Born a Gangster

By Paul Tully

We take a journey with Big Man, the son of an Italian Mafia don whose only ambitions were to watch his son grow in the ranks of the family. What Big Man would soon find out is that the life of silk suits, Cadillacs, social clubs, and pinkie rings would not be enough. With a mixture of his new group of friends, the notorious west side Irish, women, drugs and fast money, his thirst for power would become unquenchable, his road to love unreachable, and his ability to survive undeniable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781640273177

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Born a Gangster

Paul Tully

Copyright © 2018 Paul Tully

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-64027-316-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64027-317-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

We are fortunate to have two lives in one lifetime. Many thanks to those that helped me in my journey from one to the other. In memory of my friends whose new journey has begun:

Helen

Mom

Mikey

Jonny

Pete

Jerry

Bobby

Franny

Billy

Boo Boo

Until we meet again

Iremember back as far as being a little guy, I was seven years old. They were my greatest memories. My dad would come in my room. What a great room it was. My room was dark blue with a big window. I had a huge bed with two tables and lamps on each side and a color TV as well. In the corner was sea biscuit, my favorite rocking horse I had been riding since I could remember. I had all kinds of toys.

My favorite memories were when my father would come in my room, come over to my bed, and put his hand on my head and move my hair back, bend over, and kiss me on my forehead, and as my eyes opened, he would say in a deep voice, Good morning, Big Man.

My name was Patty Boy, and my nickname was Big Man. Back in them days, everyone had a nickname.

Once I said, Good morning, he would say, What should you wear today? He would slide open my closet door and run his hands through my suits. I loved suits. I would start to wake up, and my heart would start to pound. I would sit up and lean against my headboard and move the hair from my eyes.

He would say, Pinstripe, dark blue, black, or brown. Your pick Big Man!

I would ask, Where are we going?

We have some business calls to make. First stop, Rudy’s candy store.

Pinstripe will do.

He would take it out and lay it on the bed. What shoes?

I owned about twenty-five pairs of alligator shoes and maybe twenty suits. It was always fun picking out what it was that I was going to wear. Then we would come to the tie; that was the best. I worked my father hard on that one. He would put each tie to his neck and say, How about this one? We would go through about twenty ties and then pick one out. Then came the shirt. I liked picking out shirts, and the laundry would always send them home nice and creased. My dad would bring a shirt over to my bed and let me smell it. I loved that. Then came the sock 100 percent silk! They felt so good. And when everything was picked out, my father would lay them at the foot of my bed. Then he said, I’ll be right back.

When he came back into the room, he had a small towel over his arm, as he was carrying a tray. He sat it over my lap and said good morning Big Man, Dad loves you very much. I love you too Dad I said in reply.

It smelled great—bacon, eggs, and toast, with a big glass of chocolate milk. And I dug right in. When I was done, he would come in and pick up my tray.

Time to hit the shower.

Okay, Pops.

When I got out, I felt great. My dad got me the best cologne. I would spray it on, then start to get dressed. I loved the feel of my silk underwear and undershirt. Then I would slide on my pants. Then I would pick up my shirt and put my face in it. It was too cool. I would open it up and put it on. I loved the feeling of silk socks on my toes. The tie always gave the finishing touch. The big choice was belt or suspenders. I would put on my jacket and my Italian-made shoes. I would stand in front of my mirror and say Minga and be ready to start my day. Yo, Dad, I’m ready.

We would walk out to the elevator together, and my dad would hold my hand.

I always loved to push the button in the elevator. On the way down, I felt my little heart beating. As soon as the door opened, I was ready for a great and exciting day. My dad would take me by my hand, and we would walk to the car. Carmine would be waiting for us. He would say, Good morning, Big Man. How is your day going?

Great.

He would put out his hand to help me to the car. My dad always put dollar bills in my pants pocket since I loved to start my day off by tipping. So I would slide a dollar in his hand and say, Have a good day.

My dad would get in, and Carmine would shut the door, and my dad shouted, Rudy’s. I loved Rudy’s. from the time you walk in for about twenty feet, he had big glass cabinets full with the best candy and big mirrors on the wall. He would give me a bag and say, Take your time and help yourself.

My dad would walk in, and all talking would stop. There were men sitting at the tables playing cards. He would look all around, then he would sit down. He said, Vito, what the fuck is going on? We were just talking to Jonny about what happened the other day. What happened the other day was fucked up, and I don’t ever want it to happen again.

Jonny said, I didn’t do fuckin’ nothin’ wrong.

Then my dad got up and went to the bathroom. I was watching him from the mirror. When he came back, they started talking again. Dad lit up a cigar, then they got him goin’ again. Real New York guys talk with their hands. So hands were flyin’, and voices were loud. My heart was beating fast. I loved it.

My dad got up, and it looked like he was going back to the men’s room. Rudy had a little kitchen near the men’s room. My dad had put a pot of oil on the fire. The first time he went back there, nobody knew. The men were still at the tables yelling and hands flying. As I was looking in the mirror, I saw my dad walking back to the tables. He carried a big pot. I had no idea what he was doin’. He came up behind Jonny, lifted the pot over his head, and poured the red-hot oil all over his head. Jonny fell to the floor, screaming, and big bubbles were popping off his face. He was rolling all around. My father walked over to him, looked down on him, took a puff of his cigar, and said, Don’t ever fuck with my money, and spat on him. Then he said, Take him outta here, and do away with this prick.

Two of the men got up, bent over, and grabbed him by his heels and dragged him out. Then he said, Let’s go, Big Man.

So I ran to the door and out we went. Carmine opened the door. my dad and I got in. Carmine walked around the car and got in. Dad said, Macy’s.

Macy’s, Dad? What are we gonna do?

You’ll see, Big Man!

When we got there, Dad said, We will be a couple hours, Carmine.

My dad and I went in right up to the toy department. It was the best. My dad said, You got two hours, and you can pick out anything you want.

So off I went. It was the best, almost like Christmas. With no Santa Claus, even though my dad is Santa Claus. When we were done, my dad had them deliver it. I had gotten all kinds of things—guns, games, and all kinds of toys.

Let’s get out of here, Big Man.

Okay, Pops.

We walked out the store. Carmine was sitting on the hood. Reading the paper, he glanced up, seen us coming. Folded the paper and opened the door. Hey, Big Man, did you have a good time?

Yeah, it was the best. They will be delivering all my stuff to the house. So let’s go home, Carmine.

What should we do, Mr. Tony?

Home, Carmine.

On the way home, we were driving down 9th Avenue through Hell’s Kitchen. We stopped for a light. A man was slapping a little boy all around. The little boy looked around my age. He was holding his hands over his head, trying to stop from being slapped in the head.

My father looked at them and said, Them fuckin’ Irish have no class. Hey, Big Man, that’s why being Italian is the best. We got class. Not like them Irish micks drinking and slappin’ their kids all around.

When we got home, Carmine got out and opened the door. My dad and I got out and I could not wait to get up and see Mom. I wanted her to hold me and tell me I was okay. When we walked in, Mom was in the living room watching TV. I ran over to her and sat on her lap. She put her arms around me and patted me on my back and said, I love you.

I love you too, Mom.

Then I was all charged up. I ran to my room, and I turned on the TV. When dinner was ready, Mom called me to the table.

Boy, every time my mom had the table set for dinner, it was the best. "What’s for dinner, Mom?

Lasagna, Big Man, bread and salad. We will make you big and strong, like your father some day, my boy.

So what do you think, son, would you like to be like me when you get big?

Dad, you’re the best. Mom, the table looks great. The flowers are so pretty. Can I smell them?

Yes, honey.

"Mom, after dinner, what is for dessert?

Banana split, my boy. Hey, Big Man, do you know what’s on TV tonight?

No. What?

"The Wizard of Oz."

Wow I love that movie. It’s that time of the year again that movie comes on once a year, right, Mom?

You’re right, Big Man.

Hey, Mom?

Yes?

Can Dad and I have some popcorn when the movie’s on?

Sure, baby.

I got tired before the movie was over, so I went to bed. Morning came, and I love Sunday morning. Sun shining through my window. Birds singing, having my dad wake me up the way he did on Sundays. Placing a tray on my lap with my breakfast. And kissing me on my forehead. Good morning, Big Man, it’s going to be a great day.

I would open my eyes slowly. When my eyes opened, my dad looked so tall, and he was the best Dad that anyone could have. How is your breakfast, Big Man?

Good, Dad.

He would slide open my closet door and say, Which one for church?

And I would say, The light-brown one, Pops, and brown shoes. White shirt and dark-brown tie. Black belt and black socks.

Okay, Big Man, while you’re getting dressed, I’m going to get your mom up.

Okay, Pops.

Time to jump in the shower.

I love taking showers. The best place to sing. Got out got dressed and went to the living room. Waited for Mom and Dad. When they got ready, off we went. Got outside in the hallway waiting for the elevator; my little heart was pounding. The door opened. Couldn’t wait to push the button. Down we went. The door opened; it was great. You could see the sun coming through the big windows in the lobby.

We got out to the car, and there was Carmine with a big smile on his face. Good morning, Big Man, it’s always good to see you. Sleep good?

Yes, I did.

Good morning, Tony and missus.

Then he opened the door and we got in, then he got in.

Church, Carmine.

Yes, sir.

I always love the ride to church on Sunday. The streets are always empty on Sunday mornings. The birds would be singing like crazy. I always thought to myself that God made it like that, so New York City could have one day to sleep. So Sunday was the day. We pulled up to church, and Carmine got out, open the door, then we all got out. My mom took me by the hand.

And up the stairs we walked; my mother looked so beautiful. I love being out with my mother, holding her hand. Everyone would always look at her. She dressed so beautiful. When we got to the top, my dad my mom and me. It was so beautiful; doors were so tall and all hand-carved. My dad pulled one of the big doors open. It was so nice and dark inside with all kinds of candles lit up. It was so much nicer when I was with my mom at church. I paid more attention to what was going on than when I was just with Dad. I love looking at all the statues and candles, and I love sitting in the pew. They had a nice spot in the back quarter. A tray of candles to light. You could kneel down and talk to God. I love God. I know if I trust him, I will be okay. I felt good standing next to Mom and Dad. It was so cool when the priest would stand up in the box and talk to us. I did not know what he was saying. When he was done, he would say we could pray now. And he would walk to the back of the church. And on the way out, everyone would kiss his hand. We would get outside, and everyone would be talking, hugging each other. Then a whole bunch of us would go to eat.

We would go to a restaurant called Mom’s. It was the best day; they would close off the back for us on Sunday. They would slide big sliding doors close, and we would all sit down to eat. What a nice room it was. Nice big tables. I love the pictures they had hanging on the wall. One was of a big stagecoach and big mountain cowboys robbing the stage.

All of us kids had one table. We had a lot of fun. Spit ball flights. All kinds of games. And the food was great. When we left the restaurant, everyone stood outside kissing and hugging, then we said goodbye. We walked to the car, and Carmine opened the door.

Mom got in, then me, and then my dad said, Central Park, Carmine.

Yes, sir.

We drove through Time Square. I always like Time Square; all the lights and signs, it was best at night. We got to the park. Carmine got out, walked around the car, opened my mother’s door, and my mother got out. Then Dad and I got out my.

Dad said, Carmine, we will be back in two hours.

So we walked through the park; my mom held my hand, and my dad held my mom’s hand. The park was so cool. People on bikes; roller skates, playing ball. Laughing, smiling. We went to the row-boating spot and got a boat. I love to row, so I begged my dad, Please, please, so I got to row, and the cars were so long I had a hard time rowing, but I gave it my best. We went in a lot of circles. I had a lot of fun.

When we were done roller-skating, we went over to the merry-go-round. I thought it was great going around and around on them horses. Then we all took a nice walk through the park. Central Park made me feel like you where not in New York City. Beautiful trees, green grass, birds singing. When we came to the park exit, we blinked back to New York City, where cars were beeping and thousands of people were walking around.

We got to the car. Carmine was reading his paper. He looked at us with a big smile on his face. Had a good time, Big Man?

Yes, I did, Carmine.

That a boy, that’s the way to go.

Carmine opened the door, Mom got in, then Dad and I.

Home, Carmine.

You had a good time, Big Man?

Yes, sir.

How about you, young lady?

I did very much so.

When we got home, Carmine got out walked around the car and opened Mom’s door. Before Mom got out, Dad said, Mom, Big Man and I will be home in two hours.

Okay, my love.

Take us to the club.

On the way over, my dad seemed to have something on his mind. When we got there, Carmine pulled up, stopped the car, got out, walked around, and opened the door, and my dad got out, then I got out. There were about five or six men hanging out outside smoking and talking shit. We walked right by them. I could see my dad had a lot going on in that head of his, so I headed