Grandpa: I remember I took... I took Saranne out for the first time. And we’re walking on 86th and street and 26th ave, Bay 26th, and I said, “Okay... then I’ll see you.” And Sarann turns to me and says “Whatdyou mean you’re going to see me?” I say, “I’ll see you tonight.” “You’re going to see me tonight? How was I supposed to know?” “Whatdyou mean how was you supposed to know?” “You never told me!” “I never-- agh, that’s rediculous.” “You never told me!” --

Listener: -- The beginnings of a long distance relationship --

Grandpa: -- “Woooooah.” I said, “You kidding? You think I was gonna to go out with somebody other than you?” “Well how the heck am I...” And she cried, I was like...

Pause.

You don’t forget those things-- you know-- you just, you just-- don’t forget... I said, “I’ll do anything, I’m sorry-- I-- you know-- I...” And her parents were mad at me, cause I‘d been that way... and she suffered for it... You know, the idea that not...

Listener: You were the strong, silent type--

Grandpa: I was stupid.

Pause.

I dummied up when I should of... you, you know... I was so tipesh. You know. And I loved her so, I mean, her parents didn’t want me for shit. (laughs) And my father-- her father said, “They’ll take you out with the coals! They’ll throw you away! They will...”

He laughs. Pause.

They wanted some kid, Curt, he was in medical school. I... Gaga was always for Medical school, medical school! (laughs) It turned out to be total shit but thats beside the point. But... I... I... I couldn’t see anybody else but... but Saranne.

Pause.

So that-- that ended. And we... and that was the bronx. When we went to the bronx. And this gal came at me like, I don’t know. And... Sara goes like this, she says “You get away from her!” I said “Ahh, no, I know what I’m doing...” Boom! (miming a punch) She hits her with a shot! (laughs) God damn. She went ass over tea kettle! Ooohwaaaahoo! (laughs) I said, “Let’s go!” (laughing) Uuuh... I... I, my god... don’t mess with her. Right with a shot, right in the jaw. She went right... and of course she deserved it she was coming at her like this and she had some sort of, a... uh... like a cut, and she was... and, and I-- I was embarrassed by it, I--

Pause.

“I think you should, I think you should stop. I think thats enough. “Oh no no no.” I said, “I think thats enough.” “No” (he slams the table for another punch) And she went, “eeeeee”, up in the air! I saw her bloomers and everything fly! (laughs) We don’t talk about that no more... no more.

Pause.

I mean she wasn’t no pussy cat. And, and rightfully so. What do you do when someone’s coming, drunk like that and cookoo?

pause

Punch him! I knew from then on... (laughs) Don’t tread on me.

Pause.

You ask your, you ask your father... Saranne was tough. And she was tough on the boys too.

pause

She had a certain... she had them write a paragraph every... week.

Pause.

Goodnight. Happy new Year. Famous 2010. May you all have some joy and happiness and health. And nachus and the joy form our children... and... and...

Listener: Thank you. Goodnight.