“Cousins”
Our then neighborhood is what movies are made of and for. Yes, of characters, there were many. Some are gone, some remain in name forever more. The two you see in the photo are of me, and my cousin, Steven Martorano.
He is famous today, famous for paying attention as a kid. He used to hang out at my grandparents, always in the kitchen, watching, learning. He learned to prepare Italian food the old way, a way that is lost from the homes of today, and even from the old neighboorhood.
Well, I did’nt hang around the kitchen; no, I loved the backstreets. I used to make fun of the younger Steven, there in the kitchen of that old warm house on 6th street in South Philly. Yes, while I rose to be a criminal of sorts, Steven, kept stirring the red gravy, and became famous. Me, after decades caged, I long for that warm kitchen of great smells. I long to be by my cousins side, tasting his world famous meatballs.
He worked, and works long hours today in kitchen whites–I used to travel everywhere in dark suits. Today, Steven is dressed very well, I wear only prison-garb. My nights are all long and cold of memory, hard to remember the best of it. Steve’s nights are filled with family and famous people. Am I mad?? Hell no, I am thankful that Steven has gotten to the top. Steven is there for me as others. Here I try to teach others to think like Steven did years ago. To learn something, to work hard and stay out of trouble. Even while caged, make the change.
Yes, we took two different roads; one led to the grave, his led to the gravy. Want to learn more about Steven and his famous recipes go to….CAFE MARTORANO
