April 1 2024

Today is a good day to go out early in the morning and forget your cell phone on the kitchen table.  You can decide to leave the car behind and walk if you want to become like a ghost and have nobody know where you are. April 1 is a tricky morning, I am thinking about Tony this morning.

 Antonini and Sons were operating out of the building located on the southwest corner of Rose Street and 8th Avenue at the time.  I was working on a set of drawings in the estimate room adjacent to Tony's office when the phone rang. I heard the customary "Good morning, Antonini and Sons". There was a moment of silence then Tony apologized for not being able to understand. Another moment of silence and again an apology. Quite often the only time Tony couldn't understand something, especially at work, was shortly before he was to have a diabetic event. I walked into his office and his hand went up to stop me from even asking. He put the phone on speaker and I understood his confusion. The voice on the other line was speaking fluent Italian, the only words we could understand through the thick accent were "abigga Lou". Tony figured he was asking to speak to dad and tried to explain dad was retired and didn't come to the shop often. It didn't work. There was more Italian and another "abigga Lou". Once more Tony tried to explain but once again it didn't work. The Italian seemed a little agitated when he spoke again and likewise did Tony when he tried to explain again. Once more the Italian tried to get his words understood but there was a bit of levity in the voice this time. Tony and I both realized it at the same time. Tony started to respond with a good tongue lashing but I don't think Marty heard it through his laughter. I didn't feel so bad about feeling fooled because he had got Tony. Tony didn't need April first to tell one of his stories. He's in my thoughts often.

Loved