Throwback Thursday - The Notebooks

I couldn't resist.
Image courtesy of Looneytunescap.blogspot.com

To clear up some confusion, the Notebook passages posted on Throwback Thursday were written by my father and found by me after he passsed away. They were his attempt to tell the family history. He was in his late 80s or early 90s when he wrote them. Today's chapter:

In fact, my mother had a wonderful voice, Olga did and I refused to train when Uncle Vincent heard me and wanted to give me a scholarship. I refused it. No smoking, no drinking, no women. Nix on that. The first two didn't bother me. I didn't do that at 14 years old. I do not have any regrets except that Uncle Vincent handed me a career. His brother-in-law, Aunt Amelia's brother, Ernesto, was an executive with the Opera Company of New York. He was in charge of the libros, the sets, the employees, hired extras, costumes.

When ever the company went on the road, he took a staff with him and what ever was needed for each opera.

When it [ed: the opera] came to Boston, my father, Uncle Vincent, and Uncle Mike were in their glory. They would go to the opera back stage except Uncle Vincent. He was an extra. He was interested in the small $2 payment. He enjoyed being on stage. Ned [ed: one of Dad's cousins] called Uncle Vincent "The Spear Bearer."

Aunt Amelia also was interested in her niece. She told me how beautiful she was and was going to have her come to Boston to visit.

She did invite her. I was out at the time she visited with the aunt. When I got home I saw this girl standing and she was what the aunt said: a lovely, well dressed girl. I saw her looking at the Aunt and I turned my head to look. The Aunt had signaled she as shaking her head. Do you like him or some thing like that? I turned my head back to the girl in time to  see her nod yes. That got me. I felt like I was being set up. Had they minded their business I might have stayed and even invited her for a walk. But I was not prepared. I couldn't even take her out for a cone of ice cream. Anway I said I had to go out again and left. That was that a million dollars out the window. Then I would not have  you, The Brother, etc. It would have been an entirely different life. The performing arts sector is rather sex free. It was the same then as it is today. One scandal after another just like politics. No thanks.