“Why not?”
“Because I don’t need to.”
“Why not?”
“You didn’t have a title before just now and you tell everybody what to do, including me and Bobby.”
“But you don’t always do what I say,” Wanda said and shook her head as she parked outside the pizza shop that Angee and his crew hung out.
I’d known Angelo Collette since we were in junior high school. We were both on the same path, but traveling in different directions. He became a soldier for Vincenzo Adalberto and I went to work for Andre. We’ve done some jobs together, made some money, but more than that, Angee was my friend.
There were a bunch of white boys standing outside. They all stopped what they were doing to look when Wanda pulled up in front of the pizzeria and parked.
“You know what they’re saying, right?”
“What?”
“Fuck are these mulignans doing here,” Wanda said in her Italian accent and turned off her car.
“Probably,” I said and got out.
“Relax everybody, it’s just Mikey,” Joey said and then he saw Wanda get out of the car. “Wow!” he said and looked at me. “Sorry, Mikey. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“None taken, Joey,” I said.
“What about me?” Wanda asked. “Don’t I get an apology since it was me that you disrespected?”
Joey bowed at the waist. “I’m sorry. But geez, Wanda, a guy can only take so much.”
I shook my head. “Angee around?”
“He’s inside.”
“Thanks,” I said and started for the door, but one of Angee’s crew, a real dick named Paulie stepped in front of the door. I don’t like him, and he doesn’t like me. I knew that one day we would have to settle our differences.
“You’re in my way, Paulie.”
“You’re lucky Angelo likes you,” Paulie said,
“And even if he didn’t, I would still kick your ass. Now get the fuck out my way.”
Paulie stepped aside and opened the door.
“One day, Mikey,” he said as me and Wanda passed him.
I stopped. “And on that day, I’ll kick your fuckin’ ass.”
“We’ll see.”
I stepped to his chest. “We can see right now.”
“What? You two fruits getting ready to kiss or something,” I heard Angee say from behind me.
“No, Angelo,” Paulie said and stepped back.
“I didn’t think so.” Angee glanced at me and then turned to Wanda. “How you doin’, Wanda?” he asked and put his arm around her.
“I’m fine, Angelo. What about you?”