Ralphie Henderson extended a shaky, aged hand, and the two of them met, at last.
“I’ve heard about you,” Ralphie said.
“All good things, I hope.”
“Life is a mixed bag. You get apples sometimes, sometimes hard cider.”
“I can see why you seek this man out,” Frisano said. “Wisdom only comes from experience.”
Ralphie signaled over to the bartender, who showed up with three pints. Frisano said that he shouldn’t but changed his mind when Ralphie gave him a look. He was in charge., It was his turf, and they did what he said. He carried himself still with authority, even as his years tried to betray his body. They clinked chilled glasses, then they drank.
Jimmy tried to absorb the moment Ralphie met Frisano. He wondered briefly if he could do the same with his family, imagining Maggie fussin
