The newspaper prints the wrong phone number for ticket sales and advertises a comedian who isn't on the show. Some poor woman is harassed over a Jewish comedy show because her home number was printed...in the newspaper! We need one more enemy? Oy!
I was pleasantly surprised by old friends from Paterson, NJ. My producer makes a joke about one of my friends wearing a crucifix not knowing this guy just got "out" and has no problem going back "in!" ... and I'm not talking about the closet!
My former tap dancing partner, Marlee from the "Carousel Dancers" came with her husband, Bob... it was a beautiful night!
Our plans for dinner got turned around due to traffic, and one of the couples decides to return to their hotel.
Now Biscayne boulevard is one of the busiest highways I've ever seen... besides the 405 in LA. There I am with Ritchie and Marie, talking about G-d and how despite our differences in faith, surviving the streets of Paterson has made us stronger in our beliefs. My friend is counseling teen addicts, finding them half-way houses. So it was a wonderful discussion of mitzvahs!
And then the music dies.
A kid is running in the middle of the highway!
When he reaches the side of the highway we pull over... and the traffic jam begins: brakes screeching, horns blowing and my friends and I are determined to catch this kid!
Completely stunned when we pull over, I reach out of the passenger side window, grabbing his shirt firmly and calmly asking: "What's your name?" "Dylan!" he replies. and starts repeating "Barn! Barn!"
I'm looking into the face of a golden haired, angel who looks like he is about 9 years old. He's beautiful! He is seemingly autistic, or on the spectrum, and he's oblivious to the danger. I'm afraid he's going to make another run for the highway!
I stall him by letting him hold pictures of my girls, Aviva and Tovah in his little hand. He becomes fixated on saying: "Aviva!" "Aviva!" (Much like I do when I'm shopping!)
My friends frantically call 911 while I talk to him, stroking his curly locks, staying in the car. I'm afraid I'll scare him if I make a move.
The Florida police move in, and the highway is closed! the police officer asks me to escort him to the police car so as not to intimidate him. Showing him the pretty lights of the car, I assure him he's really cool going for a ride in the police car!
"Barn!" he repeats while taking my face with both hands... he kisses me on the lips through the window.
I trade my daughters pictures with a magnet of my picture...(I'm still a self promoter!) And as I hand the officer my card, she promises to contact me to let me know the outcome. (To date: I've heard nothing.)
Baruch Hashem! for Paterson's own Ritchie and Marie Crabtree for supporting the "Raging Jews of Comedy" only to save a kid in raging traffic!
My life is not always a comedy but there's never a dull moment! ! Telling it like it is and like it was...thanks for tuning into VJ!
