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Hoboken,
you have to be jokin.
The only thing Hoboken
had going for it was 'Ol Blue Eyes' (Frank Sinatra) claimed it as his
hometown and Leo's Grandeveous Restaurant had the best Zuppa di Vongole
(clam soup). Leo's was a comfortable Italian Restaurant with a picture
of Ol Blue Eyes looking down on the tables as you dined, his music playing
almost non stop and a huge bar that took up half of the Restaurant.
I was hunkered down
looking at a Cable TV System for my boss. Before we purchased a system
we had to break it apart piece by piece to see what we were buying,
so I was
in for a long stay in 'boken. I became a regular at Leo's and had Zuppa
di Vongole almost everyday and had the same table and same waitress,
Nikolina. She had cole black hair that laid in ringlets and fell down
to her shoulders. She had golden silky skin and eyes that could swallow
you whole and then spit you out in little pieces. She was friendly,
but distant and one day I asked her why the distance thing? She said"
almost every guy that comes through the door acts macho and starts hitting
on me. I feel like USDA Prime. I don't think it's because I'm beautiful,
they just want another trophy for bragging rights. She added, I've got
nothing in common with them. I don't like to hunt, fish, drink all night,
spit, fight or tell dirty jokes." I listened intently and said
I'm sorry you're treated that way.....Several weeks later we were talking
and I said I wish I had the recipe for your Zuppa di Vongole. Why? she
asked. Because I like to cook and I've got a lot of extra time on my
hands because there doesn't seem to be much to do in Hoboken. You cook?
she asked. " How unusual. Well Tommy B. I can give you the recipe,
because I make it for Leo's to pick up some extra money besides waitressing."
Nikolina, you seem
to have many different tastes. Do you like Theatre or Concerts? I asked.
I love them she said. Why? Well I said " Fiddler on the roof is
playing at the Broadway in New York City this weekend. Join me?
We had a wonderful
night in the City. Great Play, wonderful dinner, beautiful company and
the next day was Sunday. I talked Nicolina into staying over and showing
me how to cook the Zuppa di Vongole. We had brunch then took a ride
to the country as Paul Anka sang You are my destiny on the car radio
and finally ended the day walking along the shore. Nikolina was exhilerating
and we shared many magic moments together.
Partire 'e Nikolina
un po' morire (leaving Nikolina was a bit like dying)
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