Mary Alice Watson:
In a manner of speaking, Mary was the catalyst that created Rudy.
But we are getting ahead of ourselves here! Let’s step back and get some background before we jump into it. Here is the boring stuff:
Rudy Vallentine is an alternate persona; born in Spanish Harlem NY (. The neighborhood boundaries are Harlem River to the north, the East River to the east, East 96th Street to the south), in the early spring of 1947.His mother, Luz Dorcas Sanchez de Santana a practical nurse by trade followed her elder sisters Rosa, Clotilde (Flo), Sara, and her younger sister Rosita. His father, Leóncio Sanchez Soto, a day laborer in the sugar cane fields of Puerto Rico, did not arrive until mid-summer of 1947. The tenements of Spanish Harlem were not a very safe place. León almost perished before his second year from an attack, in his crib, by a rat reportedly as big as a cat.
Three years later, also in March, the family welcomed a baby girl. Edda Luz.
Four years later, in September, they welcomed twin girls, Arleen and Aileen,
It wasn’t easy making ends meet between 1954 and 1956. Finally, the family accepted a suggestion from Dolly’s (nickname for Dorcas) brother Daniel Santana to join him in Lansing Michigan. He reasoned that his sister could easily find work as a nurse, now an LPN, and his brother-in-law could surely find work in the thriving auto industry.
From the time that he could speak and interact with others, he would tell everyone his name was León because he had no patience for people mispronouncing or misspelling his full name (Leóncio). His Latino relatives thought that was so cute since León is Spanish for lion. They laughed and insisted on addressing him as Junior since he shared his father’s name.
This went on thru his formative school years (told you, boring stuff). León was far too timid in school to approach girls as he was always sure he would be rejected. As a form of compensation, he became the stand-out clown of any group he interacted with.
Uncle Dan led what would later be an Exodus of the Santana family to Lansing, Michigan. Unfortunately, after trying for a year, the family decided they had had enough of Michigan and they returned to New York where they stayed with Leo’s younger brother Agripino, in the Bronx. Had this turned out differently, these chronicles may never have occurred. They were to stay in the Bronx until they finally moved into a “cold flat” on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
León went ahead to make his way thru the public school system in Brooklyn
Almost from day one, he was infatuated with a girl named Mona, who lived in the next building over. Although there seemed to be a connection there, León could never get up the nerve to make a real connection.
In September of 1959, León was enrolled in Walt Whitman Junior High school. True to form, he developed a crush on fellow classmate Cecelia Engle and was unable to get to first base. Not even in the ballpark!
It was becoming clear to León that he was in serious need of a makeover.
Entr’acte The summer of 1962 which León spent with his cousins, Eliezer, John, and Hector in Lansing Michigan. They spent the summer going to the drive-in, local dances and cruising the streets of Lansing (a 60’s phenomenon that would be prohibitive at today’s gas prices), oddly enough, cruising was a way to meet members of the opposite sex. (Peter, Paul & Mary did a great skit on this ritual in their Live album track for “Paultalk” from “Peter, Paul and <Mary In Concert” Peter Paul & Mary – Paultalk – YouTube ).
But I digress!
The guys introduced him to a girl named June with whom the brothers often chatted on the phone. She had a sultry sexy voice and was fun to talk to. The personality on the phone was quite different in person.
Well to make a long story short, June suggested we come over to her place to help entertain her cousin, who was currently In Lansing for a short visit.
The cousins just could not resist this golden opportunity to prank León by setting him up on a date with the cousin. June’s cousin sounded just like her on the phone. Mind you, León had never met her in person. He was not aware of her rather stout appearance. On the other hand. The boys had never met June’s cousin.
By and by they all arrived for the appointed visit; causing surprises all around. surprise, the cousin looked just as great as she sounded on the phone. The great prank had backfired. June, who was privy to the prank, had held back vital information. In short, she had caused the prank to misfire.
One day, later on, they went out to help a friend of theirs, name of Mr. Watson. While there, León was introduced to his daughter, Mary Alice. From the time their eyes met, simpering puppy love was born. They spent as much time together as they could.
All too soon it was time for León to return home to Brooklyn
Upon his return home, he began to Pine for his puppy love and the period of separation became an insurmountable problem for them. (After all. this was long before cell phones and the long-distance charges were astronomical).
By May of 1963, the pressures resulted in the creation of the Rudy Vallentine personae.
While something of a dick, he had the will to make decisions and get results that León never could.
The name Rudy was chosen because of the perceived romantic personality of Rudolph Valentino. However, Vallentine was chosen because his cousin had chosen to call himself Johnny Vallentine.
Rudy’s first order of business was to arrange to leave home for Lansing. He disguised himself by dying his hair red,
He then drained his bank account and left for the Greyhound bus terminal in Manhattan. There he bought a ticket to Lansing.
Upon arriving at Mary’s home, Rudy discovered he had fooled no one back home. He was informed that both his aunt Sara and the Lansing Police Department were looking for him.
What was he to do? Rudy did the only thing his budding personality would allow him to do. He called the Lansing police and belligerently told them “I heard you were looking for me! So here I am!”
Within 24 hours of his arrival, he was back at the home of his aunt Sara and his cousins… Not bad, he thought, I got just what I wanted.
His cousin, Yolanda, Sara’s eldest happened to run a beauty parlor in her home. Yola, as everyone called her thought Rudy’s dye job was hilarious. She insisted on restoring his hair back to its natural color.
For the next month or so, Rudy attended Eastern High School during the day. After school, he and Mary enjoyed each other’s company. They went to the Drive-In theatre when they could get a ride to the roller skating rink, which was literally down the street from Aunt Sara’s home, and the local dances at the rec hall.
But as Rudy became more socially popular, he began to hear suggestions, mostly from the girls that frequented the same venues as they did. That he could do much better than Mary Watson.
To be continued….
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This is a total rewrite of the first chapter of the Chezzy Chronicles Originally published on February 8, 2011, 10 years and one week ago. Partially reconstructed from snippets found on my web backup,
Feedback is appreciated, Enjoy and stay tuned for further chapters.
PS 1/15/2021 After a long and informative critique session with my little sister Arleen, we came to the consensus that the chronicles needed a homier flavor. I first wrote these missives trying to “protect the innocent”.
With that said, names have been named and tales are being told.