Electronic Kill Machine

Slackers

Marina Calabro

Anthony Calabro's great aunt had recently retired from hairdressing. She was a sharp woman, not some docile old lady. Marina cooked dinner and washed clothes and watched television and made Anthony and his two friends' beds everyday.

For some reason, Marina had never married. She had no children—which is probably one of the reasons why she took Anthony into her home—along with his two friends—and treated him as her own.

CBS's 48 Hours

Anthony's aunt, Donna Strassel, told CBS's 48 Hours when she was on the show last fall: "The truth is, I thought it was the best thing for him [Anthony]. To be with aunt Marina. Because Aunt Marina had morals, rules."

Many claimed that Anthony, as time went on, didn't.

The entire family, for that matter, believed it was a good idea. Marina's wholesome values and good living might rub off on Anthony. He might just grow out of whatever rebellious stage he was going through and actually make something of himself someday.

But when Marina was away, her house was party central—with Ant and Lally and Weir as the emcees.

Slackers. All of them. Pot-smoking, alcohol-drinking kids who thought they had all the answers.

They played video games. Watched television. Ate McDonalds. Hung out at the local mall.

Hardly what kids heading into adulthood should be doing.

But Marina put up with it. She might have expressed her feelings from time to time. But she allowed it in her household.