by Ben Rayman

Created on: February 10, 2010

My Fearless Bro-by-law

The first time I met the eldest, Roody, his omniscient talents intrigued me. Although, he has spent most of his bread-and-butter career in the communication industry, New Jersey Bell, I do believe he missed his calling as an entertainer. Whether it be tinkling the ivories, slinging drinks, creating his voluminous gourmet cuisine, ‘The Roody Burger’ on the outdoor grille, or serving not only as the tour guide, but also the chauffeur when we all piled into his ‘New York City limo’ - the bottom line is that I never left his domain with wishful recollections.

For those who do not know what a ‘New York City limo’ is, I will invent the visual by depicting in terms of era and geography. It is one of those classic luxury liners that come out of the 1950s. You can sit behind the wheel and almost need binoculars to gauge the distance between the car in front of you! Come to think of it, I believe I can recall seeing Roody’s car in a re-run of an A-Team episode. I thought the vehicle was out of place, but then I later understood a German tank wasn’t at their disposable. I often wondered if those Freedom Fighters were Roody’s idols because of their successful abilities to improvise; moreover, his addictive loyalty to the tube when Hannibal and his merry global wanderers are beckoned to serve those in need. Nevertheless, it all came clear to me later, “if you are going into the city, if it looks like a south end of a horse going north, stay away,” fervently emphasized Roody.

But sooner than I anticipated, we embarked upon the royal tour. As Roody’s right arm encircled my neck, he hurled, “It is time to introduce this Buckeye to the city that never sleeps!” And then he politely invited my mate, “it is time to board.” Finally, he appealed to his opposite, “Get the lead out-we are going slumming!”

From the Jersey side, we crossed over the George Washington Bridge. As we motored further inward on Bronx soil, my sister-by-law tossed out, in her signature style of recall tone, “Look Patty! Over there is the zoo. Remember when Mommy and Daddy use to take us there?” Rudy quipped, “Yeah Pat, that is where I met Barb!” Suddenly, I saw a flash of an arm and then Roody let out a chuckling groan. I must have been sporting a mischievous grin, as I turned to my wife, she said in her authoritarian way, “Don’t you start up!”

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