Monday, February 18, 2008

Fantasy Camp

Jon from Highbridge is the only one with the day off. The rest of the guys gathered around Juan Carlos’s coffee cart look across their steaming cups as he lays out his plans.

“I’ve got a fresh cigar and a newspaper,” Jon says. “I’m gonna find a dry spot in the park and relax. Maybe I’ll play some dominos if the old guys get a game going.”

“Why are you out so early if you don’t have to work?” someone asks.

“I don’t want to waste the day,” Jon says. “I’ve also got big lunch plans later. That guy Lenny who lives on Ogden Avenue is friends with one of the bartenders at Mickey Mantle’s place. We’re gonna grab a sandwich and a beer at the bar just like Mickey and Billy and Whitey used to do.”

“But those guys where usually grabbing breakfast at lunchtime,” someone says.

“We ain’t those guys,” Jon admits. “We’re just gonna make believe.”

“So it’s kinda like a Yankee Fantasy Camp for guys who can sit at a bar?” someone shoots.

“That’s right,” Jon fires back. “Aren’t you late for work?”

2 comments:

Henry said...

I have not been to Mantle’s in years, but it is worth the trip just for the photos on the walls.

JoeyBoy said...

I could probably handle that Fantasy Camp.