He noticed that he was treated differently in the neighborhood. Much differently. Whenever he passed some of the neighborhood bully’s, instead of harassing him, calling him a dirty Jew...., or you damm kike, or things like that, they avoided him as if they were frightened of his presence. Some even forced a smile at him as he passed. There was no doubt that the word got out. He was in now, and they had better keep their hands off, and their big........mouths shut, or else.

Danny didn’t know whether he should be elated or not. Sure it was great walking the streets, and not have someone telling him that he was responsible for killing our Lord, and receiving all sorts of threats. He felt safe now as he once was when he lived in Harlem, but he didn’t want people to be afraid of him just because he knew certain people. He wanted them to like him for himself, but he knew now that this could not be, and he had to accept this fact as it was. And so it was to be this way from now on.

All arrangements for his first day at City college were already made, and all he had to do was to show up on Monday morning, do the necessary registration, course assignments, books, and everything that was necessary. Sure he was nervous. It was normal to be nervous whenever one ventured out in the unknown, and surely this was an unknown. But he was more nervous as he thought what it would be when he once again met Mr. Capiloni. Yes Mr. Capiloni said to get settled in college and then they would meet and talk things over like what was to be expected of him, and things like that. Danny had an idea of what was to be expected of him, but no one would tell him. Even Louie and Tony wouldn’t. That privilege was reserved for Mr. Capiloni.

Like it or not, Danny certainly sensed the difference whenever he, Louie and Tony walked together on the street or stopped in to the candy store to get a black and white ice cream soda, with maybe some fig newton’s. Mr. O’Shaunnesy, the candy store owner sure treated Danny a lot different from the time he first moved into this neighborhood. He now let Danny leaf through the comic book magazines, without buying one. This was a big deal, as Mr. O’Shaunnesy only allowed a certain group this privilege.

It was still a bit early, and Danny was getting a little bored. Louie and Tony were on an assignment somewhere so they were not available. It seemed as if he was not with them, there was nothing to do. Danny was getting so dependent on them, but he knew that sooner or later, probably sooner, that he too, would be somewhere on assignment with them.

Danny didn’t feel like going to the airport today, and that was strange he thought, here I am with money burning a hole in my pocket, and I don’t want to go to the airport, I must have rocks in my head. But I’ve got to do something or I’ll go out of my mind.

Coney Island, true, he hadn’t been there in ages, and the reason for that is that he didn’t have any money to go there, but now! Sure, why not. He remembered the first time that he had gone to Coney Island, (the poor man’s beach and entertainment center of New York city,) His parents had taken him when he was just a tot. He remembered the old Steeplechase,



and Luna Park,


both of which were not there anymore. He remembered standing on the sidewalk watching the wooden horses coming down the hill on tracks with their human riders aboard, traveling a mile a minute. He remembered the side shows, the strongest man in the world, the half man half woman, the boy, who really was a fish because his skin appeared to be covered with fish scales, the bearded woman, whose beard was much fuller and more elegant than any man’s. There were many other oddities, too many to remember.

But best of all, he remembered the Cyclone and the Tornado and the largest ferris wheel in the world. Taking a ride on the Cyclone was like taking a ride in a dive bomber, and was not meant for the faint at heart.


He remembered the beach where space on the sand was a premium. One had to get there really early to stake their claim. Many a fight had started for sand rights.

This was the way it was and probably still is, when one considers that Coney Island is the only place in all of New York city where one could come to, via the subway, and see, feel and swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

So, why not go there today. It was still early and would only take him and hour or so to get there on the “D”, “E” or “F” train. He couldn’t remember which. It was one of them, but he would find out. He noticed an unusual crowd of people on the platform waiting for the trains. He wondered why. It was an off hour, people were still at work. There was no school as yet. So where were these people going? Most were young, around his age, he guessed.

He was fortunate to find a seat. The train was a slow one, stopping at every station to pick up and discharge passengers. It was getting very crowded, but he knew that once the train left Queens and entered Manhattan, it would turn into a express train. But so what, he had to change at Times square and take the Coney Island Express. Passengers were standing holding on to the handles and bars so they wouldn’t fall when the train started and stopped. He felt funny that he was comfortably seated, while many people were standing. He then noticed a girl, pretty, as far as he could tell, and about the same age as he, standing, just a few paces from him. Her arm was stretched high above her head, barely reaching the handle above her. she seemed to be straining just trying to reach the handle. “Miss,” Danny called above the roar of the train and the noise of the wheels clattering on the tracks. Miraculously, she heard him, and looked at him, but said nothing, apparently, she wasn’t sure whether he was speaking to her or not. “Miss,” Danny repeated, “would you like to sit down?” She nodded, and slowly inched her way to where Danny was sitting. As Danny relinquished his seat, he grabbed hold of one of the handles above just in time to save himself from falling. As he looked down at her, she returned his gaze, smiled at him and uttered a “Thank You.”

Finally arriving at Coney Island, he understood now why the trains were unusually crowded. It appeared as if every teenager in New York was going to Coney Island for a last minute look or to remember what things were like before the oft dreaded school days began. A celebration perhaps? Maybe? The train station and surroundings were not too familiar to Danny. This was not the way he remembered it to be. They must have rebuilt it he thought, since he was here last.

Walking amid the crowds down the stairway leading to the street, he noticed the girl whom he gave his seat to, walking beside him. A purposeful chance meeting. A coincidence. Danny didn’t care. He was glad to see her. He had no experience with girls, even at the club. He didn’t dance. Didn’t participate in their games. He was just plain shy. He wondered what he would say if this girl spoke to him. Suddenly, “I want to thank you for giving me your seat. It was difficult for me standing like that, and I thought I would fall at any minute.” Her smile was contagious as Danny returned her smile, and it seemed perfectly natural when he said, “You’re welcome. I was glad that I was able to do it, and I’m sorry that I didn’t let you sit down sooner.” “It was soon enough,” she replied. “By the way my name is Anne, What’s yours?” Danny didn’t feel shy with this girl as he easily answered. “Danny, my name is Danny. I’m glad to meet you Anne, are you here for a last minute fling as I am, and most of those here seem to be? “Yes I guess so.” replied Anne, “it may be a long time before I’ll be able to do this again.” “ Me too,” said Danny, with unusual and surprising confidence. “ Are you going to take in some of the rides or just walk around?” “ I don’t know” said Anne, if you have no other plans, would you like to just walk around together and maybe decide on something?” “Sure” said Danny, enthusiastically. “I’d like that,” “So let’s go.”

What’s with me, Danny thought? Here I give a girl a seat on the train. see her again on the stairs leading to the street below, and now we have some sort of a date together. Louie and Tony would never believe me. Maybe I won’t tell them.

Entrance of "Coney Island"!


~ To Be Continued ~

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