Chapter 33: Very Good FriendsCHAPTER 33
VERY GOOD FRIENDS
Brooklyn—3 Years Ago
On the way home, I got to know Manny a little better, as much as you can from a car ride. He seemed to be everything Tito wasn’t—open and honest, friendly and charming, smiles and laughter. I knew most of it was probably a front, honed to perfection by decades of practice. If it was, it worked.
Manny dropped me off at Tony’s house and told me not to worry, that I’d be hearing from Tito. I got out of the car, went up to the door and knocked. Celia answered, inviting me in with the same warmth she expressed the other night.
“How about some food, Nicky? I was just making a salad.”
“No thanks, Celia. I think I’ve already put five pounds on since I’ve been here.” I followed her to the kitchen. Life seemed to be
