"The Brothers", Emil and Fred, born and raised in Baltic, had a set group of friends. Young men, friends from adolescence, all their relationships matured into a lifetime of friendship. Some were part of the group that formed the Mukluk Club, but the bond between these friends was solidified years earlier. It's funny how they talked about their earlier years, so nonchalant, at times it seemed as though it wouldn't have mattered if they were friends or not, but for those that knew them,the truth was evident. A funny bunch of friends from all walks of life, yet truly a brotherhood with connections. If favors were needed, markers were called in...a done deal. They'd laugh, joke and take great pride in stories, "hey Emil, tell about your tour of duty in North Africa during WWII, where you made big bucks!" They'd laugh as if it were a joke, but the bottom line....dead serious business. These gentlemen joked non-stop, told whopping big stories, made people laugh, but they ran a family business...a serious family business.
Pin-ball machines, juke boxes, slot machines, and yes, card games........stories unfolded, each time exactly as before, but if you listened, the real stories emerged. One learned, NEVER ask questions....just listen. Much the same applied when "the brothers" decided to sell Fred's News. No questions asked......except for one, "did we want to buy the place?" Yes, it would not be offered more than once, there would be no further discussions. Emil told us in later years, "he had chosen wisely." We would of liked to ask the meaning of the statement, but no questions were asked....it was a given, he meant it as a compliment. Emil visited often, had favorite meals, enjoyed sitting with his cronies, talking about the shape of the world, laughing at memories, soaking up the ambiance. As each friend passed, the remaining would have an iced tea in memory of the dearly departed, returning to the conversation at hand, as though nothing had changed. If there was any sorrow or a time of mourning, it was done privately. I often wondered if private meetings were arranged for just such a reason, but the law ......don't ask. Occasionally bits and pieces would emerge. As old Fred passed away unexpectedly, friends filled Fred's News, stories, all comical, filled the place. People laughed, reminised, wondered....secretly, those out of the inner circle asked questions amongst themselves. none of which were ever answered, at least not by us. Fred's lifelong partner, Barbara visited late one afternoon. As we readied the little place for closing, she confided, "I miss him so much, he was the love of my life. Yes, I will never have to worry, he promised he'd take care of me, he has. But I am so pissed off at that old bastard for leaving me way too soon........." with that a single tear trickled down her cheek. Enough said....life continues.
Pin-ball machines, juke boxes, slot machines, and yes, card games........stories unfolded, each time exactly as before, but if you listened, the real stories emerged. One learned, NEVER ask questions....just listen. Much the same applied when "the brothers" decided to sell Fred's News. No questions asked......except for one, "did we want to buy the place?" Yes, it would not be offered more than once, there would be no further discussions. Emil told us in later years, "he had chosen wisely." We would of liked to ask the meaning of the statement, but no questions were asked....it was a given, he meant it as a compliment. Emil visited often, had favorite meals, enjoyed sitting with his cronies, talking about the shape of the world, laughing at memories, soaking up the ambiance. As each friend passed, the remaining would have an iced tea in memory of the dearly departed, returning to the conversation at hand, as though nothing had changed. If there was any sorrow or a time of mourning, it was done privately. I often wondered if private meetings were arranged for just such a reason, but the law ......don't ask. Occasionally bits and pieces would emerge. As old Fred passed away unexpectedly, friends filled Fred's News, stories, all comical, filled the place. People laughed, reminised, wondered....secretly, those out of the inner circle asked questions amongst themselves. none of which were ever answered, at least not by us. Fred's lifelong partner, Barbara visited late one afternoon. As we readied the little place for closing, she confided, "I miss him so much, he was the love of my life. Yes, I will never have to worry, he promised he'd take care of me, he has. But I am so pissed off at that old bastard for leaving me way too soon........." with that a single tear trickled down her cheek. Enough said....life continues.
I felt the warmth of the brothers as I was growing up in town. My father told me once that during the war he needed a set of tires for his car. Something that was nearly impossible to get during that time. Fred came through with a set for him. I don't know why he took care of my father at the time except that my father lost his father at the age of 16 and maybe Fred felt he could do something to help him out. Anyway my father's nickname was Cass because he liked Hopalong Cassidy movies so much. Fred and Emil never learned my brothers and sisters names, they called each and every one of us "Cass".
ReplyDeleteThat is a great memory. So tru though, if they remembered one family name, it was given to everhybody!
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