Lesson 2 The Neighborhood Monster

Jason Lowbridge

Professor Jerome M. McKeever

English 1010

28 September 2012

Word Count 537

 

            It was 6 a.m. and still no paper. He liked to read the sports section by 6 a.m. He figured the local newspaper must have hired yet another paperboy. Mr. Diflorio got out of his dilapidated lawn chair with vigor and impatience. The chair was haggard and the once vibrant colors and patterns had faded. They seemed to match Mr. Diflorio, who was now anxiously waiting for his paper. His mangled fingers rolled up into a fist as he shuffled back and forth on his porch. “Where the hell is my paper? Damn those kids, they are so irresponsible.” He promised himself that this young man was going to get an earful. He knew the local kids referred to him as the neighborhood monster, but he just did not care.

            Sure enough, Mr. Diflorio was right, here came the new kid. In a voice that would have made Clint Eastwood proud, came a deep groveling drawl. “Boy you’re late! This might as well been yesterday’s paper!” Don’t they teach you how to tell time in school, dumb ass? You better not have taken my sports section.” Before the boy had time to react or respond, Mr. Diflorio had snatched the paper from the paperboy’s quivering hand.

            It was 5:45 a.m. the next day, and Mr. Diflorio had his jaw locked and was mumbling to himself. He knew his paper would not be on time. He was preparing himself for a letdown. Just a speed bump of letdowns in a life that went wrong long ago. It may have sounded silly to some, but that newspaper was all he had to look forward to each and every day. Then, much to his surprise, here came the young paperboy. “Well look at that, he’s early” Mr. Diflorio stated in amazement. What happened next, Mr. Diflorio was ill prepared for. Not only did the paper arrive early, but the young man brought him his Sports Illustrated. Apparently he remembered the reference to the sports section. He was surprised and stunned by the young boy’s gesture.

            The next day, Mr. Diflorio was waiting anxiously for the paper and the boy. He was skeptical that the boy would be on time. He doubted that the good will gesture would last. He prepared himself for disappointment. Again, at 5:45 a.m. the boy came bouncing up the driveway. Mr. Diflorio was confused. His head was ready to process the old lingering anger caused by previous paperboys, but his heart came into the equation. There was something about this boy that Mr. Diflorio really liked. As the boy marched up the steps, paper in hand, he said “Mr. Diflorio, here is your paper. My Grandfather said you were one heck of a player for the Colts. He said you won championships and you were tough as nails.”

            As the days grew into weeks and weeks grew into months, the legend of Mr. Diflorio as the neighborhood monster faded. Mr. Diflorio genuinely liked the young boy and their relationship turned to friendship. They shared many stories about football and family, life lessons and experiences. Mr. Diflorio’s heart and attitude seemed to soften.