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| REVIEW STORE: Did you enjoy Captain Apple Jack's short story? Please tell him so. We know he will appreciate your feedback. CLICK HERE to write a review of "The Tomato Garden". NEW REVIEWS: What a clown you are. I give you this popular venue to post a serious piece and you're just joking around. Actually, you had me hooked from the beginning. A cleaver, if frivolous, piece of writing. That whole schtick about Hoboken, the waterfront and an Italian dock fighter . . . come on. ****__Cash. If nothing else, this short story was a pleasure to read because it was short. Obviously a striking departure from the Captain's "First Kiss" it was still fun to read, and I really enjoyed the punch line. I like all of your work, Captain Apple Jack. ****__Su Chang. A quick and pleasant read. Demonstrating a broad and versatile range in writing and character development. Somehow I found myself captivated by the very nerve of it all. Nice surprise, Captain. ****__Barbara A. Sabo. This is so Italian. Capisce? And for that very reason an enchanting read. Reminiscent of long black limos with tented glass, short stocky Italian mothers who can cook better than they can make love, and undeniable fidelity to the family. I liked it even though it was written at the hand of an unenlightened Englishman. ****__Anthony M. Gullatta. The story unfolds as a sad but moving piece about an old man living on his own, wishing to once again plant a tomato garden, but alas, the ground is still frozen hard. But in a humorous turn of events, his son comes to his rescue and grants his wish. Great story.*****__Melissa R. Mendelson. |
An Old Italian lived alone in Hoboken, New Jersey. Away from the waterfront and the sweaty dock workers. He had found a small apartment in a U.S. Government rent-controlled building that he could afford on his longshoreman's pension with the extra attraction of private garden plots in the rear of the building for all residents. So, today he wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as it was only late March and the ground was still hard in Hoboken. His only son Vincent used to help him, but Vincent had gotten into some really bad trouble on the waterfront using his fists as tools of persuasion whenever someone older and wiser needed assistance in collecting a debt or receiving fair pay for a favor done. Vinny's pay was always good, and he always got the right result for his simple work. That is until the son of the Greek shipbuilder decided he could muscle his way into some of Vinny's trade. Telling Vincent's best clients he could perform the same persuasive tasks faster and for less pay. It wasn't a personal thing, he had explained to Vinny. Just business. And that's when Vincent went to prison. The son of the Greek shipbuilder had died in shame. Agony too, after Vincent had humiliated him, breaking his face, popping his eyes and crushing his lungs with his large powerful fists. Then laughing and punishing him more. Finally punching him over the ropes into the black waters of Hudson Bay. The peaceful Jersey dockworkers looking on in disbelief as Vincent's longshoremen brothers made ready to resist any sign of weak intervention. Unfortunately for Vinny, the FBI represented a lot more than just a weak intervention. So now, the old Italian had to write a letter to his son describing his predicament: Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. Love, Papa A few days later the Old Italian received a letter from his son: Dear Pop, Don't dig up our plot for your garden. That's where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinny At 4:00 am the next morning, twenty FBI agents and a few local Hoboken police arrived at the apartments and dug up the entire area assigned to the old Italian's family without finding any bodies. Very disappointed, they apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son. Dear Pop, You can go ahead and plant your tomatoes now . . . That's the best I could do under the circumstance s. Love you, Vinny ©2009 John Apple Bowman III [All Rights Reserved] |
| “The Tomato Garden” By John Apple Bowman, III Sunday, March 10, 2009 Rated "G" by the Author. More than one way to skin a federal cat. |
