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“My pleasure.Our conversation brought back wonderful memories.If any of you are in Brooklyn again, please come by,” Antonio Jr.said.

Abby nodded but knew none of them would ever step foot into that restaurant again.

CHAPTER 24

Carla

The loss that Beverly felt when Roy died permeated the house so intensely that to Carla, it no longer felt like home.To make matters worse, Carla was sure that her mother blamed her for her brother’s death.If only Carla could’ve talked Roy into staying home with her that night, her family would still be whole.At least that’s what Carla’s young brain told her.

Beverly was away a lot before Roy’s death, but afterward, she became more of a visitor than a resident.Even when she was in town, Carla would have no idea where her mother was.Beverly left early in the morning before Carla woke up and came home after she was asleep.Carla stayed out of the house as much as possible, only coming home in time for dinner--a dinner she had to buy the groceries for and cook.

No one was around to ensure that Carla went to school or did her homework.Luckily, she was smart enough and cared enough not to let herself slip through the cracks.She had a great friend group of thoughtful, ambitious teens who got good grades but also liked to have fun.On weekends, they’d all meet at McGorlick Park, drink beer, and smoke pot, but when Monday rolled around, they were back on track.

Antonio was her closest friend through high school.They met freshman year when seated near each other in four of their seven classes.When they were assigned as lab partners in chemistry, they realized they had a lot in common.Since there didn’t seem to be any romantic interest in each other, they didn’t have to deal with any sexual tension.Occasionally, Carla would look at Antonio and wish she was attracted to him because he was a nice guy who treated her well, but sparks never ignited.

Antonio worked in his father’s restaurant.Most days after school, Carla would meet him there, and they would do homework while eating free pizza.

Antonio’s father knew Carla’s situation, so he’d send her home with extra food, and occasionally, he’d tell her he found a ten-dollar bill on the ground and give it to her.There were whispers he was in the Mob, but Carla didn’t believe it.Antonio Sr.seemed like a good husband and father who cared about his community.Carla thought it was a ridiculous stereotype that anyone with an Italian accent who had ever lived in New Jersey was a gangster.

However, one day, during Carla’s senior year of high school, her image of Antonio Sr.shattered.She was supposed to meet Antonio Jr.at the restaurant, but his track practice ran late.When Carla got to the pizza place, the door was unlocked, and the lights were dim, but the place was quiet.Carla savored the scent of garlic and onions and figured the prep cook was in the kitchen preparing for the dinner rush.

She dropped her backpack on a chair at the table she and Antonio Jr.always took and headed to the restroom.She was startled by a loudthumpas she ran her hands under the warm water and lathered them with soap.It sounded as if someone had dropped a heavy barbell on the floor.Her instincts told her to stay put, but curiosity got the best of her, and she pushed the bathroom door open a crack and peeked out.A man was on his back on the floor as Antonio Sr.stood over him, like an immense black cloud that took pleasure in repelling sunlight.The man covered his nose with his hand and turned his head, but Carla could see blood running down his chin.

“You get me my money by tomorrow, or you better move to another planet.And if you move to another planet, I’ll still find you,” Antonio Sr.said.

“Please, I just need a little more time.”

“You know my policy; I don’t give more time.”

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash.“Here, I have half of it,” he said, dropping bills on the floor.

Antonio Sr.ignored the money, and his voice got as loud as a bullhorn.“I am not in the business of covering your bets,” he said, then kicked the man in the ribs.

The man screamed, and Carla jumped back as if she’d been the one hit.

“Either you bring me my money tomorrow, or I’ll be visiting that wife of yours to plan your funeral,” Antonio Sr.said.“Now, get up and get out of here!”

The man hobbled out of the restaurant, one hand on his nose, the other on his ribs.Antonio Sr.marched back into the kitchen with a satisfied smile.

When Carla was sure he was gone, she quietly crept out of the bathroom and headed to her table.She picked up her backpack, and while debating how to get out of there without Antonio Sr.seeing her, she heard a rattle as the front door opened.Carla spun around so quickly that she got dizzy.

“Hey,” Antonio Jr.said.

“Hi,” she said, her voice vibrating in her throat.

“You okay?”he asked.

“Uh, yeah,” Carla wasn’t about to tell him what she had witnessed.Antonio idolized his father.He talked about his parents reverently, as if they were one step away from godly.

“You don’t look good,” he said, taking her in.

“I’m just hungry; I skipped lunch.”

“Sit.”

She sat down, and he gave her some water.Then he went into the kitchen to get garlic rolls.Antonio Sr.came out of the kitchen with his son.

“Hi, Carla,” Antonio Sr.said as if he hadn’t just pummeled a man.“Nice to see you.”