“That’s a lot of schooling.”
“It is,” Kenny agreed.
Once Ray had made up his mind about becoming a priest, Kenny knew his friend would put in the time and effort to accomplish it. Ray wasn’t only smart, he was a genius, and would’ve become an exceptional doctor.
“I was thinking about taking a few summer courses, then changed my mind,” Justine said, sighing.
“Who or what made you change your mind?”
“It’s not a who, mister busybody.”
Kenny smiled. “Did I mention his name?”
“No, but I know who you’re thinking about.”
“Since when did you become a mind reader?” Kenny asked, teasing his mother.
Justine massaged her neck before rolling her head from one side to the other. “My decision not to take summer classes has nothing to do with Francis D’Allesandro.”
Kenny pointed at Justine. “Gotcha! You said his name.”
She smiled. “Frank is like an old shoe. Not only is it a perfect fit, but it’s also very comfortable.”
He wanted to ask his mother if Frank was a perfect fit when they made love, but he knew she would shut him down and not speak to him for days, because she’d accuse him of crossing the line; that despite his being an adult, he wasn’t her equal.
Not only did he love his mother, but he also worried about her. She still was spending too much time alone, and it was only when Frank came to see her that she would turn into a younger version of herself and laugh and tease him like an adolescent girl. And he hadn’t missed the longing looks Frank gave his mother, and his love for her was as obvious as the nose on his face.
They were good for each other, even if they vehemently denied wanting to marry or live together. Social mores had relaxed where couples were sharing free love, living together without the benefit of marriage, and women opting to become single mothers.
He didn’t think of Frank and Justine as dinosaurs, but it was as if they weren’t willing to let go of the rules of the prior generation, when women had to remain virgins until they married, or if a boy got a girl pregnant, they were forced into shotgun marriages.
Pushing off the sofa, Kenny stood up. “Do you plan on going out this afternoon?” he asked his mother.
“No. Why?”
“Because if anyone calls about setting up an interview, could you please take the message?”
“Of course.”
“I’m going out for a walk. I’m getting cabin fever cooped up in this apartment.”
“Do you want me to wait on you for dinner?”
“No thanks, Mom. I’ll grab something outside.” Kenny went into his bedroom to get his driver’s license, keys, and a small amount of cash. It was as if his life was in limbo, knowing everything would change once he secured employment.
CHAPTER28
It was the first time his godfather had invited him to the apartment he’d heard about but never visited. He’d grown up believing the man with his same name lived in the brownstone’s street-level apartment.
“Come in and sit down,” Frank said.
Frankie had taken one look at his godfather’s expression and knew he wasn’t happy about something. He walked into the living room and sat on a butter-soft navy-blue leather sofa. He was twenty-two-years-old, yet he felt like twelve being summoned to the principal’s office.
Frank sat on a matching chair, facing him. “Do you know why I asked you to come here?”
Frankie shook his head. “No.”
“A couple of weeks ago, you approached me with the news that your friend had been assaulted in the Bronx, and you wanted me to find out who did it.”
