by Tony Farraj
The lack of respect Anthony showed Michael made him very angry. He grabbed the table and flipped it up side down. Glasses and dishes went flying across the café. Several customers stopped eating and focused their attention at the commotion Michael was making.
“Don’t fucken turn your back toward me, when I’m talking to you. That’s my sister! Now I’m going to tell you one more time; we need to talk.”
Frankie stood in front of Anthony and Michael. “Nothing to see here folks, just go about you business.”
“What the fuck is your problem?” Anthony asked under clinched teeth.
“You want to know what my problem is? It’s you, you’re fucken getting on my nerves! You walk around here like you’re in charge all of a sudden. So you and me are going outside and settling this thing once and for all.”
“Careful Michael, your father isn’t here to save you this time. I won’t hold back.” Anthony stood up and calmly wiped the breadcrumbs off his pants.
Carlo stepped out of his office and walked into the café. “You two need to step into my office, you’re scaring the crap out of my costumers.” He grabbed both guys by the arm and pushed them towards the kitchen.
“Helen, I’m so sorry about this.” Anthony said, as he helped one of the bus boys straighten the table Michael flipped over. “I need to go see what your brother wants. I’m really sorry.” Anthony threw the napkin on the table and marched his way to Carlo’s office. He swung the door open and stood inches away from Michael’s face. “If you ever embarrass me like that again, I will knock out your teeth, so help me god!”
“What the fuck? You listen up motherfucker, I know what you’re trying to do and as long as I’m alive, that will never happen.” Michael tried to step back.
“Michael, what the fuck is some matter with you?” Anthony stepped closer. He was close enough that the tip of his nose was touching Michael’s.
Michael made the mistake of reaching out and pushing Anthony back a step. Anthony grabbed Michael by his neck and slammed him against the metal door. He threw four or five hard punches into Michael’s mid-section and one hard uppercut under Michaels’ chin. As Michael went to the ground, Anthony began to kick him in the gut.
“That’s enough. I think you made your point.” Carlo pleaded. “Victor wouldn’t want you to do this to his son.” He wanted to come to Michael’s aide, but deep down he enjoyed watching Anthony beat the crap out of Michael. It was like watching two trained dogs, fighting to the death.
“Are you crazy, you could have killed him.” Chris ran to his friends’ aid and helped him into a chair. “Anthony, you need some serious help.” Chris continued.
“Whatta ya, his mother all of a sudden? If he takes a shit, do you wipe his ass?” Anthony walked behind Carlo’s desk and sat down.
Chris stood up and glared at Anthony. “Fuck you!” He screamed, as split flew from his mouth.
Anthony was confused. This was supposed to be one of his goombata’s. Chris was one of the guys that would lay down his own life, to save yours? Now it seemed that he was severing all affiliation with Anthony and siding with Michael.
Meanwhile, Frankie stood by the office door and watch as Anthony flung insults at Michael and Chris. He watched how Carlo did nothing to help Michael. He was amazed to see how Anthony controlled the room. But what surprised Frankie the most was when Anthony slipped behind Carlo’s desk and sat down. He knew that meant something powerful. No one ever sat in Carlo’s chair. He smiled and mumbled something under his breath, which Anthony took as an insult.
“You got something say?” Anthony turned and faced Frankie. He knew this could be trouble, but he had to let Frankie know he wasn’t intimidated. After all, any sign of weakness, shows fear and in this organization the smell of fear could get you sleeping with the fishes.
Frankie uncrossed his huge arms and walked over to where Anthony was sitting. “Don’t play the tough guy routine with me. I will kill you in front of Carlo.” Frankie unbuttoned his jacket and showed Anthony his gun. “Mr. Sabbetini, we came by to tell you about Sal.”
“What about Sal? Did you find him?” Carlo asked.
“Those two dicks came by the club and said they found Sal floating in the bayou.” Frankie continued.
“What?” Carlo acted surprised.
“Someone killed’em and I think I know who did it.” Michael straightened himself up and stared at Anthony.
“You think I had something to do with his death? Are you fucken stupid?” Anthony asked arrogantly.
“Where were you when it happened?” Michael asked.
“Whatta ya the fucken cops now?”
Michael could hear a slight adjustment in Anthony’s tone of voice. He thought he had Anthony up against the rope. “Just answer the question.”
“Fuck you, I don’t have to answer nothing.”
The tension in the room was thick and it was only broken when the two detectives barged into Carlo’s office.
“Can I help you fellas?” Anthony sat back in Carlo’s chair and fixated his hazel eyes on detective William.
The two detectives moved through the room deliberately, watching every ones actions.
“So, what do you want?” Anthony asked again.
Detective William walked over to the desk and sat down on the edge. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. With one quick inhale, he blew the second hand smoke in Anthony’s face. “I guess they must have told you we found Sal.” Detective William spoke to Carlo but focused his attention on Anthony.
“I heard. Shouldn’t you be out looking for the suspect?” Carlo asked scornfully.
Detective William paused for a second, he was trying to calculate in his mind the fact that Anthony was sitting behind the desk and Carlo was sitting on the other side of the room. “I’m curiuos, why is Anthony sitting behind your desk Carlo? Carlo, did you loose your authority because of this kid?” Detective William waited for a response from anyone in the room.
“This is why you came down here, to see who was in charge. You wasted a trip. I assure you Carlo is still the head of the family. So you can run back to your boss and whisper that into his yellow ear. ” Anthony fanned the smoke away from his face.
Detective William put out his nearly smoked cigarette and walked to the door. His blood was fuming from Anthony’s verbal assault. He quickly had to find a way to turn the tables. “Oh, I almost forgot. Here’s your wallet. I guess the case is closed, for now. It seems like the guy that held you up, also held up Sal, then murdered him.” He threw the wallet back to Anthony.
“Really?” Anthony reached out and caught the flying wallet with one hand.
“Yeah, Michael didn’t tell you? He identified the body.” Detective William and Anthony looked at Michael. “We’ll see you around.” Both detective William and detective Johnson walked out of the office and out of the café. They both could feel the tension in the room. If they where trying to make Anthony look bad in front of Michael or vise a versa, then they succeeded.
Before anyone could say anything, Carlo stepped up. “Let me get something straight, the guy that robbed you and Helen last night also robbed Sal and then killed him?” Carlo glanced over to see the expression on Michael’s face.
Michael turned and stared at the floor, desperately trying not to make eye contact with Carlo or Anthony.
“It looks that way.” Anthony replied. “So, now what?”
“I’ll have to call the guys in New York and give them the news.” Carlo walked back to his desk and began making calls.
Anthony stood up and gazed out the two-mirror to see if Helen was still in the café. She had left, after Michael’s childish behavior, but there was a note where Anthony was sitting. He quietly excused himself and walked down to the table and unfolded the hand written note.
“Anthony.” Frankie’s voice was strong, with a hint of animosity. “Carlo wants to see you.”
“Thanks.” Anthony started toward Carlo’s office, an
d then stopped. “Hey Frankie, I’m sorry about the way I behaved in the office. I didn’t mean any disrespect toward you. I’m getting the feeling you don’t want me around anymore.”
Frankie stared at Anthony. “I got nothing to say to you.”
Meanwhile, Carlo was grinning from ear to ear when Anthony walked in. “I can’t believe we got away, you’re a fucken genius! Giving Sal’s ring to that mugger, pure fucken genius!”
“I told you we had nothing to worry about.” Anthony couldn’t help, but smile. A simple plan, executed to perfection. “Now, you and I can focus on our other problem; Hong.”
“Let’s worry about Hong tomorrow, for now I want to celebrate getting rid of that bastard Sal.” Carlo never really cared for Sal. He was glad to see the he was finally dead.
For Anthony, this was important. He had made his first hit and it was a big one. Unfortunately, it was an unauthorized. A hit that could never be spoken about or he would wind up dead in the same bayou as the one he put Sal.
Salvatore Giganti, a capo. He was born in the tough streets of New York and worked his way up in the organization, from an enforcer to a lieutenant to an under boss. Salvatore Giganti was someone you truly feared, because of his explosive temper. The mere mention of his name brought a chill in the air and a chill in your spine, was now gone for good. Anthony felt strong and weak all in the same breath. Was there still someone in his own organization trying to kill him, just like Hong suggested? Furthermore, he had to deal with the realization that Carlo would always have a bargaining chip hanging over his head. For now he would play along with all those guys that where in the room. He’d still consider them as friends. He’d still do what Carlo asked of him, until he found out more about the truth. Then he would seek his revenge and make all those that tried to kill him pay with their life.
“Anthony, you want me to give you a ride home?” Carlo asked, still smiling.
“If it’s not to much trouble. I need to go and take my medicine.” Anthony said kindly, choking down the mistrust he felt for his under boss.
Carlo drove Anthony home and rolled down his window, before pulling out of the driveway. “Kid, you did good. Victor would have been proud of you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Carlo backed out and headed home.
The next morning, the sun shined through the small holes in the blinds that hung over Anthony’s bedroom window. He woke up from a restful sleep. He could hear Helen and his mom laughing in the kitchen.
“Good morning.” Helen said with a pleasant smile. Her long dark hair shinning from the morning sun, that seemed to fill the tiny kitchen.
“When did you get here?” Anthony leaned in and kissed her on top of the head. He enjoyed waking up and finding Helen already at the house.
“Your mom called and wanted to talk to me.” Helen said playfully.
He had seen this mood before, they where up to something and Anthony knew that could only mean trouble. “What’s going on?”
“We have a surprise for you, but you’ll have to wait until next week.” Helen smiled.
“Why next week?” Anthony asked.
“It’s your birthday silly.”
“Don’t you dare through me a surprise party? You know how much I hate surprises.” Anthony said jokingly, but firm.
Helen stood up and hugged Anthony around the neck. “You’ll like this one, trust me.” She planted a kiss on Anthony’s cheek that rocked him on his heels. “I’m going down to the club, do you need a ride?”
“Thanks.” Anthony slapped Helen’s tight little ass, as he walked back to his room. “Don’t wait up for me tonight, I’m going to be late.” He kissed his mom and followed Helen out the door. Helen dropped Anthony off in front and pulled her car around back and parked.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Sonny asked.
“Whatta you mean?” Helen answered puzzled. “I brought Anthony over.”
“Mom said you two where going shopping. She wanted you to call her.”
Helen started searching her cluttered purse for a quarter.
“Go use the phone at the bar.” Sonny said.
Helen walked by Anthony and blew him a kiss, before she called her mom. “I need to go, can I see you later?”
“Yeah, just come by, remember I’m coming home late tonight.” Anthony watched as she headed back out the rear door. “I god I love the way your sister walks.”
”You’re really hooked on her, aren’t you?” Sonny asked.
“Let me ask you something, are we cool?” Anthony wanted to feel out Sonny.
“Whatta mean?” Sonny asked puzzled.
“I don’t know how you feel about this, but I’d like to marry your sister someday.” Anthony asked hesitantly. He knew Michael got to Sonny and he wasn’t sure how Sonny felt about him ever since Mr. Mazellie had passed away, plus after his shooting, Anthony didn’t trust anybody in his organization.
“Are you kidding me, that would be great!” Sonny said excitedly.
“Keep it down. I said someday.” Anthony whispered.
“I couldn’t be happier for you two. You have my blessing, I mean that, but I will tell you this; you hurt one hair on her head; I’ll hunt you down and chop off your head and mount it on my wall.” Sonny didn’t joke around when it came to Helen’s happiness. Now that his father was gone, he felt like he was the protector of the family.
Anthony never heard Sonny utter a word of anger before. He was one of those strong silent guys. “I make you this promise, I will treat her with the utmost respect. I will treat her with love honor and commitment. My biggest worry is; how Michael will react to the news.”
“Fuck him! Ever since our dad passed away, he thinks he’s top dog. I think this will be good for our family. So, when is the big day?”
“Sonny, slow down. Let me ask her first.” Anthony said quietly.
“Ask me what?” Helen had walked back in and now was standing behind Anthony.
Anthony was struggling for the right words. “I… I was asking your brother if he knew about my big surprise. You know, the one you have in store for me next week.” He felt like a sinking ship.
“Save your breath. No one knows except for your mother and I.” Helen said playfully. “And we’re not telling.”
Anthony felt a bit relieved; his quick thinking had gotten him out of a corner. “I thought you where leaving.”
“I was, but I forgot my keys.” Helen grabbed her keys off the bar and began to walk away. “Anthony, you stop trying to find out about your present.”
“Alright, alright, I will.” Anthony blew her a kiss and made sure this time she left for good. He turned back toward Sonny, who had a disappointing look across his face. “What?”
“Why didn’t you ask her?”
“I want to wait for the perfect moment.” Anthony answered.
Sonny got up and walked behind the bar and pulled out an old bottle of scotch. The bottle was covered with cobwebs and three layers of dust. “My dad hid this behind a false wall under the bar. It was given to him at his ceremony, when he became a made man.” Sonny unscrewed the top and sniffed the aroma that came forth from the old scotch. “A toast, to my future brother in law. Salute!” Both men slammed their shot glasses down, after a quick swallow. The harsh taste of the whiskey burnt their throat, as it made it’s way down their esophagus and warmed their insides.
Frankie walked in and found Sonny and Anthony sitting at the bar, drinking Victor’s private liquor. His massive frame blocked out what little light came in from the front entrance.
“Frankie, come and celebrate with us!” Sonny yelled from behind the bar.
“What are we celebrating?” Frankie asked.
“Anthony is going to ask Helen to marry him.” Sonny said as he poured another shot for him, Anthony and Frankie.
“Really?” Frankie said surprised. “Does Michael know?”
“Helen doesn’t even know.” Sonny started to laugh uncontrollability. The fifty-year-old scotch was apparently awfu
lly strong.
“Well, you two make a good looking couple. I wish you the best, but for now, Carlo asked me to find you and bring you to the café.” Frankie finished his drink and waited for Anthony to follow him to his car.
Anthony never felt nervous being around Frankie, but ever since he had that conversation with Lee Hong, he felt like he better watch his step. “Did he say why?”
“All he told me was to find you and bring you back to the café as soon as possible.”
Anthony finished the drink Sonny poured for him and walked to the front door. “Remember Sonny, don’t say a word about my intentions to Helen. I want to wait for the perfect moment.”
“Don’t worry, it’s our little secret.” Sonny said as he watched both men walk out into the afternoon sun.
When Anthony and Frankie reached the café, Anthony walked into Carlo’s office and found Carlo talking on the phone, as usual. The strong stench of cigar smoke seemed too linger more and more in the tiny office.
“Let me see what I can do, I’ll have my best man work on the problem. I’ll get back to you as soon as we figured it out.”
“What’s going on?” Anthony asked curiously.
Carlo leaned back in his chair and spoke nervously. “That was Lee Hong, he want to have a sit down. He said that since Sal was dead, he’s willing to settle our differences and work out a deal.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Anthony asked.
“We need a neutral place by tonight. A place we all can feel safe. I’m sure he won’t come here and I’m not going to his side of town.”
Anthony thought for a moment. “Why don’t we have it at my house. It’s quiet and it’s away from all the major streets.”
“That’s not a bad idea. Alright Anthony, I’ll agree to it. Now if we could only get a message to Hong.” Carlo called for Frankie to come into his office.
“Yeah boss.”
“I need you to give Anthony a ride home and do whatever he asks, can you handle that?”
“Absolutely.”
