Shh-It Its J.D.

Im gonna tell you a Thanksgiving story about J.D. Just about the coolest dude Ive ever known.

Back in my early twenties I got a job doing some freelance painting for a union shop in Port Newark. Paid better than bartending but you didnt see any drunk chicks until after your shift. The work was hard but the pay was decent and there really aint much more than that you can ask for when youre young. After a few months there was a debate whether I could be offered a union spot, a job. No suspense, I got the job... but there was serious discussion. You see getting a spot in 560 werent no easy task. The company has got to want to hire you, and so does the union. Lucky for me Im a charming son of a bitch. I was a white irish hardworking guy with probably no mob ties...the company's wet dream. I was a white trash irish hard drinkin n fightin guy with probable mob ties...fit right in at 560. Like I said I got the job.

Good times.

I made foreman within two years. Now see the problem was there wasnt a guy on the crew within fifteen years of me. This caused problems. Typical union seniority bs. I had to fight five guys and kick the shit out of three before the man stepped in.

J.D. said...

"Shh-it boys why you whoopin up on each other we's here to make money and I got mine on the Kid Shamrock"

People took notice, and noone bet against him.

J.D. was the most skilled and most senior guy in my local. Untouchable even from suits. Like I said just about the coolest dude Ive ever known. Old Brick City type of guy. He took me under his wing and brought me Black Tail magazine and a case of ginseng every week and wed drink Fo Oh's of Oh E after work shootin the shite.

He'd say...

"Shh-it Donk you gots to get with a sista, I nailed an irish girl once, you got to get with a sista"


Now this was back when carjacking was rampant in Newark NJ. J.D. loved his wife but he loved his Coup De Ville even more. He got jacked one night. Here he is a 60+ yr old guy against some punks...

"Shh-it try to take my Ca-dil-lac and Ill straight edge ya in the juuglar"

As he flipped a barbers blade with a quickness to demonstrate. They didnt get his Cad di lac.

Or one Thanksgiving when the company didnt give us turkeys (it was a twenty year tradition) over a labor dispute regarding a payout of overtime. J.D. walked in puched his time card and then realizing their was no bonus.

He uttered the now holiday classic....

"Shh-it...No turkey no motherfuckin workey"

...punched his time card out and left. They sent out for turkeys. He didnt come back. I sold mine for 10 bucks.