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B represents
my Aunt Betty,
my Mother's
younger sister:
Daddy was the custom tailor
favored by
For five years,
Lucchese was voted
"Best-Dressed Mafia Family"
Tommy Gags
(their leader)
sent three of his
favorite US Senators
to our house
in Rogers Place
to be fitted
by Daddy
Distinguished
elected officials
visiting
was a big event
They would need
to be entertained
by the daughters
of the man
who would design
their wardrobe
Jean recited the
Declaration of Independence
from memory
I had a long conversation
with my parakeet
about Babe Ruth
I was eight years old
Jean was thirteen
But the highlight
was GRACE
Your mother
danced in a silk gown
to exotic music
...
The ten year-old
all around the living room
all around the house
...
sitting on the laps
of the senators
And that was when Minnie
announced
dinner was ready
Our Mother
served her home-made
lasagna
***
***
We learned years later
that the funding for
was approved
shortly after
those three senators
were enthralled
by the girl
in the silk gown
***
***
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