South Deering

Chapter 7

It was about 10:30 that night when Augie banked the 8 ball in the corner pocket, ending the game.

I walked in the back door and nodded to Rollie, who was at his usual spot behind the counter. He nodded back and motioned for me to come up to the counter. “Hold on, Fat Man, I’ll be right there.”

Larry, Augie, Mike, and Lil Joe had just finished; Pete, Eddie, Bobby, and Butch all turned when they heard my voice. They all noticed my shiner and split lip but didn’t say anything.

“Rack ‘em, Mike,” Lil Joe said. “That’s one game apiece,”

“Who’s got winners?” I asked.

“Yeah, me and Butch,” Bobby answered.

“Okay,” I said, “but I got’ um after that.”

I turned, took about ten steps, stood at the counter, and asked: “What’s up?”

“Hey, Flacco,” Rollie said, “I heard there was a little scuffle in the back last night. I hope you got in a couple of shots.”

“Yeah, that fucken, Tommy. I can’t believe we used to be best friends.”

“I heard she’s beautiful,” Rollie said with a twinkle.

“You know, Rollie, sometimes I don’t know what comes over me. All I see is red. Last night I wanted to hurt Tommy real bad.”

No sooner had I said that Larry was standing next to me.

“Hey,” he said, “can I talk to you for a couple of minutes after this game.”

“Sure,” I said, “I"ll be in the yard. What’s on your mind, Rollie?”

“We’ll talk after the game, okay?”

Having lost the game, me and Larry were sitting on the stairs. We both lit up. After a couple of drags, Larry turned and looked at the end of his cigarette. “I know you don’t want Molly to see you right now, but we’re going to the show tomorrow, and she wants you to go with us.”

“Naw, man, I need some time.”

“She doesn’t care about your eye.”

“How does she know about my eye?” I asked, getting a little pissed.

“I guess I must have said something.”

“What the f**k, Lar, She didn’t have to know about that,” I almost shouted. Now I was really getting f*****g pissed.

“I’m sorry, man, I was just trying to help. Besides, we’re only going to the show!”

After thinking about it and knowing she would be leaving in a couple of months, against my better judgment, I said, “Okay.”

“All right,” Larry said rather happily.

“Oh,” he said, “one more thing, Tommy called her today and asked her out.”

“What did she say?”

“She said no. I think because she’s waiting for you to call.”

“If she wants to go out with him, that’s up to her.”

“Besides, as you said, she’ll be gone in a couple of months, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Okay then, let’s go shoot some 8 ball.”

Once inside, Rollie motioned me over to the counter. “What’s up?” I asked.

“I wanted to ask how you felt about making a couple of bucks, watching the place on Saturday and Sunday?”

“Yeah, sure,” I answered, “what time are you talking about?”

“How about from 6pm till whatever time you want to close. It’ll be alright. The guys will be here with you.”

“That’s great, man. When do you want me to start?”

“How’s tomorrow sound?”

“I got a date tomorrow. How about next week?”

“Okay,” he said, “I hope it’s with Jeannie’s girlfriend.”

“It is,” I answered with a smile of confidence.

“Try to get here about 5:30. I’ll show you what to do.”

“Fine,” I said. “Now I’m gonna shoot some pool.”