’s gonna be at the hospital, Mo answered. The boys talked for about an hour. I’m getting sleepy. I’m ’bout to go to sleep, Mo said as he pulled his covers over himself.

Me too, Tyke said as he also pulled his covers over himself to go to sleep.

He’ll be all right, Tony said as he closed his eyes to go to sleep.

Mo stayed for about two days. Mo and Tony would walk to Capitol Plaza Mall every day when Mo stayed. They were three months apart and looked a lot alike. They used to tell people they were twins.

Mo’s mother came to pick him up when SJ recovered three days later. The family was happy to hear SJ was okay.

A week later Tyke and Tony went outside to play. Tyke went to play with his tall friend, Derrick. The two of them often played basketball together. Tony didn’t really like basketball, so he went and played with Josh. Josh was a friend. Well, I guess you could say they were friends. They hung out together every day, just to fight. Josh was an oversized child who used to tease other kids. Tony’s best friend was Joe, who always rode bikes or played football with Ty, Tony, and some other neighborhood kids.

One day the kids were playing on their so-called football field. It was actually a big-sized triangle field in the center of the neighborhood. Tony liked to play football. He was fascinated with hitting kids hard when tackling them. Joe was on Tony’s team and had just scored a touchdown. Josh suddenly pushed Joe forcefully to the ground and then spat at him, just missing Joe’s face.

If that would have hit me, I would’ve got up and knocked five or ten pounds off your fat ass.

Everybody started laughing. Josh got very angry and charged toward Joe, knocking him to the ground again. Tony got pissed and ran up to Josh. Josh looked at Tony and said, What you gonna do, you li’l bitch?

Tony just snapped (well, the way a ten-year-old would). Tony balled his fist up as tight as he could and swung with all his might, flattening Josh on his ass. Josh’s head flung back and hit the ground. His front tooth (which was previously loose and was about to fall anyway) was knocked out his mouth, landing on the ground right beside him.

"Daaammmn!" Everybody outside started screaming.

Tyke ran up to Tony. You hitting hard like that, bro? Knocking people teeth out. That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout, li’l hard hitter!

Tony gave Ty a high five, thinking, That was kinda easy to knock a tooth out.

Later that day, when the Marceanos were eating dinner. Tony’s hand was a little red from hitting Josh’s tooth. Dona asked, What happened to your hand, Honey? Tyke chuckled. What’s so funny, Ty? Dona questioned.

Tony knocking people teeth out, Ty answered.

Tony can’t knock anybody’s teeth out, said Kisha, Tony’s seven-year-old sister.

"What are you talking ’bout, Ty? Stan asked. Ty told his Dad what happened. Imma put you in the ring if you hitting like that. You want to box, Tony?" Stan asked.

Yes, Tony excitedly replied.

The following week, Stan went to sign Tony up with the boys and girls boxing club. When Stan got home, Tony asked if he was signed up for boxing. Are you ready to show me some of your skills, Tony?

When do I start practice? Tony replied while grinning from ear to ear.

Stan answered, You start Monday.

The kids went to bed. They had to get up early for school the next morning.

On Monday, Stan came rushing in the house from work, yelling upstairs "Tony, you ready to go practice? First day!"

Here I come, Da!

The two headed to the gym at an elementary school. Tony had to run around the whole school, up and down four flights of steps, multiple times. Tony was getting tired.

Coach Bob, can I start punching the punch bag? asked Tony.

The coach’s name was Coach Bob. One more lap around the school. Then take a five-minute break, and then we can start on the bag, replied the coach.

After Tony had his five-minute break, Coach Bob wrapped some tape and put a pair of sparring gloves on his hands. Tony was getting excited. He started feeling like a little professional boxer. His idol was Mike Tyson during that time. That was during the time when Tyson was in his prime, hitting like a train. Tony always had an image of him hitting somebody so hard, he would break their jaw. Or, crack his knuckle. He always wanted to hit that hard. After Coach Bob showed Tony how to hold his guards, Tony then approached the body bag. Coach Bob stood behind it.

Alright, Tony. Let me see some of your power. Make me move my feet, Coach Bob demanded.

As he grabbed the body bag tightly, Tony was thinking, This should be easy. Tony cocked his right arm back and came forward with a wild hook with so much power. You could hear the air whistle as he swung his hand around and slammed it into the body bag, barely putting a dent in the bag. He immediately followed the right hook with a left hook just as powerful. This time, it was into the opposite side. Still, it barely put a smug into the heavy body bag.

Is that all you got? asked the Coach.

Tony was thinking that should have been easy, but it ended up being a lot harder than he thought. The coach then replied, Imma work with you. I see a lot of potential, and you have a lot of power in your swing. We just need to bring it more to your fist.

Okay, cool, Coach. See you tomorrow, Tony said, storming out the doors.

Practice was over. Tony got back in the car with his Dad, breathing hard. Did you like practice? Stan asked.

It was tiring, but it’s for the better, Tony replied.

Tony continued to practice for the next month. His brother would go to practice with him at times and would be his sparring partner. One day after Tony finished hitting the speed bag as he was walking out the door the coach stopped him.

Tony, I have a fight for you.

Cool, against who? asked Tony.

Ten-year-old kid named Joe Patt! He’s fast but I think you can take him.

Tony agreed to the fight. The day of the fight, Stan and the family were on the way to Tony’s fight. Stan made a statement. Tony, you know this boy fights for golden gloves.

Okay, that’s cool, Tony replied, not knowing WTF golden glove boxing was. But, he knew it was something good because it was golden.

When they all walked into the gym, Tony noticed this other kid that was about his age on the speed bag. He was hitting the speed bag pretty damn fast. Tony was a little intimidated.

Tyke looked at Tony and said, That’s the boy that’s about to beat you up, Tony.

Tony looked up at Tyke. Imma kick his butt, bro.

Coach Bob grabbed Tony. He taped and put gloves with a white front on his hands, then put his headgear on. Coach gave Tony a good pep speech before the fight. When Tony got into the ring, all he saw was his opponent. He immediately balled his fist up as tightly as possible and biting down on his mouthpiece that the coach had put into his mouth. Tony imagined hitting Joe Patt so hard he’d break his nose through his headgear. Tony sat in his corner as Joe Patt sat in his corner. They both were feeling excited and confident.

Both fighters were asked to stand. The bell rang. Ding, ding. Tony charged toward Joe Patt, swinging a left hook with all his might. But, Joe Patt was very quick and shifted to the left, leaving Tony hitting nothing but air. Joe Patt stepped back as Tony turned to face Joe Patt. Before Tony could raise his hands, Joe Patt hit him with a two-piece right, left! right into Tony’s chin. Tony quickly took two steps back, stunned for a bit. But, he got back into stance with his hands up, thinking to himself, Damn, he fast! Tony quickly hit Joe in the chin with two quick jabs. Joe started thinking, This new boy hit kinda hard. Nevertheless, Joe knew he had speed and figured he could just stick and move on him. Throughout the rest of that round, Joe would stick and move. Tony would catch him with several hard hooks, hard enough to slow down Joe for a quick minute.

During the first two rounds, neither kid was dominant over the other one. In the third round, Tony threw a two-piece, followed by two hooks with all his power. He missed the last two hooks and that took a lot of his energy. As Tony was trying to step back to catch his breath, Joe Patt came charging at him with a barrage of jabs very fast. Left, right, left, right! Tony couldn’t do anything but cover up until Joe got tired because his punches had no impact on Tony. Tony moved around, and when Joe paused for a quick second to take a deep breath, Tony once again threw a jab to his chin, then followed up with two hard hooks