vintage memories
A father instills confidence in his young son Right One
Turn
A By Quinn White
stories,” Al Jr. said. “I would come up with the most entertaining and outlandish stories that I could. They knew that they weren’t completely true, but they didn’t call me out because they enjoyed them. It was something that I discov- ered I was good at from an early age.” This passed-down talent has become instru- mental in Al Jr.’s 40-year-long teaching career. He supplements the themes of classic literature with his own stories, drawing kids into discus- sion and creating an open, inviting environment. This talent, along with a self-assured attitude courtesy of his dad, is also why Al began to write at an early age, sharing his writing through his published poetry and poetry readings. Every accomplishment of which Al Jr. can boast, every explanation of who he is, seems to go back to some remembrance or commemo- ration of this one man—his father, who was the best example of the teacher and man that he strives to be.
was there waiting for me on the porch. I was so proud that I had made it there by myself, and I have never forgotten that trip.” This was an experience that stayed with Al for a long time because it instilled in him a pro- found confidence and sense of independence. It wasn’t until much later, when he was an adult with his own kids, that his dad told him he did not travel there alone on that day—that, in fact, Al Sr. had followed his path the next block over and waited at each intersection to see Al Jr. pass by, ensuring he got there safely. Al Ortolani Sr. is a sort of legend, not only in the eyes of his son, but to anyone who is connected to his hometown, Pittsburg, KS. Al Sr. was the first baseball coach at Pittsburg State University, and the baseball diamond is now named in his memory. He also served as a physi- cal trainer and a teacher at PSU, working with students his whole adult life. It was in the locker rooms at PSU that Al Jr. learned what made his dad so magnetic; it was here that he experienced the tall tales and humor of this bigger-than-life figure, where he saw him use this skill to connect with and extend a welcome to his students. His magnetismwas immediately admired by Al Jr., and he learned quickly how to emulate his talent. “After trying out my own storytelling skills, my friends would start asking me to tell
l Ortolani Jr. learned a lot from his dad and he was always there for him, whether he knew it or not. In the mid-1950s, at the age of
four, Al Jr. decided he was old enough to walk to his grandma’s house on his own—a mile and half away from his house. He approached his dad about it, ready to lay out his case with complete confidence. His dad paused a moment and asked, “Well, do you know how to get there?” Setting aside his arguments for a moment, he gave his dad the correct directions that consisted of one right turn. Satisfied, he called Al Jr.’s grandma to tell her to expect him, and set him on his way. Al Jr. couldn’t believe the ease with which he was given this permission. He began his journey with confidence, but with the one right turn that put his house out of sight, he started to become a bit uneasy. During one part of the trip, he passed some people that seemed scary to him, and he had to talk himself into continu- ing, remembering the confidence of his dad that he could in fact do this. “I remember just telling myself to keep walk- ing,” Al Jr. said. “I pretended to whistle because I thought that whistling would make me seem like I wasn’t worried. Soon enough, I saw my grandmother’s house on the corner, and she
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Quinn is a writer, knitter, teacher and soon-to-be mom living in Shawnee, KS. She believes the hearing and sharing of stories and life lessons can be consoling, gal- vanizing and transformative.
VintageKC / Winter 2014 46
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