Manny's first day

I'll never forget the day my father dropped me and my brothers off at St. Basil's Academy in September of 1984. I was only eight years old, but I don't remember ever crying harder than I did that day in Ms. Electra's office. Ms. Electra was in charge of student life at the academy. She seemed scary and mean, at least that's what my first impression of her was that first day.

Almost immediately after my father headed back to the city, Ms. Electra drove me to "Boys Dorm Number 1," where Mr. Thanasi (that's how you say Tom in Greek) was the dorm supervisor. I remember hearing the screams and chaos when I walked into the 14 room, single floor, motel-like building. Boys, some my age, some a little younger than I, were running crazy through the halls. I stood at the end of the hallway, with Mr. Thanasi's hand on my shoulder, teary eyed, and scared for my well being. What could a young boy make of all this? I was used to being in a small apartment, around just my two brothers, and a few of my cousins. There were about 40 irately energetic boys in this building, all starving for attention.

My new supervisor walked me to my room, where a boy in his Fruit-of-the-loom underwear was jumping on his bed, screaming gibberish repeatedly. It reminded me of something you'd hear on the Pee-Wee Herman show. He was jumping on one of the four beds in the room, one in each corner. I was escorted to my corner, given bed sheets, a blanket and a pillow. Then, I was told, in Greek: "O.k., 9 O' Clock is lights out, be sure you're showered, and ready for bed by 8:30 p.m. O.K.?"

I sat on the bed stunned and crying, when the boy, 6-year-old Sam Tzourellas, stopped screaming and jumping and walked over to me. He was blond, with light brown eyes and skinny as a rail. He said: "Hey, my name is Sam, do you want to be my best friend?" I wiped the tears from my eyes and said: "O.K.," then laid down on the bed and cried some more. The rest of the night is a blur. However, even after 26 years, Sam remains my best friend. He's also the best friend anyone could ever ask for.